Aavik Acoustics U-288, All-in-One Streaming Amplifier with Digital and Analog Inputs, 2 x 300 Watt

Aavik Acoustics U-288, All-in-One Streaming Amplifier with Digital and Analog Inputs, 2 x 300 Watt

Retail Price € 24.995,00

EN.

General: The Aavik U-288 is the latest generation all-in-one streaming amplifier from the Danish brand Aavik Acoustics, which falls under Audio Group Denmark together with Ansuz Acoustics, Børresen Acoustics and Axxess. The Aavik U-288 has been updated on many points compared to its predecessor the U-280. 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-288 is the mid-range model in the new U-X88 series from Aavik Acoustics. The Aavik U-288 is the model between the U-188 and the U-588 from Aavik Acoustics.

Housing: The new housing of the Aavik U-X88 series is clearly more thoughtfully designed and more solidly built. 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 sound character. Aavik Acoustics made the housings of its first amplifiers from solid aluminum, and after considerable trial, testing and listening, they discovered that aluminum is not the best material sonically for amplifier housings. With the U-180/280/580, they switched to a natural composite material housing (for the U-580, a titanium cross was also applied to the top plate and copper internal work). Now the housing of the Aavik U-288, which is based on the flagship models of Aavik Acoustics, the 880-series, is made of massive copper side plates and a top and bottom plate of a sandwich design of a massive 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 stunning 880-series from Aavik and the whole thing looks very sleek and modern. What has been retained is the very readable and dimmable red dot display. Large but calm looking. New is the absence of buttons which now consist of 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 massive feet with Ansuz Darkz Feet built in, which can be placed on Ansuz Darkz decouplers. A large part of this foot overlaps the Ansuz Darkz decoupler, 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 made of polished stainless steel while the Aavik housing is matte black). Finally, the remote control has also been updated. These are now the same beautiful and practical remotes that are also supplied with the 880-series, which really completes the feel and look.

Technology: The very advanced technology in the Aavik amplifiers is unique. The Aavik U-288 uses the latest Pascal amplifier generation. This latest generation UMAC™ amplification can switch even faster and generates even less noise than previous generations. This means less filtering is required and the output impedance is lower, allowing the amplifier to have even more control over the connected speakers. The Aavik U-288 has 2 x 300 Watts at 8 Ohm and even 2 x 600 Watts at 4 Ohm. Because of this, the Aavik U-288 can drive practically anything, from enormous Infinity's or B&W's and Wilson Audio to the largest models from Magnepan, Analysis Audio and other electrostatics. The latest generation resonant mode power supply is very generously dimensioned and always calculated for its task. The technical design is very advanced and uses various techniques from sister brand Ansuz Acoustics. The Aavik U-288 contains an extensive Noise and Impedance Reduction via Ansuz Tesla Coil and Dither Technology. The Aavik U-288 has 72 Active Tesla Coils, and 144 Active Square Tesla Coils. These Tesla Coils eliminate noise from the music signal and lower the impedance, which ensures a freer flow of the music signal from point A to point B. There are also 8 Anti Aerial Resonance Coils in the Aavik U-288 which are applied to the internal wiring. Additionally, 6 Analog Dither Circuitries of the latest (3rd) generation are used in the Aavik U-288. The power consumption of the Aavik U-288 is very favorable. The Aavik U-288 consumes only 1 Watt in standby, and in music mode consumption is < 30 Watts idle. The Aavik U-288 contains a high-quality 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-288 also has an MQA decoder on board.

Streamer: What has been added to the Unity amplifiers is a streamer board, making the new U-288 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 play with is JPlay (iOS only), however there are costs associated with the license to use JPlay. Besides, all 'Connects' are present, so Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect and Qobuz Connect. For people with a server, the Aavik U-288 can be used as an endpoint behind an Audirvana server. RoonReady is not yet available, but it is coming. 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-288 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-288 is neutral, dynamic and lively, but in a way that remains natural and does not cause listening fatigue. The distinction between foreground and background in the recording is clearly perceptible and there is a lot of clarity when much is happening in the recording. Also important is the harmony in which everything that is individually easy to follow plays together. This means you not only hear clearly exactly what 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-288 simply sounds very musical. Relaxed and with an enormous 3D bubble. The space in which the performers play is very clearly audible and the atmosphere is well conveyed to the listener. The Aavik U-288 sounds tight and dynamic and lets everything be heard when called upon, but there is also a certain peace & comfort that hangs over the sound which ensures that you can also play intimate music quietly and there is a pleasant emotional transfer. So the sound is excellent in balance and the total picture simply adds up. Dynamically, the Aavik U-288 may go further than most Class A (Tube) amplifiers, but that is not ultimately what it is all about. It is about sound quality and musicality, and the extent to which an amplifier is able to convey emotions. And conveying the music in the way it is intended is where the Aavik amplifiers excel. This Aavik U-288 is pure emotion sang.

Conclusion: The Aavik Acoustics U-288 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 and super fine. You won't find a better all-in-one streaming amplifier.

Other Aavik Acoustics amplifiers from the U-X88 Series: The other amplifiers in the U-X88 Series from Aavik Acoustics, the U-188 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 are in the amount of noise and impedance reducing techniques through Tesla Coils, Anti Aerial Resonance Coils and Analog Dither Technology that is applied in the amplifier. Sonically, going from the Aavik U-188 to the U-288 you will notice a nice step forward in terms of definition, spatial quality and detail and a blacker, quieter and deeper background. From the U-288 to the U-588 you take another step forward in these areas. The housing format of all amplifiers in the U-Series is the same.

Specifications of the Aavik Acoustics U-288:

Brand: Aavik Acoustics Denmark

Model: U-288

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 Terminals 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:

Manufacturer Website: Aavik Acoustics U-288

Trade-in: Negotiable