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

In the 1970's Frank Van Alstine had the stones to offer a slight redesign of the pre-amp everyone considered THE pre-amp to own, the Audio Research SP-3. In his writings he explained exactly what his circuit changes did (improved the SP-3's linearity, improved the phono stage's low-frequency overload characteristics and corrected it's slight RIAA EQ curve inaccuracy--- main priorities in Frank's designs), and why the SP-3 needed those changes. It proved that, though Bill Johnson was a fine designer, he wasn't omnipotent!

I'm running a pair of the Telefunken E88CC from Upscale in my Aesthetix Romulus Eclipse. This CDP takes 1 pr 6dj8 and 1 pr 12ax7.
The Funkies are definitely very nice. I would describe them as "clean".
BTW: I too would like to hear the new Acute DAC.

Yes, I also owned an Acute CDP, liked the "sound" very much.

Tried the telefunkens I have them still. I liked the seimens better. Bigger soundstage. The telefunkens were a little too hot up top on my player.

I'm also using Mullard 12ax7s which might be balancing the Telefunkens. I've not heard the the Telefunkens on their own so what you're saying may be true.