Aavik Acoustics R-588, Top Model Phono Preamplifier for MC Cartridges and Optical Cartridges

Aavik Acoustics R-588, Top Model Phono Preamplifier for MC Cartridges and Optical Cartridges

Retail Price € 24.995,00

EN.

General: The Aavik R-588 is the top model of the latest generation 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-588 has been renewed in many aspects compared to its predecessor, the R-580. The housing has been completely redesigned, now made of different materials, and the design comes from Flemming Rasmussen (Gryphon Audio founder and designer). The R-588 can also be used with optical cartridges from DS Audio, which the R-580 cannot do. The Aavik R-588 is positioned above the R-188 and R-288 from Aavik Acoustics. Only Aavik Acoustics' flagship phono preamplifier, the R-880, surpasses it.

Housing: The new housing of the Aavik R-X88 series is extremely thoughtfully designed in both design and material selection. The entire unit is very solidly built and finely 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 device is one thing; the housing is another. The housing of your device also contributes to a certain sonic character. Aavik Acoustics initially made the housings of its first amplifiers from solid aluminum. After considerable testing and listening, they discovered that a natural composite housing provided a more natural sound. This led to the R-180/280/580 housings (for the R-580, a titanium cross was also applied to the top plate and copper internal workings). Now the housing of the Aavik R-588, which is based on the flagship models of Aavik Acoustics, the 880-series, is made from solid copper side panels and top and bottom plates 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 beautiful 880-series from Aavik, and the overall appearance is very sleek and modern. What has been retained is the very readable and dimmable red dot display—large but understated in appearance. New is the absence of buttons, which are now 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. Also new are the large solid feet with integrated Ansuz Darkz Feet, which can be placed on Ansuz Darkz isolation devices. A large portion of this foot overlaps the Ansuz Darkz isolation device, reducing the color contrast between the amplifier and the Ansuz Darkz beneath it (for example, the Ansuz Darkz S2T are made of glossy stainless steel while the Aavik housing is black). Finally, the remote control has also been renewed. These are now the same beautiful and practical remotes that are also supplied with the 880-series, making 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. While conventional switching power supplies use square waves, the resonant mode power supplies in the Aavik R-588 are driven by sine waves. This results in much less generated noise, which always benefits sound quality. The technical design is highly advanced and utilizes various techniques from sister brand Ansuz Acoustics. The Aavik R-588 includes extensive Noise and Impedance Reduction via Ansuz Tesla Coil and Dither Technology. The Aavik R-588 features 108 Active Tesla Coils and 216 Active Square Tesla Coils. These Tesla Coils are supported by 9 pieces of Analog Dither Circuitry from the latest (3rd) generation. The Aavik R-588 thus has one and a half times as many noise-suppressing techniques compared to the R-288. The power consumption of the Aavik R-588 is very favorable. The Aavik R-588 consumes only 1 Watt in standby and less than 15 Watts during operation.

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 soft 75μs filter reduces crackles 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-588 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 imaging. Very low-noise controls feed 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-588 brings out the special smoothness, speed, and clarity that makes optical cartridges so exceptional.

Sound: The Aavik R-588 has the largest, quietest soundstage and the most natural and detailed reproduction of the R-X88 series from Aavik Acoustics. The midrange is even more natural, and the bass reproduction is even tighter and better defined than the R-188 and R-288. The background is also quieter, and there is more air between everything happening in the recording. The Aavik R-588 features a highly articulated, clean, and honest sound that provides a considerable live experience. The R-588 is a clear step forward compared to its already outstanding predecessor. The music is cleaner, the soundstage is tighter, quieter, and more organized. There is more liveliness in the sound, providing 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-588 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 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-588 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-588 sounds tight and dynamic and reveals everything when called for, but there is also a certain calm and comfort to the sound that allows you to play quiet, intimate music as well, with a pleasant emotional transmission. The sound is thus excellently balanced, and the overall picture is simply correct. In terms of dynamics, the Aavik R-588 goes further than most phono stages. The R-588 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-588 sounds truly analog instead—uncolored but highly musical. Thanks to the noise reduction in the Aavik R-588, the spatial imaging is large and quiet, with a jet-black and enormously deep background.

Conclusion: The Aavik Acoustics R-588 is a unique phono preamplifier that is highly suitable for most high-end turntables using MC or Optical cartridges. Thanks to its neutral and honest sound, the reproduction is lifelike, and the smallest details are displayed with ease. The operation is very simple and refined, 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 from Aavik Acoustics, the R-188 and R-288, 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 reducing techniques using Tesla Coils, Anti Aerial Resonance Coils, and Analog Dither Technology applied in the preamplifier. Sonically, moving from the Aavik R-188 to the R-288, you get a nice step forward in definition, spatiality, and detail, with a blacker, quieter, and deeper background. 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-588:

Brand: Aavik Acoustics Denmark

Model: R-588

Type: Phono Preamplifier

Warranty Aavik Acoustics / Ohm-Audio B.V.: 24 Months

MC Phono Input: 1 x Unbalanced RCA for MC Cartridges

Optical Phono Input: 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-588