CD Classic

The EAR Yoshino CD Classic is a valve CD player with an integrated DAC, designed by audio designer Tim de Paravicini. The design draws on the original EAR Acute and develops its features in a new construction, informed by EAR’s 30-year history. It combines digital and analogue circuitry with a hand-polished mirror chrome finish and a compact disc transport.

The CD Classic is intended for playback of Compact Discs, with a clear, smooth presentation designed to retain the character associated with analogue sources while offering the convenience of digital media. Compact Discs remain a widely available source of high-fidelity music, with a broad catalogue spanning 3 decades of production and more to come.

Its built-in DAC also accepts digital sources up to 192KHz 24bit. Digital connectivity includes USB, Optical and Coaxial S/PDIF inputs, allowing the player to process high-resolution digital content from sources beyond CD. The digital circuitry is designed around the complete signal path, from receiving the digital information through to conversion into analogue.

The Wolfson WM8741 DAC is supported by a bespoke digital processing circuit and signal transformers, which raise its low-level output while minimising noise and distortion. This arrangement is intended to provide clear audio without the harshness often associated with digital sources.

Two ECC88 valves form the basis of the CD Classic’s valve output stage. This configuration was used in the Acute 3 and developed further for this model, with the layout also drawing on the EAR Dac 4. Tim de Paravicini refined the circuit for the capabilities of digital audio while retaining an analogue approach to the design of high-end audio equipment.

Two dedicated output transformers are used in the valve output stage. Their construction is designed to provide a high signal-to-noise ratio, and each transformer was conceived specifically for audio. They are built by hand in Cambridgeshire to EAR’s standards, with the surrounding circuitry developed alongside them so that the transformers and valves operate together.

The exterior uses sleek modern styling with a mirror chrome finish that is polished by hand. The display and power light emit a warm hue, indicating the valves inside, while the large volume control reflects the player’s analogue operation. Its interface is designed to provide straightforward access to digital media.