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  1. #1
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    New amp day.... Aavik i-280

    This guy just arrived and is spending some time getting to know the X1.

    Immediate reaction comparing to the Enleum is that it's going to be a very hard call which to keep. They both have what seem like obvious but different strengths and they both sound incredible. Will post more thoughts after it's been here a bit.

    280-1.jpg

    280-2.jpg
    Main System

    Lumin X1 > Boulder 1161 > Scansonic MB3.5 B

    Headphones

    Home: HiFiMan Susvara > Schiit Lyr+
    Portable: Focal Radiance > AQ Dragonfly Cobalt / Chord Hugo 2

  2. #2
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    Re: New amp day.... Aavik i-280

    Class D? New amp day.... Aavik i-280


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
    My Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481

    "We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."

    Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Berkeley Audio, Block Audio (distributor), Boulder Amplifiers, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Clarisys Audio Loudspeakers (distributor), Classe’ Audio, Degritter Record Cleaning Machines, Esoteric, Finite Elemente, FirstWatt, Focal Loudspeakers and Headphones, GigaFoil, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, Innuos, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Kharma Loudspeakers and Electronics, Kuzma Turntables, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Nordost Cables, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Rega Turntables and Electronics, Shunyata Research, STAX, Stein Music Products, Stillpoints, Soulution, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries, WireWorld Cables.

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  3. #3
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    Re: New amp day.... Aavik i-280

    Yes class D, same pascal units as before, they sound more transparent as the U150/300 amps that they replace
    Moon 700i V2, YG Acoustics Hailey, Aurender N10, dCS Rossini, Oppo BDP103D (audiopraise board), Ansuz Mainz 8 D2

  4. #4
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    Re: New amp day.... Aavik i-280

    3 favorite rooms at FL Expo were Class D, 2 with this amp's big brother and speakers "in the family", figured I'd trust my ears and see how the synergy is. Then again I love the Enleum.
    Main System

    Lumin X1 > Boulder 1161 > Scansonic MB3.5 B

    Headphones

    Home: HiFiMan Susvara > Schiit Lyr+
    Portable: Focal Radiance > AQ Dragonfly Cobalt / Chord Hugo 2

  5. #5
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    Re: New amp day.... Aavik i-280

    Class D has come a long way. I always loved the AGD room and then Atma-sphere is also out with its class D amp after a long r&d.

    Atma-Sphere Class D - preliminary

  6. #6
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    Re: New amp day.... Aavik i-280

    Congrats.

    Class D has their attribute but I've yet to hear one on par with A/B. I'm pretty sure have not heard any amps with that chip though.
    Aurender ACS10 w/Audioquest Diamond USB, Esoteric N05xd
    Mark Levinson #526, 534 & JBL 4367's
    Clearaudio Performance DC w/Maestro cart
    Clarus Concerto & their Crimson cables

    HT: Marantz AV8003, Linn 5125, JBL SAM3ha, Revel s30,
    SVS PC13 Ultra
    Transparent, Analysis Plus & Tributaries. PS Audio filtering
    Sony XBR-75X940D & BDP
    Parasound P6, MBL 8006b, Artisan speakers/subwoofer

  7. #7

    Re: New amp day.... Aavik i-280

    Very much looking forward to your impressions. The I-280 and I-580 appear to be great amps.
    Kevin

    Main: VPI Aries 3/Grado Reference3, and Aurender N200 > PS Audio DS DAC. Luxman L-509Z integrated amp. Sonus Faber Elipsa SE speakers. PS Audio P10 power. Transparent Audio, Cardas and Audioquest cables.

    Bar: EAT C-sharp/Hana MH, and exaSound s82 > Luxman L-595SE amp. GolderEar One.R speakers. Shunyata power, Audioquest cables.

  8. #8
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    Re: New amp day.... Aavik i-280

    I just replaced my reference Naim 500 system with Aavik S-280/D-280/I-280.

    Fantastic sound. Much more user friendly. Far more attractive appearance. Twenty pound devices vs forty pound devices. Three boxes vs Six. Huge displays. Cool running. Three hundred/six hundred watts.

    Supported by Ansuz network and power devices from the same designer. Michael Borresen.

    What's not to like?
    Bud<br>

    AAVIK: S-280 Streamer, D-280 DAC, I-280 Integrated Amplifier]
    NAIM: Atom HE Headphone Amp, Superlumina Speaker Cables, Power Cables
    HARBETH: 30.2 40th Anniversary Speakers
    FOCAL:: Utopia Headphones
    ANSUZ: C2 Power Cable, A2 Power Distributor, D2 Ethernet Cables, D2 PowerSwitch, D2 Interconnect
    NORDOST: Heimdall 2 Ethernet and Power Cables
    QUADRASPIRE: SVT Equipment Stand
    SKYLAN: Speaker Stands
    UPTONE:Linear Power Supply
    DANACABLE:: Headphone cables

  9. #9
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    Re: New amp day.... Aavik i-280

    Leatherneck that sounds excellent. Can you post a picture? Would love to see that stack.
    Main System

    Lumin X1 > Boulder 1161 > Scansonic MB3.5 B

    Headphones

    Home: HiFiMan Susvara > Schiit Lyr+
    Portable: Focal Radiance > AQ Dragonfly Cobalt / Chord Hugo 2

  10. #10
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    Re: New amp day.... Aavik i-280

    Quote Originally Posted by jmusica View Post
    Leatherneck that sounds excellent. Can you post a picture? Would love to see that stack.
    I'm guessing that this is Bud's system, as the Aavik dealer posted on Facebook recently about a new install in Arizona replacing a "reference Naim" system with Aavik:

    Facebook Pic
    Sources: Naim ND555/555PS | Roon Nucleus | Naim Soltstice Special Edition turntable and phono stage
    Amplification: Naim 552/500DR
    Interconnects: Ansuz/Chord Music/Naim SuperLumina
    AC Power: Ansuz C2
    Speakers: Magico S5MkII

  11. #11
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    Re: New amp day.... Aavik i-280

    Quote Originally Posted by Bart001 View Post
    I'm guessing that this is Bud's system, as the Aavik dealer posted on Facebook recently about a new install in Arizona replacing a "reference Naim" system with Aavik:

    Facebook Pic
    Nice!
    Main System

    Lumin X1 > Boulder 1161 > Scansonic MB3.5 B

    Headphones

    Home: HiFiMan Susvara > Schiit Lyr+
    Portable: Focal Radiance > AQ Dragonfly Cobalt / Chord Hugo 2

  12. #12
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    Re: New amp day.... Aavik i-280

    Quote Originally Posted by Bart001 View Post
    I'm guessing that this is Bud's system, as the Aavik dealer posted on Facebook recently about a new install in Arizona replacing a "reference Naim" system with Aavik:

    Facebook Pic
    That's me. Tyler came out to Arizona and packed up my Naim kit and installed the Aavik kit.

    Anyone interested in Naim 500 or Raidho XT-2 speakers give Tyler a call. He's selling my kit on consignment.
    Bud<br>

    AAVIK: S-280 Streamer, D-280 DAC, I-280 Integrated Amplifier]
    NAIM: Atom HE Headphone Amp, Superlumina Speaker Cables, Power Cables
    HARBETH: 30.2 40th Anniversary Speakers
    FOCAL:: Utopia Headphones
    ANSUZ: C2 Power Cable, A2 Power Distributor, D2 Ethernet Cables, D2 PowerSwitch, D2 Interconnect
    NORDOST: Heimdall 2 Ethernet and Power Cables
    QUADRASPIRE: SVT Equipment Stand
    SKYLAN: Speaker Stands
    UPTONE:Linear Power Supply
    DANACABLE:: Headphone cables

  13. #13
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    Re: New amp day.... Aavik i-280

    Some preliminary thoughts on comparing the Enleum and Aavik.

    First, of course, these are two very different architectures and different wattage output. About the only things they have in common are they're not heavy giant beasts, neither offers balanced inputs, and they're both modern-looking design-wise. They are about equally easy to use, posing some minor interface/UX quibbles. So this by necessity is just how they sound in my particular system and room, to my ears, using my admittedly limited audiophile lexicon.

    [And oh yeah, what the hell is with these remotes? C'mon guys, do better - this kind of $ and the remotes are a joke (Apple TV remote for the Aavik, and a piece of lightweight cheap-feeling plastic I'm pretty sure will break the first time my dog steps on it, for the Enleum. Someone from Lumin please show these people how to do a remote right!].

    Observations

    Enleum (class a/b, 25w into 8ohms, satri circuit): a bit more sparkle in the upper registers that's highly addictive. Perhaps a wee bit etched on occasion if something gets particularly treble-y and suddenly louder. Given my older ears, these are not drawbacks to me, they work well. Soundstage is exceptionally wide, to the point I sometimes find myself sitting upright wondering if someone is outside my side windows (around 180 degrees either side). Instrument separation and placement feel about average to me, compared to other amps I've considered good. Overall a very musical, natural sounding amp with great PRAT and not the least bit fatiguing. I find myself listening to full songs much more often on this amp than any I've owned, and I regularly just get lost in the music and spend way more time listening. Bass could be a little more taught and extended. Attack, transients, instrument timbre and voice all sound very natural to me, on the relaxed side, while still very resolving - more-so than the Aavik. I can hear it in things like piano trills being more distinct.

    Mixed reviews on aesthetics. When I first got it, I really liked it, but frankly I like it less now, reinforced by comparing it to the aesthetics of the Aavik. The female better-half prefers it. It sure is small, which makes fitting it where I need it an easy thing. Don't let it's size fool you though; I can't turn it past about 60% in my room before it simply gets too loud, and it doesn't ever feel strained in getting there, the sonics are very consistent at all but the lowest volumes. Overall the best way I can describe the Enleum is that it just feels very natural, very musical, and a joy to listen to.

    $5k

    https://enleum.com/


    Aavik (class D/UMAC, many design innovations, 300w into 8ohms): this amp has incredible punch; it's fast and transients are noticeably more discernable both in attack and trail-offs. It feels a bit smooth on the top but not veiled, just sort of more mellow. It has iron-fisted control of the speakers, you just get a sense that it's pushing the speakers to do what it thinks they need to, to play the music the way it wants them to. Hard to describe but I'm sure some of you know what I'm getting at. Bass is superb. The only amp I've personally experienced with such extended, taught, controlled, punchy bass was my Ayre MX-R Twenties. (I actually think it's a little too much bass for my room). Yet the Aavik produces that bass in a more musical, less clinical way than the Ayre, and more distinct than the Enleum. Overall the Aavik just does everything well, does it with simplicity and style. Soundtage is less wide than the Enleum, extending to just a little beyond the speakers, but a bit taller, and smidge deeper. Instrument separation/placement is noticeably superior. Instrument timbres I'd say are about average for amps I've enjoyed, with an edge to the Enleum. Vocals sound as in-person as I've heard in any system, with the singer sounding more literally in-the-room than I've experienced before.

    Plenty has been written elsewhere about the evolution and state of Class D. After hearing this amp at the Expo I was not scared off Class D at all, in fact my interest grew as my favorite rooms by a long shot were Class D amplified. This ain't your father's Class D. Again, grain of salt, cause I certainly haven't heard all the Class A/B amps out there, certainly not most of the "Tier 1" ones. But I don't think this amp has anything to be ashamed of in it's engineering, and compares favorably to any amp I've heard. And it's a beauty.

    $11k

    Aavik I-180/280/580 Integrated

    And don't forget... you read it here on Audioshark first
    Main System

    Lumin X1 > Boulder 1161 > Scansonic MB3.5 B

    Headphones

    Home: HiFiMan Susvara > Schiit Lyr+
    Portable: Focal Radiance > AQ Dragonfly Cobalt / Chord Hugo 2

  14. #14
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    Re: New amp day.... Aavik i-280

    If you enjoy the Aavik as well as the Naim that's saying something.

    Does Aavik have separates?
    Aurender ACS10 w/Audioquest Diamond USB, Esoteric N05xd
    Mark Levinson #526, 534 & JBL 4367's
    Clearaudio Performance DC w/Maestro cart
    Clarus Concerto & their Crimson cables

    HT: Marantz AV8003, Linn 5125, JBL SAM3ha, Revel s30,
    SVS PC13 Ultra
    Transparent, Analysis Plus & Tributaries. PS Audio filtering
    Sony XBR-75X940D & BDP
    Parasound P6, MBL 8006b, Artisan speakers/subwoofer

  15. #15
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    Re: New amp day.... Aavik i-280

    Quote Originally Posted by Mr Peabody View Post
    If you enjoy the Aavik as well as the Naim that's saying something.

    Does Aavik have separates?
    They do.
    Main System

    Lumin X1 > Boulder 1161 > Scansonic MB3.5 B

    Headphones

    Home: HiFiMan Susvara > Schiit Lyr+
    Portable: Focal Radiance > AQ Dragonfly Cobalt / Chord Hugo 2

  16. #16
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    Re: New amp day.... Aavik i-280

    Quote Originally Posted by Mr Peabody View Post
    If you enjoy the Aavik as well as the Naim that's saying something.

    Does Aavik have separates?
    Yes! Aavik has a Preamp, power amp, DAC, Phono Preamp, and streamer in both their 280 series and 580 series. They also have a "U" product in all 180, 280 & 580 series which is an Integrated Amp including internal DAC.
    Tom
    TIDAL Audio Agoria Loudspeakers; Bricasti M28 Monoblocks; Merrill Audio Element 118 Monoblocks; VAC "Master" preamplifier; Bricasti M1SE DAC; VAC Renaissance SE Phono Stage; Spiral Groove SG-2 TT with Centroid Arm & Transfiguration Proteus Diamond Cartridge; Ampex ATR-102 Tape Deck; Merrill Audio Master tape preamp; Sonore Signature RenduSE Optical network player; Ansuz D-TC2, D2 & C2 cables and DTC Mainz power distribution; Darkz & Sortz Resonance & Noise control; Ansuz PowerSwitch; & PowerBox; Symposium Racks and Rollerblocks; Vicoustic, ASC, GIK & MSR room treatments

    INDUSTRY AFFILIATION: Dealer- XtremeFidelity.net (VAC, Aavik; Ansuz; Bricasti, Merrill Audio, Sonore, & others)

  17. #17
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    Frisco, TX
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    Re: New amp day.... Aavik i-280

    Quote Originally Posted by jmusica View Post
    Some preliminary thoughts on comparing the Enleum and Aavik.

    First, of course, these are two very different architectures and different wattage output. About the only things they have in common are they're not heavy giant beasts, neither offers balanced inputs, and they're both modern-looking design-wise. They are about equally easy to use, posing some minor interface/UX quibbles. So this by necessity is just how they sound in my particular system and room, to my ears, using my admittedly limited audiophile lexicon.

    [And oh yeah, what the hell is with these remotes? C'mon guys, do better - this kind of $ and the remotes are a joke (Apple TV remote for the Aavik, and a piece of lightweight cheap-feeling plastic I'm pretty sure will break the first time my dog steps on it, for the Enleum. Someone from Lumin please show these people how to do a remote right!].

    Observations

    Enleum (class a/b, 25w into 8ohms, satri circuit): a bit more sparkle in the upper registers that's highly addictive. Perhaps a wee bit etched on occasion if something gets particularly treble-y and suddenly louder. Given my older ears, these are not drawbacks to me, they work well. Soundstage is exceptionally wide, to the point I sometimes find myself sitting upright wondering if someone is outside my side windows (around 180 degrees either side). Instrument separation and placement feel about average to me, compared to other amps I've considered good. Overall a very musical, natural sounding amp with great PRAT and not the least bit fatiguing. I find myself listening to full songs much more often on this amp than any I've owned, and I regularly just get lost in the music and spend way more time listening. Bass could be a little more taught and extended. Attack, transients, instrument timbre and voice all sound very natural to me, on the relaxed side, while still very resolving - more-so than the Aavik. I can hear it in things like piano trills being more distinct.

    Mixed reviews on aesthetics. When I first got it, I really liked it, but frankly I like it less now, reinforced by comparing it to the aesthetics of the Aavik. The female better-half prefers it. It sure is small, which makes fitting it where I need it an easy thing. Don't let it's size fool you though; I can't turn it past about 60% in my room before it simply gets too loud, and it doesn't ever feel strained in getting there, the sonics are very consistent at all but the lowest volumes. Overall the best way I can describe the Enleum is that it just feels very natural, very musical, and a joy to listen to.

    $5k

    https://enleum.com/


    Aavik (class D/UMAC, many design innovations, 300w into 8ohms): this amp has incredible punch; it's fast and transients are noticeably more discernable both in attack and trail-offs. It feels a bit smooth on the top but not veiled, just sort of more mellow. It has iron-fisted control of the speakers, you just get a sense that it's pushing the speakers to do what it thinks they need to, to play the music the way it wants them to. Hard to describe but I'm sure some of you know what I'm getting at. Bass is superb. The only amp I've personally experienced with such extended, taught, controlled, punchy bass was my Ayre MX-R Twenties. (I actually think it's a little too much bass for my room). Yet the Aavik produces that bass in a more musical, less clinical way than the Ayre, and more distinct than the Enleum. Overall the Aavik just does everything well, does it with simplicity and style. Soundtage is less wide than the Enleum, extending to just a little beyond the speakers, but a bit taller, and smidge deeper. Instrument separation/placement is noticeably superior. Instrument timbres I'd say are about average for amps I've enjoyed, with an edge to the Enleum. Vocals sound as in-person as I've heard in any system, with the singer sounding more literally in-the-room than I've experienced before.

    Plenty has been written elsewhere about the evolution and state of Class D. After hearing this amp at the Expo I was not scared off Class D at all, in fact my interest grew as my favorite rooms by a long shot were Class D amplified. This ain't your father's Class D. Again, grain of salt, cause I certainly haven't heard all the Class A/B amps out there, certainly not most of the "Tier 1" ones. But I don't think this amp has anything to be ashamed of in it's engineering, and compares favorably to any amp I've heard. And it's a beauty.

    $11k

    Aavik I-180/280/580 Integrated

    And don't forget... you read it here on Audioshark first
    Thank you for review. Are you still enjoying the Aavik? I have been thinking of trading my Devialet D400s for an Aavik (I or U model with built in DAC) for a potentially better match for my old Raidho D2s. My Devialet has been great all these years but I can't help to think the Aavik would be a better match for the Raidho D2s.
    Raidho D2
    (2) REL 528s
    Devialet 400
    PS Audio P3 Powerplant
    PS Audio Powerbase
    2009 Mac Mini headless with custom power supply
    QNAP NAS

  18. #18
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    Re: New amp day.... Aavik i-280

    I'm new to this more hi end domain, but seems like a difficult choice, they're such different animals!

  19. #19
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    Re: New amp day.... Aavik i-280

    sounds more like a side step then an upgrade, I would keep the Devialet D400.
    Moon 700i V2, YG Acoustics Hailey, Aurender N10, dCS Rossini, Oppo BDP103D (audiopraise board), Ansuz Mainz 8 D2

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New amp day.... Aavik i-280

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