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 Watts

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 the Audio Group Denmark (Aavik, Ansuz, Axxess, Borresen) for the BeNeLux and the products are supplied with warranty. Grey import products are not covered by warranty.

EN.

General : The Aavik I-188 is the latest generation integrated amplifier from the 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 renewed in many respects compared to its predecessor the I-180. The enclosure 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-188 is the first model in the new I-X88 series from Aavik Acoustics. The Aavik I-188 is the model below the I-288 and the I-588 from Aavik Acoustics.

Enclosure : The new enclosure of the Aavik I-X88 series is clearly more thoughtfully and solidly constructed. 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 enclosure is another. The enclosure of your equipment also contributes to a certain sound character. Aavik Acoustics made the enclosures of its first amplifiers from solid aluminum, after considerable experimentation, testing and listening they discovered that aluminum is not the best material sonically to use for your amplifier enclosure, so with the I-180/280/580 they switched to an enclosure made from a natural composite material (with the I-580 a titanium cross was also applied to the top plate and copper internal parts). Now the enclosure of the Aavik I-188, which is based on the flagship models of Aavik Acoustics, the 880-series, is made from solid copper side plates and a top and bottom plate of sandwich design 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 from Aavik and the whole appears very sleek and modern. What has been preserved is the very readable and dimmable red dot display. Large but quiet appearing. New is the absence of buttons which now consist of touchscreen buttons on the display, and new is the Aavik Acoustics logo in the volume knob which is also dimmable together with the rest of the display. Also new are the large solid feet which incorporate Ansuz Darkz Feet that can be placed on Ansuz Darkz isolators. A large portion of this foot extends over the Ansuz Darkz isolator, allowing you to reduce the contrast between the color of the amplifier and the color of the Ansuz Darkz you place underneath (the Ansuz Darkz S2T are for example made of polished stainless steel while the Aavik enclosure is black). Finally, the remote control has also been redesigned, these are now the same beautiful and practical remotes supplied with the 880-series, which makes the feel and look truly complete.

Technology : The very advanced technology in Aavik amplifiers is unique. The Aavik I-188 uses the latest generation amplification from Pascal. This latest generation UMAC™ amplification can switch even faster and generates even less noise than the previous generations. As a result, less filtering needs to be applied and the output impedance is lower, allowing the amplifier to have even more control over the connected speakers. The Aavik I-188 has 2 x 300 Watts at 8 Ohm and even 2 x 600 Watts at 4 Ohm. The Aavik I-188 can therefore drive practically anything, from enormous Infinity's or B&W's and Wilson Audio to the largest models from Magnepan, Analysis Audio and other magnetostats. The latest generation resonant mode power supply is very generously dimensioned and always sized for the task. The technical construction is very advanced and utilizes various techniques from sister brand Ansuz Acoustics. The Aavik I-188 includes extensive Noise and Impedance Reduction via Ansuz Tesla Coil and Dither Technology. The Aavik I-188 has 36 Active Tesla Coils, and 72 Active Square Tesla Coils. These Tesla Coils eliminate noise from the music signal and lower the impedance which allows for a freer flow of the music signal from point A to point B. There are also 5 Gold Anti Aerial Resonance Coils (AARC) which are applied at the speaker outputs and at the analog inputs, these Gold AARC are of the latest generation and are coated with gold. Also included are 4 Analog Dither Circuitries of the latest (3rd) generation implemented 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 the consumption is < 30 Watt 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 the 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 of the deep bass in the analog domain, and they will therefore sound better. The High Pass is also adjustable from 30Hz - 80Hz in 5Hz steps, via the remote control. You will need an extra RCA interlink to route the signal from the High Pass output back to the Main input. This way you can optimally, in the analog domain, set up a subwoofer and main speaker without the time delay that occurs in the subwoofer's built-in EQ. Furthermore, there is an additional 6dB/Octave low-pass filter built in as standard, so you can also relieve the main speakers of the Bass (25Hz/40Hz and 70Hz) without the extra RCA cable. The possibilities are enormous and you can use this to create a full range system with compact speakers and 1 or 2 subwoofers that you can also play loud in large rooms. We have never heard such outstanding integrated sound from a speaker/subwoofer setup! Almost always the bass lags a bit, but not with the new Aavik amplifiers.

Sound : The Aavik I-188 is a clear step forward compared to its already outstanding 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 the 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 the foreground and background in the recording is clearly perceptible and there is very good clarity 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 also 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 quietness & comfort over the sound that allows you to also play quiet intimate music and there is a pleasant emotional transfer. The sound is thus in excellent balance and the overall picture simply makes sense. Dynamically, the Aavik I-188 goes further than most Class A & A/B amplifiers, but that is not ultimately what it's only about. It's about sound quality and musicality, and to what extent an amplifier is able to convey emotions. And conveying the 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. Operation is very simple and superb and the display is readable from great distances without being intrusive.

Other Aavik Acoustics amplifiers from the I-X88 Series : The other amplifiers from the I-X88 Series from Aavik Acoustics, the I-288 and the I-588, are constructed according to the same principle. The power output of all amplifiers from the U-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. Sound-wise you will make a nice step forward from the Aavik I-188 to the I-288 in terms of definition, spatiality and detail and a blacker, quieter and deeper background. From the I-288 to the I-588 you go a step further in these areas. The enclosure size of all amplifiers from 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 Connections for Spades and/or Banana Plugs
Output Power : 2 x 300 Watts at 8 Ohm, 2 x 600 Watts at 4 Ohm
Finish : Black, Copper and Mat 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