Connecting External DAC's and Pre-Amps to Hegel Integrated Amplifiers?

Hegel just responded saying that the HT mode sets the Hegel pre-amp to a "fixed high level" volume of 85 (85% of the maximum volume of the H590) - which is very likely too high, when the ARC 5se is even set to 0 (100% attenuation).  

I don't understand why the "fixed high level" of the H590 would be set so high - except that its designed to be used with a HT receiver or integrated amp, which power / volume may be much lower and the a volume level of 85 from the H590 spread over 3-7 speakers, might not be too much for them to handle.  

In any case, it's beginning to appear that it may not be a good idea to use a tube pre-amp with the H590 via the HT mode - too much of a risk to my speakers.  

I've already tried the combo by just adjusting the volume of both pre-amps to drive the speakers safely - using both pre-amps simultaneously.  The sound was fine, but much better when I just used the H590 pre-amp alone.  

Thanks again...

OK - thanks for your guidance.  

Hegel's guidance is more or less the same as above.  

As I read these comments and the Hegel guidance I am concerned that I might risk damaging the speakers - if - I understand correctly.

Hegel says the following:

Set the Hegel to HT (Home Theater) mode setting, which I think sets the volume to "fixed high level" (99-100) with no attenuation.  I would think this would risk damaging the speakers - even if - the ARC 5se is set to 0.  

Or... does... the HT mode set the Hegel Pre-amp to "fixed high level" (from the source) and 0 gain / full attenuation of the Hegel Pre-amp?  If so, then the ARC 5se would control the entire volume level without risk to the speakers - I would think.  

I'm thinking "Fixed High Level" in Hegel's terms surely means "Fixed High Level" from the source.  Maybe????

I agree - if I want to use a tube pre-amp, it would be far simpler and safer to drive an amp which is not integrated.  But, this is what I've got.  I do have the ARC 150se tube amp... which I've tried... but... I want to see what the Hegel sounds like with a tube pre-amp.  

Thanks... again...

@rick_n    -  "... something is going to blow", not necessarily.  There are a bunch of preamps and integrated amps out there that allow for Home Theater bypass.  I have two in my house right now.  (Parasound JC-2 BP and a PrimaLuna integrated)  It is going to depend on the design of the downstream integrated/preamp on the receiving side as well as the output levels of the upstream feed.  What I'm not sure of is if the downstream side would need somekind of gain suppression (???) to offset the overall feed to the amp. (If that makes any sense...)

What I will put to the OP, is it time to replace the Hegel integrated with a power amp, whether it be a Hegel or another brand?  The integrated is overly complicating the setup at this point.   You have a very good pre in the ARC unit and a good DAC in the Yggdrasil that are out performing the Hegel DAC/Pre.

- Jeff

Wow, the original ask was very loaded.  The short answer is that the Hegel integrated will do everything you talked about except accept the signal from another preamp.  If you feed another preamp's output into the Hegel integrated you're going to have way to much gain and down the line something is going to blow.

@bassdue  

Maybe I should have done this first, I just Googled setting the Hegel into Home Theater mode and got a couple of different responses that are making me think I maybe not understanding what Hegel means by home theater input.  

Definitely check with Hegel on it first.

- Jeff

@bassdude  -  You are very close to what you want to setup.  You need to use the Hegel in Home Theater (HT) mode.  According to the manual you can configure it this way.  That way you are only using the Hegel's power amp side.

1.  Connect all your digital sources to the external Yggdrasil DAC

2.  Connect the external Yggdrasil DAC's output to the ARC preamp.  You will have to select/change between the digital inputs using the Yggdrasil DAC's selector.

3.  Connect any non-digital sources to the analog L/R connections on the ARC preamp.

4.  At this point, your ARC preamp is handling ALL source inputs.

5.  Connect the L/R outputs of the ARC preamp to the analog inputs on the Hegel (use either XLR's #1 or Analog #1)

6.  Configure the Hegel for Home Theater (HT) mode.  I believe all you have to do it select the input connection the ARC preamp is connected to and turn the volume knob to full output (i.e. max).  BUT CHECK WITH HEGEL THAT THIS IS ALL YOU NEED TO DO FOR HOME THEATER MODE.

7.  Use the ARC preamp to adjust the volume, etc.  And that should do it.  You are now using only the amp section of the Hegel.

- Jeff

@bassdude  My last three amps have all been Hegel.  Currently running a pair of the H30 Mono Blocks.  I don't think Hegel gets enough credit for building great equipment.  I've put them up against some very high quality, and much more expensive tube amps, that couldn't beat the sound of Hegel.  The H30 will be with me til the end.  Cheers.

Thanks for your suggestions.

After experimenting a bit - I was able to do the following:

1. Connect an external DAC to the Rt and Lft channels of the H590 - which did improve the sound quality over the internal DAC, quite a bit (a Schitt Yggdrasil OG).

2. Connect the Bryston BDP 3 to the H590 via a BNC cable - which sounds good, but not as great as the Yggdrasil OG (which has more of a live "tube-like" sound).

3. Connect the ARC 5Se Tube Pre-amp to the analog XLR connections of the H590. However - that seems to function with both the external pre-amp and internal pre-amp operating simultaneously (the volume controls function for both at the same time). While it sounds good... It doesn’t seem to sound as clear as with just the internal SS pre-amp of the H590, or as the ARC 5Se Tube Pre-amp does with my other speakers.

I’ll confirm with Hegel in Oslo.

By the way... the H590 seems to enhance the quality of the sound from the Maggies by a factor of 100% - just amazing clarity and control, improving the resolution, dynamics, bass, soundstage, imaging, etc. Improving the bass to the point that you can feel it, and it rattles the windows - very deep, tight and big - very much like box speakers.  And... that's just with the LRS+, which now sounds like the OCD HiFi Guy described them on YouTube - as good as some of best speakers at any price.  I'll have to see if they do the same for my Magnestand 1.6 Maggies.

@bassdude  Giving this some more thought, if you are using an external DAC, the output from that device comes out as an analogue signal, using an RCA or XLR cable.  Using the appropriate input, you will be bypassing Hegel's internal DAC.  If you have a straight CD transport for example, you would be using a coax cable and the Digital Input option.  Now you're back to Hegel's DAC.  

I owned the H590, but can't remember the connections.  My simple answer is you should be able to do everything you want.  Fire off an email with your questions directly to Hegel.  They are quick to respond and will give you the correct advice.  Cheers.