Aavik U-288 Unity Amplifier

The Aavik U-288 Unity Amplifier is an all-in-one high-end integrated amplifier combining a streamer, DAC, line stage and power amplifier within a single chassis. The design brings together Aavik's digital and analogue technologies with a high-power Pascal Class D amplifier stage, providing 300 watts per channel into 8 ohms and 600 watts per channel into 4 ohms.

The U-288 forms part of Aavik's U-x88 range and incorporates technologies developed by Aavik and the wider Audio Group Denmark design team. The amplifier uses the latest version of Pascal Class D technology, incorporating faster UMAC switching modulation, reduced noise, less filtering and lower output impedance.

Amplification

The U-288 uses Pascal Class D amplification technology with UMAC switching modulation.

• Power Output: 2 × 300W into 8Ω
• Power Output: 2 × 600W into 4Ω
• THD+N: 0.0028% (1W, 1kHz, 8Ω)
• IMD: <0.0008% (10W, 8Ω)
• TIM: <0.002% (10W, 8Ω)
• Output Impedance: 50Ω

Aavik states that the latest Pascal Class D implementation provides lower output impedance and reduced noise while requiring less filtering.

Line Stage

• Line Input Maximum: 4.5V RMS
• Line 2 Maximum Input: 6.5V RMS
• Input Impedance: 10kΩ
• Maximum Output: 7.5V RMS
• Output Impedance: 50Ω
• Volume Control: 76 × 1dB steps
• Preamp Output: 1 pair of RCA outputs
• Line Stage Distortion: 0.005% THD at 1kHz, 1V input

Digital Inputs

The integrated digital section provides three digital connection types.

BNC S/PDIF

• PCM up to 24-bit / 192kHz
• MQA

TOSLINK Optical

• PCM up to 24-bit / 192kHz
• MQA

USB UAC 2

• PCM up to 32-bit / 384kHz
• MQA
• DSD64
• DSD128

Streaming

The U-288 incorporates network streaming functionality.

• UPnP AV 1.0
• DLNA 1.5
• Spotify Connect
• TIDAL Connect

This allows the U-288 to operate as a network-based music source in addition to functioning as a DAC, line stage and power amplifier.

Aavik Noise Reduction Technologies

The U-288 incorporates several Aavik noise-reduction technologies designed to reduce unwanted noise within the signal and electronic environment.

Active Tesla Coils

• 72 Active Tesla Coils

Aavik describes the active Tesla coils as powered circuits designed to provide lower impedance and improved noise elimination compared with passive Tesla coils.

Active Square Tesla Coils

• 144 Active Square Tesla Coils

These coils are embedded within the circuit boards, with one coil positioned on the top and a counter coil on the rear side.

Analog Dither Technology

• 6 Dither circuits

The U-288 incorporates Aavik's third-generation analogue dither technology. Aavik describes the technology as using precisely defined frequencies and anti-phase signals as part of its noise-reduction approach.

Anti-Aerial Resonance Coils

• 8 Anti-Aerial Resonance Coils

These are designed to address airborne RF noise, with the technology intended to reduce the effect of electromagnetic interference picked up by cables and cable screens.

Volume Control

The U-288 provides 76 individual 1dB volume steps, allowing the listening level to be adjusted in precise increments.

Power Consumption

• Standby: <1W
• Idle: <30W

Power Requirements

• Input Voltage: 100–240V
• Maximum Current: 10A

Physical Specifications

Dimensions (W × D × H):

• 440 × 430 × 116mm

Weight:

• 22.8kg

The Aavik U-288 Unity Amplifier is designed as a complete digital and analogue control centre, combining network streaming, digital-to-analogue conversion, a line stage and high-power Class D amplification in a single chassis.

Its 2 × 300W output into 8Ω and 2 × 600W into 4Ω, together with a 50Ω output impedance and very low stated distortion, gives the U-288 substantial drive capability. Its digital section supports PCM up to 32-bit/384kHz, MQA and DSD64/DSD128, while network connectivity includes UPnP AV, DLNA, Spotify Connect and TIDAL Connect.

The U-288 also incorporates Aavik's extensive noise-reduction architecture, including 72 Active Tesla Coils, 144 Active Square Tesla Coils, 6 dither circuits and 8 Anti-Aerial Resonance Coils.

An all-in-one high-end integrated amplifier combining network streaming, DAC, line-stage functionality and Pascal Class D amplification, delivering 300W per channel into 8Ω and 600W per channel into 4Ω.