Aavik Acoustics R-288, Phono Preamplifier for MC Cartridges and Optical Cartridges

Aavik Acoustics R-288, Phono Preamplifier for MC Cartridges and Optical Cartridges
Retail Price € 20,000.00

EN.
General: The Aavik R-288 belongs to the latest generation of R-X88 phono preamplifiers from the Danish brand Aavik Acoustics, which falls under Audio Group Denmark together with Ansuz Acoustics, Børresen Acoustics and Axxess. The Aavik R-288 has been renewed in many respects compared to its predecessor, the R-280. The chassis has been completely redesigned, now made from different materials, and the design now comes from Flemming Rasmussen (Gryphon Audio founder and designer), and the R-288 can also be used with optical cartridges from DS Audio, which the R-280 cannot. The Aavik R-288 is the second model in the new I-X88 from Aavik Acoustics. The Aavik R-288 is the model between the R-188 and the R-588 from Aavik Acoustics.

Chassis: The new chassis of the Aavik R-X88 series is very thoughtfully designed and engineered with careful material selection; the overall build is very solid and cleanly finished. This is due to Audio Group Denmark's endless attention to researching and using different materials for optimal sound quality. The electronics in your audio equipment is one thing, the chassis is another. The chassis of your equipment also contributes to a certain sound character. Aavik Acoustics initially made the chassis of their first amplifiers from solid aluminum; after considerable testing and listening, they discovered that a natural composite chassis provided a more natural sound, which is what the R-180/280/580 chassis were made from (for the R-580, a titanium cross was also applied to the top plate and copper internal components). Now the chassis of the Aavik R-288, which is based on the flagship models of Aavik Acoustics, the 880-series, is made from solid copper side plates 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. The feel and look are now even more premium, and this new chassis has optimal resonance properties. The design is clearly derived from the stunning 880-series from Aavik, and the overall appearance is very sleek and modern. What has been preserved is the very legible and dimmable red dot display. Large yet understated in appearance. New is the absence of buttons, which are now touchscreen buttons on the display, and also new is the illuminated Aavik Acoustics logo next to the display, which is also dimmable together 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 isolation platforms. A large part of this foot overlaps the Ansuz Darkz isolation platform, which reduces the color contrast between the amplifier and the Ansuz Darkz you place underneath it (for example, the Ansuz Darkz S2T is polished stainless steel while the Aavik chassis is black). Finally, the remote control has also been redesigned; these are now the same beautiful and practical remotes supplied with the 880-series, which makes the feel and look truly complete.

Technology: The highly advanced technology in the Aavik phono preamplifiers is unique. The power supply is a resonant mode power supply. Whereas normal switched power supplies use square waves, the resonant mode power supplies in the Aavik R-288 are driven by sine waves. This results in significantly less generated noise, which always benefits sound quality. The technical design is highly advanced and makes use of various techniques from sister brand Ansuz Acoustics. The Aavik R-288 features an extensive Noise and Impedance Reduction via Ansuz Tesla Coil and Dither Technology. The Aavik R-288 has 72 Active Tesla Coils, and 144 Active Square Tesla Coils. These Tesla Coils are supported by 6 Analog Dither Circuitry units of the latest (3rd) generation. The Aavik R-288 thus has twice as many noise-reduction techniques compared to the R-188. The power consumption of the Aavik R-288 is very favorable. The Aavik R-288 consumes only 1 Watt in standby, and during operation consumption is merely < 15 Watt.

MC Element Input: The MC amplifier from Aavik is designed for absolute silence and precision. The fully balanced, floating input stage uses extremely low-noise BISS transistors to extract the finest details from MC cartridges. A gentle 75μs filter reduces pops and clicks while a hand-selected passive RIAA network ensures perfect channel accuracy. The result is a pure, natural and highly dynamic analog sound.

Optical Element Input: The special optical input of the Aavik R-288 unlocks the full potential of the innovative optical cartridges from DS Audio. Thanks to a direct-coupled, floating input stage, there is no need for additional DC-blocking capacitors, preserving transparency and spatial representation. Extremely low-noise regulators power the LEDs and photocells of the cartridge while adjustable high-pass and low-pass filters optimize the reproduction of low and high frequencies. This technical design of the Aavik R-288 truly brings out the exceptional smoothness, speed and clarity that make optical cartridges so special.

Sound : The Aavik R-288 has an even more natural midrange and a tighter and better-defined bass response compared to the R-188. The background is quieter and there is even more air between everything happening in the recording. The Aavik R-288 features a very well-articulated, clean and honest sound that provides a decent live experience. The R-288 is a clear step forward compared to its already excellent predecessor. The music is cleaner, the soundstage is tighter, quieter and even more organized. There is more liveliness in the sound which makes for an even more engaging listening experience. The bass is deeper and more rhythmic and control over the speakers is optimal. The sound of the Aavik R-288 is neutral, dynamic and lively, but in a way that remains true to nature and does not cause listener fatigue. The distinction between foreground and background in the recording is clearly perceptible and there is very much clarity when a lot is happening in the recording. Also important is the harmony in which everything that can be individually followed 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 like the recording is being 'dissected'. The Aavik R-288 simply sounds very musical, in short. Relaxed and 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 R-288 sounds tight and dynamic and lets you hear everything when called for, but there is also a certain calm & comfort to the sound that allows you to play quiet intimate music and creates a pleasant emotional transfer. The sound is thus excellent in balance and the overall picture simply works. Dynamically, the Aavik R-288 goes further than most phono stages; the R-288 does not produce an unnatural warmth or coloration in the sound that one might expect in a phono preamplifier as an "analog" sound, rather the Aavik R-288 truly sounds analog, meaning uncolored yet very musical. Due to the noise reduction in the Aavik R-288, the spatial imaging is large and quiet and the background is jet black and immensely deep.

Conclusion : The Aavik Acoustics R-288 is a unique phono preamplifier that is highly suitable for most high-end turntables using MC or optical cartridges. Due to its neutral and honest sound, the reproduction is lifelike and the smallest details are reproduced with the greatest ease. Operation is very simple and superb and the display is readable from great distances without being intrusive.

Other Aavik Acoustics Phono Preamplifiers from the R-X88 Series: The other phono preamplifiers from the R-X88 Series by Aavik Acoustics, the R-188 and the R-588, are built according to the same principle. The functionality and visual design of all Aavik R-X88 phono preamplifiers are identical. The differences lie in the amount of noise and impedance reduction techniques applied through Tesla Coils, Anti Aerial Resonance Coils and Analog Dither Technology in the phono preamplifier. Sonically, moving from the Aavik R-188 to the R-288 you'll notice a nice step forward in definition, soundstage and detail, as well as a blacker, quieter and deeper background. From the R-288 to the R-588, you take another step further in these areas. The housing format of all amplifiers in the R-X88 series is identical.

Specifications of the Aavik Acoustics R-288:

Brand: Aavik Acoustics Denmark
Model: R-288
Type: Phono Preamplifier
Warranty Aavik Acoustics / Ohm-Audio B.V.: 24 Months
Phono Input MC: 1 x Unbalanced RCA for MC Cartridges
Phono Input Optical: 1 x Unbalanced RCA for Optical Cartridges
Analog Outputs: 1 x Line Out RCA
Finish: Black, Copper and brushed Stainless Steel
Trade-in: Negotiable

Technical Specifications:

Max Input (MC Cartridges): 5mVrms
Gain: Choice of 58dB or 64dB at 1 kHz

Load Resistance, Adjustable from 50 Ohm to 10,000 Ohm

Max Input (Optical Cartridges): 500mV rms
Gain: 26dB

Dimensions:

Dimensions: 44cm Wide x 43cm Deep x 11.6cm High
Weight: 21 kg Net

Manufacturer Website: Aavik Acoustics R-288