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Here I could nearly say ditto for the German with the proviso that the Dane veered dynamically a tad into the soft and round whilst dimming the treble – things the AVM stays clear of. On balance the SA8.2 approaches a best-of-both-worlds proposition between the generously indulgent D200 and blindingly fast striated Audionets. Whilst some listeners will veer more strongly one way or the other, I'd call the AVM Ovation SA8.2 nearly ideally centered and on all criteria a quite ultimate statement. Those looking for a minor tug on the steering wheel will find the PA5.2 preamp of the lower-positioned Evolution range an ideal partner. In my view it's quite sensible to invest more heavily into a powerful amp since it explodes freedom of choice for loudspeakers and keeps the preamp budget contained.


Of course some argue that it's the preamp whose sonic weightiness overshadows the amp. Be that as it may, the PA5.2 isn't merely the more cost-effective solution of these two, it's also the more romantic.
Here its brief. On long-term pleasure and color it matches. On low-down pressurization, dynamics and resolving power it's more defensive, warmer and softer. On the British Alt-Pop of Alt-J's “Matilda” from An Awesome Wave, Joe Newman's voice was sonorous and fluid, the occasionally piquant sibilants of my otherwise free-from-hardness Funk MTX toned down. On the MathRock Antidotes by The Foals, Jack Bevan's incisively clattering drum work on “Red Socks Pugie” was less raw and emphatic. The number had greater mildness and flow though less turn-on factor, less cracking drive, less frontal timing. Last but not least, experimenting with the optional DAC module's USB input I found that one can inject a bit more angularity, agility and bass acuity. Listener not already endowed with a costly outboard DAC could well find this €499 option an effective investment.


Conclusion. Blanket recos can become wet blankets. I love my Audionets but others find them too wiry and lean. This also relies on great care with overall system voicing. On the other hand—like the Evolution PA5.2—many are the fans of color-rich musically warm decks where opponents want more speed, edginess and resolution. Here AVM's Ovation SA8.2 is the rare critter which plays to both camps. Resolving power and dynamics are greased, tonality is neutral. But for a potent transistor amp without excessive class A bias, it also is surprisingly fluid and 'musical'. To not gild this lily further, I just say that it was the best and best-balanced power amp my rack has yet supported. It's a true top reco for those who want something practical (low heat, useful features, diverse inputs), universal (pick your speaker) and sonically uncompromised.
redaktion @ fairaudio.de

Psych profile for the AVM Evolution PA5.2...
Pleasingly smooth flow free of edges which subtracts on dynamics and resolution.
Dense organic color saturation
Warmish tonality with somewhat polite bass pressure.
Soundstage accuracy concomitant with price.
First-class fit'n'finish.
Comprehensive featurization and practical modularity with optional DAC, tuner and phono cards


Psych profile for the AVM Ovation SA8.2...
A pleasingly organic utterly non-technical presentation.
Tonal neutrality.
High resolving power.
Superb micro and macro dynamics.
A silkily fluid long-term happy treble without artificial prettification.
Colorful very pure mids.
Bass reach and power concomitant with expensive muscle amps.
Impeccable image focus with superb staging plasticity.
Sufficient power for likely all speaker choices.
Superb build.
Comprehensive features for a power amp.

Facts PA5.2
Weight and dimensions: 430x100x325mm WxHxD, 6kg
Finish: Silver or black
Socketry: 4 x RCA, 1 x XLR, processor loop; 1/ea. RCA and XLR out, 6.3mm headphone on the front
Power consumption; 18 watts at idle, zero in standby
Warranty: 3 years


Facts SA8.2
Weight and dimensions: 432 x 253 x 420mm WxHxD, 42kg
Finish: Silver or black
Inputs: RCA and XLR
Outputs: Single terminals
Output power: 220wpc into 8 ohms
Power consumption: 95 watts at idle, 1 watts in standby
Warranty: 3 years
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