Hegel comparison

Sigh -- that's 500Mbps (WiFi 5 or 6), not 500Gbps.  We can dream...

Yeah, but by then my question will have morphed into: "How does the H600 compare to the H620?" 😉

But seriously, let’s say that I do go for a used $5500-7000 H590 plus outboard DAC. I’ve always like the HiFi Rose front-end, but, correct me if you think I’m off-base, I don’t think that any HFR DAC would be a significant upgrade from the Hegel integrated DAC. Any suggestions for a better fit in, I dunno, the $2-3000 range? I hate to spend a lot of money on a DAC b/c the technology is still improving every year.

And since DAC/streamers (like HFR) are now in the conversation, does anybody have first-hand feedback about the H590’s streaming capabilities (or lack of)? The only audio streaming services I ever use are Tidal & YouTube. My only functionality constraint is that I’d need to stream over 500Gbps+ Wifi. So any DAC purchase decision would primarily be a function of sonics & UI.

@kennyc

Yeah, I’ve heard consistently that the 600 DAC is a big upgrade. Not sure if it’s worth the $4-5000 price difference between a used 590 & a new 600, though.  E.g., I may be able to pick up a like-new PS Audio DirectWave (the first model, not the new MkII) for half that cost, including warranty.

It’s so tough having to buy these types of components with no opportunity to ever hear them first-hand. I miss the old days when there were hifi stores on every corner. But today, the closest dealers (and shows) would require a day in the air to reach.

@megabyte 

>I could be wrong but I believe the DAC is basically the same between the 2. In a technical sense the notable upgrade is 50 more watts. And a slightly beefier power supply. 

As I'm sure you'd agree, it's tough to sort through the responses to a question like this.  There are so many variables in everybody's system, power, and room, too many to list in most postings.

What I've gathered, by aggregating comments & reviews here & elsewhere, is that the H590's analog sound is a big step up from that of the H390; and that the H600's DAC is a big step up from the H590 DAC.

There doesn't seem to be consistency in what people hear re: other criteria.

@stuartk  and @soix  Thanks so much for the quick response.  I'll check out those links.

Is this the same Stu that was selling an H590 a few months ago? 

Looks like my PS Audio DAC deal fell through, and TBH I’m not broken-hearted NOT to be buying a DAC based on, what, a five-year-old design?

So now the question remains whether to pick up a 590 and an outboard DAC and/or streamer -- or just spend the bucks upfront for a 600.

To tell the truth, if I could find an Ayre EX-8 II integrated, with its highly praised internal DAC, that would be a perfectly acceptable single-purchase Plan B. Unfortunately, EX-8’s have suddenly become hard to find for some reason (even stores that advertise it as being available don’t actually have any in inventory), so I’m hesitant about buying one until I’m sure that this model is not about to be replaced. One more reason why a Hegel still seems like my best $10,000-ish option.

I guess nothing is simple when you’re buying audiophile gear w/o being able to hear it first. But maybe that’s just one more reason why I love this hobby. Sometimes "simple" is over-rated.

All these comments are very helpful -- thanks!

It seems like the decision is mutating into 590 v. 600.  I've heard nothing better than lukewarm comments about the 590's DAC, so maybe the decision is "590+outboard DAC" or 600...

@kennyc 

@hilroy48

I’m using Harbeths. I’ve heard many times over the years that they mate particularly well with Hegel & Ayre electronics.

What speakers / associated eqpt / sources gave you that "dull and flat" sound with the Hegel?  What other electronics worked better in your system?

This is useful information, thanks.

@avanti1960 

>the sound ranged from bland and lifeless to overly punchy and bass heavy to unrefined and overly detailed and bright.  

Whoa!  Is it even possible for one component to be flawed in ALL those ways?

I've never owned or heard Hegel gear, so I don't have a horse in this race.  The Hegel integrateds are contenders for me b/c of their superb connectivity, generally excellent reputation for sound quality, and relatively light weight (300 wpc Class A/B, 49lbs).  My integrated would have to fit into a complex-topology surround system, and laugh if you must, but 49 pounds for this much non-ClassD power makes a big difference to these old bones.

Your observations don't jibe with those of most Hegel owners I've spoken to.  But, hey, maybe a corollary to the Anthropic Principle could be at play.  People who own and love Hegel gear may just be self-selected from a subset of listeners who originally liked Hegel enough to buy it!  So your comments, as a non-owner who has heard Hegel in a variety of systems, are certainly valuable.

But could you expand a bit on your comments? What other components were configured when the Hegels sounded lifeless, overly detailed, bass heavy, bright, etc.?  I'm still trying to wrap my mind around those seemingly mutually-exclusive characteristics.

FWIW, as I mentioned above, Hegel and Ayre -- my two top contenders at the moment -- are both reputed to pair well with Harbeths.  In fact, I've been told that Harbeth uses Hegel electronics in its show rooms.

@kennymacc

So you're saying that after many hours of A-B'ing, you thought that the Ayre DAC was the best you heard, at least at a halfway similar price point?  And that you'd rank the Hegel only slightly below the Ayre?

Of course, a lot depends on associated equipment, power, and room, but what you say is consistent with much of what I've heard from other users who have gone out & actively auditioned DACs.