Aavik Acoustics I-880, 2 x 200 Watt Pure Class A Integrated Amplifier

Aavik Acoustics I-880, 2 x 200 Watt Flagship Class A Integrated Amplifier

Retail Price: € 67.000,00

EN.

General : Flagship integrated amplifier from Aavik Acoustics, Denmark. The Aavik I-880 ranks among the absolute reference standard for integrated amplifiers. Through its completely different design approach, the Aavik I-880 exists in a different league compared to the already excellent I-180/280/580 amplifiers from Aavik Acoustics.

Technology : The main distinction between the I-880 and the I-188/288/588 is that the Aavik I-880 is a Class A amplifier while the I-188/288/588 are Class D amplifiers. However, the Aavik I-880 is not a typical Class A amplifier. With its robust 2 x 200 Watts at 8 Ohms and even 2 x 400 Watts at 4 Ohms, the Aavik I-880 is considerably more powerful than the average Class A amplifier. Aavik Acoustics has engineered a technology that maintains the bias spread at a constant 0.63V above the required current, regardless of where it sits in the cycle. So it doesn't matter how much current the output stage requires to perform, it remains in Class A operation at all times without wasting unnecessary energy. This also means the Aavik I-880 doesn't get as hot as most Class A amplifiers. Because the Aavik I-880 consumes and requires less current than a standard Class A amplifier, Aavik was able to use smaller capacitor banks for the 2 pairs of 8 transistors per channel. These capacitor banks are mounted directly next to the transistors inside, which means the power signal for the transistors doesn't have to travel a large distance. By keeping the power signal path as short as possible, this results in less noise in the signal. The power supply in the Aavik I-880 is also a special design not often found in a Class A amplifier. It consists of 4 pieces of 500 Watt ultra low noise, non-switching resonant mode power supplies. Where normal switching power supplies use square waves, the power supplies in the Aavik I-880 are driven by sine waves. This too results in less noise. And because these power supplies are used, the Aavik I-880 is more dynamic, more powerful and faster in its performance compared to more traditional Class A amplifiers with linear power supplies. The volume control is also a lossless feedback design with an extremely low signal-to-noise ratio across the entire volume range. Whether you turn it up loud or soft, the noise and distortion remain at an extremely low level. Additionally, Aavik Acoustics also uses Tesla Coil Technology and 3rd generation Dither Technology from sister brand Ansuz Acoustics. The Tesla Coils are an effective method of noise and induction reduction, and the Dither Technology enhances the music signal. These techniques are found in all equipment from Audio Group Denmark. The Aavik I-880 features the largest quantity of Tesla Coils and Dither Technology of all Aavik Acoustics integrated amplifiers.

Analog Crossover : What has been added to the I-880 is a high-quality integrated 12dB/Octave High Pass and 24dB/Octave Low Pass active analog crossover, which 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 steps of 5Hz and volume in increments of 0.25dB. There is also a dual 12dB/Octave High Pass output for the main speakers. This allows you to relieve the main speakers of deep bass in the analog domain, and they will sound better, especially in the case of 2-way and 2.5-way speakers because you can relieve the midrange driver of deep bass, which makes the midrange more open and better articulated. The High Pass is also adjustable from 30Hz - 80Hz in steps of 5Hz, via remote control. You will need an additional RCA interconnect to feed the signal from the High Pass output back to the Main input. This allows you to 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. The possibilities are enormous and 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 outstanding integrated sound from a speaker/subwoofer setup before! Almost always the bass lags behind, but with the arrival of this analog active crossover in the Aavik I-880, that's no longer the case.

Cabinet : The cabinet of the Aavik I-880 is also something very special. The design largely comes from the founder of Gryphon Audio, Flemming Rasmussen. This fact, combined with the pursuit of optimal mechanical stability and resonance control by designer Michael Børresen, results in a stunning design using unique materials to achieve the best musical properties from the Aavik I-880 cabinet. Starting with the base plate, this is a sturdy sandwich design with a massive Titanium plate on the underside, topped with a solid plate of compact laminate, and above that another massive plate of copper. The Aavik I-880 comes standard with 4 pieces of Ansuz Darkz Z2S isolators, which are placed under the base plate. The Ansuz Darkz Z2S are 3-layer isolators, made of solid Zirconium with Ansuz's Signature coating layer (consisting of Zirconium and Tungsten followed by a layer of aluminum titanium nitride with an additional outer layer of Zirconium) applied via a High Power Impulse Magnetron Sputtering machine. Isolation between the 3 discs is achieved through solid Tungsten balls. This is by far the most optimal form of isolation, resulting in much more dynamic, lively and natural playback. Back to the Aavik I-880 cabinet. The entire interior of the Aavik I-880 is made of solid copper, which has better musical properties compared to aluminum. The large volume knob is covered with Titanium next to the large white dot display. This display looks clean but is easily readable from a very great distance.

Sound : The Aavik I-880 has a sound from another world. Where the Aavik I-180/280/580 amplifiers already sound super dynamic and natural, the I-880 takes it to another level. What stands out is the enormous ease with which the Aavik I-880 plays, at any volume, connected to any speaker. The spatial imaging is lively, super detailed but most importantly extremely musical and addictive. Something simply happens in the space that immediately draws you into the recording, causing you to lose yourself in a clean, orderly and organic soundstage. The Aavik I-880 is, as just mentioned, very dynamic and lively, but because this happens in a completely free, clean and effortless manner, it doesn't cause listening fatigue. The Aavik I-880 is an amplifier with an enormous range of possibilities regarding music genres and speakers. Of course, the Aavik I-880 performs formidably on speakers from sister brand Børresen Acoustics, but also expect excellent results with Magico, Sonus Faber, Wilson Audio, magnetostatic or electrostatic speakers, and even horn speakers. The Aavik I-880 is among the finest amplifiers we have ever heard. We are very enthusiastic about the entire Aavik Acoustics range, and the Aavik I-880 is by far the most distinguished member of the family.

Conclusion : The Aavik Acoustics I-880 is a true flagship model in design, technology and sound. With its generous output power (2x200 Watts nominal at 8 Ohms), the Aavik I-880 is widely applicable. The Aavik I-880 sounds by far the most detailed, defined, organic and spatial of the amplifiers in the I-Series. Operation is very straightforward and refined, the display is easily readable from a great distance, and the amplifier is a true eye-catcher. Welcome to the musical and emotional world of Aavik Acoustics.

Other Aavik Acoustics amplifiers in the I-Series : The other amplifiers from the I-Series of Aavik Acoustics, the I-188, I-288 and I-588, are the Class D siblings of the Aavik I-880. These offer more power on paper and come in a more compact and lighter cabinet. The I-188/288/588 have a certain naturalness and refinement that we haven't encountered before in Class D amplifiers. The output power of the I-188/288/588 amplifiers from Aavik Acoustics is the same. The differences lie in the cabinet construction and the amount of noise reduction through Tesla Coils. Sonically, moving from the Aavik I-188 to the I-288, you take a step forward in terms of definition, spatial imaging and detail. Moving from the I-288 to the I-588, you take another step further in these areas. But the Aavik I-880 remains master and distinguishes itself on multiple fronts from the I-188/288/588.

Specifications of the Aavik Acoustics I-880 :

Brand : Aavik Acoustics Denmark

Model : I-880

Type : Integrated Amplifier with Built-in Dual Slope Crossover

Warranty Aavik Acoustics / Ohm-Audio B.V. : 60 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 Unbalanced RCA for Subwoofer / Biamping, 1 x Low Pass, 1 x High Pass

Speaker Outputs : 1 x Pair Speaker Terminals for Spades and/or Banana Plugs

Output Power : 2 x 200 Watts at 8 Ohms, 2 x 400 Watts at 4 Ohms

Finish : Black & Copper

Dimensions :

Dimensions : 580mm Wide x 510mm Deep x 155mm High

Weight : 36 Kg Net

Aavik Acoustics Noise Reduction :

Active Tesla Coils : 132

Active Square Tesla Coils : 311

Gold Anti Aerial Resonance Coils : 20

Active Zirconium Cable Anti Aerial Resonance Coils : 4

Dither Circuitry : 18

Manufacturer Website : Aavik Acoustics I-880

Michael Børresen and Flemming Rasmussen on the 880-series :