Hegel H120 Review vs Schiit Aegir and VTV Purifi, onboard vs Bluesound Node 2, best all-in-one???

The Hegel H195 left a good taste in the mouth of the Audiofool, so quite excited to try out the little brother, H120, as having the same tech should make it sound very similar, if not the same. This would be top pick against the Naim Atom or Arcam SA30, but let's hatch the eggs before counting the chickens... Let's see how this pairs against the Schiit Aegir and the super cool VTV Purifi. Also in the video, the H120 onboard DAC vs the Bluesound Node 2.
2:29 Closer Look
3:15 Comparison to Schiit Aegir
5:10 Comparison to VTV Purifi
7:22 Onboard DAC compared to Bluesound Node 2
Links to Sound Demos: • Audiofool Sound Demo 0...

[@noahsherman]

Hopefully the Audiofool hasn't retired. We need more of his comparison videos, they were the best on the internet.

[@ramencurry6672]

He’s awesome

[@brucemitchell5092]

Thanks for this review. I really enjoy your consistent comparison-based format.

[@TheAudiofool]

Glad you like them! I never made sense of reviews without comparisons, and hopefully, this will help other hobbyists.

[@kevinweber5129]

@@TheAudiofool haven’t seen a review recently. Hope you are ok. Hope you can review new Elac Unifi Reference.

[@TheAudiofool]

@@kevinweber5129 Thanks for the thoughts. Unfortunately, finance has been really tight and I need to stop buying stuff for a while. Hopefully, I can tide this over and get back onboard soon.

[@seanb3303]

Great reviews. I hope you never sell out!

[@TheAudiofool]

Thanks! Appreciate it.

[@ramencurry6672]

Great videos. It was a great run

[@jon4715]

Another great video

[@TheAudiofool]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@winchwhip]

Have you had the chance to compare the Aegir to the SMSL VMV A1 amp?

[@CC-bg8gf]

Very useful review as usual. I really like the fact that you don't put any product on a pedestal. Each product has strengths and weaknesses and we can see better what those are with the comparisons you make. You've reviewed a bunch of good amps in the last couple of years. What is your favorite amp to use with the ATC SCM19 amongst these amps or amongst any other amp that you've tried with the ATC?

[@TheAudiofool]

Glad it was helpful! I've always found myself drawn to the Aegirs regardless of any speaker I use despite it's shortcomings. Not really well suited for larger rooms and not the paper partner for the SCM19s though I do like it the most. Apart from the Aegir, they sound quite good with Hegel H120 and the Plinius Hautonga.

[@michaelswitzer3186]

Thank you for the very good review. I own the Graham ls6 speakers which I Purchased for their lush, warm, mid range. My priority are 9:28 vocals, basically female, and melodic music. Based on your view, I’m leaning against getting the H120 or the H 95 because of their lean mid range. So I’m considering either the NAD C700 or the Node. Would you have an opinion as to whether it’s worth spending the extra money for the C 700 if my priority is maintaining the warm mid range of the speakers? Thank you.😮

[@erichill5328]

Which model of VTV Purify amplifier did you use in this comparisons test?

[@funcionyforma]

Hi, between h120 and blak, can you share a little take?. Both for the same price (h120 new, blak used). Thanks!

[@Fiend404]

did you sell your pioneer m22?

[@sadge9697]

Thanks for the interesting video. I've been using the VTV Purifi for over a year, but I've always really wanted to try a Hegel amp. Which do you prefer overall?

[@TheAudiofool]

That would really depend on what you want to improve from the Purifi? You want a bit more sparkle or more bass bloom, then yes, maybe it could be for you. I would suggest trying out EQ first to get the sound to your liking. As for me, I'ved already sold the Hegel and still keeping the Purifi with a NAD C658 as I'm using it more for TV/Movies; not that it sounds better, but it's a cheaper alternative where neutral sound matters more.

[@sadge9697]

@@TheAudiofool Thanks!

[@myronhelton4441]

@@TheAudiofool Click links for albums with best sound. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fGfchnSAjNh6mtE kzbin.info/www/bejne/iomlmH1ols-dh9U kzbin.info/www/bejne/eGnKooSJeauoeZI

[@connorduke4619]

Excellent review! think the Hegel H120 amplifier section considerably outperforms its ESS Dac section, so would combine it with a less clinical R2R Dac like Ladder Schumann and then you should have a powerhouse performer.

[@alanhuth7568]

Which op-amp/buffer did you have in the VTV Purifi? Do you think the different op-amp/buffers make a big difference?

[@TheAudiofool]

I got the Sparkos 2590. they do make a difference as the reference op-amp is even flatter. That said, I still want to color the sound further to my liking and so would probably just get the stock then find a pre-amp.

[@alanhuth7568]

@@TheAudiofool Good. I got the Hypex buffer (stock), so I was always wondering whether these op-amps are worth it. What pre-amps do you like?

[@TheAudiofool]

@@alanhuth7568 I usually like the Freya+ in passive, but as you would expect, this doesnt color the music one bit. Currently playing around with a minidsp nanodigi and doing all the equa work in the digital realm with good results.

[@jbf2858]

What are you using for a preamp with the Schiit Aegir? I love my Aegir!

[@TheAudiofool]

I love my Aegir too! Using the Freya+ in passive mode most of the time unless the source is single ended, where I turn on the buffer (non tube).

[@gtk_NO]

@@TheAudiofool Im curious about using Hegel P20 with Aegirs.

[@TheAudiofool]

@@gtk_NO A Freya in passive noise has lower SINAD than the Benchmark LA4; can't really see how using a P20 can make a big difference unless you really like the sound of the P20. But I think it would be better paired with an amp in the same price range as the P20, or with the H20 itself.

[@gtk_NO]

​@@TheAudiofoolSchiit gear is a hassle (takes like 4 months) for me to get wheras Hegel that is basically in my back yard I live an hour from Hegel HQ. That was actually my plan to listen to the P20 in isolation with the option to add a seperate system with the H20 later. First it takes 1-2 months for Schiit to assemble the product if they are on backorders etc, then a month to ship, then with the current corona situation etc thats stuck in customs here for 2 additional months. Yes express freight is possible but the cost goes up. Its unfortunate I hesitated though, as the P20 just saw a $600 price increase for some reason from $2400. Seemed they brought it in line with USA prices.

[@warrenwillis6477]

Which do you think sounds the best at low volumes, say 68db and lower?

[@TheAudiofool]

I'm afraid I can't answer that question as I always have the need to turn it up to at least 75... so probably the same amp I prefer in higher volumes, which in this case would be the Aegir.

[@jbf2858]

Where are you Audiofool??? You're missed. Hope you are well and come back soon!

[@TheAudiofool]

Thanks for the concern. I am doing okay, however, current circumstances doesn't allow me to listen a lot so I've decided to hold off purchases until I get a more regular schedule. Will get back to making videos once the opportunity arises.

[@stang362008]

You stated the Aegir has a more Holographic soundstage then the Hegel, but In all my reviews I have read or watched, this is a HUGE characteristic of the Hegel, are you sure? I'll let you know when I receive my H190 soon...

[@TheAudiofool]

Pretty much. Enough for me to dispose of my Hegel... Don't really read/watch a lot of reviews but don't really recall any mention of Hegel being more holographic than other amps; do let me know how you find the comparison between your aegir and h190.

[@hclandscapes]

How does this H120 compare to the H190, is there a big difference?

[@TheAudiofool]

Personally, I don't find the differences significant and not really worth the extra cost; if you dont need the extra power, the H120 should be good enough.

[@gene8933]

Where did you go?

[@TheAudiofool]

Sorry, don't have much time to spend listening in the past few months so I also stopped buying stuff. I'll come back again once the opportunity arises.

[@williammorales8204]

Why no more reviews?

[@TheAudiofool]

Current work has me away of my listening room, and don't have enough time to evaluate properly. Hopefully I'll have more content next year.

[@williammorales8204]

@@TheAudiofool thank you for your time.

[@andreacountry8471]

Why you don't make new video?

[@TheAudiofool]

Work right doesn't give me a lot of time to listen so I'll have to put off.

[@TheIoMeroMero]

Oh man, I find this channel puts Schiit gear almost on top of any other gear. I don't know, Rick...

[@AudioBeastuk]

How come you haven't got the kef Ls50 meta yet?? It could be your new reference point.

[@TheAudiofool]

THanks for wathcing. That was the original plan, but personally wasn't too impressed at the showroom, and I'd much rather spend it on something else. Maybe after a while when they start discounting it bigger or if I find a good deal used.

[@ulgn1964]

Wifi is not important for me, i always use a cable, 1gbit connection it's much faster and better.

[@paulomontero12]

Get your ears checked guy! Hegel is the superior in every aspect

[@j_delabadia]

if it had wifi and bluetooth i wouldn't have bought it.