Стримеры — AVM Evolution MP 5.3

The Evolution MP 5.3 is a media player from AVM Audio Video Manufaktur that joins network streaming, a CD drive, a digital converter and an analogue output stage with volume control in one chassis. Its defining feature is a tube line stage using valves developed specially for AVM, which can be seen working through a tinted glass panel in the lid. A transistor-only sister, the MP 3.3, shares the rest of the design.

Key specs that matter

Distortion of the tube output stage is quoted at below 0.025%, and the -3 dB bandwidth reaches from below 5 Hz to beyond 100 kHz. Signal-to-noise and channel crosstalk figures both exceed 100 dB. Output impedance is 47 ohm on RCA and 94 ohm on XLR, the pre-out can swing 8.5 V before reaching 1% THD, and the line out sits at 2.5 V. The CD section plays Red Book discs and CD-R with a response from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. The player measures 430 x 122 x 330 mm and weighs 7.5 kg.

Engineering and use context

ESS 9028 PRO Double-Quad converters do the decoding, so four D/A converters run in parallel per channel. The AVM X-STREAM Engine streams at up to 384 kHz and 32 bit as well as DSD256, and covers Spotify Connect, Qobuz, TIDAL Connect MAX, HighResAudio, internet radio and AirPlay 2, with Roon Ready certification. Local files may be FLAC, ALAC, WAV, AIFF, DSD, AAC, Ogg or MP3. Volume regulation stays in the analogue domain, and both the digital and the analogue outputs can run at a variable or fixed level. Incoming digital signals switch the player on automatically. Those inputs are HDMI ARC plus coaxial, each good for 192 kHz and 24 bit, and optical at up to 96 kHz and 24 bit, while coaxial and optical outputs pass signals on. Bluetooth 5.0, a USB 2.0 port for hard drives and sticks, 100 Mbit/s Ethernet and two-antenna WLAN on 2.4 and 5 GHz complete the connections. Through AVM's RC X app on iOS or Android devices, the owner can change upsampling rate and filter characteristic from the listening seat, and the supplied RC 3 remote is made entirely of aluminium. Silver or black aluminium forms the screwless housing, with a chrome-plated CELLINI fascia as an option. Each unit is built by hand at the Malsch factory and goes through a burn-in lasting several days. The mains input accepts 100 to 240 V, consumption is below 0.5 W in standby, below 2 W in network standby, below 18 W in typical use and 30 W at maximum, and warranty runs for 2 years plus 2 more after online registration.

Pairing

The variable balanced outputs and a 5 to 20 V trigger input with two sequentially switched 12 V trigger outputs let the MP 5.3 run straight into a power amplifier and wake it automatically.

Alternatives

In the AVM30 range the brand also makes the MP 30.3, a compact streaming CD receiver weighing 6.7 kg.