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Hegel or a Modwright

Hi,

I am looking to change out my amplifier and I'm interested in a Hegel H390 or possibly some kind of hybrid - possibly a Modwright KWH 225i. Its a small listening space (with quite a bit of glass) with Zu Druid Vs, a Brooklyn Bridge and a Clearaudio table running through a Chord Huei preamp. I was running a SET as the amplifier but I moved that into another system. That amp had great presence and I liked the tube sound.

Currently I am borrowing a Hegel Rost and it's enjoyable but seems a little less 'emotional' than the SET and I am wondering if the Modwright KWH 225i would have more of that tube character.

What do people think of H390 and KWH 225i?

silverandblackisback
stuartk
2,780 posts
 

The Hegel is a great amp but if the tube sound is what you crave, the Hegel is not going to scratch that itch.

 

 

jtcf's avatar
jtcf
1,617 posts
 

I have a Modwright KWA120SE that I use in the summer instead of my tube amp. My speakers are Zu Omen Defs. It is sort of tubey sounding. It's both sweet and clear and rounds off the leading edges just a little. I like how it separates instruments and vocals from one another and the feeling of effortless power.

I just put it back in the system at the first of the month and it took about 3 days to settle in(about 12hours?) after sitting idle for so long. Of course it's missing the nuances that only tubes can do IMHO.But it's not dry or harsh ever. Hope this helps as you ponder your next move.

silverandblackisback OP
1 posts
 

Thanks for the inputs! I decided to take the plunge on a Decware and I'll keep the loaner Rost in the system for now and postpone a decision on something solid state.

jtcf's avatar
jtcf
1,617 posts
 

👍

curiousjim's avatar
curiousjim
4,700 posts
 

@silverandblackisback,

I have a H390 and while I wouldn’t call it cold sounding, it sure isn’t anything like a SET rig! I’ve had tube separates since the eighties and the Hegel is my first  integrated amp. It has the built in DAC and streamer, so there’s something, but I’m still trying to decide if I’m going to keep it.

All the best.

JD

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