Aavik R-180
Phono Stage
Ultra low noise, warm and detailed
The Aavik R-180 phono stage is developed with the aim of isolate the ultra-low signals from the vinyl source and handle them through an absolutely quiet input section securing that you will explore the amazing details and musical depths of your vinyl collection.
Technologies and Components
Lively and vivid performance.
The Aavik phono stage has been developed to tease out the natural flow of music that is so typical of a vinyl-based sound source. The extensive research we invested in gaining a deeper understanding of the major turntable and cartridge challenges shaped the platform for the engineering solutions embedded in the Aavik phono stage. The key strength of the Aavik RIAA is the sonic isolation of the ultra-low signals that emanate from the vinyl source, and the filtering out of any disturbing outside noise and vibration.
94 kHzS/N ratio at 1 kHz |
36Active Tesla Coil |
62 dB, Gain |
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.
Separates
No compromise.
The decision to build separate units reflects Aavik’s intent of space management without any sonic compromise. Allowing sufficient space for each segment, has also influenced the integration of a high-grade power supply with a huge capacity and paved the way for an effective cooling design.
By separating the individual units and redesigning them in a totally isolated fashion, the Aavik series has gained in dynamic momentum and a more expansive sound.
The Aavik RIAA / Phono stage
Lively and vivid performance.
The Aavik RIAA section is based on a discrete, floating balanced, ultra-low noise bipolar input circuit. The topology of a moving coil cartridge is a floating balanced signal generator. Aavik has kept this topology throughout the phono stage. The input circuitry allows use of ultra-low noise bipolar transistors. By paralleling several transistor pairs, we have created an absolutely quiet input section. The phono stage has 62 dB gain, and the cartridge loading is adjustable from 50 Ohm to 5 Ohm. The *S/N ratio is 94 dB measured at 1 kHz.
The Aavik phono section will let you explore the amazing details and musical depths of your vinyl collection.
*S/N ratio: Signal to Noise ratio
Cartridge loading adjustment
A perfect match for any MC.
To get the highest efficiency from your turntable pick-up, the impedance can precisely be adjusted according to the individual MC cartridge.
The Tesla coil principle
The principle is to have two coils that are wounded in each direction / a coil and a counter coil. In Ansuz words: “a double inverted coil” – the two coils are both carrying voltage – and when the Tesla coil encounters a voltage spike a counter spike is activated in order to eliminate the noise. As Noise spikes are pure voltage and carries virtually no charge, the cancelation is quite good, but not 100%. By adding more P-TC coils in parallel the performance increases. By implementing this the perceived blackness in the music improves significantly.
Ansuz Tesla coils are available in various types as they complement each other in terms of strengths /weaknesses.
Active Tesla coil
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.
Active square 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.
Analog dither technology
Extended musicality.
This technology is another noise reduction technology. The technology origins from radars where it secured a stronger signal and thus a wider range. Ansuz active Tesla coils are sending pulsated signals in well-defined frequencies. These signals are sent in counter phase and thus eliminating the noise floor whereby the music signal is significantly increased.
REVIEW & AWARDS
Aavik Acoustics R-180 - Read More
"Paralleling several transistor pairs creates the prevention of interference and an absolutely quiet input section. The phono stage has a 62 dB gain, and the cartridge loading is adjustable from 50 Ohm to 5K Ohm. The S/N ratio is 94 dB measured at 1 kHz. Different MC cartridges can be matched with a different cartridge loading, resulting in the highest picking efficiency and the perfect match. You could tell that the distance between the singers’ positioning was accurate and clear. This magical feel of positioning came across as if the singers were performing in our listening room, which was a trait worth praising."
Aavik R-180 - Read More
"There is no doubt that the R-180 is another masterpiece of Aavik. The R-180 phono stage boasts an intricate and sophisticated design, and its quiet, refined, clear sound, high analytical power and strong dynamics are extremely satisfying. I would love to review their top model, the R-580, to see if they can achieve something even better" - Roger Chung
Aavik Acoustics RIAA R-180 Phono Preamplifier Review - Read More
" We are a lucky bunch of audiophiles, being alive in this era of technical achievements. Because of this, more often than not, we get what we pay for. That's one of the reasons why good high-end audio equipment is so damn expensive. In the case of the Aavik RIAA R-180 phono preamplifier, one does get what they pay for. And more. The R-180 isn't the most expensive preamplifier I ever reviewed. When I began my review, I assumed it cost around $10,000. After discovering it actually cost $7200, I was very surprised. Still, $7220, it isn't inexpensive, but I bet very few audiophiles will be disappointed when hearing it within their music system. To me, that seems impossible." - Tom Lyle
BORN TO INVENT - Read More
"Joan Armatrading‘s album „Consequences“ serves as a stark contrast afterwards. Some songs on the record overdo it with the sibilants and make it difficult to listen to all of the ten tracks, despite their quality. The Aavik does not magically solve these shortcomings, but is able to make listening through the record more accesible with its reliable feeling for details. Lastly, we listened to the reissue of „Midnight Sugar“. While it doesn‘t come close to the original direct cut, it still works its magic – and the R-180 is very authentic with every sound it makes. Although it is the smallest phono stage from Aavik, it shows that it belongs to the greats and undoubtedly should be counted among the highest league" - Michael Lang
Phono Stage Technology Table
| Aavik R-180 | Aavik R-280 | Aavik R-580 | |
| Active Tesla coil | 36 | 72 | 108 |
| Active square Tesla coils | 104 | 176 | 248 |
| Dither Circuitry | 5 | 8 | 11 |
| Aavik Copper Inner Cha… | * |
SPECIFICATIONS
Connections |
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|
Line in: |
Phono input: RCA with floating ground
Max. input: 5mVrms Gain: 65 dB@1kHz Load impedance: Adjustable from 50 ohm to 10 kohm Frequency response: +/-0,5 dB (20 Hz – 20 kHz) |
| Line out: |
Output: RCA
Distortion: <0,005 (THD at 1kHz, 0,5mV input) Output impedance: 120 ohm |
Aavik Noise Reduction |
|
| Active Tesla Coils: |
36
|
| Active Square Tesla Coils: |
104
|
| Dither Circuitry: |
5
|
Power consumption |
|
| Standby: |
<0.5W
|
| Idle: |
<10W
|
Dimensions and Weight |
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| L x W x H: |
380 x 384 x 102 mm
14 61/64 x 15 1/8 x 4 1/64 inch |
| Weight: |
5.4 kg
11 lbs |
