OK, just a followup. Bought a H120 demo unit from another site. I have to say the sound is very clean, clear, resolving and generally dynamic. The sound stage is about the same as my older amp. At 75 watts it is more than adequate for my Kef R300s. I have found the bass feels a little recessed vs what I was hearing from the other units I was running, a Marantz PM8005 and a McIntosh MC250. The sound is balanced but it seems more dynamic at higher volumes and it is not as warm but that is ok. It may be one of those things I have to get used to the whole sound signature...we will see. It does not get compressed at higher volumes which is clearly an improvement. The network features are essentially untested at this point as it does not have wifi and that LR has great internet but it is all off an extender as the main router/gateway is upstairs. I ordered new wiring to try to setup a direct to extender point and see if that works or not and also order toslink so I can setup my WIIM Ultra other than thru coax and see if the DAC in the 120 matches its advertising. So, good start but more to be tested. I need to see about how I can use a speaker box to be able to switch between my Ohms and Kefs. Have to see if there are some good boxes out there. At the very least, I now have two integrated amps that can run my LR and office systems and a more unwieldy separates system that I can box away. Then I can get some vintage Mac gear repaired and should be set for always having music systems that are working. Appreciate all the input form Agon members. I will likely be back to solicit input at some point as my next purchase will be to update the Kef R300s so I can move them into my office. The ride continues. Aloha.
"Best choice" among Hegel 120, Moon 250i and Rotel 1572MKii
Narrowed my new integrated search down to some good dealer demos among Hegel 120 and Rotel 1572MKii and a new Moon 250i. All seem to be solid Class AB amps with good sound power ratings between 50-75 WRMS and good current and better than the average, i.e. 1 step above entry level boxes. Have heard none as I live in Hawaii. Gon members have variously recommended all 3 before to me or others in same use case. Focused mostly on the analog side, good reliability, better than average sound. I have heard none of these and have no option to do so out here in Hawaii. Will be used in a 14 x 14 room with 8-18 foot soaring ceilings running variously Ohm Walsh 2-100s or Kef R300s for a few years running at lower volume levels 90% of the time. The digital side of things is addressed and listening is 75% CDP 25% streaming via a Wiim Ultra for now to all kinds of electric and acoustic music and voices. These 3 units seem to occupy the neutral to slightly warm sound profile, which is ok with with me. If the DACs are good that is nice but otherwise I will look at buying an outboard down the line if needed. CDPs are Marantz ND8006 or Sony SACD 5400ES, both of which sound good to me. May upgrade speakers down the line as I do like Kef R3 Meta and in a great economy Reference 1s. But, that is 1-2 years out or never. I have read some comments that the H120 is "not true" Hegel and lower sound quality? Very little on the Moon, mostly professional reviews, though everything seems to indicate their stuff is very good and likely the best of these 3 brands. Rotel seems to be good sounding, lowest in quality of the three, but has the benefit of higher power and can handle 2 sets of speakers which is a plus. Just curious if there is anything anyone sees as something missed or some egregious fault with the logic. Appreciate all input. Mahalo.
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- 9 posts total
- 9 posts total