Aavik Acoustics SD-188 Reference DA Converter with built-in streamer, New

Aavik Acoustics SD-188 Non DAC DA Processor / Converter with built-in Streamer

Retail price: € 14.995,00

(Non EU buyers and EU buyers with a valid VAT number pay € 12.392,56)

NL.

General: The Aavik Acoustics SD-188 is a unique High End DA converter, unlike all other DA Converters on the market, because it is a Non DAC DA Converter, so there is no DA converter chip in it. But it does have an excellent streamer. The SD-188 is the first model in the SD-X88 series, above the SD-188 are the SD-288 and the flagship model, the SD-588.

Housing: The new housing of the Aavik SD-X88 series is a further development of Aavik's previous series. Audio Group Denmark is constantly working to optimize the positive influence of the housing on the sound of their equipment. The electronics in your audio equipment is one thing, the housing is another. The housing of your equipment also contributes to a certain sonic character. Aavik Acoustics made the housings of its first amplifiers from solid aluminum, as many do. Aluminum is an easy-to-work-with material that allows heavy housings to be made in a not extremely expensive way with beautiful design. Like any material, aluminum also has its own resonance characteristics. Aavik decided in the X80 series to switch to a natural wood composite material for their housings, combined with the new electronics inside this gave 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 housings of the X88 (including the SD-188) 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 housings is extremely high quality. What has been preserved is very good, even from a great distance, 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 solid feet where the Ansuz Darkz Feet are integrated, which can be placed on Ansuz Darkz isolation devices. A large part of this foot extends over the Ansuz Darkz isolator, so you have less contrast between the color of the device and the color of the Ansuz Darkz you place under it (for example, the Ansuz Darkz S3T and S3W are made of polished stainless steel while the Aavik housing is black). The remote control has also been updated, this is now the same beautiful and practical remote that is also supplied with the 880-series.

Technology: The 'SD' in SD-188 stands for 'Streamer/DAC', but in our view this is more of a DAC/Streamer. Although the built-in streamer is fantastic, the DAC is the main focus of the SD-188. Even for people who don't plan to use the internal streamer, the SD-188 is also one of the most musical and most innovative D/A Converters in its price range. The new Aavik SD-188 DAC/Streamer is actually a non-DAC. It is a digital to analog converter that works chipless, so there are no chips in the conversion. 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-188 DAC/Streamer is entirely single-ended in design, so you will not find XLR inputs/outputs on the SD-188. An important part of the musical quality of the new SD-188 series comes, apart from the exotic and thoughtful solid housing and the Aavik Resonant Mode Power supply, from the built-in Ansuz Acoustics noise cancelling techniques. The Aavik SD-188 features the most noise cancelling techniques of the SD-X88 series. It has 36 Active Tesla Coils, 72 Active Square Tesla Coils and 1 Gold Anti Aerial Resonance Coil built-in, which are supported by 3 Analog Dither Circuitry.

Streamer: The Aavik SD-188 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 use is JPlay (iOS only), however there are costs associated with the license to use JPlay. In addition, all 'Connects' are present, 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 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 directly play music from the connected USB storage.

Listening: Listening to the new SD-188 streaming DAC series is a true pleasure. The resolution of the SD-188 is extremely high, the finest and smallest details can be easily heard. 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-188 simply does not 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 just reproduced. The overall listening experience is interesting and captivating. Not only is the sound of the Aavik SD-188 perfectionist and correct, it is also very enjoyable to listen to, a very addictive combination of factors. The Aavik SD-188 is a true high-end DAC at heart, and through the built-in streamer is a very complete and user-friendly device.

The SD-188 is now available for demonstration and can be auditioned by appointment at Ohm-Audio BV.

Specifications:

Brand: Aavik Acoustics

Model: SD-188

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