Aavik Acoustics SD-288 Non DAC DA Processor / Converter with Built-in Streamer

Aavik SD-288 Non DAC DA Processor / Converter with Built-in Streamer

Retail Price : € 19.995,00

(Non EU buyers and EU buyers with a valid VAT number pay € 16.524,79)

EN.

General : The Aavik Acoustics SD-288 is a unique High End DA converter, unlike any other DA Converter on the market, because it is a Non DAC DA Converter, meaning there is no DA converter chip inside. It does have an outstanding streamer. The SD-288 is positioned above the SD-188 and below the SD-588.

Enclosure : The new enclosure of the Aavik SD-X88 series is a further development of Aavik's previous series. Audio Group Denmark is constantly working on optimizing the positive influence of the enclosure on the sound of their equipment. The electronics in your audio device is one thing, the enclosure is another. The enclosure of your device also contributes to a certain sonic character. Aavik Acoustics made the enclosures of its first amplifiers from solid aluminum, as many do. Aluminum is an easy-to-work material, allowing heavy enclosures to be made with attractive design at not extremely high cost. Like any material, aluminum also has its own resonance characteristics. Aavik decided to switch to a natural wood composite material for the enclosures in the X80 series, and combined with new electronics inside, this resulted in a more natural sound. For the new X88 series, the designers adopted much of the design and materials from the flagship 880-series. The new enclosures of the X88 (including the SD-288) are now made from thick solid copper plates. The top and bottom plates consist of a sandwich of solid copper on the inside and a stainless steel plate on the outside, with a thick wood composite plate between these 2 metal plates completing the sandwich. The look and feel of the new Aavik Acoustics enclosures is extremely high quality. What has been preserved is very good, even at great distance, the easily readable and dimmable red dot display. New is the absence of buttons on the units. These are now touchscreen buttons. Also new are the large massive feet with integrated Ansuz Darkz Feet that can be placed on Ansuz Darkz isolators. A large part of this foot overhangs the Ansuz Darkz isolator, allowing less contrast between the color of the device and the color of the Ansuz Darkz you place underneath it (the Ansuz Darkz S3T and S3W are for example made of polished stainless steel while the Aavik enclosure is black). Also the remote control has been redesigned, this is now the same beautiful and practical remote supplied with the 880-series.

Technology : The 'SD' in SD-288 stands for 'Streamer/DAC', but in our view this is more about a DAC/Streamer. Although the built-in streamer is fantastic, the DAC is the main feature of the SD-288. Even for people who don't plan to use the internal streamer, the SD-288 is one of the most musical and most innovative D/A Converters in its price class. The new Aavik SD-288 DAC/Streamer is actually a non-DAC. It is a digital to analog converter that operates chipless, meaning there are no chips in the conversion process. The basis for this technology is initially a custom programmed FPGA which converts all incoming digital signals to the ultra-high DSD512 resolution. This resolution is so high that a high-quality digital filter, and subsequently a simple analog filter (without ICs) produces the final analog waveform without noise-creating circuits. The Aavik SD-288 DAC/Streamer is completely single-ended in design, so you will not find XLR inputs/outputs on the SD-288. An important part of the musical quality of the new SD-288 series comes, apart from the exotic and thoughtful solid enclosure and the Aavik Resonant Mode Power supply, from the built-in Ansuz Acoustics noise cancelling techniques. The Aavik SD-288 features most of the noise cancelling techniques of the SD-X88 series. There are no fewer than 72 Active Tesla Coils, 144 Active Square Tesla Coils and 2 Gold Anti Aerial Resonance Coils built-in, supported by 6 Analog Dither Circuitry.

Streamer : The Aavik SD-288 features an outstanding streamer. This streamer can be operated 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. Additionally, all 'Connects' are available, including 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 is coming soon. 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.

Listening : Listening to the new SD-288 streaming DAC series is a real pleasure. The resolution of the SD-288 is extremely high, the finest and smallest details are easily heard. Yet the recording is not 'dissected', the music flows and sounds very natural. We rarely heard such an analog sound, with so much definition and dynamics from a digital source. The SD-288 simply doesn't sound like just a good D/A Converter, but rather like a very high-quality analog source, without its drawbacks. The background of the soundstage is enormously deep, black and silent. The music is really presented to you, not just reproduced. The overall listening experience is interesting and captivating. Not only is the sound of the Aavik SD-288 perfectionist and correct, it is also very enjoyable to listen to, a very addictive combination of factors. The Aavik SD-288 takes a step further in terms of detail, space and musicality compared to the SD-188.

The SD-288 is now available as a demo unit and can be auditioned by appointment at Ohm-Audio BV.

Specifications :

Brand : Aavik Acoustics

Model : SD-288

Type : D/A Converter with Built-in Streamer

Digital Inputs :

2 x BNC SPDIF (32bit/768kHz, DSD 128 over PCM)

2 x Toslink (32bit/192kHz

1 x USB-B Fully Isolated (32Bit/384kHz, DSD 256 Native)

Analog Outputs : 1 x Unbalanced RCA Line Fixed

Digital Outputs : 1 x BNC SPDIF (32bit/768kHz)

Weight : 21 Kg

Dimensions : 440 mm Wide x 430 mm Deep x 116mm High

Finish : Black with Stainless Steel Top Plate and Copper Plates

Trade-in : We are happy to discuss trading in your old equipment