EAR/Yoshino Acute 3 CD Player

[PHC1]

This tubed beauty should be arriving shortly.

Stay tuned.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=goyzaGTJS0A&feature]EAR Yoshino Acute CD Player - YouTube[/ame]

[TommyC]

Wow, it's Christmas in the summer for Serge!

[PHC1]

It's home.

Stay tuned for initial impressions, it's warming up (tubes)...


Here is rated PG version of the first track I played after plugging it in.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LvuUaZAbJrg&feature]EAR Acute III - YouTube[/ame]

[PHC1]

Rated R.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjSLvf9oTr0&feature]EAR Acute III CD player - YouTube[/ame]

[PHC1]

The Acute has ways to go in terms of break in and I am very curious to hear what it will sound like. On it's first day, this is shaping up to be the most musical CDP I have heard to date. It is a bit shy right now and not as generous with the soundstaging as my well broken in Ayon tubed CDP but the Acute is the most analog and relaxed sounding CDP I have ever experienced in my system. Rich, warm, musical, very nice bass and a bit soft up top. I am very happy where this is going. If it opens up a bit it will the best CDP I have owned in terms of qualities I value most. It is an absolute pleasure to listen to so far. I actually forgot I was listening to digital instead of vinyl! That never happened before.

[Masterlu]

Serge... Have you ever heard the Burmester 089 or Meridian 808.3?

Right now I happen to have them both in my house.

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

Serge... Have you ever heard the Burmester 089 or Meridian 808.3?

Right now I happen to have them both in my house.

Yes to Meridian, No to Burmester.

This one is very different. Tubed, transformer coupled output, actual analog not digital filters! It sounds more analog than anything else I've heard. I've owned 3 Meridian CDPs by the way. I've heard the latest Meridian, had the Krell, Ayre and really enjoying the Ayon tubed cdp in my system right now. The Acute is the warmest, smoothest and musical cdp.

A bit early to say what it will be many hours from now and I can see how it may not impress some but those who enjoy the rich, creamy, supple sound instead of neutrality and slam would be very impressed right now.

I think I found a real winner for my taste and preference.

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by PHC1

Yes to Meridian, No to Burmester.

This one is very different. Tubed, transformer coupled output, actual analog not digital filters! It sounds more analog than anything else I've heard. I've owned 3 Meridian CDPs by the way. I've heard the latest Meridian, had the Krell, Ayre and really enjoying the Ayon tubed cdp in my system right now. The Acute is the warmest, smoothest and musical cdp.

A bit early to say what it will be many hours from now and I can see how it may not impress some but those who enjoy the rich, creamy, supple sound instead of neutrality and slam would be very impressed right now.

I think I found a real winner for my taste and preference.

That's all that matters!

[Jerome W]

Serge,
I believe that you will adore this player. It seems to be highly musical. It received the highest praise in the french review "Diapason".
If I were still into cd playing I would give him a chance but I just need a dac and don't spin anymore CDs...

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by C220MC275

Serge,
I believe that will adore this player. It seems to be highly musical. It received the highest praise in the french review "Diapason".
If I were still into cd playing I would give him a chance but I just need a dac and don't spin anymore CDs...

Jerome, both my tubed cdp's have digital inputs including USB. The tubed output stages is what matters, whether you spin the shiny discs or feed them any form of digital including high rez, the results are highly musical. I can't listen to digital seriously any other way but with tubes anymore.