Aavik D-180

Digital/Analog Converter

Scandinavian design with an international twist

The Aavik design is Scandinavian understatement and expresses simplicity and minimalism featuring only a few buttons for logical operation. The multifunctional main knob allows to navigate and control the various functions. We have boosted the self-confidence with a huge red display, which makes it easy to read all details of the selected operational settings.

A cabinet with excellent sonic qualities

The cabinet design represents a Aavik characteristic. The testing of new circuits and electronic components is often done without the enclosing cabinet. The disturbing sonic influence, which emanates from the material the cabinet is made of – mostly aluminium – results from its mechanical resonance. To eliminate this sonic distortion, the challenge was to minimize the use of aluminium in the cabinet to the absolute minimum that is unavoidable to ensure sufficient cooling. We began testing various materials and designed an innovative natural-based composite material, which reduces the mechanical influence, particularly the hysteresis. The sonic result is distinctly audible and reflects a further prominent cornerstone in Aavik’s quest for the ultimate music experience.

Shaping

Built like an instrument.
Our untiring endeavour to unlock further untapped sonic potentials to advance the quality of the listener’s musical experience, prompted us to look into the design and construction of musical instruments – both in terms of shape, as well as choice of material. A combination of the natural-based composite material, the contours and the ratio of the sizes can impact and define the tone. Too much damping kills the dynamics, whereas metallic resonances generate a bright and peaky sound – Aavik’s engineered enclosure offers the best of both worlds: an authentic sound that is warm, harmonious, and powerful, yet, at the same time, so crisp and refined that it highlights every single detail in the music.

D-180, D-280 & D-580 - Read More

"If it's truly about performance not concerns over 'lesser' or 'strange' means to achieve it, you now might feel closer to Aavik's D-range than before. If so, mission accomplished. This review will now self destruct in ten seconds - which just means having my loaners ship back to Aalborg."

Aavik Acoustics I-180 Integrated Amplifier, D-180 DAC, And S-180 Streamer / Network Player Review - Read More

" There are three series currently available from Aavik: 180, 280 and 580. Aavik claims that they are very similar, but where they differ is the amount of built-in Ansuz noise-canceling technology. I've been told that Michael Børresen, who is in charge of design and development at Aavik, has started an "all-out war on noise". Every one of his products does something to minimize noise whether it's mechanical or electrical. The difference between the 180 to the 280 series is that the 280 gets more Tesla coils and as a result, there is more of Ansuz noise-canceling technology. The 580 series adds a copper chassis and some other premiums, but the heart of the product remains the same. This makes the 180 series an incredible value at $7200 per component.

I highly recommend any of these three Aavik components. My recommendation takes a giant step higher if these components are used together, not only because even a stack of only two of them looks so impressive, but because they seem to form a symbiotic sonic relationship.

What is also amazing is that these Aavik components reviewed here are at the bottom of Aavik's three quality levels; for example, the I-180 is also offered as the I-280 and the I-580. It boggles the mind how good those components higher up in the Aavik product line must sound, and therefore, I can also recommend them. I doubt that the I-180 integrated amplifier, the D-180 digital-to-analog converter, and the S-180 streamer/network player can be bettered by any others that are anywhere their price." - Tom Lyle

Aavik S-180 and D-180 - Read More

"I enjoyed the Aavik S-180 and D-180 combination a lot, the control app is reliable and consistent and the sound quality that the pairing produce is revealing and engaging in equal amounts. The character is more relaxed than competing examples in this price range and that means you can turn it up as loud as you like without fear of the mid or treble hardening up. There may not be as much noise killing going on in the entry level Aaviks but the result suggests that there’s more than many alternatives apply. The non metallic boxes probably help here too, having electronics surrounded by thick slabs of aluminium might make it look serious but if you want to get closer to the sound the Aavik approach is hard to beat."

Aavik D-180 - Read More

"I remember how during one of our chats in Aalborg three springs ago Lars Kristensen calmly listened to my casual remarks about digital, then only smiled and said that I really shouldn’t underestimate their DACs. Although back then I already knew that Audio Group Denmark are high-tiered specialists who walk to their own drummer and make silly good stuff, I considered their digital hardware as portfolio extenders. It’s not. The Aavik S-180 made that point very clear in May, while the D-180 does the same today. This internally clever effort looks the part, operates flawlessly and performs impressively enough to easily hold its ground against similarly priced competitors. If you’re are after a DAC and already fancy Aavik house sound, the odds are that this one might be just the ticket! " - Dawid Grzyb

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