Aavik Acoustics I-288, Integrated Amplifier, Built-in Analog Crossover, 2 x 300 Watt

Aavik Acoustics I-288, Integrated Amplifier, Built-in Analog Crossover, 2 x 300 Watt

Retail Price € 19.995,00

EN.

General : The Aavik I-288 is the latest generation integrated amplifier from Danish brand Aavik Acoustics, which is part of Audio Group Denmark along with Ansuz Acoustics, Børresen Acoustics and Axxess. The Aavik I-288 has been renewed in many aspects compared to its predecessor the I-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 I-288 is the mid-level model in the new I-X88 line from Aavik Acoustics. The Aavik I-288 is positioned above the I-188 and below the I-588 from Aavik Acoustics.

Housing : The new housing of the Aavik I-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 tonal character. Aavik Acoustics made the housings of its first amplifiers from solid aluminum, but after extensive testing and listening, they discovered that aluminum is not the best material acoustically for amplifier housings. They then switched to a natural composite material for the I-180/280/580, and for the I-580 they also added a titanium cross on the top plate and copper internal components. Now the housing of the Aavik I-288, based on Aavik Acoustics' flagship 880-series, is made from solid copper side plates and a sandwich design top and bottom plate consisting of a solid copper plate, a natural composite material plate and a stainless steel plate. A much higher quality feel and look. The design is clearly derived from the beautiful 880-series and the overall appearance is very sleek and modern. What has been preserved is the highly readable and dimmable red dot display. Large but understated in appearance. New is the absence of buttons, which are now touch-screen 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 solid feet with integrated Ansuz Darkz Feet, which can be placed on Ansuz Darkz isolators. A large portion of these feet extends over the Ansuz Darkz isolator, reducing the visual contrast between the amplifier color and the Ansuz Darkz color you place underneath (for example, the Ansuz Darkz S3T and S3W are polished stainless steel while the Aavik housing is black). Finally, the remote control has also been updated with the same beautiful and practical remotes supplied with the 880-series, completing the feel and look perfectly.

Technology : The highly advanced technology in Aavik amplifiers is unique. The Aavik I-288 uses the latest generation of Pascal amplifier technology. This newest 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, giving the amplifier even more control over the connected speakers. The Aavik I-288 offers 2 x 300 Watts at 8 Ohms and even 2 x 600 Watts at 4 Ohms. This allows the Aavik I-288 to drive virtually anything, from huge Infinity's or B&W's and Wilson Audio to the largest Magnepan, Analysis Audio and other planar models. The latest generation resonant mode power supply is very generously dimensioned and always calculated for the task. The technical construction is highly advanced and utilizes various techniques from sister brand Ansuz Acoustics. The Aavik I-288 features extensive Noise and Impedance Reduction using Ansuz Tesla Coil and Dither Technology. The Aavik I-288 has 72 Active Tesla Coils, and 168 Active Square Tesla Coils. These Tesla Coils eliminate noise from the music signal and lower impedance, allowing for freer passage of the music signal from point A to point B. There are also 5 Gold Anti Aerial Resonance Coils (AARC) at the speaker outputs and analog inputs, these gold AARCs are of the latest generation and are gold-plated. Additionally, there are 7 Analog Dither Circuitries of the latest (3rd) generation implemented in the Aavik I-288. The power consumption of the Aavik I-288 is very favorable. The Aavik I-288 consumes only 1 Watt in standby, and in music mode the consumption is < 30 Watts idle.

Analog Crossover : What has been added to the I-X88 integrated amplifiers is a high-quality built-in 24dB/Octave active analog crossover, which is unique. This active analog crossover offers many advantages. There is a special dual output for Subwoofer(s), which can be adjusted via remote control to: Low Pass 30Hz - 80Hz in 5Hz steps and volume. There is also a dual 24dB/Octave High Pass output for the main speakers. This way you can unload the main speakers from deep bass in the analog domain, and they will sound better. The High Pass is also adjustable from 30Hz - 80Hz in 5Hz steps, via remote control. You will need an additional RCA interconnect to feed the signal from the High Pass output back to the Main input. This allows you to optimally configure a subwoofer and main speaker in the analog domain without the time delay that occurs in the subwoofer's built-in EQ. Additionally, there is an extra 6dB/Octave low-cut filter built-in as standard, so you can unload the main speakers from bass even without the extra RCA cable (25Hz/40Hz and 70Hz). The possibilities are enormous and with this you can create a full-range system with compact speakers and 1 or 2 subwoofers that can also play loudly in large rooms. We have never heard such outstanding integrated sound from a speaker/subwoofer setup before! Almost always the bass lags somewhat, but not with the new Aavik amplifiers.

Sound : The Aavik I-288 is a clear step forward from its already outstanding predecessor, and also a nice improvement over the I-188. The music is cleaner, the soundstage is tighter, quieter and more organized. The resolution is clearly better and there is more liveliness in the sound providing an even more engaging listening experience. The bass is deeper and more rhythmic and the control over the speakers is optimal. The sound of the Aavik I-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 excellent clarity when a lot 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 exactly what is happening in the recording, but it also remains musical and enjoyable to listen to without feeling that the recording is being 'dissected'. In short, the Aavik I-288 simply sounds very musical. Relaxed and 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 I-288 sounds tight and dynamic and lets you hear everything when called for, but there is also a certain sense of calm & comfort to the sound that allows you to also play quieter, intimate music and creates a pleasant emotional transfer. The sound is therefore excellent in balance and the overall picture simply adds up. Dynamically, the Aavik I-288 goes further than most Class A & A/B amplifiers, but that is not ultimately what it is only about. It is about sound quality and musicality, and the extent to which an amplifier is capable of conveying emotions. And conveying music the way it is meant to be heard is where Aavik amplifiers excel. This Aavik I-288 is pure emotion, distilled.

Conclusion : The Aavik Acoustics I-288 is a unique integrated amplifier with generous power output, a formidable built-in active analog crossover and fantastic sound quality. Operation is very easy and refined and the display is readable from great distances without being obtrusive.

Other Aavik Acoustics amplifiers from the I-X88 Series : The other amplifiers in the I-X88 Series from Aavik Acoustics, the I-188 and the I-588, are built on the same principle. The power of all amplifiers in the I-X88 series from Aavik Acoustics is the same. The differences lie in the amount of noise and impedance reducing techniques using Tesla Coils, Anti Aerial Resonance Coils and Analog Dither Technology employed in the amplifier. Sonically, from the Aavik I-188 to the I-288 you will notice a nice step forward in definition, soundstaging and detail, plus a blacker, quieter and deeper background. From the I-288 to the I-588 you take another step forward in these areas. The housing size of all amplifiers in the I-Series is identical.

Specifications of the Aavik Acoustics I-288 :

Brand : Aavik Acoustics Denmark

Model : I-288

Type : Integrated Amplifier

Extra : Built-in Active Analog Crossover

Warranty Aavik Acoustics / Ohm-Audio B.V. : 24 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 RCA, 1 x Low Pass Out RCA, 1 x High Pass Out RCA

Speaker Outputs : 1 x Pair WBT Speaker Connections for Spades and/or Banana Plugs

Output Power : 2 x 300 Watts at 8 Ohms, 2 x 600 Watts at 4 Ohms

Finish : Black, Copper and Matte Stainless Steel

Dimensions :

Dimensions : 44cm Wide x 43cm Deep x 11.6cm High

Weight : 23.3 Kg Net

Manufacturer Website :

Manufacturer Website : Aavik Acoustics I-288

Trade-in : Negotiable