AVM PAS 5.3 - Streaming Preamp with Tube Stage

AVM EVOLUTION PAS 5.3

Analog preamplifier with AVM X-STREAM Engine®: AirPlay, Spotify® Connect, Roon Ready, TIDAL Connect, QOBUZ, UPnP, web radio AVM RoomConneXion® Multiroom Mode Double Quad DAC for max. 384/32 PCM DSD256 Phono input MM/MC RC 3 aluminum remote control

• AVM X-STREAM Engine® for HiRes Streaming incl. DSD, controllable via the RC X App
• Prepared for Spotify Connect, Qobuz, Tidal Connect, web radio (expandable)
• ROON ready
• Bluetooth 4.2
• Airplay (=Airplay2)
• HDMI (ARC) input
• USB A for external hard drives (NTFS & FAT)
• AVM RoomConnneXion multiroom function
• 2 digital inputs (SPDIF, optical)
• 5 analog inputs (1 XLR, 3 RCA and PHONO)
• Phono input optionally MM/MC with extensive adjustment controllable via app
• 2 digital outputs (SPDIF, optical), optionally adjustable volume
• 2 analog outputs (RCA & XLR), switchable between FIX Out and VARIABLE Out
• Volume Control (Fully Analog)
• 1 analog line out RCA (fixed level)
• Home theater loop (selectable in menu)
• Signal processing with selected double-quad DAC for max. 384/32 PCM (ESS 9028PRO) and DSD 256
• Tone control and parametric loudness with bypass function (can also be controlled via RC X app)
• Dimmable graphic display with touchpoint sensors and proximity sensor
• Extensive menu functions (individual input names and much more)
• trigger in, ext. IR sensor, 2 x trigger outs
• Minimum stand-by consumption
• Compact design: 43cm width, 33cm depth, 12cm height
• Housing variants: aluminum silver, aluminum brushed black or as CELLINI version with chrome front (surcharge)

tube output stage

The special feature of the PAS 5.3 is its Tube Line Stage, which is located in the preamp section of the device. Based on tubes specially manufactured for AVM, a completely new tube stage was developed for the current EVOLUTION series, which fully brings out the tonal charm of the AVM tubes. Thanks to AVM's own circuit technology, the tubes have a remarkably long service life (approx. 20,000 hours).

The PAS 5.3 comes up with an extensive selection of connections and combines them with the diverse streaming functions of the AVM X-STREAM Engine®. In addition, both devices have a sensational phono stage, the settings of which can even be controlled via the RC X app for iOS and Android.

The PAS 5.3 has a glass pane in the housing cover. The tube stages are visible through this darkened window.

Emerged from the best genes:
PAS 3.3 and PAS 5.3

Ever since it was founded in 1986, AVM has specialized in high-end preamplifiers. Based on the AVM X-STREAM Engine®, the PAS 5.3 and PAS 3.3 are a new high-performance generation in the device category of AVM EVOLUTION all-in-one devices. Numerous innovations have been incorporated and the new RC X app now controls the PAS 5.3 / 3.3 completely. In addition to all streaming formats, these two high-end preamplifiers can also be used to play analog sources, especially record players. All modern connections are available, so that, for example, a TV can be connected via HDMI ARC. When designing these preamps, we set ourselves the goal of developing the best-sounding preamps in their class on the world market and were inspired by the preamp flagship PA 8.3. The EVOLUTION PAS devices are characterized by a screwless precision aluminum housing that is only 43 cm wide and a minimalist elegance in their symmetrical design. The motto of AVM "Reduce to the Max" is again taken to the extreme here.

The main focus was on a completely modernized app control. Easy-to-learn, intuitive operation and a clear and attractively designed user interface make managing even large music collections child's play. This makes you want to go on journeys of discovery for new music on numerous streaming platforms. The pre-installed selection of streaming services such as Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, QOBUZ can be easily expanded in the future. The AVM RC X App is available for iOS and Android.

The new AVM X-STREAM Engine® can stream all high-resolution formats, including DSD (256), up to 384/32 resolution. Developed in-house by AVM, this streaming engine is entirely software based, allowing for easy online updates for future-proof use. The X-STREAM Engine® has an HDMI (ARC) interface and a modern Bluetooth connection. Other digital inputs and a USB-A interface are also standard. The digital outputs are completely new and can now also be volume-controlled if desired. The volume of the analog outputs (RCA & XLR) can also be controlled - this control is completely analog. Analog and digital inputs can be switched to signal activation. This allows the signal to automatically switch on the PAS 3.3/5.3 as soon as a signal is detected on the activated inputs. Balanced and unbalanced inputs and outputs round off the extensive connection options.

In terms of sound, the PAS 5.3 and PAS 3.3 have also resulted in a huge gain through the use of the newly conceived circuit concepts. The digital section was completely redesigned in the course of the new development, because this crucial part is based on the selected ESS9028 PRO Double-Quad DAC. In terms of sound, there is also a clear benefit, which goes hand in hand with a large amount of circuitry: In the PAS 5.3 and PAS 3.3, 4 DA converters per channel work in parallel. This effort benefits all digital sources in terms of sound, so that all high-resolution formats can be reproduced perfectly and faithfully.

The EVOLUTION PAS 5.3 and PAS 3.3 is available in the standard colors aluminum silver or black. An elegant CELLINI version with a chrome-plated and hand-polished front is also available on request. Like all AVM EVOLUTION devices, the EVOLUTION PAS is also manufactured entirely by hand in the Malsch factory. The majority of the suppliers, eg for the precise housing parts, are also located in the immediate vicinity of the AVM main plant.