Peachtree Carina vs Hegel H120

Adrian, Lewis and Ceci give their impressions after listening to both the Carina and H120 integrated amplifiers.
Link to purchase the Peachtree Carina:
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Link to purchase the Hegel H120:
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• Peachtree Carina Unboxing
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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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[@DrSinisster]

So much better with this set of hosts. I know the other guy was an employee, and friend, but he was the reason I didnt watch the channel. Now I can enjoy it thouroughly. With the age, audio preference, and background difference of the current hosts, it gives me great views from each, and the polite, organized nature of the talking now is a huge boon to the enjoyment.

[@SantanKGhey1234]

Happy Birthday Ceci! you have been an amazing addition to the channel 🎉

[@TheBodhisattvaWisdom]

A big happy birthday, to the member of the panel with the best ears ;-)

[@Coolguy-xo3cj]

Happy Birthday Ceci!! ; Nice comparison:)

[@zizendorf]

I'm absolutely fascinated with the adjectives people choose to describe "sounds", music, instrumentation, vocals. It's taken me some time to adjust to your new "crew". I now know why Ceci initially came across as young. She is! And, I appreciate the novelty and creativity she brings in her descriptions...a whole new lexicon. While I want my music to evoke emotion, I never thought about evaluating "emotionality". Lewis, please do yourself a favor and listen to Eva Cassidy's rendition of "Over the Rainbow"! Adrian, your new cast is such a change!

[@adrianlow2114]

Thanks. Hope you are enjoying them

[@saudisalim8957]

Beautiful review, thanks guys

[@johnanderson8096]

Enjoyed This Video So Much... CiCi is a Joy to watch/ listen to her Journey... and Brings a Very Inportant Perspective to Us!!!... Happy 18th CiCi... My 18th wasn't that long ago...???.... 1976... "That didnt Tickle... OUCH😱😭!!! Never mind.......🙁🙁🙁

[@rickcarlson5916]

Great comparison guys, I’m a huge Peachtree fan/owner since their original nova 80!

[@MDchaz]

Great perspectives, I really enjoy these reviews and personalities. 👍

[@adrianlow2114]

Thanks

[@peterknauss4966]

Thank you for the comparison. It was nice to hear the different perspectives. I especially appreciate how each person reacted to certain pieces of music. I have been considering an upgrade to a Hegel Integrated but after Adrian described his experience with the Beethoven 5th I am strongly reconsidering. While it seems that the sound impression of the Hegel is clean and the imaging pure, it may just lack the oomph I like to achieve with certain genres. I am certainly a novice in this, so these perspectives help.

[@skip1835]

Whoa - to me it seemed like everyone really did their homework on this one - excellent comparisons - one thing that I personally found very interesting was the agreement with the three of you that the musical genre played a roll in which amp was favored.

[@psyphonyxaudio]

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY!! 🎉🎉🎉 I'll have to bring cake. 😂 I was definitely a fan of Hegel clarity and details. I havent heard the PeachTree Hupex or GanFet yet. Im in Montreal this weekend.. but with a pending order for SF-L.V ..I should be visiting shortly. ❤ Thank you, team! P.s. Adrian is only mostly right. Haha. 😅

[@adrianlow2114]

😂

[@2ChannelListening]

Nice to watch how your group dissected the two integrated amps. Certainly two different brand of speakers should be used simply if there is less than ideal synergy with a particular combination. I love Adrian's car analogy, I agree even though I could not afford either of those cars, I understand fully what he is illustrating. I love learning about the music choices you each use. Nice work Audio Excellence.

[@adrianlow2114]

Thanks. I chose the Mofi Sourcepoint 10 because it is reasonably easy to drive.

[@zizendorf]

Fascinating Adrian, you just shared another version of Beethoven's 5th. (Previously you'd noted the Carlos Kleiber, Wiener Philharmoniker rendition.) That symphony, for me, in particular the 4th movement with the 'triumphant brass chorus' absolutely requires lot of "guts"! It's one of my many favorites.

[@adrianlow2114]

Agreed. It’s one of my favorite music. I have many interpretations

[@zizendorf]

@@adrianlow2114 Adrian, I have a recommendation/suggestion for you. Check out "Reference Recordings". They have some amazing recordings of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra! You will be pleased! Just stay away from their rendition of Beethoven's 5th and 7th (unless you want to hear conductor Manfred Honeck's breathing during quiet passages in both). I learned there was a problem with microphone placement and you'll get to hear the conductor breathe. I don't think Beethoven planned on that...

[@adrianlow2114]

@@zizendorf Hi Eric, thanks. I am a fan of Reference Recordings!

[@zizendorf]

@@adrianlow2114 I'll be going to Heinz Hall In October to watch them perform Beethoven's 7th, one of my favorites. I'll try to lock-in my auditory memory to compare/contrast that sound with our ongoing efforts to replicate THAT sound.

[@rca6576]

Young lady I hope you continue your journey as an audio enthusiast. I've been interested in this hobby for a long time and in years past as a woman it could be lonely in this hobby! Great to see young women taking an interest! Great review!

[@timrassi3493]

I appreciate Ceci's insight on the emotion of music. That's so important, and for me, it's easily overlooked.

[@t.nicklasson6906]

I do have the Hegel H80 and do truly agree that this amp is playing simpler music extremely well, but more intensive instrumental music falls behind. I do love my Hegel, so maybe it is a Hegel thing? But it would for sure be interesting to hear the Peach :)

[@lights80088]

I agree with James. I'll take my Hegel H190 any day. By the way, the Hegel does not get hot, only warm. I'll leave the D class amps for the subwoofers.

[@jerrypowers7671]

Please do all comparisons in a blind test. Totally eliminates and preconceived notions. Each amp can be rating in different categories and the competitors revealed in the end.

[@xcvbxcvb2179]

That would be nice but they hardly will have any time or personell resources to do that. Reviewing is just a side show for them.

[@jerrypowers7671]

@@xcvbxcvb2179 why do them if they are biased?

[@attilaeged820]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

[@abacar6134]

These are now on sale, direct from Peachtree for $1599.00! That’s a great deal!

[@N6J6R6]

How does the Peachtree Carina Digital GaN version differ from the 300?

[@brown-eyedman4040]

Thanks guys for another entertaining review. And what a great addition Ceci is. Refreshing to hear from someone new to this hobby. And Adrian, yeah, Beethoven's 5th. To me, the most perfect piece of music ever written. First the opening theme and first movement, followed by the stately 2nd movement. Then the 3rd and its transition to the 4th. And the dynamic 4th. My gosh! I always just get lost in this piece. Is this not the reason for owning a good system?

[@adrianlow2114]

Agreed! Glorious music

[@xcvbxcvb2179]

The famous first four notes is probably picked up by von Bethoven from a bird. I have forgotten the name of the bird. If you hear the birdsong it is very obvious.

[@brown-eyedman4040]

@@xcvbxcvb2179 Cuckoo. (Really bad pun for you.)

[@robinr5787]

Well, I think I agree with the overall sentiment here. Just couldn't get Beethoven symphonies to sparkle with my H120 (Haiting with the LSO). Thought it was lacking some power perhaps, replaced it with an Atoll in300. Plenty of power now, just less finesse and transparency overall. Looking out for the next step, perhaps the H190, or something like an Accuphase. Love to here any suggestions. Nice video, glad to see some more affordable gear in your show!

[@adrianlow2114]

The Hegel H190 is a significant step change up from the H120. Have a listen and see if it is good enough for you.

[@Romulus980]

I got obsessed reading about Hegel products and when it came to the Bristol HiFi Show I heard I think Hegel H160 with Amphion speakers. The sound was smooth and it seemed to do everything right in HiFi terms but it was so, so so...There was no passion or spark in the music. I heard the same track with ATC electronics via ATC SCM40 speakers I felt like I just stepped of a thrilling fare ground ride...! The two experiences was like night and day.....

[@Mark-rw3kw]

Maybe Adrian should try the H190 with the SourcePoint speakers to see if the higher power output solves his problem with the H120. Not only is the H190 double the power of the H120, but also double the damping factor.

[@adrianlow2114]

I chose the H120 because the price is similar to the Peachtree

[@Mark-rw3kw]

@@adrianlow2114 As the owner of a very high-end audio store, I am quite sure that you have the ability to get customers to loosen their wallets a bit to move up to the H190.

[@erikjohansson1488]

were is Villip?

[@andreasmoller9798]

Hegel begins with h190, have h390 now with b&w 702 s2 this is heaven on all aspects

[@adrianlow2114]

Yes the more powerful Hegels are wonderful

[@pswitzeny]

I can't believe Adrian just dismissed Lewis and Ceci.... Phffft. 🤣

[@adrianlow2114]

Hehe.

[@JamesWilliams-gf8gm]

I owned the peach tree decco. It was pretty meh for me and the left to right balanced changed by 1.5db from 9 o clock to 12 o clock on the dial so I got rid of it.

[@dangoh2237]

Happy sweet 18 birthday Ceci. Lots of kisses to you!

[@bobihadzikimov7823]

Peachtree Carina is the reason I sold my Hegel H390.

[@mariussova6914]

Are you happy with this decision? Please share more details. I was so into buying Carina before this video and now not so sure.

[@bobihadzikimov7823]

Better base, midrange is on par with Hegel, treble is very detailed yet smooth. Hegel is very recessed there. Separations of instruments and layering of the soundstage is amazing on Carina. More clean power on Peachtree.Hegel has a very annoying buzzing sound coming from the transformer. I did AB comparation between the two. Wharfedale Linton speakers were used for the test. The fact that Carina is almost three times cheaper makes it amazing bargain. Some find an issue with lack on analog inputs on Carina. For me it's not a problem since I have nice analog tube system in the other room.

[@geohof]

What speakers were you listening too?

[@TheDanEdwards]

They showed a picture and mentioned them briefly.

[@gokhanersan8561]

I share the same feelings with the third reviewer, after comparing comparing Hegel H190 to Rotel a11. When listening to pop and rock Rotel belittles Hegel. Conversely, when jazz is played Hegel H190 destroys Rotel a11.

[@HPPG2017]

👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻

[@archiemacdonald553]

hi folks great analogy .yes my set up is better on jazz and pro rock .classical not good .😊

[@MisterTwister222]

I'd take the peach and use the change on better speakers. Or a sub or something. Love how in the comments the Hegel fanboys are telling us the real comparison should be with the 190, something 2k more.

[@iluxman]

The funny thing is there is no sound of these amps ...AT ALL! the viewers will try to Imagine how these amp sound???

[@mikeg5054]

I would definitely buy the speakers if it came with cece😍

[@Maher_Alahdab]

Adrian and Cicci do a better job describing things to the point and keeping the viewer/listner engaged.

[@samlee2562]

We need a tier list of audio reviewers..

[@edgarmisplaced7924]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY C.C.

[@simplereef4854]

Adrian is rich. Tesla is over $100,000.

[@jamesschneider3828]

I'm sorry but at this point in time I would not invest in a class D amplifier. Everybody has the same complaints such as weaker vocals in music in the midrange and weaker soundstage and hear that from inexpensive to higher dollar amps are the same way. I feel that is inherent with all class D amps.

[@enjoshi-godrez8775]

You seem like someone that think modern computers suck because you got a dell. Severely uneducated.

[@carmelovillena6174]

whats the name of that lovely girl?

[@axelwunsch2366]

All two amps are not convincing. 🤷‍♂️

[@steve-94951]

Adrian you're being disingenuous. H120 lacks raw power for orchestral and symphonic music ... that's what H190 390 590 are for if the speakers demand serious juice. Peachtree has the brute power. And you and Vilip are notoriously going deaf listening crazy loud for too many years.

[@adrianlow2114]

You miss the point. I chose the H120 because the price is similar, slightly more than the Peachtree. The H190 is substantially more expensive.

[@xcvbxcvb2179]

MQA is such a scam. Hope more people learn about how they operate.

[@hiluxjase6665]

What does mqa mean?