So far, I've been enjoying the Hegel in my system. There is a smoothness and effortless quality that I enjoy. The sound-stage is both taller and deeper and dynamics are improved as well as detail. Bass has improved in terms of clarity but of course, the system is still constrained by the limited frequency response of the Silverline monitors.
My fears that it might strike me as clinical, cold, dry or overly forward have not, as yet, been realized.
I'm listening strictly through the Aqua DAC.
Unfortunately, my particular collection of components doesn't afford the capacity to utilize the on-board DAC while also keeping the Schiit Lokius in the chain. And as the on-board DAC is bound to be more forward, this is an issue for me.
The Hegel has already brought considerably more air and resolution and with some CDs, I do feel a need to bolster the lower mids with the Lokius. Other times, however, I end up using the EQ to accentuate the highs. This brings up another point: the Hegel appears to reveal differences in sonic presentation between CDs more evidently than the Wells.
In any event, I cannot envision using the Hegel's own DAC without having access to the Lokius.
As things stand, the system may provide enough improvement in resolution without upgrading my transport or DAC. We shall see-- I need to do a lot more listening.