Hegel H390

[ClassikFan]

Had a listen to the Hegel H390 last week and now I really want one!
It was streaming a Node via Qutest DAC and Amphion Argon 1 speakers. That setup is not a million miles from mine with Proac 1SC's and the power and detail was excellent IMO. The thing is it's a lot of money to spend on an amp when I don't really need all its features, ie streaming capability and DAC but I haven't read a bad word about the 390. I also listened to the H120 & 190 and I could definitely hear the stepup in sound that the 390 brings. Everything points toward the 1SC & Hegel combination being a good match. Damn this hobby, just when I thought I was settled on my system I have to go and listen to something else!

 

[Ceko]

If I had that kind of money to spend it would not be on Hegel tbh. Especially if you don’t need the dac and the streaming capabilities.

 

[Warszawa]

If I had that kind of money to spend it would not be on Hegel tbh. Especially if you don’t need the dac and the streaming capabilities.

Post might be more useful if you let him know what you preferred to the Hegel and why.

 

[Ceko]

Post might be more useful if you let him know what you preferred to the Hegel and why.

Yeah you’re right I was a bit quick to respond. It’s just that I find 6000 euros one heck of a lot of money for an integrated full of features that won’t be used.
They are beautiful to behold though so I can see the attraction allright. But I’d demo it with your own speakers first if I were you. And maybe look around for a dedicated integrated (without Dac and streaming) that costs maybe 4000,- or so. Like a Cambridge Audio Edge, a Roksan Blak, a top of the line Yamaha or something like that.

 

[smithy27]

Had a listen to the Hegel H390 last week and now I really want one!
It was streaming a Node via Qutest DAC and Amphion Argon 1 speakers. That setup is not a million miles from mine with Proac 1SC's and the power and detail was excellent IMO. The thing is it's a lot of money to spend on an amp when I don't really need all its features, ie streaming capability and DAC but I haven't read a bad word about the 390. I also listened to the H120 & 190 and I could definitely hear the stepup in sound that the 390 brings. Everything points toward the 1SC & Hegel combination being a good match. Damn this hobby, just when I thought I was settled on my system I have to go and listen to something else!

It’s a brilliant solution I wish I could afford one

 

[hifinutt]

Had a listen to the Hegel H390 last week and now I really want one!
It was streaming a Node via Qutest DAC and Amphion Argon 1 speakers. That setup is not a million miles from mine with Proac 1SC's and the power and detail was excellent IMO. The thing is it's a lot of money to spend on an amp when I don't really need all its features, ie streaming capability and DAC but I haven't read a bad word about the 390. I also listened to the H120 & 190 and I could definitely hear the stepup in sound that the 390 brings. Everything points toward the 1SC & Hegel combination being a good match. Damn this hobby, just when I thought I was settled on my system I have to go and listen to something else!

I heard the argon one with hegel 120 recently .very beguiling sound . Vocals just lovely . Bought the argon one ...hegel make some great stuff regardless of model

 

[terrycym]

I have a Hegel C55 and I love it!
Beats the pants of my previous Classe power amp

 

[RICHARDIIII]

I 100% recommend anyone buying an integrated amp to listen to a Sugden A21 (non SE) first. Forget the "only 23w".... I had a 500w Musical Fidelity M8 Pre and Power combo and the Sugden was MUCH more enjoyable with my Proac D20Rs. I think £2700 now or around £1200-1400 used when they pop up now and again.

I was swapping and changing amps like a mad man and I finally thought "this is it... no more swapping" . Yes, I have since bought a 300b valve amp, but that was more to scratch and itch, and I could easily go back to the Sugden and keep it for 20 yrs.

Best thing is to keep checking on here and eBay for the early ones... you could grab it for around £600 and sell it for the same money within days if you decide to buy a new one.

 

[ChemMan]

@ClassikFan
I demoed this amp extensively, with three different sets of speakers, both at the dealer and at home. While my VTL is slightly more to my preference, the DAC in the Hegel is superior to the one in my streamer. I could not figure out the UPnP to work the streamer in the four days it was at my house, but as an all in one unit, I think it's incredible value for money. For pure sound, it beat out these amps I also demoed: Sugden ANV50, AA Maestro, Leben CS600, MA 252, Gato 250, Octave V40, MarkLev 5805 and the Krell 300i. The only integrateds I prefered over the Hegel were the VTL-IT85 and the Pass Labs INT60. Both are more expensive and don't have DACs.

 

[Mcribbons]

Moorgate Acoustics have some B stock..... at £3799

 

[ClassikFan]

Moorgate Acoustics have some B stock..... at £3799

Wow that’s a saving, tempted!!

 

[hifinutt]

very well spotted . they have some nice offers on FB page that are not on their website . especially that 390

 

[Mcribbons]

Wow that’s a saving, tempted!!

They are good guys to deal with too.

 

[ClassikFan]

They are good guys to deal with too.

The button has been pressed, H390 due to arrive tomorrow. At £3799 the Moorgate deal is only a bit more than the price of an H190.

 

[Gray]

The button has been pressed, H390 due to arrive tomorrow. At £3799 the Moorgate deal is only a bit more than the price of an H190.

Good for you.
It was worth starting the thread!

 

[Mcribbons]

The button has been pressed, H390 due to arrive tomorrow. At £3799 the Moorgate deal is only a bit more than the price of an H190.

Awesome stuff, I envisage a few late nights for the next few days.

 

[Nifkin]

I'm sure it's great, but I just can't get my head around buying an amp that includes a streamer and DAC that you don't need: so much redundancy! I'm sure there are standard integrated about that sound just as good for even less than the bargain price you got this one for.

But I hope you'll be pleased with it anyway

 

[ClassikFan]

Good for you.
It was worth starting the thread!

100% yes, thanks to McribbonsAt over £5k I don’t think I’d have bought one.

 

[ClassikFan]

I'm sure it's great, but I just can't get my head around buying an amp that includes a streamer and DAC that you don't need: so must redundancy! I'm sure there are standard integrated about that sound just as good for even less than the bargain price you got this one for.

But I hope you'll be pleased with it anyway

I plan to see how close the built in DAC gets to the Qutest. One review I saw said the H390 was good enough to justify the price without considering the streamer or DAC. We’ll see!

 

[ClassikFan]

Awesome stuff, I envisage a few late nights for the next few days.

Thanks for your post regarding the Moorgate offer, Justin. I owe you one!