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EAR Acute

Heard the Acute today and fell in love with its sound immediately - such glorious midrange and deep layering; full of details without causing ear fatigue! Must be the tube output stage...

Would have bought it on the spot but the build held me back. If it costs $2000, no problem but at $5000, I expect better build quality.

Is there a CDP out there that shares the EAR's glorious sound but better built in the same price range to recommend?
celebrer_le_temps343b
celebrer_le_temps343b OP
49 posts
 
The Acute is actually a modified Arcam CD player with Wolfson DAC according to my dealer.

I was considering the AA Prima too. The Prima is cheaper and looks much nicer but having not heard it in the flesh, decided to play safe and go for the Acute. Save some money on a preamp in the process :)

Anyway, has anyone A/B'd the 2 players?

Cheers.
marcosmana
4 posts
 
Hi Rja,

Any idea which Arcam the Acute is based on? I presume one of the earlier ones that used a Philips CDM 1 (or 2) Pro?

Cheers.

Marco.
rgd
656 posts
 
according to a thread over at the digital BB on AA its a modded Arcam 73

http://www.audioasylum.com/audio/digital/messages/128171.html
rja's avatar
rja
2,370 posts
 
I'm not sure "modded" is the correct term here, depends on your definition of the word I suppose. The case, DAC chips and transport are the only things retained with everything else replaced. Maybe "severe mod" would be appropriate. All reports so far indicate a superb sounding unit but I have not had an opportunity to hear one.
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