Building on the virtues of the original EAR Acute, this all-new design was built from the ground up to provide an improved listening experience. An elegant design and EAR’s extensive knowledge, amassed over a thirty-year history, has culminated in the Acute Classic.

With sleek modern styling the EAR Acute Classic is built to last. Its details are lavished by a hand-polished mirror chrome finish, forming the basis of a timeless design. The display and power light both emit a luxurious warm hue, providing subtle cues to the glowing valves within. The large volume knob is also a statement of the product’s analogue nature, emphasizing the simplicity of interaction. The use of two ECC88 valves help form the basis of the sound signature for which EAR has become renowned.

The Acute Classic features two dedicated output transformers, whose construction give an exceptional signal to noise ratio. Their bespoke design was conceived specifically for audio. They are built by hand in Cambridgeshire to EAR’s exacting standards. The circuitry was then developed in tandem to ensure they work harmoniously with the valves.

The digital circuitry at its heart has been designed to optimize high-resolution digital media. Each step has been carefully considered from receiving digital information, to its conversion to analogue. The digital processing uses a bespoke circuit and signal transformers to boost the low levels created by the Wolfson WM8741 DAC, whilst minimizing noise and distortion.

Specifications:

Valves:
Two PCC88 (6DJ8) or ECC88 (7DJ8)

Connectivity:
One USB Input (PC and MAC)
One SPDIF Input (RCA)
One SPDIF Input (Toslink)
One Stereo Line Output 5V (RCA)
One Stereo Balanced Output 5V (XLR)
One Headphone Output (1/4”) 16-100 Ω

Audio Playback:
Audio Formats supported:
CD 44.1 kHz, 16 bit PCM
SPDIF upto 192 KHz, 24 bit PCM
Toslink upto 96 KHz, 24 bit PCM
USB 2.0 (PC/MAC) 44.1K - 192 KHz,
16 - 24 bit PCM

Performance:
Total Harmonic Distortion 0.5%
@ 5 Volts 20Hz - 20Khz
Signal to Noise 95db 40KHz Bandwidth

Power:
Power Consumption: 30 watts
240 volt / 110 Volt / 100 Volt
(depending on model)

Dimensions & Weight:
Weight: 8.0kg (17.7lb)
Width: 435mm (17.2”) x Depth: 285mm (11.2”) x Height: 65mm (2.7”)