Hegel H400 vs Accuphase E280

Adrian is back and offers his thoughts on how Hegel's newest member of its integrated line-up, the H400, stacks up against Accuphase's E280
H400 Reviewed
• Hegel's H400 Integrate...
E280 Reviewed
• Accuphase E280 Full Re...
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[@klaverro]

This is exactly why I, after 7 years of several Hegel amps (H190, H390, H590), moved over to an Accuphase e700. Hegel H400 and H600 are very good amps (even tested with Luxman L509Z) but it's the Accuphase that makes my feet tapping and drove me back into the music.

[@edamiryan]

Имел такой же опыт, браво!

[@33-einDrittel]

Since I first heard an Accuphase in the late '80s, I longed for one. However, being way out of my price range for many years, I resigned myself to thinking my dream would never come true. A few years ago, I was finally able to purchase an E-250, and I couldn't be happier. The warm, lush, detailed but never never harsh sound, the retro look and the incredible build quality are everything I could wish for and all I need for the rest of my life. I often get up and purposely avoid using the remote, just to turn the volume control and enjoy its grand feel of solid, smooth goodness. ;-) Thank you for your review, and greetings from Vienna, Austria 👍

[@DieTabbi]

How much of what you thought you heard have you heard and how much was imagination? Under 0.1% have absolute hearing and could hear a difference. Even in my music university we discuss the myth of high end instruments. Anyway glad you found yourway

[@33-einDrittel]

@@DieTabbi I compared two of my old amps directly with the Accuphase over a week, and the difference was overwhelming. Absolute hearing is simply the ability to identify or reproduce a musical note without any external reference; it has nothing to do with the appreciation of sound quality, which isn't directly tied to perfect pitch. I fully acknowledge that psychoacoustics play a major role in HiFi, but some changes in a system chain are so obvious that they can't just be dismissed as imagination. The best part of my purchase is that the amplifier issue is now resolved for me, which helps me sleep much better. 🙂

[@adrianlow2114]

Congratulations! Enjoy it!

[@zizendorf]

@@DieTabbi Not that there's anything wrong with confirmation bias. Why? Because perception is reality. The magnificence of the human inner-ear and psycho-acoustics is beyond scientific knowledge.

[@xfloodcasual8124]

@@DieTabbi what music university was that

[@unclewilbur8976]

I enjoyed this video. And it seems like you enjoyed making it. 😊

[@adrianlow2114]

You sir are absolutely correct!

[@markjeroendurr2626]

The Hegel could be perfect for a lot of people that don't get the bug of constantly upgrading a dac or streamer, but the Accuphase is a pure analog amp where you have to add sources. And that's what I prefer for in the end your system will last longer. Thanks for your review and cheers from Sydney!

[@weizenobstmusli8232]

And you can buy an external dac that is better than that in the Hegel for a couple hundred bucks.

[@CharlyTrotter]

All top range Hegel amps have a DAC loop, hence you could seamlessly upgrade with an external DAC. Built-it streamer is Roon ready, so you might not need to upgrade to external at all.

[@adrianlow2114]

Absolutely! In case I wasn't clear, the Hegel is absolutely remarkable in performance and value

[@InPursuitOfLiberty]

Excellent review. There are many factors to consider when choosing your component. I don't have any experience with Hegal, maybe I just don't like the styling of it. Recently I compared both the McIntosh MA12000 and Accuphase E-800S with LaScala speakers. Many will argue that class A is the epitome of amplification, yet I preferred the McIntosh MA12000 over Accuphase E800S in terms of dynamics, soundstage and resolution. Accuphase E800S is wonderful, but the McIntosh MA12000 is more engaging. You would think that the McIntosh was way too much for these extremely sensitive speakers, but the LaScalas really came to life dimensionally. But this is my subjective opinion.

[@lewledyard8924]

Very true observation that if you grew up in the ‘70s-‘80s that the Accuphase will be appealing. It is so warm and soothing (but detailed with great dynamic range) that feels so right for those of us that grew up on classic/acoustic rock on a top level Marantz. It has that rare combination of being lively but not fatiguing. I actually preferred my E-800 integrated to my McIntosh C2700/MC3500 Mk2 combo. There is something about Accuphase that is so enjoyable, comforting and exciting at the same time.

[@povicollege3055]

Dear Sir, I think you are one of, if not THE, best reviewer[s] on the planet! I love the details in our analysis. I am considering the E-280. I have a set of KEF's R700 which I drive with an old KRELL KAV 300i. Sounds amazing! I am thinking of stepping up to the (much larger) Wharfedale Elsian 4's. Huge towers! I wonder how this will sound with the E-280. Please keep up what you're doing. I am a BIG fan of your beautiful work!! Kindest regards from The Netherlands (Eindhoven). Vincent Pothuizen 🙂

[@richardsaila8073]

Thank you. This video is light years above the first H400 review.

[@gnd144]

Accuphase for small to medium size room, Hegel for a medium to large size room. I agree with Adrian, at this stage of my life Accuphase. To be honest Accuphase, Hegel, Luxman, and McIntosh are all terrific brands.

[@adrianlow2114]

Yes they are!

[@henriksrensen3220]

The Gryphon Diablo 120 is at the top of my list

[@kelvinraytech]

You nailed it very well. Thanks for sharing.

[@Darrylizer1]

Accuphase based on the looks alone. I love the buttons and knobs! Tone controls all day for me and VU meters are just icing on a very good cake.

[@ABL1900]

Thank you for a detailed cover of those two amplifiers. I think that I already made my mind. Accuphase e-4000 (from another clip).

[@klaushoege1609]

I have the E 280 connected to Focal Sopra 2. I couldn't be happier with the sound.

[@firebladeclements]

Someone just asked me my opinion on two similar products sound wise. I went from Naim to Goldnote, and the sonics correlate to this almost to a tee in my opinion. The Naim and Hegal, versus the Accuphase and Goldnote. I would have sworn Adrian was talking about the Naim and Goldnote, too cool!!

[@adrianlow2114]

Congrats!!!

[@frankgeeraerts6243]

You expressed very well the listeing experience ........... When you erase the space beween instruments and artists ........you get that precise pin point imaging ...................lacking the space of the whole and part of the body of both........ Hegel is very impressive audio for high end lovers ...............Accuphase is for people who want to listen to music .

[@VisionCarrierDreamCatcher]

Very helpful the guidance you provide. I now know it is Accuphase for me

[@adrianlow2114]

You're welcome!

[@geoffreydebrito2653]

The Hegel is like a superb sports car. Offering great fun on winding roads. The Accuphase offers great comfort on cross country trips. The Hegel more suited for one and the Accuphase for the other.

[@adrianlow2114]

Good analogy

[@thepracticalaudiophile]

My latest dishwasher has buttons. I love it.

[@unclewilbur8976]

Agreed!!! Nut just dishwashers. Button, knobs, levers on everything!!!!!

[@thepracticalaudiophile]

@unclewilbur8976 That's why the original star trek was the best.

[@olivierdeneef37]

I sold my H390 for the E380 for the reasons you explained. One day I came to my dealer and heard for the first time an Accuphase, I said to him that this is the sound I like. Now I have the same impression with the PassLabs INT60. But I will stay for awhile with my E380.

[@veetour]

I have the E280. It drives a pair of Dynaudio Heritage Special speakers.

[@affalindk8004]

so if h400 and e 280 had a child you would get a luxman 🕺

[@frankgeeraerts6243]

Very nice comment.

[@janulik9535]

thats exactly what I need, a child of the two but somhow I do not think it is a luxman, to my ears

[@unclewilbur8976]

How about a review of Maggie .7 with Accuphase class A, and class AB. Please?

[@DavidCohen0]

I love the car analogy. i5 m60 vs 540. Both great, but so different. Keep making these videos!!

[@adrianlow2114]

Thanks!

[@nitinsoniism]

Love my e280. Looks like a jewellery. Sounds like maple syrup.

[@aussie8114]

I had the E280 before getting the E4000. The 280 was a beautiful amp.

[@nitinsoniism]

@@aussie8114e4000 is my dream integrated. Enjoy! Some day I will upgrade too.

[@aussie8114]

Honestly don’t be in a big rush to upgrade. The E280 is a great premium amp, I would have happily kept it as my forever amp. I only upgraded because my original order was the 4000 but as the dealer could not get it for many months he gave me the 280 to use until stock came in. I’m very happy with the 4000 but I was pretty much equally happy with the 280.

[@richarddunbar4065]

Thank you, Adrian, for your videos. They are exactly what we need to know about, and you describe things extremely well, with the authority that comes from knowledge, experience and integrity. Can I make a small request, though? Could you please put your pen down or, if you need to hold something, make it a pencil or fountain pen instead. That damn clicking drives me mad and it is very distracting. I say this with deep love and gratitude for what you do. 😊

[@adrianlow2114]

lol, yes my apologies. When I heard the noises I cringed!

[@RoniSilva-d4l]

Very nice Adrian, always explains with great detail, thank you Have you ever heard the Canton Reference speakers (Germany made)?

[@GiancarloBenzina]

Hegel sounds digital, simple, neutral, maybe relevant to a studio monitor situation. The accuphase is for the living room with all classic analog expectations delivered.

[@DBravo29er]

Having heard Hegel, Luxman, and Accuphase.....though I have deep respect for Hegel, and recommend them often....Accuphase & Luxman are in another league for SQ.

[@sunrise915]

Hmmm

[@Romulus980]

Interesting review, it sounds like the Accuphase has a little more 'personality' in the sound while the Hegel would be technically more correct in regard to eg imaging...

[@hifirulezzz]

Thanks for your video. I have exactly the same thoughts when I hear the difference between my Rotel 1592 and Sony FA777. MosFETs produce a very linear response over the whole range, which makes music heard equally well in any place in my house. When I use Rotel the sound is “dark”. And outside of the listening room I hear only the low bass. I even went to the audio store and listened McIntosh on the same B&W speakers I have. And it was even darker than Rotel. But I appreciate the stage Rotel can create. It goes far beyond my room. Sony is not capable of that.

[@kungula]

Interesting review, Adrian. I couln´t choose though as both have pros and cons.

[@adrianlow2114]

If possible listen and compare for yourself, I suspect one will end up seducing your heart

[@johnshaw359]

Hagel uses a lot of feedforward circuitry to reduce distortion sounds like it makes a slightly unnatural sound from your description. Damping factor seems like the reason given its very high number.

[@fasdglkads]

How would the H400 compare to Accuphase E-4000 and NAD M33? I know, the Accuphase is higher priced, but is it an audible difference? Thanks a lot for all the nice content.

[@Xp200dr-gj8lz]

Your bass experience mirrors mine comparing a Pathos to ganfet amp. The pathos at first sounds like it has deeper more powerful bass until you realize that in reality it is less controlled bass that sounds fuller or warmer to the ear. In the end it is all what you prefer.

[@edwinblokland9454]

is the sound of the e280 similar to a sugden a21 signature?

[@aussie8114]

I had the E280 before getting the E4000. I loved the E280 and its retro look though the meters were a bit small, the E4000 meters are about 20% bigger so easier to see from a few meters away. E280 is the Accuphase entry level but it should never be thought of as an “entry level” amp. You only need to lift it up to realise its no “entry level” amp. E4000 sounds a bit cleaner but I still miss that E280. Hegal has the built in streamer but to my knowledge they still persist on excluding tone control. The Accuphase tone controls perform excellently, has tape loop, and the DAC60 module is very good once ran in.

[@nitinsoniism]

I especially love the loudness compensation on my e280. Amazing at low volume levels. BTW, I believe the bass would have improved when you moved from e280 to e4000. Did you notice it? It dies depend on the speakers, though.

[@aussie8114]

I noticed no difference in the bass, having said that I don’t like much bass so I haven’t stressed out the system to assess that properly. I find now I’m older that too much bass distracts me from the mids, mids and upper mids are important to me. I actually noticed zero benefit from the double in watts of the 4000 compared to the 280. I notice cleaner mids, though the slightly less clean mids of the 280 had a nice attraction for me. I slotted a Luxman 505Z into my setup for a month, that had more bass but it also seemed less controlled and a bit boomy at times. One interesting difference with the 4000 is that I was getting some grounding noise out of the sensitive speakers (Audiovector R3 Arrete) from the 280 and the Luxman. I get no such issue with the 4000. Don’t know if it’s the toroidal transformer in the 4000 or whether the more advanced noise filtering is cleaning things up better.

[@nitinsoniism]

@ thanks! Great piece of information.

[@jaystenner801]

What about the hegel 400 vs the naim nova. Similar features and price

[@stephencosta6814]

❤❤❤Hello my good friend Adrian which I admire very much you make great analogies and your recommendations. I take very strongly I have a chance to pick up a Griffin Diablo 120 integrated amplifier for $6,500 us, it has a built-in phono stage out of those boat integrated you were talking about here. Would you recommend me choose the Griffin Diablo 120 over these fine integrateds these? What do you think about the Griffin Diablo 120? Some say it's a little bit on the dark side and warm. Any recommendations to make it more transparent and airy? Sparkling more air. Your advice would be highly appreciative❤❤❤

[@tedrubinstein2003]

Adrian, thanks for the great video. How do you compare Hagel and Accuphase sound to a MacIntosh signature sound. Would you say something like take the fuller sound with a little less speed that the Accuphase has and add that same distance might come close to a Macintosh sound?

[@alialamri8525]

Thank you for the video.. I hope one day you review the accuphase pre amp c2300 ❤

[@adrianlow2114]

lol yes I keep forgetting to do that

[@avneravi4200]

I’ve had some Hegel elec’ over tue years as well as some Accuphase gear. To my ears compering Accuphase to Hegel is pretty much the same as compering a decent turntable to a decent cd player whereas Accuhase is the turntable being MUCH more analog sounding BTW there is something special in your voice that kind of really relaxing 😊

[@adrianlow2114]

lol, my kids say I put them to sleep

[@DrNoahBoddy004]

As integrateds go, both are competent, and musical. That 160 watt shortfall, however, would leave that Accuphase at the dealership for that $$$$. Hegel handily wins this bout🌹✨

[@aussie8114]

The 280 has heaps of power.

[@DrNoahBoddy004]

@ ….agreed. it rocks. that Hegel arrives earlier though, to the session.🌹🌷✨

[@BobMetcalf]

Slightly off topic, but will you ever do any testing with CD players? Still a lot of us out here have them, and still a number of companies putting out high end players. I'd really like a review of the Hegel Viking.

[@carlos2bass]

What are the components of this Trusonic speaker? I have a 216 compression driver and 814h diffuser , I wonder if you can recommend a woofer to make a mono speaker out of this….

[@JustinNgau]

Hi Adrian, what do you think of pairing the e280 with proac d20r?

[@bertroost1675]

You should review Opera Consonance products.

[@davidhosmer1424]

Knobs are better than buttons. Am I old ??? temperature & fan speed knob. Volume and tuning knob. Thanks, take care to our Canadian friends.

[@1984robert]

Our local dealer said that E-280 is discontinued.

[@aiofilms]

Hegal H400 should be compared to Accuphase's E480, to be fair. Their specs are similar and they are priced closely here in Hong Kong.

[@capelight52]

Might you consider another pairing of another model of Accuphase to the Hegel 400 even though that piece might not match the Hegel dollars to dollars, for comparisons of sonics only?

[@fasteddie2413]

Have not heard Accuphase, but from your description it sounds like it has some Mcintosh characteristics?

[@adrianlow2114]

Yes somewhat, but not as warm as McIntosh

[@WeeWeeJumbo]

WOW, i clicked the thumbnail immediately. what choice did i have?

[@unclewilbur8976]

How about a review of Maggie .7 with Accuphase class A, and class AB. Please?

[@paulpaulzadeh6172]

Absolutely accuphase, made in Japan 😊.

[@Pksparty2112]

The description of a Hegel sounds like a class A/B/D

[@jsmithepa]

This gives with another comparison by AnaDiaLog. Is the high damping factor that makes things start/stop. Simply, Hegel more digital, Accuphase more analog.

[@kevinstarski1598]

For electronic music Hegel would be better I guess, for most anything else, Accuphase

[@metatron007]

The e280 pots may have what is referred to as torque

[@benyHiFi]

Hi Adrian, Will both of these handle Magnepan 2.7is...

[@adrianlow2114]

Yes. No problem

[@ΣακηςΜανος]

I have symphonic line integrated amp and I am sure it sounds better than them

[@metatron007]

What happens when the screen goes bad = Very bad car crash...

[@georgieboy2432]

Could the fact Hegel amps are made in China is one reason the cost less. It's a shame they can't employ their own citizens.

[@CohibaJoe]

Hegel Audio products are designed in Norway and manufactured in China.

[@msmart2u2]

I wonder if heaven consist of spending eterenity listening to high end systems.

[@edtuazon3683]

Is it possible that the 4000 damping factor contributes to the black background?

[@frankgeeraerts6243]

And heavy use of NFB...?

[@ajs-qv5fe]

"visceral"...

[@cesarjlisboa7586]

Áudio HiFI systems needs to be simple. As much components you added, worse it will be. You are adding noises and stuff in the audio path signal. Hegel it’s the best cost benefit amplifier in the market now. Period.

[@worstalentscout]

Hegel (i used to sell it)...........vs Accuphase.........................unless the Hegel is cheaper by HALF........Hegel is a brand that's based on marketing......many brands much better................i used to sell Hegel many years ago and am amazed they're still around - goes to show what marketing can do.........

[@manalishi8341]

What a nonsense

[@CohibaJoe]

Hegel Audio products are designed in Norway and manufactured in China.

[@BaileyWiggebutt]

They put huge fonts “Hegel, Oslo, Norway” on the back. And they hide made in PRC. Audio reviewers are suckers for the DSP which Hegel calls “SoundEngine Correction”.

[@MasterofPlay7]

Why do you want pinpoint? I want live like somebody sings in front of you

[@dc_codefactory]

After all your sports cars, you now drive a Tesla? 😮

[@Mark-rw3kw]

In the age of remote controls, the feel of the volume knob is pretty much irrelevant.

[@lamaludwig1470]

Accuphase for me.

[@Excelbrains]

Sigh. You’re Tesla is more polluting than your Porsche.

[@sebas8340]

Hegel H400 made in China ???? No thanks… Accuphase made in Japan. No more words, there is no possible comparison.

[@CharlyTrotter]

90% things around and on you are assembled in China, including your mobile phone. Would you get rid of all of them when this thought strikes you? You might say it's different, but in reality - it's not. It's all about quality control and not where gear is being assembled. More to say, there are quite some Chinese hifi brands that make gear that sounds fantastic and beat most of European, UK, US and Japan brands, e.g. Denafrips.

[@jeffinnh76]

First lol