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 € 19.995,00

EN.

General : The Aavik R-288 belongs to the latest generation of R-X88 phono preamplifiers from the Danish brand Aavik Acoustics, which is part of Audio Group Denmark along with Ansuz Acoustics, Børresen Acoustics and Axxess. The Aavik R-288 has been significantly updated compared to its predecessor, the R-280. The housing has been completely redesigned, now made from different materials and the design 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 range from Aavik Acoustics. The Aavik R-288 is positioned between the R-188 and the R-588 from Aavik Acoustics.

Housing : The new housing of the Aavik R-X88 series is very thoughtfully designed and uses carefully selected materials. 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 housing is another. The housing of your equipment also contributes to a certain sonic character. Aavik Acoustics originally made the housings of their first amplifiers from solid aluminum. After extensive testing and listening, they discovered that a natural composite housing provided a more natural sound, which is why the R-180/280/580 housings were made from this material (on the R-580, a titanium cross was also added to the top plate and copper internal components were used). Now the housing 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 housing has optimal resonance properties. The design is clearly derived from the stunning 880-series from Aavik, and the overall appearance is very clean and modern. What has been retained is the highly legible and dimmable red dot display. Large but understated looking. 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 integrated Ansuz Darkz Feet, which can be placed on Ansuz Darkz isolators. A large part of this foot overlaps the Ansuz Darkz isolator, so you have less color contrast between the amplifier color and the color of the Ansuz Darkz you place underneath (for example, the Ansuz Darkz S2T are glossy stainless steel while the Aavik housing is black). Finally, the remote control has also been updated; these are now the same beautiful and practical remotes that come with the 880-series, which completes the feel and look perfectly.

Technology : The very advanced technology in the Aavik phono preamplifiers is unique. The power supply is a resonant mode supply. Where normal switching power supplies use square waves, the resonant mode power supplies in the Aavik R-288 are driven by sine waves. This results in much less generated noise, which always improves sound quality. The technical design is very advanced and makes use of various techniques from sister brand Ansuz Acoustics. The Aavik R-288 features extensive Noise and Impedance Reduction through 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 units of Analog Dither Circuitry of the latest (3rd) generation. The Aavik R-288 therefore 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 the consumption is only < 15 Watt.

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

Optical Cartridge Input : The special optical input of the Aavik R-288 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, which preserves transparency and spatial imaging. Very low-noise controllers 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 really brings out the exceptional smoothness, speed and clarity that makes optical cartridges so special.

Sound : The Aavik R-288 has an even more natural midrange and tighter, better-defined bass reproduction compared to the R-188. The background is also quieter and there is even more air between everything that happens in the recording. The Aavik R-288 features a very well-articulated, clean and honest sound that provides a convincing 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 provides 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 natural and does not cause listening fatigue. The distinction between foreground and background in the recording is clearly perceptible, and there is excellent clarity when much is happening in the recording. Also 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-288 simply sounds very musical. Relaxed and with an enormous 3D bubble effect. The space in which the performers play is very clearly 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 upon, but there is also a certain sense of calm and comfort to the sound that allows you to play quieter, intimate music comfortably and ensures pleasant emotional transmission. The sound is therefore excellently balanced and the overall picture simply works. In terms of dynamics, the Aavik R-288 goes further than most phono stages. The R-288 does not provide an unnatural warmth or coloration in the sound that one might expect from a phono preamplifier as an "analog" sound. The Aavik R-288 truly sounds analog, meaning uncolored yet highly musical. Thanks to the noise reduction in the Aavik R-288, the spatial imaging is large and quiet, the background is jet black and extremely deep.

Conclusion : The Aavik Acoustics R-288 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 reproduced with the greatest ease. Operation is very simple and exceptionally fine, and the display is legible from great distances without being obtrusive.

Other Aavik Acoustics Phono Preamplifiers in the R-X88 Series : The other phono preamplifiers in the R-X88 Series from 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 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 used in the phono preamplifier. Sonically, moving from the Aavik R-188 to the R-288 you will hear 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 take another step forward in these areas. The housing format of all amplifiers in the R-X88 series is the same.

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 matte 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