Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Amplifiers

Linear Tube Audio and Credo Audio: CAF 2023

Looking for that next level of inner detail, nuance, and connection to the music? This system delivered that and more.

Linear Tube Audio with Credo EV1202 Reference Loudspeaker at Capital Audiofest 2023
Linear Tube Audio with Credo EV1202 Reference Loudspeaker at Capital Audiofest 2023

One of things I hate the most about some vendors at high-end audio shows is that they feel the need to overwhelm attendees with a wall of sound. As I have mentioned previously, the only brand that gets a pass on this is Zu Audio.

Sean Casey has a very well thought out plan for his rooms and none of it involves playing audiophile-approved music.

The Zu approach is not for everyone and more than a few people who entered whilst a number of us were listening got up and left completely put off by the music and intensity of the experience.

Definitely their loss.

Linear Tube Audio’s Nicholas Tolson has a rather different approach and that has nothing to do with the quality of the music being played.

Tolson, has a rather solid understanding of what makes their equipment unique and whom to partner with to show it off.

If you are looking for a hard hitting system that is going to beat you into submission or smother you with neverending detail — LTA’s equipment is not for you.

Linear Tube Audio MicroZOTL Preamplifier
Linear Tube Audio MicroZOTL Preamplifier

Products like the LTA MicroZOTL Pre-amplifier ($5,750 USD) and ZOTL40 Reference+ Power Amplifiers ($6,800 USD/each) recreate a rather wide and deep soundstage with precise imaging, clarity, timbral accuracy, and delicacy with the appropriate loudspeakers.

They also don’t sound their best when you turn the volume up too high; which is generally how their rooms are run at shows.

Having listened to their equipment at the showroom in Maryland and in my own system — you experience music differently. There is a connection to the music, especially with vocals, that feels more intimate.

Linear Tube Audio with Credo EV1202 Reference Loudspeaker at Capital Audiofest 2023
Linear Tube Audio with Credo EV1202 Reference Loudspeaker at Capital Audiofest 2023

It is not a visceral experience as much as a cerebral one and loudspeakers like the Credo Audio EV1202 Reference ($16,995 USD/pair) highlighted that aspect at the show.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Stereophile’s Herb Reichert and I sat together in the room for almost 30 minutes; we both changed seats to experience it differently and there was this intense quiet in-between each track that really made the listening session truly different.

The EV1202 Reference are rather slim looking floor standers that don’t exactly scream $17,000 USD.

LTA, Meitner and Credo Audio impressed many at Capital Audiofest 2023.
Credo Audio EV1202 Reference Loudspeakers

Specifications:

  • Tweeter: 1 x 1“ Coated textile, neodymium magnet, symmetrical drive motor
  • Mid-Woofer: 2 x 5.5“ sliced paper cone, large ferrite magnet symmetrical-drive
  • Tuning: Bass reflex (back)
  • Crossover: 2-way proprietary filter-design
  • Frequency response: 37 Hz – 20 kHz, +/- 3dB
  • Roll-off: 36 Hz -2dB, 33 Hz -10dB
  • Sensitivity: 86.6 dB @ 2.83V @ 1m
  • Linear impedance:
    • nominal 4 Ω
    • min. 2.1 Ω @ 40 Hz
    • max. 10.4 Ω @ 1.2 kHz
  • Recommended amplifier: 50 W RMS
  • Weight: 20.0 kg
  • Size:(HxDxW): 123.4 cm x 22 cm x 18 cm
Meitner MA-3 Integrated DAC

A Meitner MA3 Integrated DAC ($10,500 USD) filled out the rest of the system which was connected with some outrageously expensive cables from van den Hul.

So how did it sound?

Coming into the room was a serious respite from the outrageously loud systems playing on the rest of the floor.

The loudspeakers were placed rather close to the walls and almost behind the front plane of the equipment rack and angled inward towards the front seats.

One had to listen into the music and allow the music to surround them; which this system did exceptionally well.

Acoustic instruments were pushed only slightly forward of the loudspeakers but the timbal accuracy was spot on and there was just the performer and you in the space.

The bass never really overloaded the space, but I suspect that the loudspeakers are capable of delivering a lot more low end impact than we experienced that day.

Herb stood up, smiled, and looked back at the system before he left.

I could have sat and listened to this system all day.

For more information: lineartubeaudio.com/caf2023

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Advertisement

New Products

Hisense 2025 ULED TV line-up

HDTV 4K & 8K TV

Brighter, bigger, and more powerful, the Hisense 2025 ULED TV lineup should have something for everyone.

Pro-Ject Automat A1.2 Turntable Lifestyle Pro-Ject Automat A1.2 Turntable Lifestyle

New Products

Updated with a new die-cast aluminium platter, Pick It MM E phono cartridge and other refinements, the Automat 1.2 might be the most logical...

NAGRA Compact Phono Stage Angle NAGRA Compact Phono Stage Angle

New Products

At $4,950, the Nagra Compact Phono is a "lower cost" high-end audio solution for getting the most out of your vinyl record listening experience.

JADIS JS2 SL DAC Front Angle Top Open JADIS JS2 SL DAC Front Angle Top Open

DACs

Do you really need a DAC that costs between $14,000 and $18,000? Bluebird Music thinks the Jadis Vacuum Tube JS5 or JS2 SL are...

Samsung Neo QLED TV 2025 with Vision AI Samsung Neo QLED TV 2025 with Vision AI

HDTV 4K & 8K TV

Samsung just unveiled pricing and availability details for its full line of Neo QLED TVs in both 4K and 8K resolution. Potential buyers may...

Samsung HW-Q990D. Samsung HW-Q990D.

New Products

The first soundbar with Eclipsa Audio decoding, Samsung's new flagship Q990F may be the one to beat in 2025.

You May Also Like

HDTV 4K & 8K TV

Brighter, bigger, and more powerful, the Hisense 2025 ULED TV lineup should have something for everyone.

New Products

The first soundbar with Eclipsa Audio decoding, Samsung's new flagship Q990F may be the one to beat in 2025.

News

The traveling headphone show, CanJam came to New York City last month and we were there. Here are a few highlights.

Music

These Quadraphonic albums have been digitized from analog four-track Quad mixes and are now available on Blu-ray discs.

Music

Craft Recordings announces seven titles coming to participating independent music retailers on Record Store Day, April 12, spanning jazz, salsa, rock and soul.

Daily Deals

Spring time is here and with it the opportunity to bring home a giant TV at a great price to enjoy all the basketball...

New Products

The award-winning Focal Bathys wireless noise cancelling headphones arrive in a new black color option for $699, the same price as before.

Articles

Is it possible to make Hi-Fi and home theater work in really small spaces? EIC Ian White's journey into the great unknown of cabin...

Advertisement

ecoustics is a hi-fi and music magazine offering product reviews, podcasts, news and advice for aspiring audiophiles, home theater enthusiasts and headphone hipsters. Read more

Copyright © 1999-2024 ecoustics | Disclaimer: We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.



SVS Bluesound PSB Speakers NAD Cambridge Audio Q Acoustics Denon Marantz Focal Naim Audio RSL Speakers