Hegel H90 external DAC setup


Hi All, I’ve got a Hegel H90 and have been trying to experiment with upgrading to an external DAC.

I purchased a Musical Fidelity MX-DAC, but not entirely sure how to use this as the main converter and bypass the H90s internal D/A conversion. I mainly use the Hegel AirPlay network functionality to stream Qobuz, don’t want to use a laptop to stream. 
I noticed that higher level Hegels have a DAC loop function where the internal converter can be disabled to allow for an external converter. My model doesn’t have this, so hoping there might be a workaround.


cd45123

Showing 5 responses by cd45123

Ok, was able to set this up the other day. Using coax out of the Bluesound to the coax in of the MX-DAC and then analog out from the DAC to the Hegel. 
Sound is...ok. Hegel is louder at a volume match. I imagine due to the internal streamer of the integrated only going through one set of cable vs 3 for the Node 2i. 
I ordered 2 audioquest cables - 1 coax, 1 rca to try and reduce that issue. Instruments seem tighter on with the MX-DAC, greater clarity to instruments and separation, so hoping a couple of quality cables can assist with this further.
Thanks, I did this actually - connecting to the analog input on the Hegel with the rca but couldn’t tell a difference...if I have two DACs, the external one is now handling all the conversion or it’s being converted again? Guess it’s a strange setup what I’m trying.

I’d have to check again. I keep hearing how the DAC in the H90 isn’t as good as the H120 and thought maybe a $900 external would make a difference.
Thanks, turnbowm. 
Let me add to the complexity... if I’m using the network function to stream over airplay,  Hegel is telling me that the analog in of the external DAC isn’t used. 
I just bought a Bluesound Node 2i, that DAC is inferior to the H90 to my ears, but I’m thinking I can route the external DAC into the Bluesound through an optical connection and then back into the Hegel through coax. This Musical Fidelity MX-DAC has balanced and rca outs, coax and optical ins. Seems like the Bluesound and the external DAC need to talk to each other directly, not both separately connected to Hegel...I think...
Talked to Hegel support and it seems like I’d need to connect the external DAC to an external streamer that goes into the Hegel. 
I just picked up a Bluesound Node 2i, but not sure if I can connect an external DAC to this since it only has outputs. I imagine that analog out on the DAC to analog out on the streamer won’t work.