Aavik U-188 Integrated Amplifier / Streamer / DAC

The Aavik U-x88 series is the result of a unique collaboration between two renowned designers. Gryphon Audio’s esteemed founder, Flemming Erik Rasmussen, joined Aavik’s team in 2021, bringing over 35 years of design expertise. Merging his artistic vision with Michael Børresen’s innovative technical approach, they crafted the U-188, U-288, and U-588 amplifiers to not only look stunning but to deliver an exceptional auditory experience.

The U-x88 amplifiers deliver a fully integrated solution, combining essential functions such as streaming, DAC, line stage, and power amplification within a thoughtfully engineered enclosure. This design minimizes signal loss and enhances music reproduction, providing users with a streamlined, high-performance experience.

Aavik U-x88 amplifiers are based on the latest version of Pascal class D amplifier technology, which features even faster UMAC switching modulation and generates lesser noise. This circuit now requires lesser filtering and has lower output impedance, which ensures greater control over connected speakers, and consistent performance across the entire musical spectrum.

Effective noise killer.
The active Tesla coils are power supplied which secures a remarkable lower impedance and thus a better ability to eliminate noise. The active version is about three to four times more efficient than passive Tesla coils.

Impressive noise reduction.
The active square Tesla coils are embedded in our circuitry boards – one coil on the top and the counter coil on the rear side. The principle is exactly the same as the active Tesla coil and thus a great ability to eliminate noise than the passive Tesla coil.

A 3rd generation of the Ansuz analog dither technology has been developed. Analog dither technology originated in radar, where it ensured a stronger signal and thus greater range. The active Tesla coils send pulsating signals at precisely defined frequencies. These signals are sent in anti-phase. This significantly amplifies the musical signal and eliminates the background noise floor.

Analysis and studies have led to new options – and a lot of listening has resulted in this 3rd generation design which is a further optimization of the most effective frequencies which opens the soundscape even more and with the tiniest details when it comes to reproduction of the recordings.

Prevents airborne noise.
All cables and cable screens are acting like antennas for airborne RF noise which of course is a huge problem. The passive cable Tesla coil is wounded on the external part of the cable and protects the signal from absorbing the airborne RF noise. This noise is absorbed in the Tesla coil.

As there is a voltage running in the conductor itself, and it is wounded in the counter direction – this is used as the counter coil and the RF noise is then eliminated.