Aavik Acoustics R-188, Phono Preamplifier for MC Cartridges and Optical Cartridges

Aavik Acoustics R-188, Phono Preamplifier for MC Cartridges and Optical Cartridges

Retail Price € 14.995,00

EN.

General : The Aavik R-188 belongs to the latest generation R-X88 phono preamplifiers from the Danish brand Aavik Acoustics, which is part of Audio Group Denmark together with Ansuz Acoustics, Børresen Acoustics and Axxess. The Aavik R-188 has been significantly updated compared to its predecessor, the R-180. The chassis has been completely redesigned, made from different materials, and the design now comes from Flemming Rasmussen (Gryphon Audio founder and designer), and the R-188 can also be used with optical cartridges from DS Audio, which the R-180 cannot. The Aavik R-188 is the first model in the new I-X88 series from Aavik Acoustics. The Aavik R-188 is positioned below the I-288 and I-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 entire unit is solidly constructed and finely finished. This reflects Audio Group Denmark's endless commitment to researching and using different materials for optimal sound quality. The electronics in your audio device is one thing, the chassis is another. The chassis of your device also contributes to a certain sonic character. Aavik Acoustics initially made their preamplifier chassis from solid aluminum. After extensive testing, experimentation and listening, they discovered that a more natural composite chassis provided a more natural sound. This led to the chassis design used in the R-180/280/580 models (the R-580 also features a titanium cross on the top plate and copper internal components). Now the chassis of the Aavik R-188, based on Aavik Acoustics' flagship 880-series models, is made from solid copper side panels and a top and bottom plate using a sandwich design combining 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 retained is the highly readable and dimmable red dot display. Large yet unobtrusive. New is the absence of physical buttons, which are now replaced by touchscreen buttons on the display. Also new is the illuminated Aavik Acoustics logo next to the display, which is also dimmable along with the rest of the display. New as well are the large solid feet incorporating Ansuz Darkz Feet, which can be placed on Ansuz Darkz isolation devices. A large portion of this foot overlaps the Ansuz Darkz isolator, reducing the color contrast between the preamplifier and the Ansuz Darkz device underneath (the Ansuz Darkz S2T are for example polished stainless steel while the Aavik chassis is black). Lastly, the remote control has also been updated. These are now the same beautiful and practical remotes supplied with the 880-series, making the feel and look truly complete.

Technology : The very advanced technology in the Aavik phono preamplifiers is unique. The power supply is a resonant mode power supply. Where normal switching power supplies use square waves, the resonant mode power supplies in the Aavik R-188 are driven by sine waves. This results in much less generated noise, which always benefits sound quality. The technical architecture is very advanced and uses various techniques from sister brand Ansuz Acoustics. The Aavik R-188 incorporates extensive Noise and Impedance Reduction through Ansuz Tesla Coil and Dither Technology. The Aavik R-188 features 36 Active Tesla Coils and 72 Active Square Tesla Coils. These Tesla Coils are supported by 3 Analog Dither Circuitry units of the latest (3rd) generation. The power consumption of the Aavik R-188 is very favorable. The Aavik R-188 consumes only 1 Watt in standby and less than 15 Watts when playing.

MC Cartridge Input : The MC preamplifier 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 ticks and pops while a hand-selected passive RIAA network ensures perfect channel accuracy. The result is a pure, natural and highly dynamic analog sound.

Optical Cartridge Input : The special optical input of the Aavik R-188 brings out 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 imaging. Very 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-188 truly brings out the special smoothness, speed and clarity that makes optical cartridges so remarkable.

Sound : The Aavik R-188 has a very well-articulated, clean and honest sound that provides a fair live experience. The R-188 is a clear step forward compared to its already excellent predecessor. The music is cleaner, the soundstage is tighter, quieter and more organized. There is more liveliness in the sound 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-188 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 perceptible, and there is excellent clarity even when much is happening in the recording. Equally important is the harmony in which everything that is individually easy to follow works together. This means you not only hear 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'. In short, the Aavik R-188 simply sounds very musical. Relaxed and with an enormous 3D bubble. The space in which the performers play is very clearly audible and the atmosphere is well conveyed to the listener. The Aavik R-188 sounds tight and dynamic and lets everything through when needed, but there is also a certain calm and comfort to the sound that allows you to play even 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-188 goes further than most phono stages. The R-188 does not provide the unnatural warmth or coloration in the sound that one might expect from a phono preamplifier as an "analog" sound. Rather, the Aavik R-188 sounds truly analog, meaning uncolored yet highly musical. Thanks to the noise reduction in the Aavik R-188, the spatial imaging is large and quiet, the background is pitch-black and extremely deep.

Conclusion : The Aavik Acoustics R-188 is a unique phono preamplifier that is very 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 rendered with the greatest ease. Operation is very simple and refined, and the display is readable from great distances without being obtrusive.

Other Aavik Acoustics Phono Preamplifiers from the R-X88 Series : The other phono preamplifiers from the R-X88 Series of Aavik Acoustics, the R-288 and R-588, are constructed according to the same principle. The functionality and visual design of all Aavik R-X88 phono preamplifiers is the same. The differences lie in the quantity of noise and impedance reduction techniques through Tesla Coils, Anti Aerial Resonance Coils and Analog Dither Technology employed in the preamplifier. Sonically, moving from the Aavik R-188 to the R-288 you gain a nice step forward in definition, spatial imaging and detail, plus a blacker, quieter and deeper background. Moving from the R-288 to the R-588 you gain another step in these areas. The chassis size of all preamplifiers in the R-X88 series is identical.

Specifications of the Aavik Acoustics R-188 :

Brand : Aavik Acoustics Denmark

Model : R-188

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) : 5mV rms
Gain : Choice of 58dB or 64dB at 1 kHz
Load Impedance, Adjustable from 50 Ohm to 10.000 Ohm

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

Dimensions :

Dimensions : 44cm Width x 43cm Depth x 11.6cm Height

Weight : 21 Kg Net

Manufacturer Website : Aavik Acoustics R-188