CES 2012 - Sources - AT3500 CD player from Astin Trew

CES 2012 - Astin Trew range of amps and CD players

Astin who?, I hear you say...
Well, it is a British brand, and one who is managed by a very passionate and dedicated man,  Michael Osborn, quite bewildered to be at the CES - as it was indeed their first appearance in the US of A - and interviewed by a no less passionate Frenchman living in Australia!
Mainly famous for their fairly priced audiophile amplifiers in the UK,
I have to say that I originally was tempted to flee and not listen to Michael's passionate discourse on components choice and typology in amplifier's design. I am not the "splitting Hair" type when it comes to amplifiers...
However, the little time I spend on the stand was enough to convince me that given the chance, I should maybe take the time to listen to some this gear.
Not at that Show, though, as it was a static display. Nevertheless, the quality of manufacture, and by way of consequence, the soundness of the design was quite simply on display and definitely supported by the manufacturer.
The CD player on offer is based on a 24/96 BB PCM1738 DAC and Philips VAM 1202 transport.
Although the design is conducted in the UK, the manufacture is in Asia, which seems to be well controlled if you trust the obvious quality of the finished product. One to follow for sure...

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