Aavik Acoustics I-188, Integrated Amplifier, 2 x 300 Watt, Built-In Analog Crossover

Aavik Acoustics I-188, Integrated Amplifier, Built-In Analog Crossover, 2 x 300 Watt

Retail Price € 14.995,00

(Non EU Buyers and EU Buyers with a valid VAT nr pay € 12.392,56)

Ohm-Audio BV is the official importer of Audio Group Denmark (Aavik, Ansuz, Axxess, Borresen) for the BeNeLux and products are supplied with warranty. Grey market products are not covered by warranty.

ENG.

General : The Aavik I-188 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-188 has been significantly updated compared to its predecessor the I-180. The chassis has been completely redesigned, now made from different materials and the design comes from Flemming Rasmussen (Gryphon Audio founder and designer). The Aavik I-188 is the first model in Aavik Acoustics' new I-X88 series. The Aavik I-188 is the model below the I-288 and I-588 from Aavik Acoustics.

Chassis : The new chassis 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 equipment is one thing, the chassis is another. The chassis of your equipment also contributes to a certain sound character. Aavik Acoustics made the chassis of its first amplifiers from solid aluminum, but after extensive testing and listening, they discovered that aluminum is not the best material sonically for amplifier chassis. With the I-180/280/580, they switched to a natural composite material chassis (with the I-580 they also added a titanium cross on the top plate and a copper interior). Now the chassis of the Aavik I-188, which is based on Aavik Acoustics' flagship models, the 880-series, is made of solid copper side panels and a sandwich design top and bottom plate of a solid copper plate, a natural composite material plate and a stainless steel plate. A much more high-end feel and look. The design is clearly derived from the stunning Aavik 880-series and the overall appearance is very sleek and modern. What has been retained is the very 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 isolation devices. A large portion of this foot extends over the Ansuz Darkz isolator, which means less color contrast between the amplifier and the Ansuz Darkz underneath it (for example, the Ansuz Darkz S2T are polished stainless steel while the Aavik chassis is black). Finally, the remote control has also been redesigned, now using the same beautiful and practical remotes supplied with the 880-series, which completes the feel and look.

Technology : The highly advanced technology in Aavik amplifiers is unique. The Aavik I-188 uses the latest Pascal amplifier generation. 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-188 delivers 2 x 300 Watts at 8 Ohms and even 2 x 600 Watts at 4 Ohms. The Aavik I-188 can therefore drive practically anything, from huge Infinity or B&W speakers and Wilson Audio to the largest models from Magnepan, Analysis Audio and other planar speakers. The latest generation resonant mode power supply is very generously dimensioned and always calculated for the task. The technical design is highly advanced and uses various techniques from sister brand Ansuz Acoustics. The Aavik I-188 contains extensive Noise and Impedance Reduction via Ansuz Tesla Coil and Dither Technology. The Aavik I-188 features 36 Active Tesla Coils, and 72 Active Square Tesla Coils. These Tesla Coils eliminate noise from the music signal and reduce impedance, providing a freer passage of the music signal from point A to point B. There are also 5 Gold Anti Aerial Resonance Coils (AARC) applied at the speaker outputs and analog inputs, these Gold AARCs are the latest generation and are gold-plated. Also incorporated are 4 Analog Dither Circuitries of the latest (3rd) generation in the Aavik I-188. The power consumption of the Aavik I-188 is very favorable. The Aavik I-188 consumes only 1 Watt in standby, and in music mode 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, and that is unique. This active analog crossover offers many advantages. There is a special dual output for the 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 relieve 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 the remote control. You will need an extra RCA interconnect cable to return the signal from the High Pass output to the Main input. This way you can optimally, in the analog domain, configure a subwoofer and main speaker without the time delay that occurs in the subwoofer's built-in EQ. Furthermore, an additional 6dB/Octave low-cut filter is built in as standard, so you can also relieve the main speakers from bass (25Hz/40Hz and 70Hz) without the extra RCA cable. The possibilities are enormous and you can create a full range system with compact speakers and 1 or 2 subwoofers that you can also play loudly in large rooms. We have never heard such excellent integrated sound from a speaker/subwoofer setup before! Almost always the bass lags somewhat, but not anymore with the new Aavik amplifiers.

Sound : The Aavik I-188 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 deeper and more rhythmic and control over the speakers is optimal. The sound of the Aavik I-188 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 overview when a lot is happening in the recording. Also important is the harmony in which everything that is individually easy to follow works together. Because of this, you not only hear well what exactly is happening in the recording, but it remains musical and enjoyable to listen to without feeling that the recording is being 'dissected'. In short, the Aavik I-188 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 I-188 sounds tight and dynamic and lets everything be heard when called for, but there is also a certain peace & comfort to the sound that allows you to also play quieter, more intimate music and enables pleasant emotional transmission. The sound is therefore excellently balanced and the overall picture simply works. Dynamically, the Aavik I-188 goes further than most Class A & A/B amplifiers, but that is not ultimately what it's all about. It's about sound quality and musicality, and the extent to which an amplifier can convey emotions. And conveying music the way it was intended is where Aavik amplifiers excel. This Aavik I-188 is pure emotion.

Conclusion : The Aavik Acoustics I-188 is a unique integrated amplifier with generous output power, a formidable built-in active analog crossover and fantastic sound quality. The controls are very simple and refined and the display is readable from great distances without being distracting.

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

Specifications of the Aavik Acoustics I-188 :

Brand : Aavik Acoustics Denmark

Model : I-188

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 Connectors 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 Brushed Stainless Steel

Dimensions :

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

Weight : 22 Kg Net

Trade-In : Negotiable

Manufacturer Website : Aavik Acoustics I-188