Aavik Acoustics U-188, All-in-One Streaming Amplifier with Digital and Analog Inputs, 2 x 300 Watt

Aavik Acoustics U-188, All-in-One Streaming Amplifier with Digital and Analog Inputs, 2 x 300 Watt

Retail Price € 19.995,00

NL.

General : The Aavik U-188 is the latest generation all-in-one streaming amplifier from Danish brand Aavik Acoustics, which is part of Audio Group Denmark along with Ansuz Acoustics, Børresen Acoustics and Axxess. The Aavik U-188 has been renewed in many aspects compared to its predecessor the U-180. The housing has been completely redesigned, now made from different materials and the design now comes from Flemming Rasmussen (Gryphon Audio founder and designer). The Aavik U-188 is the first model in the new U-X88 series from Aavik Acoustics. The Aavik U-188 is the model below the U-288 and the U-588 from Aavik Acoustics.

Housing : The new housing of the Aavik U-X88 series is clearly more thoughtfully designed and built more solidly. This is due to Audio Group Denmark's endless attention to researching and using different materials. The electronics in your audio device is one thing, the housing is another. The housing of your device also contributes to a certain tonal character. Aavik Acoustics made the housings of its first amplifiers from solid aluminum, after considerable testing and listening they discovered that aluminum is not the best material acoustically to use for your amplifier housing, so they switched to a natural composite material housing for the U-180/280/580 (for the U-580 a titanium cross was also applied to the top plate and a copper interior). Now the housing of the Aavik U-188, which is based on the flagship models of Aavik Acoustics, the 880-series, is made of solid copper side plates and a top and bottom plate of sandwich design with a solid copper plate, a natural composite material plate and a stainless steel plate. A much more premium feel and look. The design is clearly derived from the beautiful 880-series from Aavik and the whole thing looks very sleek and modern. What has been preserved is the very readable and dimmable red dot display. Large but with a quiet appearance. New is the absence of buttons which are now touchscreen buttons on the display, and new is the Aavik Acoustics logo in the volume knob which is also dimmable along with the rest of the display. Also new are the large solid feet where the Ansuz Darkz Feet are integrated, which can be placed on Ansuz Darkz isolators. A large portion of this foot overlaps the Ansuz Darkz isolator, so you have less contrast between the color of the amplifier and the color of the Ansuz Darkz you place underneath it (the Ansuz Darkz S2T are for example glossy stainless steel while the Aavik housing is matte black). Finally, the remote control has also been renewed, these are now the same beautiful and practical remotes that are also supplied with the 880-series, which makes the feel and look truly complete.

Technology : The very advanced technology in the Aavik amplifiers is unique. The Aavik U-188 uses the latest generation amplifier from Pascal. This latest generation UMAC™ amplification can switch even faster and generates even less noise than previous generations. As a result, less filtering needs to be applied and the output impedance is lower, giving the amplifier even more control over the connected speakers. The Aavik U-188 has 2 x 300 Watts at 8 Ohm and even 2 x 600 Watts at 4 Ohm. The Aavik U-188 can therefore drive practically anything, from enormous Infinity or B&W and Wilson Audio to the largest models of Magnepan, Analysis Audio and other planar speakers. The latest generation resonant mode power supply is very generously dimensioned and always calculated for its task. The technical design is very advanced and makes use of various techniques from sister brand Ansuz Acoustics. The Aavik U-188 contains extensive Noise and Impedance Reduction through Ansuz Tesla Coil and Dither Technology. The Aavik U-188 features 36 Active Tesla Coils, and 72 Active Square Tesla Coils. These Tesla Coils eliminate noise from the music signal and reduce impedance, allowing for a freer flow of the music signal from point A to point B. There are also 4 Anti Aerial Resonance Coils in the Aavik U-288 which are applied to the internal wiring. Also, 3 Analog Dither Circuitries of the latest (3rd) generation are applied in the Aavik U-188. The power consumption of the Aavik U-188 is very favorable. The Aavik U-188 consumes only 1 Watt in standby, and in music mode consumption is < 30 Watts idle. The Aavik U-188 contains a high-quality built-in DAC. The DAC supports PCM formats up to 32bit/384Hz and the USB input can also support DSD formats up to DSD128, and the DAC in the Aavik U-188 also has an MQA decoder on board.

Streamer : What has been added to the Unity amplifiers is a streamer board, making the new U-188 a true all-in-one amplifier. This streamer can be controlled with the free Audio Group Denmark app, MConnect/MControl (IOS and Android) and BubbleUPnP (Android). One of the best options to use is JPlay (IOS only), however there are licensing costs associated with using JPlay. In addition, all 'Connects' are available, so Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect and Qobuz Connect. For people with a server, the Aavik U-188 can be used as an endpoint behind an Audirvana server. RoonReady is not yet available, but it will come. There are also 2 USB ports on the back which can be used for a Wifi Dongle for a wireless connection (we recommend a wired connection), but you can also connect a USB Stick or USB drive to directly play music from the connected USB storage.

Sound : The Aavik U-188 is a clear step forward compared to its already excellent predecessor. The music is cleaner, the soundstage is tighter, quieter and more organized. There is more liveliness in the sound which provides an even more engaging listening experience. The bass is tighter and more rhythmic and the control over the speakers is optimal. The sound of the Aavik U-188 is neutral, dynamic and lively, but in a way that remains natural and does not cause listening fatigue. The distinction between the foreground and background in the recording is clearly perceptible and there is very good overview when a lot is happening in the recording. Also important is the harmony in which everything that is individually easy to follow works together. This means you not only hear well what exactly is happening in the recording, but it also remains musical and enjoyable to listen to without feeling like the recording is being 'dissected'. In short, the Aavik U-188 simply sounds very musical. Relaxed and an enormous 3D bubble. The space in which the performers are playing is very well audible and the atmosphere is well conveyed to the listener. The Aavik U-188 sounds tight and dynamic and lets everything be heard when called for, but there is also a certain calm & comfort over the sound that allows you to also play quiet intimate music and an pleasant emotional transfer takes place. The sound is therefore in excellent balance and the overall picture is simply right. Dynamically, the Aavik U-188 may well go further than most Class A (tube) amplifiers, but that's not ultimately what it's all about. It's about sound quality and musicality, and the extent to which an amplifier is able to convey emotions. And conveying the music the way it's meant to be conveyed is where the Aavik amplifiers excel. This Aavik U-188 is pure emotion sang.

Conclusion : The Aavik Acoustics U-188 is a unique all-in-one streaming amplifier with generous output power, a formidable built-in DAC and a versatile streamer and fantastic sound quality. Operation is very simple. You won't find a better all-in-one streaming amplifier, the U-188 is a complete high-end audio system in a single device.

Other Aavik Acoustics Amplifiers from the U-X88 Series : The other amplifiers in the U-X88 Series from Aavik Acoustics, the U-288 and the U-588, are built according to the same principle. The power of all amplifiers in the U-Series from Aavik Acoustics is the same. The differences lie in the amount of noise and impedance reducing techniques through Tesla Coils, Anti Aerial Resonance Coils and Analog Dither Technology that are applied in the amplifier. Sound-wise, going from the Aavik U-188 to the U-288 you'll make a nice step forward in terms of definition, spatiality and detail and a blacker, quieter and deeper background. Going from the U-288 to the U-588 you make another step forward in these areas. The size of the housing of all amplifiers in the U-Series is the same.

Specifications of the Aavik Acoustics U-188 :

Brand : Aavik Acoustics Denmark

Model : U-188

Type : All-in-One Streaming Amplifier with Digital and Analog Inputs

Warranty Aavik Acoustics / Ohm-Audio B.V. : 24 Months

Analog Inputs : 2 x Unbalanced RCA

Phono Input : N/A

Digital Inputs : 2 x SPDIF BNC, 1 x Toslink Optical, 1 x USB-B

Analog Outputs : 1 x Pre Out Unbalanced RCA for Subwoofer / Bi-Amping

Speaker Outputs : 1 x Pair WBT Speaker Connectors for Spades and/or Banana Plugs

Output Power : 2 x 300 Watts at 8 Ohm, 2 x 600 Watts at 4 Ohm

Finish : Black, Copper and Matte Stainless Steel

Dimensions :

Dimensions : 44cm Wide x 43cm Deep x 11.6cm High

Weight : 22.8 Kg Net

Manufacturer Website and Review :

Manufacturer Website : Aavik Acoustics U-188

Review U-588 Hifi Advice : Review Aavik U-588

Trade-in : Negotiable