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All-in-one: $1k Marantz or $2k Hegel?

Considering upgrading from Bluesound Powernode 2 for office system. Looking for better sound quality from one-box amplified digital streamer box. Only Tidal streaming will be used for this system.
Intrigued by marantz pm7000n at $1k, and also considering Hegel h90 at $2k. Both 60 Wpc and I believe both use AK4490EQ as dac chip (though hard to confirm for Hegel - but h190 is reported to use 4490 and I think I read h90 uses same, wish I knew for sure).
I know Heos stream interface for marantz is solid because I have a marantz AVR in my main HT system and streaming works well there. Little unsure about the Hegel stream interface.
Anyone heard both units and can compare and contrast?

speakers not purchased yet but likely Kef LS50 with Kef kube 10b sub. I understand Kef and Hegel pair well and each uses other at shows. 

I am going to try to audition both first before deciding just seeking advance opinions
kren0006

Showing 1 response by icecreamkraft

icecreamkraft
1 posts
 

I'm also thinking same question. I already bought Marantz PM7000N, but I have return policy in place which is not surpassed. Local dealer just dropped Hegel H90 price from 1500 to 1200 euros so the difference between the prices of the amplifiers is non existential.


Which one would you choose? I have KEF R3's.


I like the features and GUI in Marantz more, but in A/B testing I was leaning towards Hegel. BUT, was the tiny difference I could hear (or did I just imagined, that's a good question also..) really worth to not take features like wi-fi and bluetooth. I don't know.

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