Sibling Rivalry: Hegel H400 vs H190V

The boys give their thoughts on Hegel's newest integrated amp, the H400, and how it stacks up against the almost new H109v
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Audio Excellence Inc. is a high-end audio/video store in Markham, Ontario, Canada, a suburb of Toronto. We've been in business since 1991.
Check out our interviews with designers and audio luminaries like Daryl Wilson of Wilson Audio, Paul McGowan of PS Audio, Paolo Tezzon of Sonus Faber, Wendell Diller of Magnepan, John Atkinson of Stereophile, Dan D'Agostino of D'Agostino Master Audio Systems, Nelson Pass of Pass Labs and others.
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[@muhammadikhwan4064]

Thank you for thorough and fun reviews. While the sound quality of Hegel is undeniable, the support I got (or rather didn’t get) from Hegel when my H390 left channel went dead after barely few hundred hours of gentle home use should be an alarm for future potential buyers.

[@1JRW1]

A comparison with a Naim amplifier will be extremely interesting (as long as it is not the new Class D).

[@ronmurphy4234]

I'm sorry, when I heard Bolero... all I could think about was Bo Derek running down the beach in 10.

[@stephencosta6814]

I was only 10 years old when that was out. I never forgot it either.

[@nirodha35]

Right. A 10 makes you think of Bo D. It is a logical thought. Connecting a “10” with Hegel would be a stretch🤭

[@stephencosta6814]

@@nirodha35 😆

[@dennisng4627]

Thank you AEC for your honest opinions, knowledge & experience in accessing audio equipment. Additionally, introducing your viewers to music that’s not in our radar. May I suggest one of my favorite albums: Pat Metheny & Charlie Haden, “Beyond the Missouri Sky” on Verve. Pure acoustic bass & guitar. Also, mastered at Sterling Sound for its natural acoustic reproduction. Of all, making audio fun. ✌🏼& 🎼

[@adrianlow2114]

Great album! Thanks for reminding me

[@maheshratnamrajan171]

I think the H190V vs McIntosh 252 vs Accuphase E380 vs Primare would be a more ideal comparison. I don’t think anyone looking at a budget of the 190v is going to look at the 400 and vice versa.

[@BobMetcalf]

hi and thanks as always for your fun and informative chats. I was wondering, with only 50W per channel difference between the Hegel 400 and 600, is it a wow difference in sound?

[@HegelMusicSystem]

Of course, we are not the best at giving an objective review on that so we will refrain from trying. However, we can add that the power suply is actually around 40% bigger and we use 40% more output transistors. The H600 also has a different volume attenuator that is more silent. Those three would be the largest technical differences. There are many other smaller ones. If it translates to absolute sound differences and whether that is worth the extra money must be up to others to decide. We obviously think it is. :)

[@adrianlow2114]

@@HegelMusicSystem Nice of you to join us!👌

[@HegelMusicSystem]

@@adrianlow2114 Of course we follow. :) /Anders

[@alaincayer8999]

Adam Ben Ezra is a double-bass player.

[@GShockWatchFan.]

The guy with glasses please provide more information on specifics. Of course the 400 will sound more, apart from the bass how?

[@iborrada]

What happened to the lady that was working at AEC?

[@Kukkema]

What are your thoughts on Simaudio?

[@richardsaila8073]

No offer, no thoughts.

[@adrianlow2114]

We only review products we carry, and unfortunately we don't carry Simaudio.

[@Kukkema]

@@adrianlow2114 Seems nobody reviews Simaudio .. Appreciate your answer.

[@clarkson427]

I have both amps for home demo and they're both very good. Of course the 400 was was better so it should as it's nearly double the price. I agree with what you guys say, the bass extension was amazing and never ending my speaker only wanted more. I was more at 100dB MV 54, pure heaven

[@xstensl8823]

how would the 390 compare to the Rega Aethos?

[@adrianlow2114]

Don't know, we only review products we represent

[@deanbrandon3615]

Seems that the higher wattage makes a difference, but is it a difference that is mainly noticeable with larger, high end speakers? Moderate but high quality speakers, may be a difference, but may not as much? I have an H190.

[@adrianlow2114]

I don't think it has to do so much with the higher power. We were not playing at very high levels.

[@sampoury8085]

H400 vs H600

[@ChrisCiapala]

I enjoyed the video a lot, not a breaking news, the better amp is, well better. Mike, next time when talking, please keep your hands away from the beard perhaps? ;)

[@CharlyTrotter]

It might be more accurate to state 4 Ohm wpc for both amps and not 8 Ohm, since you're audition with SF Sonetto and these are 4 ohm nominal impedance speakers

[@adrianlow2114]

Unfortunately the factory does not state 4ohm numbers

[@Skye_the_toller]

Damping factor… 4000…. While McIntosh MC462 is « only » 40… what to think about that notion???

[@billspencer8540]

They just try to impress since their internal wire mess yields a rather unimpressive THD figure.

[@unclewilbur8976]

There are people who apparently know this business who don’t put much importance in damping factor. Others insist it’s important. I used to think it was very important, but then I saw that DAgostino’s damping factor is typically around 45 or 50. So, I’m not likely to disagree with one of the great masters. Current is very important though, unless you have easy to drive speakers.

[@paulpaulzadeh6172]

I have found new for you YOUN SUN NAH , Try this one song " Anak ". Most of her sounds like silky 🎉 flowers, colorful, nice high dynamics 👋👋👋👋👋

[@adrianlow2114]

Yes she's quite wonderful

[@CarlVanDoren61]

Coda v3 800w@4ohm Magnepan 20.7s 😊

[@rvbsoundfactory]

Oh dear.

[@Kiwi_Col]

Your volume is all over the place, and the 'Stable Volume' setting is greyed out. Not great for a 'Audio Excellence' company.

[@AmbientAudioDystopia]

Nobody cares. It's been discussed before. They film during off-hours but the editing is done while the store is open so the guys editing have to deal with the volume of all the demo rooms going. The foyer where they edit usually has two systems going on, plus people coming and going plus the guys aren't really editing, they're doing their regular duties and when they have a free moment they do a few minutes of editing So yes, not the greatest production quality, Nobody cares.

[@Kiwi_Col]

@@AmbientAudioDystopia Thanks

[@unclewilbur8976]

@@AmbientAudioDystopia It sounds like you’ve been around the shop frequently. As a joke, you should ask Lewis and Mike if they are brothers. They look so much alike.😊

[@howardmims8376]

You're hearing the power difference. A 250 or 300 and Y amp.Will always sound more dynamic because they are

[@ulrichgorlich6292]

Sorry, it is translated to German and I can't stand it. Awfull google idea and no way to turn it of.

[@jameslast3192]

Please get rid of the old guy with the glasses. His mindless bumbling is tiresome and irritating.