Интегральные усилители — Aavik I-288

Within the I-x88 line of Aavik integrated amplifiers, the I-288 sits in the middle between the I-188 and the I-588, and the brand is part of the Danish Audio Group Denmark. The series takes the larger I-880 as its starting point and condenses it into a smaller case. The 188, 288 and 588 designs were a joint project of Gryphon Audio's founder Flemming Erik Rasmussen with Michael Børresen.

Key specs that matter

Aavik rates the amplifier section at 2 x 300 W into 8 ohm and 2 x 600 W into 4 ohm. THD+N is 0.0028% at 1 W, 1 kHz and 8 ohm, IMD 0.0008% and TIM 0.002%, both measured at 10 W into 8 ohm. Five line inputs are fitted, each with 10 kohm impedance, accepting up to 4.5 V RMS on lines 1 to 4 and 6.5 V RMS on line 5. The power stage itself reaches full output from 1.33 V RMS and presents 3.4 kohm at its main input. One pair of RCA preamp outputs delivers up to 7.5 V RMS at 50 ohm output impedance with 0.005% THD at 1 kHz and 1 V in. Volume moves in 76 steps of 1 dB. At 23.3 kg, the case is 440 mm wide, 393.5 mm deep and 117.8 mm high.

Engineering and use context

Output devices come from the latest Pascal class D modules, whose faster UMAC switching modulation creates less noise and therefore needs less output filtering. A switching supply running in power-factor-corrected resonant mode shifts its frequency when demand rises, raising power density for peak currents. An inverted amplifier topology is used to improve signal-to-noise ratio. For noise control Aavik counts 72 active Tesla coils, 168 active square Tesla coils, 7 dither circuits of its third-generation analog dither design and 5 anti-aerial resonance coils. The cabinet is built from a multilayer composite to suppress mechanical resonance, and the titanium knurled dial drives a digital encoder through an optical shaft linkage. The mains input covers 100 to 240 V with a 10 A maximum current, while standby draw stays under 1 W and operation under 30 W.

Pairing

The optional analog active crossover modules provide separate low-pass and high-pass filters, so an active subwoofer can take over the bottom octaves from the main pair. The preamp output and modular layout allow a later power amplifier or streaming source from the same range to be added. Its power reserve into low impedances allows it to drive low-impedance floorstanding models.

Alternatives

The Aavik I-588 is the higher integrated of the same series, housed in a case of identical size but fitted with 108 active Tesla coils and 240 active square Tesla coils.