Get your gotcha – It'll be Ancient Audio's forthcoming Lektor Joy, a nude Pro8-based top-loading CD player with digital volume and Fet-based outputs. For 16-bit CD, the ESS 9038Pro's 32-bit on-chip volume proved superior to an analog version; and the firm's usual vacuum-tube buffer saw itself outdone by field-effect transistors to become maintenance free. Vcap output capacitors remain in the picture as does the new machined-from-solid black aluminium slab.
