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

Aavik Acoustics R-588, Top Model Phono Preamplifier for MC Elements and Optical Cartridges
Retail Price € 25,000.00

ENG.
General: The Aavik R-588 is the top model of the latest generation R-X88 phono preamplifiers from Danish brand Aavik Acoustics, which falls under Audio Group Denmark along with Ansuz Acoustics, Børresen Acoustics and Axxess. The Aavik R-588 has been renewed in many respects compared to its predecessor the R-580. The enclosure 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-588 can also be used with optical cartridges from DS Audio, which the R-580 cannot. The Aavik R-588 is the model above the R-188 and R-288 from Aavik Acoustics. Only the flagship phono preamplifier model from Aavik Acoustics, the R-880, surpasses it.

Enclosure: The new enclosure of the Aavik R-X88 series is very thoughtfully designed and crafted with careful material selection, the whole is very solidly built and finished with precision. 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 enclosure is another. The enclosure of your device also contributes to a certain sound character. Aavik Acoustics made the enclosures of its first amplifiers from solid aluminium, after considerable experimentation, testing and listening they discovered that a natural composite enclosure provided a more natural sound, from which the R-180/280/580 enclosures were then made (with the R-580 a titanium cross was also applied to the top plate and copper internal work). Now the enclosure of the Aavik R-588, which is based on the flagship models of Aavik Acoustics, the 880-series, is made from solid copper side plates and a sandwich design top and bottom plate comprising a solid copper plate, a natural composite material plate and a stainless steel plate. The feel and look is now even more premium, and this new enclosure 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 but with a calm 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 devices. A large portion of this foot overhangs the Ansuz Darkz isolator, so you have less contrast between the colour of the amplifier and the colour of the Ansuz Darkz you place underneath it (the Ansuz Darkz S2T are for example made of polished stainless steel while the Aavik enclosure 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, 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 supply. Where normal switched power supplies use square waves, the resonant mode supplies in the Aavik R-588 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-588 features an extensive Noise and Impedance Reduction via Ansuz Tesla Coil and Dither Technology. The Aavik R-588 has 108 Active Tesla Coils and 216 Active Square Tesla Coils. These Tesla Coils are supported by 9 pieces of Analog Dither Circuitry of the latest (3rd) generation. The Aavik R-588 thus has one and a half times more noise reduction 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 during playback the consumption is only < 15 Watt.

MC Element 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 elements. 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 highly dynamic analog sound.

Optical Element Input: The special optical input of the Aavik R-588 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 reproduction. 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-588 truly brings out the exceptional smoothness, speed and clarity that make optical cartridges so special.

Sound : The Aavik R-588 delivers 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 tighter and better defined than on the R-188 and R-2188. The background is also quieter and there is even more air between everything happening in the recording. The Aavik R-588 boasts a very well articulated, clean and honest sound that delivers a satisfying live experience. The R-588 is a clear step forward from its already excellent predecessor. The music is cleaner, the soundstage is tighter, quieter and even more organized. There is more liveliness to the sound, resulting in 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, yet in a way that remains true to nature 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. Equally important is the harmony in which everything that is individually easy to follow plays together. This means you not only hear clearly exactly what is happening in the recording, but it remains musical and enjoyable to listen to without feeling that the recording is being 'dissected'. In short, the Aavik R-588 simply sounds very musical. Relaxed and 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 lets you hear everything when called for, but there is also a certain ease & comfort to the sound that allows you to play quieter intimate music and there is a pleasant emotional transfer. The sound is thus excellently balanced and the overall picture simply works. Dynamically, the Aavik R-588 goes further than most phono stages, the R-588 does not provide the unnatural warmth or coloration in the sound one expects in a phono preamplifier as a "analog" sound, the Aavik R-588 sounds truly analog instead, namely uncolored but very musical. Due to the noise reduction in the Aavik R-588, the spatial imaging is large and quiet and the background is jet black and extremely deep.

Conclusion : The Aavik Acoustics R-588 is a unique phono preamplifier that is very 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 rendered with the greatest ease. Operation is very simple and elegant and the display is readable from great distances without being distracting.

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 R-288, 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 reducing techniques through Tesla Coils, Anti Aerial Resonance Coils and Analog Dither Technology applied in the phono preamplifier. In terms of sound, moving from the Aavik R-188 to the R-288 you will hear 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 forward in these areas. The housing format of all amplifiers in the R-X88 series is identical.

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
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-588