Aavik Acoustics U-301, All-in-One Streaming Amplifier with Digital and Analog Inputs, 2 x 300 Watt

Aavik Acoustics U-301, All-in-One Streaming Amplifier with Digital and Analog Inputs, 2 x 300 Watt
Retail price € 15.000,00

EN.
General: The Aavik U-301 is the latest generation all-in-one streaming amplifier from the Danish brand Aavik Acoustics, which falls under Audio Group Denmark together with Ansuz Acoustics, Børresen Acoustics and Axxess. The Aavik U-301 fills a gap between the Axxess Forté 3 and the Aavik U-188. The Aavik U-301 has the same connections and functionality as the Axxess Forté models, but with the power of the Aavik U-X88 models. The design of the U-301 is also a beautiful combination of the design of the Axxess Forté and Aavik U-X88 amplifiers.

Housing: The new housing of the Aavik U-301 series is a very sleek and well-thought-out design. The U-301 combines a thick solid wood laminate bottom plate and top plate with sturdy and effective aluminum cooling fins on the sides. Under the device, Ansuz Darkz Feet are applied for a low level of resonance, and it is also possible to effectively place Ansuz Darkz decouplers under the Aavik U-301. On the front you will find a red dot LCD display, large but calm-looking and clearly readable from practically any distance indoors. Next to the display are 3 buttons for switching the device on or into standby, muting the volume, and switching the input or entering the menu. In addition, and characteristic of an Aavik Acoustics device, there is a large rotary knob for changing the volume and adjusting options in the menu. The advice for switching the input or adjusting certain settings is simply to use the supplied Aavik remote. This makes life a lot easier. The supplied Aavik remote is the same remote you also get with the Aavik X88 and 880 models, a beautiful remote with a sleek and clear design.

Technology : The very advanced technology from Aavik amplifiers is unique. The Aavik U-301 uses the latest amplifier generation from Pascal. This newest generation UMAC™ amplification can switch even faster and generates even less noise than previous generations. As a result, less filtering needs to be applied and the output impedance is lower, so the amplifier has even more control over the connected loudspeakers. The Aavik U-301 delivers 2 x 300 Watts at 8 Ohm and even 2 x 600 Watts at 4 Ohm. This means the Aavik U-301 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 magnetostatic speakers. The Aavik U-301 uses the same Resonant Mode Power Supply that is also used in the Aavik X88 models. This is a very powerful and fast power supply with a very low noise floor compared to traditional switch-mode power supplies. As in most Aavik Acoustics equipment, noise-suppressing and inductance-reducing techniques are also applied in the U-301. These techniques are borrowed from sister brand Ansuz Acoustics. The power consumption of the Aavik U-301 is very favorable. The Aavik U-301 uses only 1 Watt in standby, and in music mode the consumption is < 30 Watts idle. The Aavik U-301 has a high-quality DAC built in. The DAC supports PCM formats up to 32bit/384Hz, and the USB input can also support DSD formats up to DSD128. In addition, the DAC in the Aavik U-301 has an MQA decoder on board.

Streamer : What makes the Aavik U-301 a truly all-in-one standalone device is the high-quality streamer board. This streamer can be controlled with the Audio Group Denmark app, JPlay, MConnect/MControl, BubbleUPnP, but also via Tidal Connect, Qobuz Connect and as a DLNA endpoint behind an Audirvana server. Once the certification is complete, the Aavik U-301 will be RoonReady. There are also 2 USB ports on the back which can be used for a Wi-Fi dongle for a wireless connection, but you can also connect a USB stick or USB hard drive to play music directly from the connected USB storage.

Sound : The Aavik U-301 is a clear step forward from the Axxess Forté models, while the U-301 also leaves room for the Aavik U-X88 models to distinguish themselves within their own quality class. Compared to the Axxess Forté 3, the Aavik U-301 clearly offers more control thanks to its more powerful amplifier module. Everything sits more in its place and is more tangible. The bass is tighter and goes deeper, and the soundstage is larger. What is special about the Aavik U-301 is the air around the performers and the way it reveals the layers in the recording more clearly. The sound of the Aavik U-301 is neutral, dynamic and lively, but in a way that remains natural and does not cause listening fatigue. The separation between foreground and background in the recording is clearly audible, and there is a great deal of 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. As a result, 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 U-301 sounds simply very musical. The more expensive Aavik U-188 and models above it distinguish themselves from the U-301 with an even higher resolution, an even more refined reproduction of detail and an even more enveloping sound.

Conclusion : The Aavik Acoustics U-301 is a fantastic all-in-one streaming amplifier that perfectly fills the gap between the Axxess Forté 3 (€ 10.000,-) and the Aavik U-188 (€ 20.000,-), while remaining a distinctive and self-contained product. With its generous output power, a formidable built-in DAC, a versatile streamer and fantastic sound quality, the Aavik U-301 is a very high-quality all-in-one system that poses a difficult challenge to many audio sets made up of separate components when it comes to matching this quality.

Specifications of the Aavik Acoustics U-301 :

Brand : Aavik Acoustics Denmark
Model : U-301
Type : All-in-One Streaming Amplifier with Digital and Analogue Inputs
Warranty Aavik Acoustics / Ohm-Audio B.V. : 24 Months
Analogue Inputs : 1 x Unbalanced RCA
Phono Input : N/A
Digital Inputs : 1 x SPDIF BNC, 1 x Toslink Optical, 1 x USB-B
Analogue Outputs : 1 x Pre Out Unbalanced RCA for Subwoofer / Bi-Amping
Loudspeaker Outputs : 1 x Pair WBT Loudspeaker Terminals for Spades and/or Banana Plugs
Output Power : 2 x 300 Watt at 8 Ohm, 2 x 600 Watt at 4 Ohm
Finish : Black
Trade-in : Negotiable

Dimensions :

Dimensions : 418mm Wide x 430mm Deep x 108mm High
Weight : 10.5 Kg Net

Manufacturer Website : Aavik Acoustics U-301