Aavik Acoustics I-588, Integrated Amplifier, Built-in Analog Crossover, 2 x 300 Watts

Aavik Acoustics I-588, Integrated Amplifier, Built-in Analog Crossover, 2 x 300 Watts
Retail price € 25,000.00

EN.
General: The Aavik I-588 is the latest generation integrated amplifier from the Danish brand Aavik Acoustics, which is part of Audio Group Denmark together with Ansuz Acoustics, Børresen Acoustics and Axxess. The Aavik I-588 has been renewed in many respects compared to its predecessor, the I-580. The chassis 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-588 is the top model of the new I-X88 series from Aavik Acoustics. The Aavik I-588 is the model above the I-188 and I-288 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 device is one thing, the chassis is another. The chassis of your device also contributes to a certain sound character. Aavik Acoustics made the chassis of its first amplifiers from solid aluminum, but after considerable experimentation, testing and listening, they discovered that aluminum is not the best material sonically for an amplifier chassis. With the I-180/280/580 models, they switched to a chassis made from a natural composite material (the I-580 also featured a titanium cross on the top plate and copper internal components). Now the chassis of the Aavik I-588, which is based on Aavik Acoustics' flagship 880-series models, is made from solid copper side panels and a top and bottom plate with a sandwich design consisting of a solid copper plate, a natural composite material plate and a stainless steel plate. A much more premium feel and look. The design is clearly derived from the excellent 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 with a calm appearance. New is the absence of buttons, which are now 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 in which 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 isolation device, which means there is less contrast between the amplifier's color and the color of the Ansuz Darkz you place underneath it (for example, the Ansuz Darkz S3T and S3W are made of polished stainless steel while the Aavik chassis is black). Finally, the remote control has also been updated, these are now the same beautiful and practical remotes that are also supplied with the 880-series, making the feel and look truly complete.

Technology: The highly advanced technology in Aavik amplifiers is unique. The Aavik I-588 uses the latest amplifier generation from Pascal. This latest 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, allowing the amplifier to have even greater control over the connected speakers. The Aavik I-588 delivers 2 x 300 Watts at 8 Ohm and even 2 x 600 Watts at 4 Ohm. Thanks to this, the Aavik I-588 can drive practically anything, from huge 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 calculated for the task at hand. The technical design is highly advanced and uses various techniques from sister brand Ansuz Acoustics. The Aavik I-588 includes comprehensive Noise and Impedance Reduction via Ansuz Tesla Coil and Dither Technology. The Aavik I-588 features 108 Active Tesla Coils, and 240 Active Square Tesla Coils. These Tesla Coils eliminate noise from the music signal and lower impedance, ensuring a freer flow of the music signal from point A to point B. There are also 7 Gold Anti Aerial Resonance Coils (AARC) applied at the speaker outputs and analog inputs, these Gold AARC are the latest generation and are gold-plated. Additionally, 10 Analog Dither Circuitries of the latest (3rd) generation are used in the Aavik I-588. The power consumption of the Aavik I-588 is very favorable. The Aavik I-588 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 the remote control: Low Pass 30Hz - 80Hz in steps of 5Hz 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 sound better as a result. The High Pass is also adjustable from 30Hz - 80Hz in steps of 5Hz via the remote control. You will need an extra RCA interlink cable to return the signal from the High Pass output to the Main input. This way you can optimally set up 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 bass roll-off filter built in as standard, so you can relieve the main speakers of the bass 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 an excellent integrated sound from a speaker/subwoofer setup before! The bass almost always lags a bit, but not anymore with the new Aavik amplifiers.

Sound: The Aavik I-588 is a clear step forward compared to its already outstanding predecessor, and also a nice improvement over the I-188 and I-288. 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 which provides for 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-588 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 much overview 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 well what exactly is happening in the recording, but it also remains musical and enjoyable to listen to without the feeling that the recording is being 'dissected'. In short, the Aavik I-588 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-588 sounds tight and dynamic and lets everything be heard when called for, but there is also a certain peace & comfort over the sound that allows you to also play quiet intimate music and there is a pleasant emotional transfer. The sound is thus excellently balanced and the overall picture simply fits perfectly. Dynamically, the Aavik I-588 goes further than most Class A & A/B amplifiers, but that is not ultimately what it is all about. It is about sound quality and musicality, and the extent to which an amplifier is capable of conveying emotions. And transmitting the music the way it is intended is where Aavik amplifiers excel. This Aavik I-588 is pure emotion sang.

Conclusion: The Aavik Acoustics I-588 is a unique integrated amplifier with generous output power, a formidable built-in active analog crossover and fantastic sound quality. The operation is 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 from the I-X88 Series of Aavik Acoustics, the I-188 and the I-288, are built according to the same principle. The power of all amplifiers from the I-X88 series of 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, going from the Aavik I-188 to the I-288 you make a nice step forward in terms of definition, spatiality and detail and a blacker, quieter and deeper background. From the I-288 to the I-588 you take another step forward in these areas. The size of the housing of all amplifiers from the I-Series is the same.

Specifications of the Aavik Acoustics I-588:

Brand : Aavik Acoustics Denmark
Model : I-588
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 Ohm, 2 x 600 Watts at 4 Ohm
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-588

Review (in German) : Review Aavik Acoustics I-588

Trade-in : Negotiable