Усилители мощности стерео — Accuphase P-588

The P-588 is a stereo power amplifier from Aavik, the electronics brand of Audio Group Denmark, and it belongs to the P-x88 series together with the P-188 and P-288. The range is derived from the P-880. Its design combines the technical approach of Michael Børresen with the work of Flemming Erik Rasmussen, the man who founded Gryphon Audio and joined the Aavik team in 2021 with more than 35 years of design experience behind him.

Key specs that matter

Rated output is 2 x 300 W into 8 ohms and 2 x 600 W into 4 ohms. The input presents 11 kohm, and a 2.7 V RMS input signal produces full output when the gain is at its minimum setting. THD+N is 0.0028% at 1 W, 1 kHz into 8 ohms, intermodulation distortion is 0.0008% and TIM is 0.002%, both measured at 10 W into 8 ohms. Standby draw stays below 1 W and idle consumption below 30 W. The unit accepts mains from 100 to 240 V with a maximum current of 10 A. The case is 440 mm wide, 430 mm deep and 117.8 mm high, for a weight of 20.85 kg.

Engineering and use context

The output stages use the latest version of Pascal class D amplification, whose UMAC switching modulation runs faster and produces less noise than before, so the circuit needs less output filtering and ends up with lower output impedance, which gives the amplifier tighter control over the connected loudspeakers. The power supply is a switching design operating in power factor corrected resonant mode and delivering a smooth sine wave. When more power is demanded it raises its operating frequency to increase power density, which allows high peak currents without distortion. Aavik adds its noise reduction measures on top. Active square Tesla coils are embedded in the circuit boards, with one coil on the top side and the counter coil underneath. A third generation of the Ansuz analog dither circuit sends anti-phase pulses at defined frequencies to lower the noise floor, and anti aerial resonance coils shield internal wiring from airborne RF noise.

Pairing

The doubling of power into 4 ohms means the P-588 can handle lower impedance loudspeakers without running out of current. A preamplifier is needed in front of it, and within the Aavik range that role is filled by the C-880 control amplifier.

Alternatives

The Aavik P-880 is the larger stereo power amplifier the P-x88 series was developed from, built in a 580 x 510 x 155 mm chassis weighing 41 kg.