Hegel Design Flaw?

Sorry it was not posted -- I stated the problem in an earlier post that was deleted. The problem was one channel producing distorted sound or no sound at all. Hegel first hung up on me calling my case "bulls**t". Then they agreed to talk to me to try to help "in whatever way we can". But after 45 minutes on the phone with their customer service manager they refused to help -- in any way.

Have you tried not running the H20 in a series with the Atma-Sphere S30 and Paul Speltz ZERO-Autoformers?

08-21-15: Denon1
Couple years ago I bought brand new Hegel amp (HS4A). from the first time I plugged it in, it started to develop smell coming from the unit. In spite of my concerns and complains, Hegel kept saying it is normal and nothing should be done. Eventually (after about 400 hours of use with smell still present) I sold this amp.

If purchased new, why didn't you ask dealer for a refund or exchange for another one?

08-22-15: Sabai
Knghifi,

I did not run the H20 in series.

Just checking ... maybe you should. LOL!

Seriously, if purchased new, I would work with the dealer.

If use, is it possible you purchased a damaged H20 or got damaged in transit? I would contact your local Hegel importer for the nearest authorized Hegel repair facility and have it checked out. It's possible just defective parts and not a design flaw.

IMO, creating a thread "Hegel Design Flaw?" is preponderance before gathering all the facts.

I have a H30 and have exchanged emails with Magnus Holhjem of Hegel in Sweden and he's been very helpful. All my questions were answered in a timely manner.

I tried to work with Hegel and the dealer for months. They would not budge. Both insisted there must be something wrong with my system. They insisted I eliminate whatever was preventing the H20 from integrating with my system. The only problem is there is nothing wrong with my system. This was a Catch-22 for me. There was really only one possible decision.

Sabai, did you try H20 with another preamp, bypass pre and go direct from DS to the amp or not run your ICs in a series? Probably just an incompatible with your pre ...

I am completely puzzled that you have sold back the amp at a huge loss without bringing it back to be hooked up in the dealer's system to show that it was the amp itself and not your system that was at fault. Incredible, man!

+1. If purchased from a dealer, just return it so puzzled with HUGE LOSS.

I do not run ICs in series anymore. So that was not an issue.

So you FINALLY see (hear) the light? I guess there's hope for you afterall. LOL!

Nothing wrong with Atmasphere but now you need an amp that can drive your speakers to its potential.

The Atma-Sphere S-30 drives the Raidho C1.1s with more than enough headroom thanks to Paul Speltz Zero-Autotransformers.

I never understood why adding a transformer to an OTL just to make it work. Either buy a bigger OTL or different type of amp IMO.

I auditioned Atma-Sphere M-60 with Paul Speltz Zero-Autotransformer driving Acoustic Zen Crescendo. It sounds fantastic on less demanding material but overall had trouble controlling the speaker. Acoustic Zen Crescendo is much easier to drive than C1.1.

There are 3 or 4 levels of adjustment with the Zero-Autotransformers. Perhaps the level was not the correct one. Is that possible? I am puzzled about your lack of success with the Speltz. How did this control problem manifest itself in terms of SQ?

I know there are different levels of adjustments.

I was at a BM and the dealer setup the system. I was considering Atma-Sphere MA-2 and wanted to reacquaint myself with their sound again.

I only demo with Zero-Autotransformers in the chain but dealer told me with Zero-Autotransformers, SQ and transparency suffered a little but has better speaker control. I forgot his reason not getting MA-1 so he needed Zero-Autotransformers.

With my system, SQ and transparency improved a lot with the S-30. I can think of 2 possibilities here -- the driver tubes and system synergy. It took me months to find the best tubes for the S-30. And it has taken years to optimize the S-30 with cables, tweaks and accessories. So, the reason for this happening in your case may not be apparent.

Do you know what OTL stands for? Output transformerLESS. From my novice understanding is removing the transformer will improves the SQ, transparency, linearity ...

The reason your system sounds better with Zero-Autotransformer is you bought the wrong size amp. But if you get improved SQ and transparency by adding a Zero-Autotransformer to an OTL, who am I to argue.

I take back what I said earlier, there's no hope for you after all.