Source Components
Many people think of vacuum tube amplification when they think of E.A.R. and Tim de Paravicini. Sometimes we forget that E.A.R. also produces world-class CD Players and DACs, and one of the best turntables to be found anywhere.
They next time that you’re shopping for source components, or if you feel the need to upgrade the sound at the beginning of your audio system, keep E.A.R. at the top of your shopping list.
Please read on to learn more about these exquisitely designed and built source components. For questions, please call 573-696-3551 or email info@audiointelligent.com. To order, please give us a call or visit our Online Store.
New for 2011, the Acute III improves upon the critically acclaimed Acute CD player and
adds features for needs of the digital music listener of today and tomorrow.
The Acute III features the latest Wolfson DAC technology, with sampling rates up to 24
bits/ 192 kbps and it has interface terminals for connection of coaxial and TosLink SP/
DIF and for USB.
Immediately upon returning to the analog domain, the audio signal is passed to analog
filters of Tim de Paravicini’s proprietary design. The audio signal then goes to a
transformer-coupled tube output stage, which allows true floating balanced output as
well as identical-quality unbalanced output. Maximum output is 5 volts, which means the
Acute III can directly drive any power amplifier, via its remote-controlled analog volume
control.
The results are accurate, clean, smooth, and harmonious, yet detailed, open, and
dynamic, lacking the overly crisp un-musicality of many CD players. Many audio
designers claim to make CD players that “sound like vinyl.” With the Acute III, Tim de
Paravicini has actually done it.
Retail Price: $6095.00 (Black- Not Shown), $6795.00 (Chrome). Please specify when ordering.
Please allow 4 to 6 weeks delivery for this product.
With the E.A.R. DACute, Tim de Paravicini has applied the knowledge and attention to detail that he is famous for in the analog world to the digital domain.
The DACute is equipped with a Cirrus SPDIF receiver, enabling the it to interface with your existing digital setup and accept up to 24/192 digital input from USB, coaxial SPDIF, and Toslink SPDIF inputs. The digital audio signal is passed to analog filters of Tim de Paravicini’s own design and is then passed to a transformer-coupled ECC88 tube line output stage as in E.A.R. pro audio equipment. This allows true floating balanced output as well as identical quality unbalanced line out by RCA connectors.
The maximum output is 5 volts,which means it can drive directly any power amplifier of any type, with an analog domail volume control that can be adjusted with the remote handset.
The resulting sound is accurate, clean, and smooth, yet detailed, open and dynamic, but lacking the overly-crisp and brittle sound of many highly-regarded digital to analog converters.
Many audio designers claim to make digital players that sound “like vinyl.” With the DACute, Tim de Paravicini has actually done it.
| Specifications |
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Digital Inputs: |
2 x 75 Ohm Coaxial SPDIF |
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1 x USB |
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1 x TosLink SPDIF |
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Analog Outputs: |
1 x Single Ended RCA |
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1 x Balanced XLR |
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Maximum Output: |
5 Volts RMS, Adjustable |
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Output Impedance |
<60 Ohms, Balanced or Single Ended |
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Total Harmonic Distortion: |
<1% |
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Frequency Response: |
20 Hz – 20 kHz |
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Tube Complement: |
2 x ECC88/ 6DJ8 or 7DJ8 |
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Dimensions: |
435 mm wide x 320 mm deep x 95 mm high |
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| Retail Price: $5895.00 (Black- Not Shown), $6595.00 (Chrome). Please specify when ordering. |
| Please allow 4 to 6 weeks delivery time for this product. |
Tim de Paravicini began contemplating a radical new design for a turntable several decades ago, but the advent of digital audio put the project on hold. With interest in analog not only continuing, but also growing, he has finalized his design, and introduced the Disc Master turntable. While many turntables have appeared on the market in recent years, few offer as many novel features as the Disc Master, but this is not novelty for its own sake. The Disc Master represents a new standard for LP playback.
Most striking is the no-contact drive system. The need to transfer power to the platter of a turntable has always been problematic, as any system with the capacity to transfer power can, by the same means, transfer vibration. Flexible rubber belts have proved a satisfactory solution, but suffer problems of slippage (hence, uncertain speed) and they pull the platter sideways, which can result in stability problems. Tim de Paravicini has arrived at an ingenious solution that solves these problems. A low-noise motor, controlled by a carefully optimized servo loop, drives a sub-platter via a geared belt that ensures absolute speed control. The sub-platter drives the platter via an arrangement of opposing magnets. This method not only eliminates slippage, but allows enough compliance to filter out any remaining vibration from the motor and belt, while applying a fully symmetric driving force.
Bearings are another problem for a turntable designer, one that Tim de Paravicini has solved by the use of Swiss-made, precision angular contact bearings, which are as quiet as the more common point-contact types, but wear much more slowly, so that their performance after years of use will be as good as on initial purchase.
The platter is made of an ultra-low-resonance composite of resin and inorganic filler, accurately machined and supported on an instrument-grade aluminum chassis. Adjustable, damped feet support the assembly. Three speeds—33, 45, and 78—are offered, with a continuous speed control for 78 to accommodate discs cut at non-standard speeds.
All common tonearms can be mounted and adjusted with ease. The Disc Master is also available with a special EAR version of the Helius Omega tonearm. The Omega arm is as radical a rethinking of tonearm design as the Disc Master is a reconsideration of turntable design, and the two work superbly together.
| Retail Price: |
$31,500.00 (with E.A.R./ Helius Omega Tonearm) |
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$28,500.00 (without Tonearm) |
Please specify when ordering.
This is a limited production, special order item. Please call 573-696-3551 for more information on purchasing this product and expected delivery lead times.
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