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 Watt

Retail price € 24.995,00

New review : https://www.fidelity-online.de/aavik-i-588/

EN.

General : The Aavik I-588 is the latest generation integrated amplifier from Danish brand Aavik Acoustics, which falls under Audio Group Denmark along 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 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-588 is the flagship model of the new I-X88 from Aavik Acoustics. The Aavik I-588 is the model above the I-188 and I-288 from Aavik Acoustics.

Housing : The new housing of the Aavik I-X88 series is clearly more thoughtfully and 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 sound character. Aavik Acoustics made the housings of its first amplifiers from solid aluminum, after extensive testing, trying and listening they discovered that aluminum is not the best material sonically for an amplifier housing, so they switched to a natural composite material housing for the I-180/280/580 (the I-580 also used a titanium cross on the top plate and a copper interior). Now the housing of the Aavik I-588, which is based on Aavik Acoustics' flagship models, the 880-series, is made from solid copper side panels and a top and bottom plate with a sandwich design 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 beautiful 880-series from Aavik and the overall appearance is very sleek and modern. What has been preserved is the very readable and dimmable red dot display. Large but restrained looking. 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 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 decouplers. A large portion of this foot extends over the Ansuz Darkz decoupler, which means you have less contrast between the color of the amplifier and the color of the Ansuz Darkz you place under it (for example, the Ansuz Darkz S3T and S3W are glossy stainless steel while the Aavik housing is black). Finally, the remote control has also been redesigned, these are now the same beautiful and practical remotes that are also supplied with the 880-series, which makes the feel and look truly complete.

Technology : The very advanced technology in the Aavik amplifiers is unique. The Aavik I-588 uses the latest generation Pascal amplification. 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 more 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. The Aavik I-588 can therefore drive practically anything, from enormous Infinity's or B&W's and Wilson Audio to the largest models of 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 very advanced and uses various techniques from sister brand Ansuz Acoustics. The Aavik I-588 contains extensive Noise and Impedance Reduction through Ansuz Tesla Coil and Dither Technology. The Aavik I-588 has 108 Active Tesla Coils, and 240 Active Square Tesla Coils. These Tesla Coils eliminate noise from the music signal and reduce impedance, allowing the music signal to flow more freely 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 of the latest generation and are gold-plated. There are also 10 Analog Dither Circuitries of the latest (3rd) generation implemented 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 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 from 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 5Hz steps, via the remote control. You will need an extra RCA interlink cable to route the signal from the High Pass output back to the Main input. This way you can optimally set a subwoofer and main speaker in the analog domain, without the time delay that occurs in the subwoofer's built-in EQ. Furthermore, there is also an extra 6dB/Octave low-pass filter built in as standard, so you can also relieve the main speakers from the Bass (25Hz/40Hz and 70Hz) without the extra RCA cable. 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 before heard such an 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-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 orderly. The resolution is noticeably 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-588 is neutral, dynamic and lively, but in a way that remains natural and does not induce listening fatigue. The distinction between foreground and background in the recording is clearly perceptible and there is very much clarity when there is a lot happening in the recording. Also important is the harmony in which everything that is individually easy to follow plays together. Because of this, 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-588 simply sounds very musical. Relaxed and with an enormous 3D bubble. The space in which the performers play is very well 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 calm and comfort over the sound that allows you to also play quiet intimate music and creates a pleasant emotional transfer. The sound is therefore excellently balanced and the overall picture is simply correct. In terms of dynamics, the Aavik I-588 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 the music in the way it is intended is where Aavik amplifiers excel. This Aavik I-588 is pure emotion sung.

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. 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 of Aavik Acoustics, the I-188 and the I-288, are built according to the same principle. The power of all amplifiers in the I-X88 series of Aavik Acoustics is the same. The differences are 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, as you go from the Aavik I-188 to the I-288 you will notice a nice step forward in definition, spatiality and detail and a blacker, quieter and deeper background. From the I-288 to the I-588 you take another step in these areas. The size of the housing of all amplifiers in 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 Connections for Spades and/or Banana Connectors
Output Power : 2 x 300 Watts at 8 Ohm, 2 x 600 Watts at 4 Ohm
Finish : Black, Copper and Matt Stainless Steel

Dimensions :

Dimensions : 44cm Width x 43cm Depth x 11,6cm Height
Weight : 23.3 Kg Net

Manufacturer Website :

Manufacturer Website : Aavik Acoustics I-588

Trade-in : Negotiable