TAS Editor’s Choice Award Winner
“[The Acute] was smooth in away that does not suppress information or add euphony. It is blessedly neutral in its character and its reproduction of the human voice is quite simply excellent. …Oh yes, this unit works flawlessly, unlike the other and more individualistic players!”
Harry Pearson, The Absolute Sound, August and October 2006
"With a new generation of one-and two-box upsamplers upon us, CD playback has seen a rebirth of sorts. CDs from companies like Telarc, Chesky, Reference Recordings, and the like sound better than ever on the new generation of players. My SACD player has seen some disuse recently, thanks to the Acute. Reasonably priced considering its extraordinary performance, the E.A.R. Acute is a wondrous value for those who love music. I have lost count of the CDs I own, and would like to continue to enjoy them. The E.A.R. Acute CD player offers this golden opportunity right now, and is most highly recommended. I bought the review sample, and it is now my CD player reference."
The Acute CD player is Tim de Paravicini's first foray into digital territory. While it starts life as an Arcam player, it utilizes nothing of the original machine except the transport and the excellent Wolfson, 24/96 upsampling DAC. Everything beyond the DAC (except the display) is of Tim de Paravicini's design, including the filters and the output stage. One thing that makes the player unusual is the fact that the filters are analog, not digital. Another is the transformer-coupled tube output stage. A third is the fact that it has enough gain to drive a power amplifier directly, with the front-panel volume control (also analog).
The Acute CD player offers both true balanced and single-ended analog outputs, and both coaxial and optical digital outputs.
The CD player acute has true balanced outputs with a tube line amp using transformers. Peak level is 5 volts.
It also has a true analogue remote controlled volume, so that you can use it in a minimalist system to drive directly any power amp.
Front panel is 19 inch rack style.
Only plays standard CD not SACD, accurate clean smooth sound more like vinyl."
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