HEGEL 190, 390-400, 590-600

The fire at the factory that produced AKM dac chips used in the H390 impelled Hegel to switch to Sabre chips for the H600 and the new replacement for the H390 . . the H400? How this impacts the sonics I can’t say. I’d never depend upon an AI for buying advice, though!

Never fear. AI is here.

The right engine can be very useful for summarizing published information about products succinctly. Like any powerful tool it can be used or abused.

I use Poe Web quite often to help me sort through the noise regarding hifi products and various other current topics. But do take caution….it’s very good but not perfect.

But Perplexity in particular is for exactly this type of comparison. It’s an LLM enabled search product. 
 

if he came here and said Claude put this together, I’d have concerns. But as a daily user of this technology having a knee jerk reaction and subsequent analysis using vague terms means we’ll be blindsided by the tech when it is the standard. I recall when Wikipedia was thought to be garbage. 

@alexbpm, In other words, Overall, while LLMs are powerful tools for generating text and providing information, their limitations highlight the importance of human oversight and critical evaluation when using them for decision-making or expert analysis. 

@alexbpm, Give me a break. The info from the AI was interesting but I never said it was accurate or that you should 100% reply on its answer for all the reasons you mentioned above. Everyone on this forum knows that you have to listen to a component preferably in your own system in order to make a decision.

The same applies to product reviews. They are interesting to read, maybe gain some insight of what someone else thinks BUT you need to listen for yourself.

Obviously, no AI, or anyone else can make the decision of what component you should purchase.  You have to make that decision yourself.  

that's one way to kill a conversation....imagine if you had to sit next to AI on a train, you would lock him in the toilet the moment you could

Please dont use AI for observations on sound quality or any product comparisons for that matter. Its called LLM (Large Language Model) for a reason. 

1. Limitations of Reasoning

2. Limitations of Expertise

3. Limitations of Understanding

4. Limitations of planning and execution. 

We are several years away from  being able to quote LLM's as a reference.  They are just language models masquerading as intelligence.  Not to mention their penchant for "hallucinating" and making up facts and observations to suit the question. 

“The Hegel H400 integrated amplifier, nicknamed “Streamliner,” is designed to deliver exceptional audio quality with a focus on efficiency and user experience.
    •    Power Output: Provides 250W per channel into 8 ohms, ensuring dynamic and precise sound with a damping factor of 4000 for tight speaker control .
    •    SoundEngine2 Technology: Features instant distortion correction, preserving signal integrity and delivering detailed, agile sound .
    •    Dual Mono Construction: Offers superior sound quality through separate power supplies for each channel, enhancing channel separation and reducing interference .
    •    Versatile Connectivity: Supports popular streaming platforms like AirPlay, Spotify Connect, and Roon Ready, ensuring seamless integration with various audio sources”.

“The Hegel H390’s dual mono design, often referred to as dualamp technology, significantly enhances sound quality by providing separate power supplies and circuits for each channel. This setup effectively creates two independent mono amplifiers within a single chassis, which offers several benefits:
1. Improved Channel Separation: By isolating the left and right channels, the H390 minimizes crosstalk between them. This results in clearer stereo imaging and more precise soundstage reproduction.
2. Enhanced Power Delivery: Each channel having its own power supply ensures that they can deliver power independently without interference. This improves the amplifier’s ability to handle dynamic shifts in music with greater control and stability.
3. Reduced Distortion: The separation of channels helps in reducing distortion and noise, leading to a cleaner and more natural sound.
These features collectively contribute to a more detailed and immersive listening experience, distinguishing the H390 from other amplifiers that do not employ such a design”.

I suggest you install the free version of Perplexity AI and do additional research. Please install it from the App Store.  

And even more:

”The Hegel H590’s new volume control offers several benefits that enhance its usability and sound quality:
    1.    Digital Control: Unlike a standard potentiometer, the H590 uses a digitally controlled switched resistor network, which provides more precise volume adjustments and reduces potential signal degradation.
    2.    Volume Presets: Users can set a switch-on volume level, ensuring the amplifier starts at a consistent volume every time it is powered on, regardless of the last used setting. This feature helps prevent unexpected loud volumes when turning on the device.
    3.    Maximum Volume Limit: The volume control allows users to set a maximum volume limit, protecting speakers from being overdriven and preventing excessively loud playback that could disturb neighbors or damage equipment.
    4.    Low Distortion and Channel Separation: The custom-designed volume attenuator in the H590 ensures the lowest possible distortion and optimal channel separation, even at low volume levels, contributing to a cleaner and more detailed sound.
These features make the H590’s volume control both user-friendly and capable of maintaining high audio fidelity”. 

And more info:

“The Hegel H590 stands out in sound quality compared to the H360 due to several enhancements:
    1.    Power and Control: The H590 delivers over 300W per channel into 8 ohms, which is significantly more than the H360. This increased power allows the H590 to handle speakers with greater authority and dynamic range, providing a more robust and controlled sound.
    2.    Advanced Circuitry: The H590 features 12 ultra-fast, high-power output transistors per channel, compared to the H360’s eight. This contributes to its superior grip on speakers and ability to produce a more detailed and dynamic sound.
    3.    SoundEngine Technology: The H590 uses an advanced version of Hegel’s SoundEngine technology, which effectively reduces distortion and enhances dynamics. This results in a clearer, more natural sound with improved bass control.
    4.    DAC Improvements: The H590 includes a new DAC design that eliminates pre-ringing and allows the music signal to pass through in its original state, enhancing the naturalness and detail of the sound.
These improvements make the H590 capable of delivering a more transparent, detailed, and emotionally engaging listening experience than the H360”. 

More info:

”The Hegel H190 and H390 differ in several key aspects:
Sound Quality and Performance

• H390: Offers superior sound quality with better separation, imaging, and a warmer, more lifelike sound compared to the H190. It handles complex musical passages more effectively due to its advanced amplification and DAC capabilities.

• H190: While providing good performance, it is less refined than the H390, with a slightly more congested sound in complex tracks.
Design and Features

• H390: Features a dual mono design, which provides separate power supplies for each channel, enhancing channel separation and reducing interference. It also includes a more advanced DAC that supports higher resolution audio formats.

• H190: Does not have the dual mono setup, resulting in closer channel proximity and less robust power management compared to the H390.
Power Output

• H390: Delivers more power, which contributes to its ability to drive speakers with greater authority and dynamic range.

• H190: While powerful enough for most applications, it lacks the additional headroom provided by the H390.
These differences make the H390 a better choice for those seeking higher fidelity and more robust performance in their audio setup”

I asked Perplexity AI your question and its answer is below.   This is FYI only and I suggest you do additional research to include listening to these amps.  Please see below for background info only:

“The Hegel integrated amplifiers, including the H190, H390, and H590, are known for their high-quality audio performance and robust build.

Hegel H190

• Price and Positioning: The H190 is priced around $5,995 and is considered a solid choice for those looking for a balance between performance and cost.

• Sound Quality: It is praised for its warmth and clarity, making it a good option for those seeking an immersive sound without being overly analytical.

• Reliability: Users generally report good reliability, making it a reliable choice for long-term use.

Hegel H390

• Comparison with Other Models: The H390 offers more power and features than the H190 but is positioned below the flagship models like the H590.

• Sound Characteristics: It provides a significant upgrade in sound quality over entry-level models, offering more detailed and dynamic sound.

Hegel H590

• Power and Performance: The H590 is a powerhouse with 301Wpc into 8 ohms and about 580Wpc into 4 ohms. It features advanced circuitry that reduces distortion significantly, providing a high damping factor and low output impedance.

• Build and Features: It includes a new DAC design capable of natively decoding MQA, separate signal paths for MQA and non-MQA signals, and improved build quality over previous models.

• Market Position: Originally priced at £9,500, it has been reduced to £7,500 to clear stock, indicating its premium positioning in the market.

These models cater to different needs and budgets, with the H590 being suitable for audiophiles seeking top-tier performance”.