Advance Paris ACD Apex

The ACD Apex marks Advance Paris’s three decades with a singular approach to the CD player. This special anniversary edition in black finish combines cutting-edge digital technology with the warmth of Raytheon 5744 NOS miniature tubes, creating a unique sonic bridge between digital precision and analog musicality.

A hybrid design to transcend digital

The ACD Apex is built on a philosophy where every element contributes to elevating compact disc playback. At the heart of this architecture, the Wolfson WM8761 converter ensures precise digital-to-analog conversion, turning binary data into sound with remarkable fidelity.

What sets this player apart is its analog output stage equipped with Raytheon 5744 NOS subminiature tubes. These components, derived from 1950s U.S. military technology, add an extra dimension to the audio signal. Their high gain (amplification factor of 70) and robust triple-mica construction ensure exceptional stability and longevity. These NOS (New Old Stock) tubes, with their distinctive black plate, give the analog outputs a unique texture: digital precision enriched by the natural warmth inherent to tubes.

Technical architecture and circuit isolation

The construction follows the rigorous principles that built Advance Paris’s reputation. The thick metal chassis forms an effective Faraday cage, protecting sensitive circuits from electromagnetic interference. The power supply, equipped with a manual 115V/230V selector, distributes stable energy to each section. Physical separation between the transport mechanism, digital conversion, and analog output minimizes parasitic interactions, allowing the Raytheon tubes to reveal their sonic signature without contamination.

The CD transport mechanism benefits from meticulous engineering with fast and quiet operation. Its CD-Text compatibility enhances the experience by displaying artist, album, and track information on the front panel screen.

Versatile connectivity and measured performance

The ACD Apex offers comprehensive connectivity tailored to modern audiophile setups. Analog outputs are available in unbalanced RCA (2 V RMS) and balanced XLR (4 V RMS), both benefiting from the Raytheon 5744 tube stage. For configurations with an external DAC, the TOSLINK optical and RCA coaxial digital outputs allow the player to be used as a pure CD transport.

A front USB port extends capabilities to MP3 and FLAC files (16-bit/44 kHz) stored on a USB drive, controllable via the REM-19 infrared remote compatible with the entire Apex range.

The technical specifications reveal meticulous attention to signal quality: THD+N of 0.005% (RCA) and 0.0055% (XLR) at 1 kHz, signal-to-noise ratio of -106 dBrA (RCA) and -105 dBrA (XLR), linear frequency response from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. This technical neutrality, combined with the subtle influence of the tubes, achieves a balance between absolute fidelity and engaging musicality.

30th Anniversary Special Edition

This anniversary version celebrates three decades of Advance Paris, a company founded in 1995 in Toulouse under the name Advance Acoustic. Initially a loudspeaker manufacturer, the company turned to high-fidelity electronics in 2002, introducing its first integrated amplifier in 2003.

The exclusive black finish of this limited edition lends the player understated elegance. With its compact dimensions (43 × 7.4 × 26 cm) and 4.1 kg weight, the ACD Apex integrates easily into any high-fidelity system while asserting a distinctive visual presence.

Technical Specifications

Conversion and audio processing

• Built-in DAC: WM8761, ensuring precise and natural digital-to-analog conversion
• Tube analog outputs: Raytheon 5744 NOS for rich, fluid reproduction

Analog outputs

• Unbalanced RCA output
  • Maximum voltage: 2 V RMS
  • THD+N: 0.005% at 1 kHz
  • Signal-to-noise ratio: -106 dBrA
  • Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
• Balanced XLR output
  • Maximum voltage: 4 V RMS
  • THD+N: 0.0055% at 1 kHz
  • Signal-to-noise ratio: -105 dBrA
  • Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz

Digital outputs

• TOSLINK optical output
• RCA coaxial output

Playback and digital connectivity

• Front USB input: playback of MP3 / FLAC files from USB drive
  • Supported formats: 16-bit / 44 kHz
• Playback functions: track/album repeat, random playback, CD-Text display (artist, album, track)

Control and update

• REM-19 infrared remote: compatible with A8, A10, and A12 APEX amplifiers
• Firmware update: via USB drive through the front port

Power and dimensions

• Power supply: 115 / 230 V – 50 / 60 Hz with built-in selector
• Dimensions (W × H × D): 43 × 7.4 × 26 cm
• Package dimensions: 50.5 × 14.6 × 33.6 cm
• Net / gross weight: 4.1 kg / 5.1 kg

General information

30th Anniversary Special Edition with exclusive black finish.