AVM Evolution AS 5.3 Integrated Streaming Amplifier

The AVM AS 5.3 Streaming Amplifier is a two-channel Class D integrated amplifier with streaming capability. It comes prepared to interface with Spotify Connect, Qobuz Connect, and Tidal Connect MAX. It works with Bluetooth 5.0 and AirPlay 2-enabled sources and is Roon-ready. Power is substantial at 350 watts per channel into 4 Ohms. It also has a phono input with MM and MC support, along with HDMI.

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AVM (Audio Video Manufaktur) is a German company that may be new to most readers, but it has been around for over 30 years. They make turntables, amplifiers, CD players, preamplifiers, streamers, and power conditioners, so they are not just a one-trick pony. The AVM Evolution AS 5.3 Integrated Streaming Amplifier has a newly developed tube line stage in the preamp section that adds some sweet, yet detailed sound to your music. Besides having a wide range of analog/digital connections, the AVM AS 5.3 also does streaming from Qobuz, Tidal Max/Tidal Connect, HiRes, Deezer, Spotify, and is Roon Ready. Bluetooth 5.0 and AirPlay 2 work with this product, too. Their custom-designed streamer is called X-Stream Engine, which also has an iOS/Android App (AVM RC X) that worked solidly on my iPad. With 350 Watts at 4 Ohms, this two-channel Class D amplifier can drive almost any speaker combo out there. The Sabre double-quad DAC is the ESS9028 PRO, which processes 384/32 PCM and DSD 256 signals.

Connectivity on the back includes three RCA and one XLR (pair) inputs as well as one coaxial, one optical, a USB A (2.0), phono, and HDMI (ARC). Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Ethernet (10/100 Mbps/RJ45) connections are included. You can add a turntable and switch between Moving Magnet or Moving Coil on the fly. The dimmable OLED display is touch-sensitive and even has a proximity sensor. Extensive menu functions include adjustable input sensitivity, input re-naming, and more. The faceplate on my review unit is a stunning Cellini Chrome finish (black or silver finishes are available), which costs extra but bumps up the “Wow! factor” to 11. The in-house-made flywheels for Source and Volume are made of solid metal, and the motor-driven design has a luxurious feel to the touch. A solid but slim metal remote is included, so you will rarely have to leave your comfy seat while music listening.

The unit is exceptionally clean-looking with a slightly modern look in chrome. On the top of the AS 5.3 is a small window which allows you to see the dimly lit tubes inside. My fear was that the chrome finish would show fingerprints, but a microfiber cloth easily removed them. Most of the time, I used the remote and never physically touched the unit.

When setting the AVM Evolution (series) AS 5.3 up and taking it out of its packing, I immediately noticed how light it felt, just under 25 pounds. My Musical Fidelity Nu-Vista 600.2 is Class A/B and weighs in at a whopping 80 pounds. The tubes on the 600.2 are nuvistors, which look like small metal buttons and likely will last for years. The AS 5.3 uses a pair of custom 803T type tubes that are said to last around 20,000 hours. Despite the size difference, with the 600.2 being three times heavier and larger, they both sounded similar in sonic quality. The 600.2 has analog inputs only, so flexibility-wise, the AS 5.3 offers a lot more features and flexibility, including streaming.

Setting the unit up was quick and easy. Once you power it up, you can use the RC-X App to connect the AS 5.3 to your network, and it can stream from phone or tablet. I found using the tablet a better choice as its display is larger. I also streamed directly from the Qobuz App, and even my trusted Mconnect App worked well. I even streamed to it via my WiiM Ultra (using the PS Audio Stellar DAC) and used the balanced analog inputs. My only other source device was my OPPO UDP-203 for listening to CDs. I do not have a turntable, but hooking one into the AS 5.3 looked uncomplicated. All in all, there is a lot of flexible usage with the AVM AS 5.3, and I can’t imagine anyone wanting more than it offers, but YMMV.

The slim remote was solidly built, but the small soft buttons were not backlighted or distinctively shaped, should you need to use it in a dark environment. It did have small rubber bumpers on the bottom side, which helped it from scratching surfaces.

When the unit is powered up, it takes about 20 seconds for the tubes to heat up, and then the display lets you know it’s ready to go. I did not notice any appreciable difference in sound quality, but it is recommended that you wait a bit for the tubes to reach optimal temperature before critical listening. Though there is little heat coming off the AS 5.3, it would be prudent not to place anything on top of the unit due to the glass display on top.

I put the AVM AS 5.3 through hours of music listening and enjoyed the smooth analog sound quality that a well-designed piece of audio equipment should have. The DAC chips provided detailed sound, and the tubes took off any edginess or digital glare. This allowed me to listen for long periods of time without fatigue.

My critical listening tests look for details, sound staging, accuracy in instrument tone and timbre, human voices (male and female), along with bass, midrange, and treble balance. I went through Jazz, Classical, Rock, and Acoustic music. Most of my choices were from Qobuz and some specially selected test CDs that I acquired over the years. A high-end piece like the AVM AS 5.3 should be able to handle any genre at almost any volume. My speakers are the GoldenEar T66s, and no subwoofers were used in my evaluation. Cables were the AudioQuest Rocket 33s.

My review will focus only on music, as the AVM AS 5.3 is not really geared for home theater use, but more for streaming and high-resolution music in stereo. There is no subwoofer output, but you can use the Home Theater Throughput to run your front R/L. I have full-range speakers, so using a sub was unnecessary for my purposes. There are tone controls, parametric loudness, and bypass functions to tailor the music to your tastes.

I digress a bit (sorry…not sorry). The complex music structure employing a large drum set (Palmer) and heavy synthesizer use (Emerson) with the sweet-sounding vocals (Lake) made these three sound bigger than the average five-piece bands of the time. I have almost all their oeuvre in SACD surround…but for the purpose of the review, listened to these works in stereo. The AVM AS 5.3 can rock with the best equipment I have reviewed before. It has the power to make almost any speaker sing, and the sound was never harsh or muddy. Clear sound that remains effortless and musical. I can see the AVM AS 5.3 as a central hub for your musical listening for years to come. It is not inexpensive, but it looks stunning and sounds equally exquisite as well.

I’ll also add here that at no time did I suffer any interruptions or snags while streaming. Once connected to my Wi-Fi, it remained rock solid. After extended listening sessions, the unit only became mildly warm. Because the tubes do generate some heat, I would place the AS 5.3 in a well-ventilated space in your audio rack. You’ll probably put it at the top anyway because it looks so gorgeous!

AVM’s AS 5.3 Integrated Streaming Amplifier is a well-designed component that sounds as good as it looks. There is nothing it cannot do well.

I enjoyed my time having the AVM AS 5.3 Integrated Streaming Amplifier in my media room. Besides its good looks, it was easy to use and sounded musically lush and detailed. It is not inexpensive, but it is a high-resolution streamer, a powerful amplifier, a tube pre-amp, and can breathe new life into your CD and LP collections. Purchasing separate components would also cost you some coin, but the AS 5.3 does it all in a small, compact powerhouse. It is well designed and flexible enough to control all your musical needs. The App is more than an afterthought and was intuitive and functional. The Cellini Chrome finish was just icing on the sonic cake. I still like my all-analog Musical Fidelity, but if I had vinyl or digital devices, I’d consider the AVM AS 5.3 as a lifetime component.