Aavik Acoustics SD-588 Reference DA Converter with Built-in Streamer

Aavik Acoustics SD-588 Non DAC DA Processor / Converter with Built-in Streamer
Retail Price: € 24.995,00
(Non EU buyers and EU buyers with a valid VAT number pay € 20.662,12)

EN.
General: The Aavik SD-588 is a unique High End DA converter, unlike any other DA Converters on the market, as it is a Non DAC DA Converter, meaning there is no DA converter chip inside. However, it does feature an excellent streamer.

Chassis: The new chassis 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 chassis on the sound of their equipment. The electronics in your audio device is one thing, the chassis is another. The chassis of your device also contributes to a certain tonal character. Aavik Acoustics made the chassis of its first amplifiers from solid aluminum, as many do. Aluminum is an easy-to-work material that allows for heavy chassis with beautiful design to be made in a not extremely expensive way. Like every material, aluminum also has its own resonance characteristics. Aavik decided with the X80 series to switch to a natural wood composite material for their chassis, combined with new electronics inside, this gave a more natural sound. For the new X88 series, the designers incorporated much of the design and materials from the flagship 880-series. The new chassis of the X88 (which includes the SD-588) 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, between these 2 metal plates is a thick wood composite plate that completes the sandwich. The look and feel of the new Aavik Acoustics chassis is extremely high-quality. What has been preserved is the very readable and dimmable red dot display, even from a great distance. New is the absence of buttons on the units. These are now touchscreen buttons. Also new are the large massive feet that incorporate Ansuz Darkz Feet, which can be placed on Ansuz Darkz isolators. A large part of this foot extends over the Ansuz Darkz isolator, meaning you have less contrast between the color of the device and the color of the Ansuz Darkz placed underneath (the Ansuz Darkz S3T and S3W are, for example, made of polished stainless steel where the Aavik chassis is black). The remote control has also been redesigned, it is now the same beautiful and practical remote that comes with the 880-series.

Technology: The 'SD' in SD-588 stands for 'Streamer DAC', but in our view it is a DAC/Streamer. Although the built-in streamer is fantastic, the DAC is the main focus of the SD-588. Even for people who don't plan to use the internal streamer, the SD-588 is one of the most musical and most innovative D/A Converters in its price range. The new Aavik SD-588 DAC/Streamer is essentially a non-DAC. It is a digital to analog converter that works chipless, meaning there are no chips in the conversion. The basis for this technique is initially a custom programmed FPGA which converts all incoming digital signals to ultra-high DSD512 resolution. This resolution is so high that a high-quality digital filter, followed by a simple analog filter (without ICs), produces the final analog waveform without noise-creating circuits. The Aavik SD-588 DAC/Streamer is completely single-ended in design, so you won't find XLR inputs/outputs on the SD-588. An important part of the musical quality of the new SD-588 series comes from, apart from the exotic and well-thought-out solid chassis and the Aavik Resonant Mode Power supply, the built-in Ansuz Acoustics noise cancelling techniques. The Aavik SD-588 features the most noise cancelling techniques of the SD-X88 series. There are no fewer than 108 Active Tesla Coils, 216 Active Square Tesla Coils and 2 Gold Anti Aerial Resonance Coils built in, which are supported by 9 Analog Dither Circuitry.

Streamer: The Aavik SD-588 features an excellent streamer. 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 work with 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. Roon Ready is not yet available, but it will be 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 play music directly from the connected USB storage.

Listening: Listening to the new SD-588 series streaming DAC is a true pleasure. The resolution of the SD-588 is extremely high, the finest and smallest details are heard with ease. Yet the recording is not 'dissected', the music flows and sounds very natural. Rarely have we heard such an analog sound, with so much definition and dynamics from a digital source. The SD-588 simply doesn't sound like just a good D/A Converter, but rather like a very high-quality analog source, without its disadvantages. The background of the soundstage is extremely deep, black and silent. The music is truly presented to you, not merely played. The overall listening experience is engaging and captivating. Not only is the sound of the Aavik SD-588 perfectionist and correct, it is also very enjoyable to listen to, a very addictive combination of factors. The Aavik SD-588 has the most musical, most detailed and most spatial soundstage of the Aavik SD-X88 series DAC/Streamers.

The SD-588 is now available for demo and can be auditioned by appointment at Ohm-Audio BV.

Specifications:

Brand: Aavik Acoustics
Model: SD-588
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 the trade-in of your old equipment