{"product_id":"advance-paris-acd-apex-cd-player-with-dual-analogue-tubes","title":"Advance Paris ACD APEX CD Player with Dual Analogue Tubes","description":"\u003ch2\u003eWhat You Need to Know\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat Is the ACD APEX?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe ACD APEX is Advance Paris’s flagship CD player, designed to complement the APEX range of integrated amplifiers (A8 APEX, A10 APEX, and A12 APEX). It plays standard audio CDs, many CD-R discs, and MP3\/FLAC files from a front-panel USB flash drive. What makes it different from a conventional CD player is the tube output stage: two Raytheon 5744 subminiature vacuum tubes in a Class A analog output stage handle both the balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA outputs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Raytheon 5744 is a military-specification tube — originally developed for demanding military electronics applications — known for its durability and consistent performance. According to Advance Paris, these tubes impart a warmth and harmonic richness to the CD signal that solid-state output stages typically don’t produce. The result, per the manufacturer, is “warm sound and authentic musicality” from your existing CD library.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a 30th Anniversary Edition model, finished in exclusive black with matching APEX aesthetics. It was introduced as part of the APEX series launch in late 2025, celebrating three decades of Advance Paris audio engineering.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDigital and Analog Outputs\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe ACD APEX provides both analog and digital outputs simultaneously, giving you maximum flexibility. The balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA outputs both pass through the tube stage. Optical Toslink and coaxial RCA digital outputs are also available, letting you use the ACD APEX as a pure CD transport feeding an external DAC or an amplifier with digital inputs — bypassing the tube output stage entirely if you prefer. According to Vumetre (February 2026), the DAC chip is a Wolfson WM8761, used here specifically for CD playback conversion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSystem Integration with APEX Amplifiers\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe included infrared remote control operates not only the ACD APEX but also the APEX A8, A10, and A12 integrated amplifiers. This means a single remote controls your entire APEX system — CD player and amplifier — from your listening position. This kind of unified remote operation is specifically designed into the APEX product family.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWho Is This Best For?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"emoji\" role=\"img\" draggable=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/s.w.org\/images\/core\/emoji\/17.0.2\/svg\/2714.svg\" alt=\"✔\" width=\"15\"\u003e You own or are building an Advance Paris APEX system and want a CD player designed to match both aesthetically and functionally.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"emoji\" role=\"img\" draggable=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/s.w.org\/images\/core\/emoji\/17.0.2\/svg\/2714.svg\" alt=\"✔\" width=\"15\"\u003e You have a large CD collection and want to hear it through a tube output stage rather than a conventional solid-state player.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"emoji\" role=\"img\" draggable=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/s.w.org\/images\/core\/emoji\/17.0.2\/svg\/2714.svg\" alt=\"✔\" width=\"15\"\u003e You want balanced XLR outputs from your CD player to match a preamplifier or integrated amplifier with XLR inputs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"emoji\" role=\"img\" draggable=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/s.w.org\/images\/core\/emoji\/17.0.2\/svg\/2714.svg\" alt=\"✔\" width=\"15\"\u003e You want the option to use the player as a digital transport, bypassing the tube stage when preferred.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow Does It Connect?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe balanced XLR or unbalanced RCA analog outputs connect to your integrated amplifier or preamplifier. The optical and coaxial digital outputs connect to an external DAC or digital input. The front-panel USB-A port accepts a flash drive for MP3 and FLAC file playback. The player operates on 115V or 230V via a rear-panel voltage selector. Gapless playback is supported on standard audio CDs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat’s in the Box\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdvance Paris ACD APEX CD player (30th Anniversary Edition, black)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInfrared remote control (compatible with APEX A8, A10, A12 amplifiers)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePower cable\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDocumentation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eInterconnect cables not included. Verify exact contents with manufacturer prior to purchase.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePairs Well With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAdvance Paris APEX Integrated Amplifiers\u003c\/strong\u003e — The ACD APEX is designed specifically for the \u003ca href=\"%%GLOBAL_ShopPathSSL%%\/advance-paris-a8-apex-tube-hybrid-integrated-amplifier\/\"\u003eA8 APEX\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"%%GLOBAL_ShopPathSSL%%\/advance-paris-a10-apex-tube-hybrid-integrated-amplifier\/\"\u003eA10 APEX\u003c\/a\u003e, and \u003ca href=\"%%GLOBAL_ShopPathSSL%%\/advance-paris-a12-apex-tube-hybrid-integrated-amplifier\/\"\u003eA12 APEX\u003c\/a\u003e. Shared remote operation included.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAdvance Paris A10 or A12 Classic\u003c\/strong\u003e — Also pairs naturally with the Classic series amplifiers via XLR or RCA.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eInterconnect Cables\u003c\/strong\u003e — XLR or RCA cables needed between player and amplifier. Browse our \u003ca href=\"%%GLOBAL_ShopPathSSL%%\/shop-cables\"\u003ecable selection\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eQuick-Reference Specifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 0.92em; margin-top: 16px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"background: #f0f4f8;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 12px; font-weight: 600; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; width: 45%;\"\u003eTubes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 12px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e2 × Raytheon 5744 NOS subminiature (Class A analog output stage)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 12px; font-weight: 600; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eDAC\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 12px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eWolfson WM8761\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"background: #f0f4f8;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 12px; font-weight: 600; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eTHD+N (RCA output)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 12px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e0.005%\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 12px; font-weight: 600; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eSNR\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 12px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e−106 dBrA\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"background: #f0f4f8;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 12px; font-weight: 600; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eAnalog Outputs\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 12px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e1× balanced XLR (tube), 1× unbalanced RCA (tube)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 12px; font-weight: 600; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eDigital Outputs\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 12px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e1× optical Toslink, 1× coaxial RCA\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"background: #f0f4f8;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 12px; font-weight: 600; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eUSB Input\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 12px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eFront-panel USB-A (MP3 and FLAC playback from flash drive)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 12px; font-weight: 600; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eDisc Formats\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 12px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eRed Book audio CD, CD-R; gapless playback supported\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"background: #f0f4f8;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 12px; font-weight: 600; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eRemote\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 12px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eInfrared; compatible with APEX A8, A10, A12 amplifiers\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 12px; font-weight: 600; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eAC Input\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 12px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e115V \/ 230V (rear-panel selector)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"background: #f0f4f8;\"\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 12px; font-weight: 600; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eFinish\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px 12px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eBlack (30th Anniversary Edition)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"product-faq gsbp-ab3b28d\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003chr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWill the ACD APEX work with non-APEX Advance Paris amplifiers?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. The ACD APEX connects via standard balanced XLR or unbalanced RCA to any amplifier or preamplifier. The shared remote operation is specific to the APEX A8, A10, and A12 amplifiers, but the CD player works perfectly with the A10 Classic, A12 Classic, X-P700, X-i75, and any other amp with line-level inputs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat is the Raytheon 5744, and why does it matter?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Raytheon 5744 is a subminiature vacuum tube originally developed to military specifications for reliability in demanding conditions. In audio use, tubes like the 5744 introduce harmonic richness and warmth to an analog signal in a way that solid-state components don’t naturally produce. According to Advance Paris, using two of these tubes in the output stage gives the ACD APEX a more musical, less clinical presentation than a conventional solid-state CD player.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCan I play FLAC files from a USB drive?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. The front-panel USB-A input supports MP3 and FLAC files from a flash drive at 16-bit\/44.1kHz resolution, according to All Elite Audio. These files play through the tube output stage just like a disc.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow does the ACD APEX compare to the X-CD7?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe X-CD7 is the Classic-series CD player with a Wolfson WM8761 DAC and solid-state analog outputs. The ACD APEX adds tube output stages (Raytheon 5744 NOS tubes) on both XLR and RCA outputs, and is designed to aesthetically and functionally integrate with the APEX amplifier series via shared remote operation. The ACD APEX is priced higher, reflects the 30th Anniversary positioning, and is for buyers who specifically want the tube output character.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"ec-titlebox-text\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"emoji\" role=\"img\" draggable=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/s.w.org\/images\/core\/emoji\/17.0.2\/svg\/1f3b5.svg\" alt=\"music note emoji\" width=\"20\"\u003e  \u003cstrong\u003e40+ Years of Expertise\u003c\/strong\u003e — Since 1981, we’ve helped over a million music lovers find the right gear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"emoji\" role=\"img\" draggable=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/s.w.org\/images\/core\/emoji\/17.0.2\/svg\/1f504.svg\" alt=\"repeat emoji\" width=\"20\"\u003e  \u003cstrong\u003e60-Day Money-Back Guarantee\u003c\/strong\u003e — Take your time. Listen, enjoy, and make sure it’s right for you.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"emoji\" role=\"img\" draggable=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/s.w.org\/images\/core\/emoji\/17.0.2\/svg\/1f4de.svg\" alt=\"phone emoji\" width=\"20\"\u003e  \u003cstrong\u003eReal Experts, Real Help\u003c\/strong\u003e — Our team is here at \u003ca href=\"tel:8009420220\"\u003e800-942-0220\u003c\/a\u003e, weekdays 9am–6pm EST.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"emoji\" role=\"img\" draggable=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/s.w.org\/images\/core\/emoji\/17.0.2\/svg\/1f69a.svg\" alt=\"truck emoji\" width=\"20\"\u003e  \u003cstrong\u003eFree Shipping\u003c\/strong\u003e — On orders over $49.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg class=\"emoji\" role=\"img\" draggable=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/s.w.org\/images\/core\/emoji\/17.0.2\/svg\/1f4b3.svg\" alt=\"credit card emoji\" width=\"20\"\u003e  \u003cstrong\u003eFlexible Payment Options\u003c\/strong\u003e — Financing available.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWant to learn more about CD players and tube audio? Visit our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/learningcenter.audioadvisor.com\"\u003eLearning Center\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Advance Paris","offers":[{"title":"New","offer_id":45982115954861,"sku":"NEW-APACDAPEX","price":1399.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/3708\/1773\/files\/APACDAPEX_01_front_2026__07567.1775587591.1280.1280_394a7f6c-70d7-40b2-a2ab-32fd29cccab2.jpg?v=1778167492","url":"https:\/\/www.audioadvisor.com\/products\/advance-paris-acd-apex-cd-player-with-dual-analogue-tubes","provider":"Audio Advisor","version":"1.0","type":"link"}