Description
AVM Evolution A3.2 Integrated Stereo Amplifier (Original Remote, Box ,Packaging)A very well built high end integrated amplifier with impressive sound and power. Cosmetically excellent and I really any see any flaws worth mentioning. Please look very carefully at all the pictures for its exact condition. I have cut and pasted a review and the specs below: This model AVM Evolution A3.2 Integrated Stereo Amplifier is very rare to find for sale used. They are still available new for $5,495.00 and up. This is fully tech tested and in incredible lightly used condition. Original box, packaging, remote, cord and a copy of the original owners manual included. A very well built high end integrated amplifier with impressive sound and power. Cosmetically excellent and I really any see any flaws worth mentioning. Please look very carefully at all the pictures for its exact condition. I have cut and pasted a review and the specs below: AVM Evolution A3.2Integrated Stereo AmplifierPower output: 100 watts per channel into 8? (stereo)Frequency response: 5Hz to 50kHzDamping factor: 200Signal to noise ratio: 75dB (MC), 85dB (MM), 101dB (line)Digital inputs: optional coaxial, optical, USBDimensions: 430 x 100 x 325mmWeight: 8kgFor a brand that has been around for over 30 years, you could be forgiven for either never having heard the name AVM Audio, or even getting it confused with any number of other brands sporting three letter names or acronyms.Head over to Europe and it’s a different story. At the 2017 High End Show in Munich, Germany, the AVM brand was well represented and their electronics are the choice of many speaker manufacturers.You see, AVM are an audio manufacturer born within the land of chocolate. The land of chocolate you ask?Cue a short clip of a Homer fantasy courtesy of a classic Simpsons episode and of course the country I am referring to, is Germany.AVM Audio is headed up by Udo Besser, an Electrical Engineer who took over the company in 2010 after being the Managing Director at luxury audio brand, Burmester.Opting for a more purist approach to sound, AVM are all about keeping things simple in their designs by maintaining a short, straight signal path.While AVM are pitched at the higher end of the audio market, they have three core ranges: Inspiration, Evolution and Ovation.These ranges cover a broad price range from $1,499 for their Inspiration Phono Stage right up to $44,000 for their Ovation Series Monoblock Amplifier (which are incidentally the reference amplifiers of choice for StereoNETs Publisher, Marc Rushton).The subject of this review, the Evolution A3.2 Integrated Amplifier sits at a not unreasonable $6,290 (Silver or Black finish, and for those wanting the most premium look, Chrome is also available for $7990).Like every other AVM Hi-Fi product, the A3.2 is designed, manufactured, and assembled in Germany with locally sourced parts and components.FEATURESLike all AVM amplifiers, the A3.2 is a class AB design.It features a power output of 100 watts into 8 ohms and solid output into 4 ohms of 175 watts, indicating it can drive a good majority of speakers with ease.Damping factor is specified reasonably high too at > 200. The A3.2 also boasts quite a high signal to noise ratio of 101dB (Line Input).Props have to go to AVM for forward thinking too, by building the A3.2 as a modular design. For those that don’t know, modular designs allow for a manufacturer to leave ‘blank plates’ if you will, on the rear panel of a component. These blank plates can be filled with a ‘module’ that can offer a variety of different features.One of the key benefits of this design is typically future-proofing, as you can add modules as they are required, or as technology is further developed.In the case of the A3.2, it is equipped with three slots for optional upgrades such as a USB DAC, Phono Stage or FM Tuner allowing you to flavor it to taste.Each separate module will set you back an additional $999; likely much less than the cost of purchasing an additional, separate component.Special mention must also be given for the supplied AVM remote. While the buttons are quite small, the machining of the remote is excellent and it certainly looks and feels like you would expect at this price point.SETUPTo my surprise, the A3.2 didn’t have much heft to it, weighing in at a relatively meager 9kg.The review unit appeared to be a repack / display model, but came meticulously well packaged in its original box. The supplied unit was already fitted with the optional phono and DAC modules.While the Phono Module is able to handle both MM and MC phono cartridges, the grounding terminal appears to have been made specifically for a banana plug type connection only. You’ll likely need to source a banana plug to attach to the end of your turntable’s grounding wire.Typically, in my own system I would connect a MacBook Pro with an AudioQuest Jitterbug in line with a WireWorld Platinum Starlight USB cable, terminating at my Vincent CD-S7 DAC.I seemed to be experiencing digital noise alongside the music, and after using a process of elimination, I discovered that the DAC module on the A3.2 appeared to be sensitive to the Jitterbug. Once removed, the noise disappeared so in this case I finished the review without the Jitterbug.LISTENINGEven from early listening I could tell that the A3.2 was something special.It seemed to be analytic without sounding clinical, and musical without seeming lush, striking a good balance.The A3.2 immediately offered up noticeably greater depth than my usual Vincent SV-237 and projected an obviously wider soundstage too.Perhaps the only place it felt slightly short was in the expressiveness in the lower registers. The Vincent seems to have more weight down there, albeit being a touch looser and less controlled.Controlled. That is actually a great word to describe the AVM A3.2. Tight, controlled, precise. Ultimately, exactly what I would expect from German engineering.Using my MacBook Pro via Audirvana Plus as the source, I streamed Tidal’s “Classical Relaxation” playlist. I’m no classical buff, not by any means.This playlist gets a workout in my place regularly as for some reason, it really helps knock my little toddler out and in turn gives me a couple of hours of peace and quiet. Priceless.It features some great modern contemporary artists such as Olafur Arnalds, Ludovico Einaudi and Max Richter, and I have warmed to it greatly over the past year or so.Verses (Olafur Arnalds & Alice Sara Ott) sounded lovely, displaying a full-bodied sound with a striking bite in the strings. Separation of instrumentation was excellent, particularly in crowded phrases of the song, not letting any one element drown out another.Richter: Path 5 (delta) was bare and intimate. Hearing each sequence play out was a delight. As one instrument faded out, another would come to take its place. The serenity of this track certainly was not lost on the A3.2.Everything I heard via the DAC module indicated to me that it is of excellent quality and could very easily pass the test for those looking for a high quality, single-box solution.Dirty Projectors’ second, self-titled release is one of my picks for quality of production this year. I just recently picked myself up a vinyl copy and gave it a spin. Having heard how great the digital version of this album sounds, I had high hopes …Playing via my Marantz TT-15s1 turntable equipped with an Ortofon Quintet Bronze and played back via my Phono Box RS/Power Box RS combination, the A3.2 never failed to delier the dynamics I’ve come to expect.I would go as far as to say that this is now my favorite version of this album.The opening track ‘Keep Your Name’ offered up excellent imaging, a full bodied vocal and a huge bass hit.Resorting to a typical hi-fi analogy, I feel as though it’s safe to say that the AVM simply got out of the way and let the music flow.And flow it did.‘Up In Hudson’ was another example where a lot of different instruments and different phrases were sequenced together and rather than sound confused, the AVM broke it all down, put each one in place, portraying it all beautifully.Angus & Julia Stone’s ‘Down the Way’, a modern classic for production quality, played back via CD on my CDS7 DAC sounded as pretty as I’d ever heard it. The recording is already an intimate insight into the recording studio, and the A3.2 certainly didn’t take any missteps in its own portrayal of it.The acoustic guitar on ‘Yellow Brick Road’ had just the right amount of twang and Angus’ own vocal, had a warm, full-bodied presence.IN COMPARISONOf the two amplifiers I use regularly at home, the A3.2 falls closer in line price-wise with my NAD M2.This amp of course is a very different beast from the AVM, being considered more a ‘Power-Dac’ using Class D amplification rather than a typical design.Sonically however, I found that there are more similarities than not, with both offering up a clean, wide soundstage.I dare say for digital sources, the NAD wins for ultimate transparency, however, the M2 has very limited connectivity for analog sources and unlike the AVM, cannot be upgraded with modules.I would argue too that the AVM is a more engaging and musical too, with a hint more bite on instruments, for example, the ringing out of guitar strings had longer extension.CONCLUSIONAVM is a brand that should certainly be considered more seriously in Australia.The level of quality provided for the reasonably modest outlay is most impressive and with the A3.2, AVM have certainly hit the nail on the head.In the world of high end audio, and that what this is, $6000 is not a lot of money for what the AVM delivers.If the DAC module is anything to go by, the modular architecture and optional modules appear to be of excellent performance quality.As the market is beginning to shift away from racks of components, purchasers would be very happy opting for something like this as a single box solution. Simply add the modules you need, and add more as necessary at a later date.If you’re shopping for an all-in-one solution and this fits within the budget, I strongly urge you to audition the AVM A3.2. Like me, you’ll be pleasantly surprised and likely need to spend quite substantially more, for better.AVM Evolution A 3.2$5,490.00AVM Evolution A 3.2 Integrated AmplifierPremium musical quality, design as a true synthesis of elegance and functionality and intuitive handling are our benchmarks when creating hi-fi components. The perfect finish of the aluminum case expressly underlines the tonal quality of the built-in electronic circuitry.The A3.2 is a very versatile integrated amplifier and shares core values with it’s sister models A5.2 and PA 3.2: 5 line inputs, a front input and 3 slots for the optional plug-in modules connect it to any source. Poweramps can be connected via RCA Cinch. Active subwoofer may connect to the processor in/out. Comfortable menu functions allow an individual configuration of the A3.2 according to your personal likings (input names, sensitivity) etc.). The sophisticated handling concept makes it easy to use. This way the A3.2 will provide pure, long lasting joy of listening at all times.Like all AVM hi-fi components the A3.2 is carefully developed and assembled by our engineers in Malsch, Germany. Our vendors for housing and electronic parts reside all near-by. This proximity helps us to easily ensure and maintain superb quality level of the supplied parts for the AVM hi-fi components made of these.The Evolution A 3.2 in brief:Highly efficient output stages with 175 Watt/channelStand-by power consumption below 1 WLine inputs (1 balanced XLR), 1 processor in/out, 2 preamp outputs (RCA-Cinch, XLR)Phones jack alternatively useable as front input3 slots for phono module (MM/MC), FM-RDS tuner module, USB DAC module with 192 kHz/24 bit upsampling (USB, SPDIF coax and TOS-link), USB works PC and MAC without driver installationParametric loudness, bass and treble controls (can be bypassed)Large bright blue graphical display, dimmableFull metal aluminum remote control includedRemote control via RS232. Connector for external infrared receiverMultiple functions accessible via menu: Input sensitivity, individual input names & many moreCase made of solid aluminum anodized in silver or black, chrome front available (option)Premium musical quality, design as a true synthesis of elegance and functionality and intuitive handling are our benchmarks when creating hi-fi components. The perfect finish of the aluminum case expressly underlines the tonal quality of the built-in electronic circuitry.The A3.2 is a very versatile integrated amplifier and shares core values with it’s sister models A5.2 and PA 3.2: 5 line inputs, a front input and 3 slots for the optional plug-in modules connect it to any source. Poweramps can be connected via RCA Cinch. Active subwoofer may connect to the processor in/out. Comfortable menu functions allow an individual configuration of the A3.2 according to your personal likings (input names, sensitivity) etc.). The sophisticated handling concept makes it easy to use. This way the A3.2 will provide pure, long lasting joy of listening at all times.Like all AVM hi-fi components the A3.2 is carefully developed and assembled by our engineers in Malsch, Germany. Our vendors for housing and electronic parts reside all near-by. This proximity helps us to easily ensure and maintain superb quality level of the supplied parts for the AVM hi-fi components made of these.Highly efficient output stages with 175 Watt/channelStand-by power consumption below 1 WLine inputs (1 balanced XLR), 1 processor in/out, 2 preamp outputs (RCA-Cinch, XLR)Phones jack alternatively useable as front input3 slots for phono module (MM/MC), FM-RDS tuner module, USB DAC module with 192 kHz/24 bit upsampling (USB, SPDIF coax and TOS-link), USB works PC and MAC without driver installationParametric loudness, bass and treble controls (can be bypassed)Large bright blue graphical display, dimmableFull metal aluminum remote control includedRemote control via RS232. Connector for external infrared receiverMultiple functions accessible via menu: Input sensitivity, individual input names & many moreCase made of solid aluminum anodized in silver or black, chrome front available (option)Chasrock Services is proud to be: ( ISTA 6-FEDEX_A Protocol Certified ) This is a registered certification in electronic packaging. We are approved to safely ship any electronics up to and including 150 lb. packages. The ISTA 6-FEDEX A Protocol is an earned certification. This is achieved by packaging and shipping electronics to the FedEx packaging laboratory, in Collierville, Tennessee They put that package through rigorous testing including the following: Shock Test: (10 random drops from 30 Inches) Compression Test: The package is then tested in a press at 976.94 lbs. of pressure. Vibration Test: The package is then put on a vibration table and violently shaken for 45 minutes. You must pass all three tests without any damage, cosmetically or functionality. This will be double boxed, surrounded in foam to insure safe undamaged delivery to your home or business. Yes, the shipping cost is a little high, but electronics are fragile and do require a lot of packaging and time to get them done right. I think its worth a few extra bucks, because they cant be replaced. A note for you eBay global customers: ( I will get it to your door safely and insured.) P.S. My posted shipping price is always the total! I pride myself on extreme over protective packaging. (Please see my feedback!) I will only ship to the 48 contiguous states and I encourage eBay global shipping. Payment is expected in 48 hours of purchase and on the same token they will ship on the next business day. If you need more time, just send a message and we will work something out.
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