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

Tim doesn't put "boutique" parts in EAR products not to save money, but because he doesn't find they lead to better sound or greater reliability. What he DOES do is use parts with voltage ratings that exceed the voltages the parts will see in the circuit they are used in.

Two other designer/manufactures who share Tim's view on this subject are Roger Modjeski and Frank Van Alstine, both known for offering products with very high price-to-performance ratios. There are some other companies selling higher priced electronics that never-the-less contain parts with voltage ratings barely meeting what the circuits they are used in call for, leading to those products less-than-stellar reliability record.

Didn't know that Bdp24 - thanks for sharing

Thanks BDP24. That is good to know! Also, I am learning a lot from the information regarding tube rolling. Thanks All.

@djfst. I turn the ear all the way up and use the volume control of kr audio va 900 integrated. The seimens on my bebop Jazz is great. It very detailed, fast and open. Needs a little more body but soundstage is huge and wide. I know the reviewer used kubala sosna emotion with the ear. They add warmth richness and body from what I hear about them. But just a slight bit. I'm going to try the ediswans because my dealer suggested. He has a taste warmth and richness so I will try. I tried mullards in my old Ear 868 and I hated it. Sound like a thick flannel blanket.

I always thought Van Alstine priced their gear at the lower end of the spectrom. It seems like EAR prices their gear on the higher end of things. I think the biggest problem with EAR is there customer service. I have read quite a few threads about their lousy customer service. Though no one has ever complained about the sound quality.