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 € 24.995,00

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

General : The Aavik I-588 is the latest generation integrated amplifier from 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 aspects compared to its predecessor, the I-580. 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-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 trying, testing and listening, they found that aluminum is not the best material sonically for an amplifier chassis. With the I-180/280/580 they switched to a chassis made of natural composite material (the I-580 also had a titanium cross on the top plate and copper interior components). Now the chassis of the Aavik I-588, which is based on the flagship models of Aavik Acoustics, the 880-series, is made of solid copper side panels and top and bottom plates 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 Aavik's stunning 880-series and the whole thing looks 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 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 Ansuz Darkz Feet integrated, which can be placed on Ansuz Darkz isolators. A large part of this foot overlaps the Ansuz Darkz isolator, so you have less contrast between the color of the amplifier and the color of the Ansuz Darkz you place underneath (the Ansuz Darkz S3T and S3W are, for example, 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 supplied with the 880-series, which completes the feel and look perfectly.

Technology : The very advanced technology in Aavik amplifiers is unique. The Aavik I-588 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, allowing the amplifier to have even more control over the connected speakers. The Aavik I-588 has 2 x 300 Watts at 8 Ohms and even 2 x 600 Watts at 4 Ohms. 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 electrostatic speakers. The latest generation resonant mode power supply is very generously dimensioned and always calculated for its task. The technical construction is very advanced and uses various techniques from sister brand Ansuz Acoustics. The Aavik I-588 contains extensive 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, which ensures a freer flow of the music signal from point A to point B. There are also 7 Gold Anti Aerial Resonance Coils (AARC) which are applied at the speaker outputs and at the analog inputs, these Gold AARC are from the latest generation and are gold-plated. Also, 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 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, 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 unload 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 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 set up 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 an additional 6dB/Octave low-cut filter built in as standard, so you can unload the main speakers of 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 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-588 is a clear step forward compared to its already excellent 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 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 listener fatigue. The distinction between foreground and background in the recording is clearly noticeable 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 plays together. This means you not only hear clearly 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 an enormous 3D bubble. The space in which the performers play is very clearly audible and the atmosphere is well transferred 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 calmness & comfort over the sound that allows you to play quiet intimate music and creates a pleasant emotional transfer. The sound is therefore in excellent balance and the overall picture is simply right. Dynamically, the Aavik I-588 goes further than most Class A & A/B amplifiers, but that's not ultimately what it's all about. It's about sound quality and musicality, and the extent to which an amplifier is able to convey emotions. And conveying the music in the way it was intended is where Aavik amplifiers excel. This Aavik I-588 is pure emotion.

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 refined 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 I-288, are built according to 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 reduction techniques through Tesla Coils, Anti Aerial Resonance Coils and Analog Dither Technology that are applied in the amplifier. Sonically, going from the Aavik I-188 to the I-288 you get 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 in these areas. The chassis format 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 Terminals 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 : 23.3 Kg Net

Manufacturer Website :

Manufacturer Website : Aavik Acoustics I-588

Trade-in : Negotiable