Go to original review at www.audioasylum.com

Dear All,

I have had the opportunity to audition the EAR Acute CD player and can now finally comment on this player versus the ARC Reference CD7 and Ayre CX-7e CD players.

At the end of this review, I will conclude with an analysis of the three players, with the five different scoring categories:

Lows (L)
Mids (M)
Highs (H)
Soundstage (S)
Dynamics (D)

I will begin with a general prologue first and then give my own personal ratings at the end, which are subjective entirely to listening in my own system, using balanced XLR connections.

In measure mode (preferred mode) the Ayre CX-7e CD unit comes along as a player having great impact, dynamics and punch. I have had this unit for approximately two years now and it certainly has flaws when you compare it to the best of the best. Some review sites reward and praise this player particularly highly. IMHO, this player lacks mid-range warmth and, in particular, there is no forwardness of the music with a limited compressed soundstage. It has bloated bass and a slight treble bloom, but these ultimately cannot make up for the lack of midrange magic. The rear soundstage is there and perhaps too much of it, as it empties itself into an abyss. Some may prefer this type of sound, but honestly, I cannot tolerate this especially considering the music does not project forward enough. Lateral width is as good as the best players around. Yes, it is incredibly dynamic, but this is the mere illusion of this unit. Yes, this player does suffer from “digititus” and in a very bad way. Another pertinent issue I noticed with this unit is slightly slower timing speed compared to the other CD players, resulting in a darker portrayal of the music.

Next is the ARC Reference CD7 unit, which is a true reference class CD player. It is characterised by lovely 6H30 sounding analogue tubes. In fact, its sound is so characteristic and very similar to that of the Pathos Endorphin CD player, which happens to utilise the same tubes, using two instead of seven. Where the Endorphin loses out is with output voltage level, with the CD7 producing in excess of 5.4 volts, whereas the Endorphin limits itself to 2 volts output. This clearly enables the ARC CD7 to bellow out huge dynamic sounding volumes quite easily from to top to bottom. The sound of the ARC CD7 is more complete and full of everything. It is extremely neutral sounding and certainly has qualities which justify the high price of this unit. I almost found the top end of this unit bordering on the verge of harsh or fatiguing, but did not have enough time to accurately test this further with longer listening audition periods. The player construction is world class, having the Philips Pro transport just like the Pathos Endorphin CD player. The 6H30 tube is synonymous to the best E88CC/6922 NOS tubes going around and maximises warmth in all areas of the audible frequency spectrum. It is the best tube going around at the moment for manufacturers, but the E88CC/6922 NOS stock, especially late 50’s and very early 60’s vintage certainly hold their own against the 6H30, as I will speak about this later. By the way, my Pathos Logos integrated amplifier has Eindhoven manufactured pinched waist d-getter 1956 Valvo CCa yellow-labelled tubes in use.

The EAR Acute CD unit is a unique player, with extreme resolution. Every musical instrument sounds actually like a real musical instrument and voices actually sound like real voices. No, it does not have the transport of the Phillips Pro mechanism or the construction of the ARC unit, but what it does have is a sound which is rich, luscious, organic and tonally correct. Let me begin with the frequency band. On the stock TdP EI PCC88 tubes, it offers enormous midrange warmth, texture and detail. It produces an extraordinary soundstage, bordering on infinite, and is truly reference class in this department. The forward stage is enormous, with music going behind the listening environment and filling all areas of the room. Yes, it’s that big. The rear stage depth and lateral spread are also outstanding. Where the stock tubes fail is in the top and bottom ends. I have replaced the stock tubes with Siemens 1963 vintage E88CC grey plate tubes and this player has now truly blown me away even further, with analogue transparent high resolution sound emanating. The Siemens E88CC tubes provide even more airy soundstage, forwardness and depth, I kid you not. The extension in the frequencies has resulted in the most sonically neutral sound I have ever heard. The sound is truly gorgeous and palpable. What’s more interesting is that the Siemens E88CC tubes have now provided a level of body to the instruments, which now presents the sound with a holographic appearance, with high resolution. Yes, it feels like you can reach out and just touch the instruments. Words do not describe this sound, as you truly have to experience it to understand why this unit is regarded a true reference player by some reviewers. The unit comes with some caveats too, which fortunately do not degrade the sound. An Arcam CD73 transport and Wolfson DAC’s, which now that I have heard agree with TdP that yes, they are the best analogue sounding DAC’s going around. It seems these up-sampling players are the future with CD sound.

So, where do I conclude with all this information?

Let me summarise by giving my own rating score. Of course, it’s entirely subjective to my own system and many will disagree, but I think it’s a realistic view of what I have heard.

For those out there, please don’t flame me from posting my own findings.

Ayre Cx-7e:

H = 8/10
M = 4/10
L = 8/10
D = 8/10
S = 5/10

ARC CD7:

H = 9~10/10
M = 8/10 (I thought it was the best until I heard the Acute)
L = 9~10/10
D = 10/10
S = 8~9/10

EAR Acute with Siemens 1960’s NOS:

H = 9~10/10
M =10/10 (the best midrange ever with extraordinary detail)
L = 10/10 (the bass is more tight and deeper than the Ayre on par with ARC and even better textured than the two)
D = 9/10
S =10/10 (exceptional reference standard)

EAR Acute with EI PC88 Stock tubes:

H = 6/10
M = 9/10 (highly intoxicating and captured my attention instantaneously)
L = 8/10
D = 7/10
S = 9/10

There you have it, three CD players all reviewed. I could also include the Pathos Digit and Endorphin CD players, but will leave those until another time.

Ciao.

XLR8OR