Anyone heard the E.A.R. "Acute"?

If you get this player. There is no way you should keep the stock tubes in. I still play CDs and this player will be here for a long time. The tubes took it from a 7.5 to a 9. The only CD player I heard that clearly better was the solutions 540 but at its price you can improve your whole system. This player clearly delivers. I'm extremely picky about my gear. Are there better players out here? Yes, but I think the better players are north of 10k in most cases. Finding this used was a steal for me. There is an artist from Spain named Buika. Female vocalist sings in spanish which I can't speak but she sings with so much emotion it's spell binding. The midrange with this Siemens tube is flat out amazing. If the CCA tubes is similar but better. I'm tempted because this sound has me sitting in my sweet spot.

Rja and Calvinj, thank you for all that information. It is extremely helpful to me. I am excited about my audition of the DAC 4 in my system tomorrow. I will let you all know how it sounds. I am still struggling with whether to go with a separate DAC and transport or the one box piece. Assuming I like it, I could go with the DAC 4 and my current transport (Musical Fidelity A3.2). Then if I wanted to, I could get the Acute 4 transport later. Alternatively, the cheaper option would be to wait for the new one box player, but the timing of production and availability are not yet definite (hopefully before the end of the year).

Also, I wonder whether tube rolling is as much of an issue with their newer products?

@arsh. My experience is that the nos tubes allow you to fine tune to your systems and tastes. I feel like a kid in a candy store because I wanted this piece bad and one came up. I always wanted to try this however sometimes pieces don't meet your expectations. This one has with the tubes change to the Siemens. I will always tube roll from now on. It's like being able to change your product to your system and tastes by changing the tubes. I'm using high fidelity ultimate interconnects and these tubes ended up being a prefect match. I've listen to music about 10 hours in the last day and a half since I put them in. Without the tubes the player was just good with them they are special. I wish I would have gotten the seimens CCA. They are more expensive though.

Thanks Calvinj. Glad you are enjoying the new tubes! I guess I will need to learn a bit more about tube rolling if I get the EAR.