Hegel H400 introduction

[@toorop111]

I heard this Hegel H400 paired up with the new KEF Meta Q Concerto and was blown away with the realism in the dynamics! The amp can vertically image gloriously!

[@HegelMusicSystem]

Wow, thank you for posting that. I have yet to hear it with the Concertos myself, but my colleagues raves about them with the H400.

[@toorop111]

@@HegelMusicSystem i am inquiring (within my budget) regarding the Rotel RAS-5000, i heard that it is close to the H400? Sincerely

[@HegelMusicSystem]

@@toorop111 We do not have personal experience with the RAS-5000, so not the best subjects for the question. But in general we are very proud of our SoundEngine amplifiers (H400 including) ability to combine massive dynamics and punch with a smooth, yet detailed and musical upper end.

[@SrikanthPRABHA7]

Just ordered H400 through our Seattle based Hifi equipment dealer. Such a nice, humble gentleman who patiently demoed H600. I was blown away with the performance

[@HegelMusicSystem]

Wow, that is fantastic. Was the Seattle HiFi where you experienced it?

[@SrikanthPRABHA7]

@ yes. Burt was cool and kindest

[@HegelMusicSystem]

@@SrikanthPRABHA7 He is a very good guy, for sure.

[@13thnotehifireviews7]

Nice video, I always like the guitars and different colour amps against the wood panels in your listening room.

[@tomaszprzybylski4586]

Słuchałem H390 i było OK. Jedynie czego mi brakuje w Heglu, to korektora tonów niskich i wysokich. Z tego powodu chyba kupię końcówkę mocy H20 + Auralic Altair G2.1.

[@kenmcglown6642]

I still love my Hegel H590, which drives my power hungry Revel Salon 2 speakers. The H590/H600 is super powerful, with world-class sound quality. Phenomenal gear!!!

[@HegelMusicSystem]

Thank you so much for the kind words. And the H590 is a great amp that I am sure works phenomenally with your Salon 2.

[@krzysztofs3t532]

I love the way the Hegel aplifiers sounds! I have H90 + KEF R3 + REL. For a long time I have been wondering about H390. But now I need to listen to H400! I hope the DAC inside will be really good, because in my opinion the DAC was the weakest point in the old Hx90 line.

[@HegelMusicSystem]

That is great to hear. The DAC is the biggest sonic upgrade compared to the H390.

[@Kami84]

I have the Kef R3 Meta + Rel T9x + Hegel H190v and this combination is spectacular. The best sound I've gotten out of the Kef after trying over a dozen other integrated amps or dac-streamer-preamp + amp combinations. The only thing that was close was the eversolo DMP-A8 but I wasn't able to find an amplifier that would get the most out of it. The eversolo performance with movies was very very good, but for music, nothing has sounded as good as the Hegel. I also like the simplicity of the all in one.

[@krzysztofs3t532]

​@@Kami84 Nice to hear, I love the sound of my Hegel + KEF system too! Do you use an internal DAC in your H190v? I've found the best immersive experience with ifi DACs (idsd - pro - something, I don't get their long names :P ). But with the H400, maybe I can get rid of the external DAC altogether... Anyway - the only competing amp for the H400 for me is the Axxess Forte 1, I can't wait to hear them in the side-by-side comparison.

[@Kami84]

@@krzysztofs3t532 I’ve been using the internal dac. I’ve been contemplating getting an external dac mainly to go with a CD transport. I’ll check out the ifi.

[@psyphonyxaudio]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANDERS!!! ..... a bit late but you know what I mean. =) ...... H400 looks amazing!!! I'm sure I'd love this .. Also .. All those colour options below on the shelf!!!!????? .... That's really nice. =)

[@HegelMusicSystem]

@@psyphonyxaudio Thank you so much. Looking forward to see you again. /ae

[@RodneyAllanPoe]

Superb.

[@vvmaster2010]

Great presentation! I would like to try this amp but not for listening to horrible news 😁

[@HegelMusicSystem]

Ha ha. Wonderful comment. One we share 100%. There are good news too though. And a lot of great music stations.

[@vvmaster2010]

@@HegelMusicSystem Thank you for the replay. I have a question for you regarding Hegel amps. It have been spread that Hegel amps sound incoherent or lack engaging due to the SoundEngine technology, and that some "important harmonics" are removed from music. Many users on forums and here in KZbin have made comments in favor of a "general problem" on Hegel amps. Could you please clarify this? is there was a problem, it is solved in this new H400 amp? In the following video you can see another critic to H590 amp where most of the users agree: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j6GkkHmbp9-Fobs Also the web site Audio Science review have made measurements on Hegel amps and find lot of distortions: www.audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/hegel-h95-review-streaming-amplifier.28435/ Thanks in advance!

[@vvmaster2010]

​@@HegelMusicSystem Thank you for the replay. I have posted a new comment but it was deleted by KZbin (maybe because I included some links). The comment was regarding the Sound Engine technology that have been criticized by some youtubers and reviewers on the net (many users also agree with this, including Hegel amps owners). Again, the concern is about that Hegel amps are not coherent or lack engaging by the removing of "important harmonics" of sound due to the Sound Engine. They also said that sound is clinical/dry and lack musicality due to Sound Engine 2 Tech. Could you please clarify this? If there was a problem, it is solved in this new H400? Why H590 was discontinued? is H400 better than H590? I would like to know the answer to those doubts and finally try your amps. Thanks in advance.

[@HegelMusicSystem]

@@vvmaster2010 Yes, KZbin don't like links. But I think this is an excellent question actually. I can't comment on peoples personal views on the sound. They are individual and should always be respected. I know that 15 - 20 years ago we were blamed for sounding a bit sterile or bright. I wuld have agreed in that judgment. There are reasons as to why, and your arguments on wanted distortion kind of touches in to that but is not the complete reason. Nowadays most people I see place Hegel on the warm side of neutral. So I don't recognize myself in them having a "clinical sound with lack of musicality". Quite the opposite. But then again, personal taste is unique and fully respected. A thing that is not subjective is the question of deisred vs undesired distortion. The SoundEngine in these amplifiers is only active on the output stages, and is most effective on crossover distortion. I don't think anyone will consider that as a desired distortion unless they also hate Class A amps. What the SoundEngine does not affect is the slight 2nd and 3rd harmonic distortion created by the FET transistors in the preamplifier. This is highly desired distortion as without it the amps can indeed sound a little clinical and thin. There is not incredibly much of it, but a little bit. In case other people not knowing all about distortion reads this I will add that this is the same type of distortion as in tube amplifiers. Just less of it. So I do not agree on the objective part. On the subjective part it is just that, subjective. And I totally respect all oppinions and experiences.

[@vvmaster2010]

@@HegelMusicSystem Thank you for the reply. I have a better understanding of SoundEngine. You missed to answer this two questions: Why H590 was discontinued? is H400 better than H590?

[@Kukkema]

Wished your amps would looked more like they do on pictures, where it looks like it has this greyish color instead of this black on black. But definitely sounds great 👍🏼

[@HegelMusicSystem]

I get you. We should try and be better on that with the pictures. We do actually try quite a bit back and forth on the color of the top covers. One would think that it looked better if we went really deep black. But it doesn't on the painted steel ones.

[@Kukkema]

@ But if they looked like on pictures, with the contrasting “grey” front, black screen and white text , they would look way more elegant and interesting. More high end and definitely more Scandinavian. But it’s all subjective, both looks and sounds. I myself have a hard time choosing Hegel because of its rather boring look, compared to almost every other high end amp in same price category. But your amps do sound and perform very good.

[@HegelMusicSystem]

@@Kukkema Fair enough and thank you for the nice words on the sound.

[@markketelaars]

Hi Anders, thanks for your presentation. Will the Hegel app also be available for the H600?

[@HegelMusicSystem]

That is the plan, yes

[@deskinglai6700]

@@HegelMusicSystemany firmware updates for h600 , for example tidal connect, can’t listen max quality, thank you

[@HegelMusicSystem]

@@deskinglai6700 I think there will be good news for you in the very near horizon. ;)

[@milagroscaviglia5034]

Hi Anders,another excelent product from the best trade mark in hi fi. I'm an ultra fan of your entry product the H95!!!! I wonder the posibility to send me one to Argentina!!! Cheers

[@HegelMusicSystem]

Hi Argentina. Wow, that was great to read. It is perfectly ok to buy Hegel in Argentina via our local dealer Wullich Audio in BA

[@CarlVanDoren61]

What kw size toroidal? Transistors per bank? Microfarads capacitance?

[@dal2258]

I really like the H400 visually, now you should make a new H190 but you've already used the name H200 in a previous model :) This will become complicated :D See you in Brussels on the Noir et Blanc show Anders?

[@HegelMusicSystem]

The future is always complicated. :) Have a great weekend!

[@jakedavis2838]

What does this amplifier sound like? Hegel seems to be very popular but I haven’t heard it.

[@HegelMusicSystem]

@@jakedavis2838 What we hear people saying is typically natural, fluid, dynamic and slightly on the warm side of neutral.

[@jbaz007]

It sounds very full. Drives low hz very well... almost ridiculously so also at lower power outputs. I recently listened to a 60wpc and it sounded like receivers several times the cost.

[@rudran65]

Hi Mr.Anderson, Greetings ! Eager to know which is the DAC chip inside this amp (bit perfect one) , also the ones in H190 model

[@jko560]

With the v10 and the Viking, why only one set of balanced inputs? I am interested in giving it a listen. Thanks.

[@HegelMusicSystem]

I see your point and in the end it was a cost decision when scaling down the H600. It seems crazy at this price level but many small streams can end up as a river.

[@stevelimey]

Current setup ls50 meta +kc62 and Cambridge Audio EVO150. Would the h190v be an upgrade

[@HegelMusicSystem]

I think you would get a lot more musicality and dynamics out of the system with an H190v. I am and LS50 owner myself so I know them pretty well. Both Meta and classic.

[@stevelimey]

@ Both Amps being 150 watts are you suggesting the Hegel betters the Cambridge across the board. I was considering the H390 but I was informed it’s now discontinued. It’s unfortunate the H400 isn’t more competitively priced as I like the idea of an app.

[@HegelMusicSystem]

@@stevelimey My personal opinion is that it is better than the Cambridge across the board, yes.

[@stevelimey]

@@HegelMusicSystem I shall be home trialing the H190v curtesy of PremiumSound a uk retailer. And possibly trading in my EVO 150. Have I been conversing with the gentleman in the vids here or a Hegel associate 😀

[@HegelMusicSystem]

​@@stevelimey Looking forward to hear what you think. I know Premium Sound well and they are good people. And yes, I am Anders from the video. :)

[@executiveloyalty6822]

I own 2 H390's and a H190 and love them all. With Harbeth speakers the sound is glorious. Please, where is the H400 manufactured?

[@HegelMusicSystem]

Wow, that is great. The H400 final assembly is in China. All development and sourcing of crutical components are done in Norway.

[@michaeldamon2013]

My concern is about the display. What happens when it fails?

[@HegelMusicSystem]

Then we repair it. I mean almost all devices you can find these days have a display.

[@Timoxi80]

@@HegelMusicSystem Is it still OLED?

[@HegelMusicSystem]

@@Timoxi80 Yes it is

[@elmerbais]

After a week running this SA40 and PA40 using my Eversolo DMP A8 with Q acoustic 5020, i found that this IOTAVX SA40,PA40 with my combo sounds a bit forward, center images is not that that much, treble is a bit harsh at first for my liking, i have to decrease my treble 2db, after a week it tame down a bit, i didn’t like to combo it with my Elac dbr 62 unifi reference. I’ve tried my qacoustic 3030 and kef r3 which sounds better, today ive used my HOLO CYAN 2, with qacoustic 5020, the sound is airy, noticeably improved background. My Cambridge CXA 81 in my ears sounds better with all my speakers ive mentioned without Holo DAC using eversolo internal DAC.

[@JessieBooth-p9k]

O'Connell Stream

[@vinnyabraham590]

Thanks for the introduction to this amp. However, most people have 3 to 4 unbalanced sources. This amp only has 2 unbalanced inputs. What’s up with that? Many people will exclude the amp from their list just because of that. I mean people who use external dacs, turntables etc.

[@HegelMusicSystem]

Thank you for this feedback. Deciding on the number of each type input and the related cost + space (believe it or not) is always challenging. But you mention 3-4 balanced inputs. Any chance you could elaborate on which sources all those 4 would be? Just out of interest as these are things we constantly monitor.

[@vinnyabraham590]

@@HegelMusicSystem , I had said, 3 to 4 unbalanced inputs. An external dac and one turntable is the base minimum. TV can go into the digital. Technically, this covers most people’s need. But being an amp that is full featured, won’t couple of more unbalanced inputs cover things like tuners, cd players etc? Audiophiles tend to like their toys:-)

[@HegelMusicSystem]

@@vinnyabraham590 Ah, sorry. I don't know why my brain read "balanced" when you clearly wrote "unbalanced". So now it makes absolute sense. Thank you for the elaboration. :)

[@hclandscapes]

Shame a HDMI connection wasn’t included

[@GaMeR11sHoT]

Agreed. TV's nowadays are as much an input as a CD transport or a turntable is. It shouldn't be that hard to implement an HDMI Arc connection.

[@hclandscapes]

@@GaMeR11sHoT also a sub woofer connection would be nice to have

[@HegelMusicSystem]

Point taken. Will put on the board of ideas for future projects.

[@GaMeR11sHoT]

@@HegelMusicSystem Thanks for listening to us. The only thing keeping me personally from buying a Hegel integrated amp is the lack of an HDMI Arc connection. Hegel's aren't cheap and I can't in good heart be wholly satisfied with spending that kind of money without an HDMI connection, no matter how good sonically Hegel integrated amps might be.

[@Starch1b2c3d4a]

9:38 😂👍

[@teobrousalis575]

It hasn't wi-fi ???

[@HegelMusicSystem]

No, and there is one particularly good reason for it. Having the antenna for wifi or Bluetooth sucks in a lot of high frequency noise to the amplifier, and can impact the sound negatively.

[@Timoxi80]

HT isnt anything new on H400/H600 old models had that too

[@SIrDowns]

hva er den sorte plata som ligger på ringkjernetrafoen?

[@HegelMusicSystem]

@@SIrDowns Hei. Den er der mest som en del av opplegget som sørger for at ikke trafoen løsner i transport.

[@OlaVandivort-t9h]

Dimitri Turnpike

[@srbmckenzie]

You’re trolling me here! No white version of the H400, but it’s sat on top of a load of custom coloured H120 😭

[@HegelMusicSystem]

I knooooow. We so much wish we could have more colors. Those custom ones are an older variant though. Röst

[@WorldFamousUnfluencer]

Price is bonkers for what it is.....

[@HegelMusicSystem]

Why do you feel that?

[@WorldFamousUnfluencer]

@@HegelMusicSystem Well compare the 6000 Euro Hegel H400 to the 2700 Euro NAD C399 (Which also has Dirac Live by the way) It just doesn't make sense. What's the additional 3300 Euro go towards for the Hegel?

[@audiotron]

​@@WorldFamousUnfluencerYou should really listen and compare the NAD to any Hegel amp.

[@HegelMusicSystem]

@@WorldFamousUnfluencer Oh, now we are talking. The C399 is a great amp, even in our biased minds. Have tried it many times. It uses a completely different technology to ours though. Something called Class D (or digital amplifier and power supply). Ours is completely analog design. The analog design is rather more expensive to make. Big transformers and power amplifier sections with expensive components. We think the benefit far outweighs the cost, by sounding smoother (lower high frequency distortion) and with more bass punch and dynamics. Those are quantifiable and measurable things. If your ears agree, is more subjective. You should go and check both out and decide for yourself if it is worth it.

[@WorldFamousUnfluencer]

@@HegelMusicSystem Technically The Hypex NCx500 modules that the NAD C399 builds on has much lower distortion than the Hegel H400. I mean sure, Hegel H400 has 0.0052% which is extremely good for a class AB amp, but it's still worse than the 0.0002% that the NAD C399 has. So I am not buying that argument at all. Not only that, the Hypex NCX500 modules are load invariant and more linear than the H400. Don't get me wrong, I am not saying the Hegel H400 is bad in any way, it is in fact very good, I have tested it several hours at Hifi-klubben. All I am saying is that I don't see the 6000 Euro price tag value, when you can get a better performing amp with more features for half the price.

[@I-tg4dr]

the inside of the amp is a mess,cheap noisy toroidal,smd components ,very poor pcb's also cheap components nothing hiend here guys.

[@HegelMusicSystem]

Sorry to see you feel that way. We obviously disagree and the word from other qualified electronics designers is that the layout inside makes very much sense and that the build quality of the amplifier is very solid. The cables and where they go are there for very good reason. Oftentimes for reduction of noise. That we use poor pcb's and cheap components is an objective view and simply wrong. That said, we are entitled to our own views and we are sorry that this is yours.

[@BlueSkinedCrackBaby]

Have you listened to it?

[@Carl-yx1ww]

over priced same as rest of range

[@HegelMusicSystem]

Why do you feel that? Which models have you heard and compared?