EAR Acute 3 CD player and DAC is outstanding .....

[joeinid]

I just hooked up my EAR Acute 3 cd player and DAC and eve though it's not broken in, it is just outstanding. It is bar none, the best cd player/DAC I have ever heard. Truly holographic even with the standard tubes. I got mine in black.

EAR Acute 3
​

The Acute 3 is Tim de Paravicini's latest CD player. The original Acute employed the excellent Wolfson, 24/96 upsampling DAC. The Acute 3 employs the latest Wolfson DAC, which upsamples to 24/192. The Acute 3 also offers digital inputs—S/PDIF, Toslink, and USB. Everything beyond the DAC 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 3 CD player offers both true balanced and single-ended analog outputs. Review link: ear acute

From the review:

Conclusion

With three digital inputs and much more powerful upsampling, the E.A.R. Acute III enters the big time, challenging player/DAC combos costing upwards of $80K with hugely realistic, intensely musical, digital reproduction. With more sophisticated sonics than I thought possible from CD reproduction, you'll enjoy high sampling rates up to 24/192 flawlessly produced. With an Alesis, MacBook, or server, get ready for the gorgeous sound of live performances. Vocal reproduction is unsurpassed. Bass power and focus is fantastic. The E.A.R. Acute III is most surely state of the art, and will be the player/DAC that all will be compared to—and, I suggest, will fall woefully short of, regardless of price.
You want the very, very best? The E.A.R. Acute III CD player is it! Robert H.Levi

​

 

[Sean]

Slick-looking gear, Joe. That is quite a statement about this player. Can't imagine what it will sound like broken-in.

 

[joeinid]

Slick-looking gear, Joe. That is quite a statement about this player. Can't imagine what it will sound like broken-in.

I was told to hang on, it gets way better. I am shocked. It will drive an amp directly with its variable outputs.

 

[Sean]

I was told to hang on, it gets way better. I am shocked. It will drive an amp directly with its variable outputs.

Man, I am looking forward to hearing your thoughts on its transformation. What setup(s) have you tried it in so far?

 

[joeinid]

Man, I am looking forward to hearing your thoughts on its transformation. What setup(s) have you tried it in so far?

Right now Dag preamp, Dart amp, Studio2. Just absolutely amazing.

 

[dlb2]

Congrats Joe. What a beauty. :woot:

 

[the professor]

Very nice.

 

[Mike]

Congrats Joe! When I heard it, it blew away the $30,000 Accuphase CD player.

Congrats!! Glad you like it!

 

[dlb2]

You know, you won't have any need for it when you get that 'table set up! :snicker:

 

[Petro85]

Damn Joe that's sweet. Congrats and enjoy!!
Everything Ive heard made by Ear has impressed me.

 

[joeinid]

You know, you won't have any need for it when you get that 'table set up! :snicker:

Patience grasshopper. I know you are correct though.

 

[joeinid]

Congrats Joe. What a beauty. :woot:

Thanks Doug. I think it may replace the ModWroght.

Very nice.

Thanks Jock. I can't wait to hear about your new toys.

Congrats Joe! When I heard it, it blew away the $30,000 Accuphase CD player.

Congrats!! Glad you like it!

After the Studio2, the EAR Acute 3 player is the next best thing. My Dartzeel being number one.

Damn Joe that's sweet. Congrats and enjoy!!
Everything Ive heard made by Ear has impressed me.

Steve,

Thank you. I can't wait the for EAR amp and preamp to come.

 

[-E-]

So... ugly...

It looks like a cassette player from 1984!

I'm so glad to read it sounds better than it looks!

Now we just need to get you off of dumb spinning media!

 

[joeinid]

So... ugly...

It looks like a cassette player from 1984!

I'm so glad to read it sounds better than it looks!

Now we just need to get you off of dumb spinning media!

Thank you for the kind words E, NOT! Ha!

It's a dac too. And a dman fine one. I'm happy. Besides, I can't see it it the dark.

 

[-E-]

Sounds like what a man would say after he woke up the next morning to something that required the double-bag method.

What is the DAC chip it uses?

 

[joeinid]

Sounds like what a man would say after he woke up the next morning to something that required the double-bag method.

What is the DAC chip it uses?

Sure, I've chewed off my share of arms. It did take me a while to realize it was supposed to be my arm I had to chew off. Oh well. It has gotten the job done.

I don't know what chip. I was trying to look it up but can't find it. Hmmmmmm. Another strike against me. I don't always read the fine print too.

 

[-E-]

Haha pobre Jose. I think you'll survive, though.

It uses a Wolfson; probably the same DAC in the AMR DP-777 for high-res. So for an additional $1600 you get a transport and a fully balanced set of outputs. Hrmmm...

I will say that none of us cared for the hi-rez DAC when playing back redbook when we did our review. The 16-bit dedicated chip was way more silky smooth (Zohan-speak).

 

[Paul]

Joe is sounds like becoming an reviewer for "Joe's HiEnD Exchange" Magazine. :scholar:

 

[-E-]

He cycles through gear at a pace that most people change underwear...

 

[gooch]

Congratulations on your new player