Mst,
Can you describe more on the "use of dialectic wires" please?
Transnova,
What amplifiers had you compared the Hegel when you had it? What amps do you currently have in your system?
Thanks for the feedback. Would like to know more on these amps. |
Transnova,
You owned some very good brands/models of amps. Good for you. Thanks for letting me know.
Jferreir,
Yes I do feel a bit adventurous sometime. One time was to experiment a TVC with an integrated amp. But then I did checkout with forums members, users and the firms themselves about the combination. I finally decided that the TVC would probably suite my system. And guess what - it works great!! So now I want to move to next level of amplification and you might see my threads in this and other forums. I don't feel that there is anything wrong in asking/checking with other members. Infact it would be wrong if we don't ask - especially when we have such great forums with so many user experiences.
I will wait for CES 2010 and check for more reports. I am also interested to know what Aragon/Acurus debut during this show. If everything else does not suit me, then I will go get the Parasound A21 or keep an eye on the audiogon for used Plinius/Perreaux. Technically, the amp should be high sensitive (<= 1.5V for max output) to match my TVC. Sound quality does matter of course. I am also want to find out, in what way the "current" spec affects sound quality. For eg. the Parasound A21 is 250Watts and outputs 60A current, but the Hegel H20 is 200Watts and outputs 120A. |
Ellyjr,
Maybe the Aragon is an older design compared to the A21? I am leaning towards the A21 too. For the cost of Hegel, I might as well get the A21 and have have some dough left to buy a used Marantz Reference series CD player. |
Jferreir/Mst,
I searched the net and found the term. I was probably too engrossed in searching for info. on the amps. No issues from my side.
Happy Holidays to you too :-) |
Found some information here:
http://www.ippinkan.com/hegel_h20_h100.htm |
Hi guys,
Need a favour from the lucky few who will be visiting the CES 2010. Can you please (please, please) check out the Hegel H20 amp? I have narrowed my choices down to the Hegel H20 and the Parasound A21 at this point in time and need to buy one ASAP. I am loosing my mind trying to find out which one best matches in my system.
I have heard great things about the Aragon and Acurus brands, but don't know what products they will launch at CES.
Thanks much, |
And they are coming out with the H30 mono-blocks:
http://www.avguide.com/article/hegel-previews-1400-watt-monoblock-h30-power-amp-munich-2010?src=Playback |
Hi Rafael,
I am aware of the H2O you mentioned. Here is the H20 I am talking about: http://www.hegel.com/h20.htm
H20 VS H2O :-)
What I intend to find out is - Is the Hegel H20 worth the premium over Parasound A21 at more than two times the cost of the Parasound? I know that I cannot go wrong with the A21. I have not come across one user experience that dismisses these amps as "bad". Most people consider them as "not as good as the ultimate", which is a very good thing for the price they command.
Class D is something I considered before (W4S, NuForce, CIA, etc). But looks like they might not go as well with a TVC, as a regular class AB amp would go. |
BTW, The Hegel H20 is true balanced and delivers more current compared to the A21 (130amps vs 60amps). I don't think the A21 is true balanced. A true balanced amp would make a positive impact in my system(I believe - but I may be wrong), as the TVC is true balanced. I don't know how much of a difference the "current" ratings would make. |
Magfan,
I am trying to understand technical stuff here. And that is why I mentioned that I do not know what "ampere ratings" mean. Please do explain about voltage and how voltage and current figures affect a speaker's performance. Would like to know more about this topic.
Thanks, |
Rafael,
Thanks for the link. And good to know that the combination of TVC + Spectrons worked fine for you.
Magfan,
I get your point on the voltage and current. This was explained in detail in the link Rafael provided. My next question is, what is the link between "class" of an amp and it's wattage? I do not believe that a 50 Watts Class A amp will drive a speaker better than 100 watts class AB or D. It might sound better, but not "drive" better. Isn't more power always better than less power, to get more "headroom" for a better sound? |
Jnk,
Thanks much for your feedback. And what a timing!!
Yes, the price is a bit forbidding and even a good deal is very pricey on the H20. I am guessing it is a good amp, based on what you mentioned. But at twice the cost of the Parasound A21?
And by timing I meant - I found an article by Norway's Audio Fidelity's group test in May-2004 of the following amps: Hegel HP-4A transistor amplifier, EAR 509 Silver Jubilee tube, McIntosh 275 (revisited) tube, Dynamic Precision DP A-1 transistor amplifier, Naim integrated transistor amplifier, Tandberg Huldra 10 transistor radio, Rotel RA-1062 integrated transistor amplifier, Rotel RB-1090 power amplifier transistor, PB SDA 2175 semi-digital power amplifier, Embla ICE power digital mono blocks, Parasound A-21 transistor amplifier. They declared the A21 as a winner based on price/performance ratio. Some comments on the A21 were (Norwegian to English conversion) "Only a tiny hardness up reveals that this is not entirely same class as Hegel and DP to double times the price. Flaws little weight at the very bottom in terms of super amps to Hegel and the DP, but it has a warm and lush sound balance without being gross or fat. There was no blurring of detail and body and here is the air in plenty. Female Voices are bold reproduced with high 'femme fatale' factor."
The conclusion was "Another råbra amplifier that has the appearance that a more expensive amplifiers, the build quality as a more expensive amplifiers, have powers like a more expensive amplifier. And as the most important; also sonically is Para Sound A-21 very closely on a lot expensive stuff! It has a perfectly delicious body
with lush lower midrange, solid dypbass and a brave and småfrekk upper midrange that gives music high gøyfaktor. An unusual blend of soft warm and quick, sparkling transients! "
I am at this point heavily leaning towards a A21. |
Sabai,
Will wait to read your review. Not that I am looking to change, but just curious. I was at one point interested in H20. But I could not audition it before buying. |
For some reason, people really LOVE numbers. Nope, there is a specific reason that people love numbers. The reason being they do not have enough experience with different amplifiers and only numbers make sense to them. And this, I believe, will come as we get deeper into this hobby. It is a learning curve and most of the audiophiles have gone through this, I guess. |
Danwkw, good to know that at least 1 more person on this forum owns a Hegel. According to Hegel, the H20 is based on their H10 anniversary model and is the best amplifier from Hegel. There is not a single Hegel dealer near me where I can go and audition it. My system is neither bright or analytical. I am assuming that you have sold off the Hegel. |
The new amp (whichever I get) will be used to drive my Quad 21L speakers. Please note that I am really not targeting high power. I want more "headroom" as they say. Should make the speakers sing with "ease" at low levels without affecting the music in a negative way. I mentioned in another thread about how I could easily make a difference in a pair of Silver i being driven by NAD VS Krell. There was a sense of "ease" when the PSBs were driven by Krell monoblocks.
And eventually down the years, I may upgrade my speakers. But I don't see that happening anytime soon. Not because of budget issue, but more so because I am very happy with my Quads. |
I understand from the Hegel site that the H20 is also 200W/channel. The H10 is 300W/channel and is a special edition. |
I purchased a Parasound A21. The Hegel H20 may have been better - who knows. But it costs a lot of money and I would have been the first person in the US to get it. Maybe I will have a chance to upgrade to Hegel some years down the line. In the meanwhile I am enjoying my A21. |
Talk2me,
You have had experience with some of the very highly regarded amp. I believe you that the Hegel is a fine amp. But the A21 (given it's price) is no slouch either. Look at the comparison of amps in this mag: http://www.audiofidelity.no/comlete_mags/10.pdf.
Now look, I have already accepted that the grapes are sour. Don't tempt me more. Nah...I really like the A21. It is gonna take a mega-buck amp to make me upgrade. |
What made you angry? There I bite... :-) |
Talk2me/Bill_k,
Did you read this review about the H20?
http://www.soundstage.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=192:hegel-music-systems-h20-stereo-amplifier&catid=55:full-length-reviews&Itemid=4 |
Tbg,
Yes, I did go through stereotimes.com site where it was mentioned. Hope you get the amp soon, for a review.
Bill_k,
Talk2me had the H10. Maybe the H20 is a much better amp than H10 and what you are hearing in your system might be might close to the $36K Burmester...who knows. But good to know that you are enjoying the Hegel. I considered this amp in my search last year and hence I started this thread. But I had no way to audition it in person. Hence I decided not to go for it. |
Talk2me,
You are the only person on the forum, that I know of, who uses Hegel's higher end amps. You should check out the H30 with yourself...he he he. Just kidding. Here is a forum where you might get your answer:
http://avforum.no
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=no&u=http://avforum.no/&ei=Lj5FS-faHZHllAeFsq0V&sa=X&oi=translate&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CBQQ7gEwAA&prev=/search%3Fq%3DAVforum.no%26hl%3Den |
