I recently sold my Hegel H360 (mint condition) for around $3,200. If you can find a deal like that, then it's really a no brainer for you to try it. H360 is a solid amp that is both powerful and excellent sounding. It's definitely one of the best integrated amps under $10k. I've never heard the Constellation amp before, but I doubt it is 2 or 3 times better than Hegel.
Hegel H360 or H590 or Constellation Inspiration Integrated 1.0 for Magico A3
I recently heard the Magico A3s and really liked them. The dealer said they are often combined with the Constellation Inspiration Integrated 1.0 at shows. After a lot of searching on Google, I can't find any pictures or reference to this combination. However, I did find a number of references to the A3s being combined with Hegel amps, including by Alon Wolf who said it would be a very good combination and led the author of the article to speculate that the A3s may have been "voiced" by Magici using the Hegel H360. I have not yet been able to listen to the A3s with either the Hegel H360 or H590 or the Constellation amp. I would be interested in everyone's thoughts as to the best integrated amplifier for the A3s for $13,500 (the price of the Constellation amp) or less.
Showing 7 responses by respected_ent
I've had several Hegel integrated amps before. No problem with the build quality even though the front panel has a very simple design. I've since upgraded to a Luxman L-590AXII, which is in a different league in terms of build and sound quality. I had always wanted to get Gryphon but after I got my Lux, I no longer have that desire any more. I've heard the Gryphon Diablo 300 with the YG speakers and the A3 with the T+A PA 3100 HV at an audio show earlier this year. I am also familiar with the Vitus sound because my friend had a Vitus RI-100. These are all very good amps. |
I was also there at the Lonestar Audio Show, and the T+A and A3 combo sounded pretty good. The A3 wasn't fully broken in at that time I think. Here are my youtube clips (taken with my cell phone) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUQqBYl7Y5k https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOPSwuKMFTU |
@dguitarnut, how would you describe the difference between Diablo 120 and 360 sonically? Obviously they share the same Gryphon house sound. Although the 120 should have no trouble driving most speakers out there, my assumption is that the extra power from the 300 should give more resolution, clarity, dynamics, and sound stage to the music. |