Aavik Acoustics U-280, High End Integrated Amplifier with DAC, 2 x 300 Watt : SOLD

Aavik Acoustics U-280, Integrated Amplifier with DAC, 2 x 300 Watt : SOLD

Ohm-Audio BV is the official Aavik importer for the Benelux!

EN.

General : Excellently built and very analog-sounding digital amplifiers from Aavik Acoustics from Denmark. The Aavik U-280 is the mid-range model in the U-Series from Aavik Acoustics. The Aavik U-280 is the model between the U-180 and the U-580 from Aavik Acoustics.

Technology : The very advanced technology in the Aavik amplifiers is unique. Aavik makes digital amplifiers with an analog heart. The waveform is modulated with a sine wave, and this provides a much finer reproduction than triangle modulation. The damping is high and the control over the speakers is optimal. The power supply is very generously rated and always designed for the task. Another important aspect is the natural enclosure. The enclosure is made from a natural composite material. No hard and cold aluminum. Aavik Acoustics has put great effort into making the enclosure resonance-free, and that translates directly to sound quality. This is very important. Too much damping or damping that is incorrectly applied can also backfire. The Aavik U-280 has a very generously dimmable display on the front which is easy to read from the listening position and a very fine volume control. Everything has been thought of. You can optionally place Darkz Resonance Control resonance dampers from Ansuz Acoustics under the Aavik U-280 in case you don't have an anti-resonance Hi-Fi cabinet. If you have multiple Aavik Acoustics devices, they can be stacked using ceramic or titanium balls, on which you can then place a Darkz Resonator from Ansuz Acoustics. This way multiple devices take up minimal space without affecting each other through vibrations. The technical design is very advanced and uses various techniques from sister brand Ansuz Acoustics. For example the Aavik U-280 has extensive noise reduction. The Aavik U-280 features 72 Active Tesla Coils, and 160 Active Square Tesla Coils. These Tesla Coils remove various electromagnetic radiation from the air, and in the enclosure and ensure a clean and undistorted music signal inside the amplifier. . The Aavik I-280 also contains 4 Anti Aerial Resonance Coils. Anti Aerial Resonance Coils are a kind of vein wound around the conductors from the output stage to the speaker terminals. These reduce the last bit of contamination that would otherwise go toward the speakers. The digital electronics have no fewer than 8 Dither circuits. Power consumption is very favorable. The Aavik U-280 consumes only 0.5 watts in standby, and in music mode consumption is 50 watts idle. The Aavik U-280 contains a high-quality built-in DAC. The DAC supports PCM formats up to 32bit/192kHz and the USB input can also support DSD formats up to DSD128, and the DAC in the Aavik U-280 also has an MQA decoder on board. Technically, the amplifiers from Aavik Acoustics are the crème de la crème of digital amplifiers, and not only that. They are according to us the first class D amplifiers with a 100% analog character without any hint of harshness and where even after long listening sessions no listening fatigue is induced.

Sound : What we are used to from class D amplifiers is a tight dynamics, and a neutral and rhythmic sound. Yet often something is missing: musical quality, something that not only says: "wow, that sounds impressive", but also something that invites you to keep listening. At some point after you get used to a certain sound, the "wow factor" does disappear. What must then remain is music, because that is after all what it's about. The amplifiers from Aavik Acoustics are so far the first class D amplifiers where we have the feeling that we are not only listening to something that sounds technically optimal, but is also very musical and provides a captivating, intriguing, and above all beautiful sound. The Aavik U-280 first and foremost sounds really fine. Relaxed, spatial, 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 U-280 sounds transparent, dynamic and lets you hear everything, but there is also a certain peace & comfort to the sound. So the sound is in perfect balance and the overall picture simply makes sense. Dynamically speaking, the Aavik U-280 may well go further than most class A (tube) amplifiers, but that is not ultimately what it's all about. It's about sound quality, and to what extent an amplifier is able to convey emotions. And conveying emotions is where Aavik amplifiers excel. This Aavik U-280 is emotion pure and simple. We are very enthusiastic about the entire Aavik Acoustics range and the U-280 is a full-fledged member of the family.

Conclusion : The Aavik Acoustics U-280 is a unique integrated amplifier with a generous output power (2x300 watts continuous) and a formidable built-in DAC and fantastic sound quality. The controls are very simple and super fine. Welcome to the musical and emotional world of Aavik Acoustics.

Other Aavik Acoustics amplifiers from the U-Series : The other amplifiers from the U-Series of Aavik Acoustics, the U-180 and the U-580, are built according to the same principle. The power of all amplifiers in the U-Series of Aavik Acoustics is the same. The differences are in the construction of the cabinet and the amount of noise reduction through Tesla Coils. Sonically, going from the Aavik U-180 to the U-280 is a step forward in definition, spatial imaging and detail. Going from the U-280 to the U-580 is another step forward in these areas. The size of the enclosure of all amplifiers in the U-Series is the same.

Specifications of the Aavik Acoustics U-280 :

Brand : Aavik Acoustics Denmark

Model : U-280

Type : Integrated Amplifier with Built-in DAC

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

Analog Inputs : 5 x Unbalanced RCA

Phono Input : N/A

Digital Inputs : 2 x SPDIF BNC, 2 x Toslink Optical, 1 x USB-B

Analog Outputs : 1 x Pre Out Unbalanced RCA for Subwoofer / Biamping

Speaker Outputs : 1 x Pair WBT Speaker Terminals for Spades and/or Banana Plugs

Output Power : 2 x 300 Watts at 8 Ohms, 2 x 600 Watts at 4 Ohms

Finish : Black

Dimensions :

Dimensions : 40cm Wide x 38.4cm Deep x 10.2cm High

Weight : 8.8 Kg Net

Reviews and Manufacturer Website :

Review Hifi Advice : Aavik Acoustics U-Series
Manufacturer Website : Aavik Acoustics U-280