Advance Paris ACD APEX CD Player with Dual Analogue Tubes

Two Valves on the Way Out

Most CD players end with a solid-state output stage. The ACD APEX ends with a pair of Raytheon 5744 sub-miniature tubes, new old stock, sitting between the converter and the sockets on the back.

That is the whole reason to choose this one. A tube output stage shapes the signal on the way out, and that character is one many listeners spend a great deal of money chasing elsewhere in a system.

Conversion happens first, on a Wolfson WM8761. The tubes are not doing the converting; they are shaping what leaves. It is a deliberate order of operations rather than a novelty.

The Numbers Behind the Warmth

Distortion measures 0.005% and signal-to-noise reaches 106dB, with frequency response running the full 20Hz to 20kHz. Those are not the figures most people would guess from a player with valves on the output.

Analog outputs cover both kinds of amplifier. Balanced XLR delivers 4 volts and unbalanced RCA gives 2. Digital outputs are fitted alongside, so the player can also feed a converter of your own. All of them sit on the back panel.

The case is 430mm wide, 260 deep and only 74 tall, and weighs 4.1kg. It is designed to sit under the APEX integrated amplifiers, so the pair looks like one system rather than two.

Who Is This CD Player Best For?

• You want valve character from your discs — a pair of Raytheon 5744 NOS tubes on the output is a sound you would otherwise buy a whole separate amplifier to get.
• You run a balanced system — 4 volts from the XLR outputs carries a long run to a distant amplifier while keeping the noise floor where it was.
• You want warmth without the penalty — 0.005% distortion and 106dB signal-to-noise mean the tubes add character rather than a measurable mess.
• You own an APEX amplifier — the A8, A10 and A12 APEX share its width and styling, so the stack was designed to be seen together.
• Your shelf is shallow — at 74mm tall and 260 deep it slides into spaces a full-depth player will not reach, which is unusual for anything with valves inside. Pair it with one of our integrated amplifiers.

How Does It Connect to Your System?

Run the balanced XLR outputs to your amplifier if it takes them, or the RCA pair if it is single-ended. Either route passes through the tube stage on the way out.

If you would rather use your own converter, take a digital output to it instead. That route bypasses both the internal DAC and the valves entirely.

Pairs Well With

Building around the ACD APEX? Here are some great companions:

• Integrated Amplifier: The APEX range is its designed partner — see our Integrated Amplifiers.
• Floorstanding Speakers: Give the character somewhere to go — see our Floorstanding Speakers.
• Interconnects: Balanced XLR keeps the path balanced — see our Interconnect Cables.
• Power Cables: For the rest of the chain — see our Power Cables.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which tubes does it use?

A pair of Raytheon 5744 sub-miniature tubes, new old stock, working as the analog output stage after the converter.

Which converter is inside?

A Wolfson WM8761. The conversion happens there, and the tubes shape the analog signal on its way to the outputs.

What outputs does it have?

Balanced XLR at 4 volts and unbalanced RCA at 2 volts, plus digital outputs for use with an external converter.

What does it measure?

0.005% distortion, 106dB signal-to-noise, and frequency response across the full 20Hz to 20kHz.

Can I bypass the tubes?

Using a digital output sends the disc data straight to your own converter, which takes both the internal DAC and the valve stage out of the path.

How big is it, and what is the warranty?

430 by 260 by 74mm and 4.1kg. Two years on parts and labor from an authorized US dealer, extended to three when you register on the Advance Paris USA site within 30 days of purchase.

See It in Action

Cheapaudioman spends time with the ACD Apex:

And a second opinion on the same player:

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Learn More

Want to learn more about tube output stages, balanced connections, or matching a player to your amplifier? Visit our Learning Center for guides, tips, and expert advice.