2. amps-preamps
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Any opinions on new type of amps from BMC, Hegel,

Curious if people have heard and have opinions on several 'new style' amplifiers recently released by BMC, Hegel H-30, and Devialet. Seen several systems posted on the 'Gon now using BMC gear, with rave reviews; but I'm always a bit concerned if you must use the matching preamp and or dac, or special inter connects to obtain best sound. I have heard the new Hegel H-30; which is a beast; it was configured in a stereo set up, not used as monoblocks; and had some amazing base response, PRAT, sparkle, and awesome sound staging and presence; just made music seem alive in this room. But I'd like to hear from anyone who has the new Hegel lineup installed; with their thoughts; and what else they considered prior to pulling the trigger. The usual reviewers gave the new style Devialet the best of the best reviews at year end; a 'revolutionary' new style amp; but then I've heard nothing, or read nothing about people who have purchased it. Then there is the new style ML amp; but its way expensive; and out of my price range; so I won't go there. Usually amps design stays pretty constant, and they work on lowering distortion and increasing watts, but I don't know the specifics of what makes these 'new style' amps work; and whether they work well. Thanks for the feedback.
mribob

Showing 5 responses by tbg

tbg
5,263 posts
 
I own the BMC M1 amps, DAC1 PRE, and MCCI phono. I have used the amps with other preamps, run the system with single ended cables, and used the BMC gear without the Current Injection, which allows the amp to vary in output with what is required.

I will confirm that all of these contribute to the quality of what you hear.

I have not heard the Devialet and only saw one at CES. I thought the Hegel in the Weiss suite sounded great but have not compared it with the BMC. A friend, however, tells me that the BMC is better. The BMC MCCI phono stage does require a balance input and is far and away the best phono stage I have ever heard! It and the rest of the BMC gear are inexpensive for the quality they provide.
tbg
5,263 posts
 
Mribob, all I know about current injection is that the amps used with the BMC DAC! PRE which conveys information through a special cable in addition to the audio cables doesn't entail the amp to be at full output potential at all times. You can run the amps with other linestages as I said. And you can use the amps without the IC on. I definitely sounds best with the IC on with the DAC! PRE.

With regard to Bill Feil, I respond to nothing he posts, but I should point out that his disclaimer that he criticizes all reviewers who review anything favorable which is in competition with his limited lines of equipment. If you chose to ignore my posts, I am not offended. My reviews are not available for purchase.
tbg
5,263 posts
 
Cliffordcheng128, I have a pair of RCA to XLR cables which I use between my tt and the MCCI. The manual for the MCCI clearly shows how to do these and BMC now has such cables available.

There are RCA outputs on the MCCI so you could just plug it into a line input. Beware, however, the MCCI may motivate you to more purchases. : )
tbg
5,263 posts
 
Cliffordcheng128, there is not much more to say other than that I think the MCCI is the best phono I have ever heard. I have never heard such depth of image and detail as I hear with this circuit.
tbg
5,263 posts
 
Antwnhsc, you are not strange, the Devialet is. All that I can say is that it looked cool and had good bass. It had no sound stage and sounded artificial. I could not stand it for more than five or ten minutes.

Have you heard the H 30 amp? I heard the H 20 early in the year and thought it sounded great.
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