The German brand AVM created two devices at once, which could be considered integrated amplifiers, but they have to be called differently, because the capabilities of AVM Evolution CS 5.3 and Ovation CS 8.3 Black Edition are not limited to amplification. Both new products follow the “just add speakers” principle and include an AVM Pure CD based CD player, streamer and DAC.
You will have to find the appropriate speakers: Evolution CS 5.3 delivers up to 350 W, and Ovation CS 8.3 Black Edition – up to 500 W per channel, and Evolution CS 5.3 received two pairs of speaker cable terminals with the ability to switch between them.
Continuing the theme of switching: the Evolution has three pairs of RCA line inputs and one XLR, plus a switchable MM/MC phono stage input. Added to this is HDMI ARC, two digital inputs – coaxial and optical, and a USB-A port. Ovation Black Edition did without a phono stage and in the analog part it has one pair of XLR and RCA, but there are more digital inputs: two optical, one coaxial, USB B and USB A.
Both units feature dual ESS 9028PRO DACs handling resolutions up to 32bit/384kHz PCM, but while Evolution is ready to handle DSD256, Ovation is DSD128. In terms of streaming, both devices are Tidal Connect, Qobuz and Spotify ready, as well as Apple AirPlay 2. Both are Roon Ready certified, both have Bluetooth, and wired Ethernet is duplicated by a Wi-Fi module.
Each model features a 6.3mm headphone jack on the front panel, powered by a dedicated amplifier. According to the manufacturer, the analog part of the Ovation used “carefully selected high-quality components.” There are also special class lamps, reserved, according to AVM, specifically for this flagship model.
The front panel finish of the Evolution CS 5.3 is hand-polished silver-coloured aluminum (optionally available in black or, at an additional cost, Cellini chrome). The finish of the Ovation CS 8.3, although it is a Black Edition, can be not only “night black” with a blue graphic display, but also allows custom options on request. Both devices were presented live at the Bristol Hi-Fi Show.
In Europe, the base price of the AVM Evolution CS 5.3 will be 10,090 euros, and the Ovation CS 8.3 Black Edition will be 16,490 euros.