Aavik Acoustics I-880, 2 x 200 Watt Pure Class A Integrated Amplifier

Aavik Acoustics I-880, 2 x 200 Watt Flagship Class A Integrated Amplifier
Retail Price: € 67,000.00

EN.
Overview: Flagship integrated amplifier model from Aavik Acoustics, Denmark. The Aavik I-880 is among the absolute reference integrated amplifiers. Due to its completely different design, the Aavik I-880 is in a different league compared to the already excellent I-180/280/580 amplifiers from Aavik Acoustics.

Technology: The main distinction between the I-880 and the I-188/288/588 is that the Aavik I-880 is a Class A amplifier, whereas the I-188/288/588 are Class D amplifiers. However, the Aavik I-880 is not a typical Class A amplifier. With its robust 2 x 200 Watts at 8 Ohms and even 2 x 400 Watts at 4 Ohms, the Aavik I-880 is considerably more powerful than the average Class A amplifier. Aavik Acoustics has developed a technology that keeps the bias spread constantly 0.63 V above the required current, regardless of where it is in the cycle. It therefore does not matter how much current the power amplifier needs to perform; it always operates in Class A without wasting unnecessary energy. This also means the Aavik I-880 does not run as hot as most Class A amplifiers. Because the Aavik I-880 consumes and requires less current than a standard Class A amplifier, Aavik was able to use smaller capacitor banks for the 2 pairs of 8 transistors per channel. These capacitor banks are placed directly next to the transistors inside, so the current signal for the transistors does not need to travel a long distance. By keeping the current signal path as short as possible, this results in less noise in the signal. The power supply in the Aavik I-880 is also a special power supply that you will not often find in a Class A amplifier. It consists of 4 units of 500 Watt ultra low noise, non-switching resonant mode power supplies. Where normal switching power supplies use square waves, the power supplies in the Aavik I-880 are driven by sine waves. This also results in less noise. And because this power supply is used, the Aavik I-880 is more dynamic, more powerful and faster in its reproduction compared to more traditional Class A amplifiers with linear power supplies. The volume control is also a lossless feedback design with an extremely low signal-to-noise ratio across the entire volume range. Whether you turn it up loud or low, the noise and distortion remain at an extremely low level. Additionally, Aavik Acoustics also uses Tesla Coil Technology and 3rd generation Dither Technology from sister brand Ansuz Acoustics. The Tesla Coils are an effective way of reducing noise and inductance, and the Dither Technology enhances the music signal. These technologies are found in all equipment from Audio Group Denmark. The Aavik I-880 features the largest amount of Tesla Coils and Dither Technology of all integrated amplifiers from Aavik Acoustics.

Analog Crossover : What has been added to the I-880 is a high-quality built-in 12dB/Octave High Pass and 24dB/Octave Low Pass active analog crossover, and that is unique. This active analog crossover offers many advantages. For instance, there is a special dual output for the Subwoofer(s), which can be adjusted via remote control: Low Pass 30Hz - 80Hz in steps of 5Hz and volume in increments of 0.25dB. There is also a dual 12dB/Octave High Pass output for the main speakers. This allows you to relieve the main speakers of deep bass in the analog domain, and they will sound better as a result, especially in the case of 2-way and 2.5-way speakers because you can relieve the midrange driver of deep bass, making the midrange sound more open and better articulated. The High Pass is also adjustable from 30Hz - 80Hz in steps of 5Hz, via remote control. You will need an extra RCA interlink cable to feed the signal from the High Pass output back to the main input. This allows you to optimally set up a subwoofer and main speaker in the analog domain without the time delay that occurs in the subwoofer's built-in EQ. The possibilities are enormous and you can create a full range system with compact speakers and 1 or 2 subwoofers that you can also play loudly in large rooms. We have not previously heard such an exceptional integrated sound from a speaker/subwoofer setup! Almost always the bass lags somewhat, but with the arrival of this analog active crossover in the Aavik I-880, that is no longer the case.

Enclosure : The enclosure of the Aavik I-880 is also something very special. The design comes largely from the founder of Gryphon Audio, Flemming Rasmussen; this fact combined with the pursuit of optimal mechanical stability and resonance control by designer Michael Børresen results in a brilliant design that makes use of unique materials to achieve the best sonic properties from the Aavik I-880 enclosure. Starting with the base plate, it features a sturdy sandwich design with a massive Titanium plate on the underside, topped with a solid compact laminate plate, and above that another massive copper plate. The Aavik I-880 comes standard with 4 pieces of Ansuz Darkz Z2S decouplers, which are placed under the base plate. The Ansuz Darkz Z2S are 3-layer decouplers, made of solid Zirconium with Ansuz's Signature coating layer (consisting of Zirconium and Tungsten followed by a layer of aluminum titanium nitride with an additional Zirconium layer as the outer coating) applied by means of a High Power Impulse Magnetron Sputtering machine. The decoupling between the 3 discs is achieved by solid Tungsten balls. This is by far the most optimal method of decoupling, resulting in a much more dynamic, lively and natural sound reproduction. Back to the Aavik I-880 enclosure. The entire interior of the Aavik I-880 is made of solid copper, which has better sonic properties compared to aluminum. The large volume knob is wrapped with Titanium, and next to it is the large white dot display. This display looks understated but is easily readable from a very large distance.

Sound : The Aavik I-880 has a sound from another world. While the Aavik I-180/280/580 amplifiers already sound super dynamic and natural, the I-880 takes it a considerable step further. What stands out is the enormous ease with which the Aavik I-880 plays at any volume, connected to any speaker. The spatial imaging is lively, super detailed but above all extremely musical and addictive. Something simply happens in the space that immediately draws you into the recording, making you instantly lose yourself in a clean, orderly and organic soundstage. The Aavik I-880 is, as just mentioned, very dynamic and lively, but because this happens in a completely free, clean and unforced manner, it does not cause listening fatigue. The Aavik I-880 is an amplifier with an enormous range of possibilities when it comes to music genres and speakers. Of course, the Aavik I-880 performs superbly with speakers from sister brand Børresen Acoustics, but also expect excellent results with Magico, Sonus Faber, Wilson Audio, magnetostats or electrostats and even horn speakers. The Aavik I-880 is among the best amplifiers we have heard to date. We are very enthusiastic about the entire Aavik Acoustics range and the Aavik I-880 is by far the most high-end member of the family.

Conclusion : the Aavik Acoustics I-880 is a true flagship model in design, technology and sound. Thanks to its generous output power (2x200 Watts nominal at 8 Ohms), the Aavik I-880 is versatile. The Aavik I-880 sounds by far the most detailed, defined, organic and spatial of the amplifiers in the I-Series. Operation is very simple and refined, the display is clearly readable from a great distance and the amplifier is a real eye catcher. Welcome to the musical and emotional world of Aavik Acoustics.

Other Aavik Acoustics amplifiers from the I-Series : The other amplifiers in the I-Series from Aavik Acoustics, the I-188, I-288 and I-588, are the Class D siblings of the Aavik I-880. These have more power on paper and come in a more compact and lighter enclosure. The I-188/288/588 possess a certain naturalness and refinement that we have not encountered before in Class D amplifiers. The power output of the I-188/288/588 amplifiers from Aavik Acoustics is the same. The differences lie in the cabinet construction and the amount of noise reduction through Tesla Coils. In terms of sound quality, moving from the Aavik I-188 to the I-288, you take a step forward in definition, spatial qualities and detail. Moving from the I-288 to the I-588, you take another step forward in these areas. But the Aavik I-880 remains supreme and distinguishes itself in multiple ways from the I-188/288/588.

Specifications of the Aavik Acoustics I-880 :

Brand: Aavik Acoustics Denmark
Model: I-880
Type: Integrated Amplifier with Built-in Dual Slope Crossover
Warranty Aavik Acoustics / Ohm-Audio B.V.: 60 Months
Analog Inputs: 5 x Unbalanced RCA, 1 x Main In RCA
Phono Input: N/A
Digital Inputs: N/A
Analog Outputs: 1 x Pre Out Unbalanced RCA for Subwoofer / Bi-amping, 1 x Low Pass, 1 x High Pass
Speaker Outputs: 1 x Pair of Speaker Connections for Spades and/or Banana Connectors
Output Power: 2 x 200 Watts at 8 Ohms, 2 x 400 Watts at 4 Ohms
Finish: Black & Copper

Dimensions:

Dimensions: 580mm Wide x 510mm Deep x 155mm High
Weight: 36 Kg Net

Aavik Acoustics Noise Reduction:

Active Tesla Coils: 132
Active Square Tesla Coils: 311
Gold Anti Aerial Resonance Coils: 20
Active Zirconium Cable Anti Aerial Resonance Coils: 4
Dither Circuitry: 18

Manufacturer Website: Aavik Acoustics I-880