Aavik U-301 Unity Amplifier – Quick Look

All Image Credit: Aavik

The Danish brand Aavik has introduced the U-301 Unity Amplifier, a high-end, all-in-one, integrated stereo amplifier that combines streaming, digital-to-analogue conversion, preamplification and power amplification in a relatively compact single chassis. According to Aavik, the U-301 builds on the foundation of the Aavik U-300, but has been updated to compete in the streaming world and to operate as a complete high-end system requiring only loudspeakers to get started. Vinyl users will require an external pre-amplifier. The enclosure continues their industrial design combining aluminium cooling elements, a large front-mounted control knob, three pushbuttons and a large LCD display. Wood-based laminate top and bottom plates and an aluminium frame round out the design, all assisting in Aavik’s mechanical-resonance control goals.

The amplifier stage is derived from Aavik’s I-x88 platform and uses Pascal Class D technology with high-speed UMAC modulation providing 2 x 300 watts into 8 ohms and 2 x 600 watts into 4 ohms. The design is said to be engineered for low switching noise and low output impedance for loudspeaker control. This power stage is integrated with the preamplifier and DAC stages in order to shorten signal paths, reduce losses and improve timing and noise control.Powering the U-301 is a switched mode power supply that operates in a power-factor-corrected resonant mode rather than using a conventional linear design. According to Aavik, this design allows the power supply to respond to demands by increasing its operating frequency when more power is needed, while at the same time reducing high-frequency noise when compared with more conventional switching designs.

Network playback is handled using Audio Group Denmark’s (AGD) own streaming app that supports playback from TIDAL, Qobuz, Spotify and vTuner, as well as local servers, NAS storage, USB hard drives and USB sticks. Multi-room control is also a supported feature.

Digital input support includes; PCM up to 24-bit/192KHz and MQA using BNC and optical, while the USB UAC 2.0 supports PCM up to 32-bit/384KHz, MQA, DSD64 and DSD128. Output includes a stereo pair of speaker binding posts and a single pair of RCA preamplifier connectors, both controlled by a 76-step volume control.

Continuing with Aavik’s strong desire to reduce noise and control resonances, the U-301 is fitted with Ansuz Darkz Feet to reduce the transmission of structure-borne vibrations, while internal noise rejection includes Ansuz Gold Anti-Aerial Resonance Coil technology near the speaker terminals.

Rear panel signal connectivity includes; 1 x stereo RCA analog line input, 1 x BNC S/P-DIF, 1 x TOSLINK optical and 1 x USB UAC 2 digital inputs. Outputs include; 1 x RCA preamplifier and 1 x stereo pair speaker binding posts. Other connectivity includes; 1 x RJ45 Ethernet, 2 x USB, 1 x RS232 and 1 x 12VDC trigger out for control.