OVATION PA 8.3 in brief

PA 8.2 is a modular preamplifier in a massive 8mm thick OVATION aluminium housing with slots for 8 inputs and 2 output modules of your choice.

Available input modules:

• Stereo line input RCA/Cinch + XLR (2 inputs switchable) 15 200kr
• Phono input MM/MC, gain and input impedance adjustable 20 600kr
• FM tuner module with RDS 15 200kr
• D/A- Converter with SPDIF Coax and optical, AES EBU upsampling up to 192/24, switchable filters 29 400kr
• Processor in/output

Available output modules:

• Tube output RCA-Cinch eller XLR 29 700kr
• Solid state output RCA & XLR 15 200kr

Additional features:

• 3 separate power supplies: Analog +, Analog - and Digital
• Class-A headphone amplifier
• Sound control module
• Wideband power supply 80-260 Volt AC built-in
• Minimized stand-by power consumption
• Phase indicator
• Blue graphic display, dimmable
• RC3 included
• Wide array of menu functions (i.e. adjustable input sensitivity, individual input naming etc.)
• Available finishes: Aluminum silver or black, Chrome front optional

Uncompromised Quality 

Like all AVM hi-fi components the PA 8.2 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.

During the manufacturing process we perform repeatedly numerous tests to insure the absolute quality of our products. When the assembling is finished and the first inspection is done all units must pass a run in test in order to prove their reliability. After that a careful final inspection follows before packing & shipping. All this ensures creating a perfect product from AVM for our customers.

Technical Data OVATION PA 8.2

Amplifier

• Input sensitivity (output voltage 1 V): 20 mV–350 mV (adjustable)
• Input sensitivity line Cinch: 6,8 kΩ
• SNR line, MM, MC (Phono optional) 110 dB(A), 85 dB(A), 75 dB(A)
• Frequency range line/Phono (Option): 0 Hz up to >200 kHz, 30 Hz up to >20 kHz 

Digital Input (optional)

• Sampling frequency upsampling up to 192 kHz/24 bit
• Frequency range <20 Hz–20/80 kHz (depending on sampling frequency)
• De-emphasis yes, automatic
• Input format Dig in opt/coax SPDIF, 33 kHz–96/192 kHz/16–24 bit
• USB input 16 bit/48 kHz (no additional drivers needed), 24 bit/192 kHz 
• SNR (rel. to dig. zero) 120 dB(A)

Phono Module (Option)

• Input sensitivity 50 µV–10 mV (adjustable)
• Input impedance MM 47 kΩ/100-450 pF (adjustable)
• Input impedance MC 75 Ohm-1 kΩ (adjustable)
• SNR MM (5 mV/1 kHz) 85 dB(A)
• SNR MC (0,5 mV/1 kHz) 75 dB(A)
• Frequency range <30 Hz up to >50 kHz
• Phono RIAA gem. RIAA ±0,3 dB

Miscellaneous

• Power supply 80-260 V/50-60 Hz
• Maximum power consumption 25 W
• Standby <1 W
• Dimensions (W x H x D) 430 x 130 x 355 mm
• Weight 12 kg

Stereophile rating 2019:

AVM Ovation PA 8.2: $8995 base price; $18,775 as reviewed 

A modular preamplifier that can be configured in a variety of ways, the Ovation PA 8.2 prevents the listener from having to invest in unwanted features, while taking into account the ever-changing world of digital audio: As technology progresses, AVM's current digital-input card ($3395), which supports up to 32/384 PCM and DSD256 and has both USB and S/PDIF inputs, can conceivably be replaced with even mightier modules. Other available input cards include an MM/MC phono preamp ($2395), a line input card with both balanced and unbalanced inputs ($1795), and a Line Input Tone Card ($2195) that provides tone and balance controls for all analog modules. The user also has a choice of output cards, including an optional Tube Output card ($3395) fitted with two dual-triode vacuum tubes. (A headphone amp and remote handset are included in the base price.)

With line-level sources, Mikey noted "ultra-low" noise, "very high" transparency, "very good" dynamic expression, and "impressive" frequency extension and balance.

In his view, the phono input offered "a level of sonic sophistication well above that of any $2400 phono preamp I've heard." In measuring the AVM preamp, JA noted "usefully low" output impedance, a distortion signature that was primarily second harmonic, and "superbly low" RIAA error from the phono card. "Overall," he wrote, "AVM's Ovation PA 8.2 offers superb measured performance." (Vol.41 No.12 WWW)
Read more at https://www.stereophile.com/content/recommended-components-2019-edition-preamplifiers#A6UZrFT2cJk854CG.99