AVM Evolution CS 3.3 Streaming CD Receiver

The AVM Evolution CS 3.3 is an all-in-one streaming CD receiver built entirely on transistor technology, driving your speakers at 350 watts per channel into 4 ohms. A slot-in CD drive, hi-res streaming, a phono stage for MM and MC cartridges and HDMI ARC for the TV share one aluminum chassis, handmade at AVM's factory in Malsch, Germany.

The CS 3.3 and the CS 5.3 are sister models. The CS 5.3 adds a tube line stage, and AVM states that all their other connection and performance data match. The CS 3.3 keeps a closed, brushed-aluminum lid where the CS 5.3 has a tube window.

Key Features of the AVM Evolution CS 3.3

• All-Transistor Design: AVM builds the CS 3.3 as a pure transistor device, preamplifier section included.
• 350 Watts Per Channel: 2 x 350 W into 4 ohms and 2 x 180 W into 8 ohms.
• ESS9028 PRO Double-Quad DAC: Four DACs per channel, playing up to 32-bit/384 kHz PCM and DSD256.
• X-Stream Engine Streaming: AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Qobuz, Roon Ready, UPnP and web radio, plus Bluetooth 5.0.
• Slot-In CD Drive: Plays CD Audio and CD-R discs to the Red Book standard.
• MM and MC Phono Stage: Two gain settings for each cartridge type, seven MC load values and seven MM capacitance values.
• HDMI ARC: Your TV's sound plays through the CS 3.3 and your speakers.
• Two Speaker Pairs: A and B speaker terminals on the rear panel for two pairs of speakers.
• App and Remote Control: The AVM RC X app or the included remote control, with a dimmable white OLED display on the front panel.

CS 3.3 or CS 5.3: The Line Stage Is the Difference

The CS 3.3 works entirely as a transistor device. AVM states that all its other connection and performance data correspond to the CS 5.3, which runs its preamplifier section through a tube line stage. Power, DAC, streaming, CD drive, phono stage and inputs are the same on both.

You can tell them apart by the lid. The CS 3.3 has a closed, brushed-aluminum case cover, and the CS 5.3 has a tinted glass pane that shows its tubes. In AVM's measurements for the analog preamplifier section, distortion is rated below 0.001% on the CS 3.3, against below 0.025% on the CS 5.3.

350 Watts Per Channel From the Evolution Power Amplifier

The power amplifier section delivers 2 x 350 W into 4 ohms and 2 x 180 W into 8 ohms, with an input sensitivity of 1.2 V at full power. AVM rates its distortion below 0.005% and its signal-to-noise ratio above 95 dB. AVM rates that power for two speaker pairs.

The CS 3.3 runs on a 100 V to 240 V, 50/60 Hz supply. It draws under 0.5 W in standby, under 2 W in network standby and under 25 W at idle, with a maximum consumption of 1,000 W.

ESS9028 PRO DAC and the X-Stream Engine

The digital section of the CS 3.3 is built around the ESS9028 PRO Double-Quad DAC, which runs four DACs per channel. It plays PCM up to 32-bit/384 kHz and DSD256.

Streaming runs on AVM's X-Stream Engine. It covers AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, Qobuz, Roon Ready, UPnP and web radio, with AVM's multiroom and party sync modes. The CS 3.3 connects by LAN or dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4 and 5 GHz), and also has Bluetooth 5.0. The rear USB port reads hard drives and USB sticks formatted FAT16, FAT32 or NTFS, and plays WAV, MP3, AAC, FLAC, ALAC, DSD, Ogg and AIFF files.

Slot-In CD Drive and Digital Connections

A slot-in CD drive plays CD Audio and CD-R discs to the Red Book standard. AVM calls it a Pure CD drive.

For other digital sources, the CS 3.3 has coaxial and optical S/P-DIF inputs, accepting up to 192 kHz/24-bit on coax and 96 kHz/24-bit on optical. HDMI ARC accepts up to 192 kHz/24-bit, so a TV plays through the CS 3.3 and your speakers. It also has coaxial and optical digital outputs.

Phono Stage for MM and MC Cartridges

The CS 3.3 has a built-in phono stage for moving-magnet and moving-coil cartridges, with RIAA equalization accurate to within 0.3 dB from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. Moving-magnet gain is 40 or 50 dB and moving-coil gain is 60 or 70 dB.

Moving-coil loading offers seven resistance values: 100, 180, 220, 330 and 660 ohms, 1k and 2k ohms. Moving-magnet capacitance offers seven values from 47 to 410 pF. AVM rates the signal-to-noise ratio above 84 dB(A) for MM and above 75 dB(A) for MC.

Analog Connections, Headphones and System Control

The rear panel carries three RCA line inputs, the phono input and an XLR input, plus RCA preamp and line outputs and an XLR preamp output. The line output runs at 2.5 V. A front-panel headphone amplifier has a 24-ohm output impedance.

A trigger input (5 to 20 V) and two 12 V trigger outputs switch other components on with the CS 3.3. AVM delays the second trigger output after the first to protect against current surges. You control the CS 3.3 from the AVM RC X app, the included remote control, or the front panel's dimmable white OLED display, which has touchpoint control and a proximity sensor.

Silver, Black or Cellini Chrome

The CS 3.3 comes in aluminum silver or black, and in AVM's Cellini version, with a chrome front and polished knobs. The casing is screwless aluminum. Every CS 3.3 is handmade at the AVM factory in Malsch, Germany, and undergoes AVM's quality controls.

Who Is AVM?

AVM Audio Video Manufaktur has built hi-fi by hand in Germany since 1986, and its products are sold in more than 50 countries. The range runs from the AVM 30.3 series through the Inspiration and Evolution lines to Ovation S, and the Evolution line is where AVM pairs each transistor 3.3 model with a tube-stage 5.3 sister.

The Listening Room Difference

We're a third-generation family business with a brick-and-mortar showroom in Chestertown, Maryland, and a reputation built on exceptional service and relentless passion for hifi. Whether you're visiting in person or ordering online, we bring decades of experience, personalized service, and honest guidance to every interaction. We don't just ship boxes. We help build systems, answer your questions like real humans, and make sure every detail of your setup is right, from the cables to the final connection. Our passion is helping you get the most out of your gear, with support that lasts well beyond the sale.

AVM Evolution CS 3.3 Specifications