Craig Joyce evaluations this versatile, Norwegian-designed, one-box streaming built-in amplifier…
Hegel
H190 Built-in Amplifier
AUD $5,795 RRP
Many people attain the purpose of realisation that extra may be carried out with much less and head down a pathway of consolidation with our stereo methods. Whether or not that is pushed by out there house, the all-important ‘spouse acceptance issue’ or simply the essential need to simplify issues, an built-in amplifier is a smart resolution to discover. With many fashionable integrateds now that includes DACs and streaming help, the enchantment is clear – however does all this essentially include compromised audio efficiency?
Norway-based Hegel Music Programs has been a outstanding title within the high-end audio market since its inception within the nineteen eighties, with a imaginative and prescient to mix refined engineering with a philosophical method to sound high quality. The H190 built-in amplifier reviewed here’s a versatile gadget that includes an onboard DAC, help for widespread streaming companies and a variety of configurable inputs to fit your setup. Weighing round 15kg and measuring 120x430x410mm, it is a largish, substantial, well-made product.
The H190 sits close to the center of Hegel’s built-in amplifier vary, immediately above the H120 and underneath the H390, and is a substitute for the older H160, which was probably the greatest sellers within the firm’s historical past. Firm founder Bent Holter says: “The brand new H190 has newer options, up to date design and sounds a lot better, with the power to play loud longer, on larger audio system than the H160 might.”
It’s rated at 2x150W RMS into an 8-ohm load (250W into 4 ohms), making it a robust amplifier able to dealing with nearly any sensibly designed loudspeaker with which you may select to pair it. Certainly one of its standout options is a excessive claimed damping issue of over 4,000, guaranteeing it will not battle to drive even probably the most demanding audio system.
Hegel locations a give attention to its SoundEngine2 error-cancelling know-how, which is a key characteristic of the H190 amplifier. The goal of that is to minimise distortion and preserve the music sounding as true to the unique as doable, each intimately and dynamic vary. Particularly, SoundEngine2 is alleged to get rid of crossover distortion that is generally present in Class AB amplifiers. It achieves this by the usage of native and adaptive feedforward know-how, figuring out and eradicating any distortion throughout the amplifier’s audio levels, based on the producer. In consequence, the H190 boasts a powerful signal-to-noise ratio of over 100dB and fewer than 0.01% distortion at 50W into an 8-ohm load at 1 kHz.
All Hegel built-in amplifiers, together with the H190, characteristic the corporate’s distinctive DualAmp Expertise. This know-how is alleged to divide the amplification course of into two distinct levels, voltage acquire and present acquire. Initially, the music sign undergoes voltage amplification, boosting solely its voltage degree. This enables Hegel to make use of particular parts that excel in voltage amplification. Following this, the sign strikes to the present acquire stage, the place solely the present is amplified.
By separating these levels, Hegel’s engineers can defend the extra delicate parts concerned in voltage acquire from the massive currents concerned in driving the audio system. This separation additionally means there is no suggestions loop between the present and voltage acquire levels. The corporate argues that this DualAmp setup leads to decrease total distortion and a better dynamic vary in comparison with standard amplifier designs.
The again panel is well-equipped with a wide range of connectivity choices. It options three analogue inputs– two units of RCAs and one set of balanced XLRs. There are additionally two units of stereo RCA outputs, one mounted and one variable. You’ll be able to even set most of those inputs to combine with a house theatre system alongside a stereo setup. For subwoofer connectivity, variable unbalanced line-level outputs can be utilized. The speaker terminals are properly separated and can settle for spade plugs, banana plugs or naked wire connections.
Relating to digital connectivity, the H190 would not disappoint. It provides a variety of digital inputs, together with three S/PDIF TOSLINK inputs, a coaxial enter, and choices for community and USB connections. The USB enter permits the H190 to perform as a soundcard for a related pc, and it’s appropriate with the newest variations of Home windows, MacOS, and Linux.
The community enter provides one other layer of performance, providing full UPnP/DLNA help. This implies you should use the Hegel gadget as a digital community renderer, streaming music out of your native storage or on-line music companies. Common streaming companies and protocols like Spotify Join, Apple AirPlay, and Roon are additionally supported by the community enter. The digital inputs can deal with PCM indicators as much as 24-bit/192kHz; the USB enter works as much as 24/96 to make sure it stays plug-and-play. Relating to analogue inputs, the H190 converts these indicators to digital after which upsamples them to 24-bit/192kHz.
The H190 has a sturdy 6.3mm headphone jack on the entrance, making it useful when loudspeaker listening is not sensible. As for its look, you may select between a matte black or a white end. The design is minimalistic with a Scandinavian contact, mixing effectively into any room with out drawing an excessive amount of consideration. Once I had the white model on trial in my dwelling, it obtained loads of optimistic compliments from company.
Organising the H190 is easy. You should utilize the substantial infrared distant management, the entrance management panel, or perhaps a internet interface for simple software program updates. One factor to notice is the facility button’s location – it’s underneath the entrance of the amplifier, which could not be instantly obvious if you first use the unit. The uncrowded fascia accommodates simply two controls (enter choice and quantity) with a central show and a full-sized headphone socket.
Contained in the unit, the H190’s electronics are neatly organized on two separate circuitboards. One board is devoted solely to analogue features, whereas the opposite focuses on digital operations and is known as the ‘Sound Card’ by Hegel. This digital board contains a Libre Wi-fi DSP module and was developed in-house by Hegel’s engineers. Notably, it incorporates the corporate’s personal model of Apple AirPlay, in addition to a customized USB interface. The producer provides a two-year localised elements and labour guarantee.
To judge the H190 in my system, I streamed hi-res audio from Qobuz utilizing Roon. Through the evaluate interval, the H190 powered my JBL 4312G studio screens and Kingfisher Audio A16 standmount loudspeakers.
THE LISTENING
The Hegel H190 exhibits exceptional readability and transparency for an amplifier of this value. From the second that you just cue up one in all your favorite tracks, what stands out is the purity of the sound. It has an interesting midrange, with a broadly impartial tonality. This amplifier additionally shows glorious grip, being clearly capable of drive a variety of loudspeakers in an authoritative manner. From massive studio screens to extra conventional standmount audio system, the H190 offers ample energy to drive them simply. It is unlikely that you’ll encounter any limitations on the subject of matching this amplifier to your alternative of audio system, making it a really versatile unit.
If there’s an space the place the Hegel H190 exhibits some restraint, it’s in dynamics. Whereas definitely good, they do not attain the realm of awe-inspiring and can’t match bigger separate energy amplifiers on this respect. The panoramic soundstage makes up for this, nonetheless. This amplifier does a commendable job of reproducing the recorded acoustic’s sense of house and depth for a single-box resolution. Devices and vocals are positioned with an accuracy that provides the listener a convincing sense of the unique recording surroundings.
For instance, Kentucky Is Water from Bonnie Prince Billy’s newest album Conserving Secrets and techniques Will Destroy You is a beautiful, unadorned acoustic monitor. Whereas not difficult programme materials from an amplifier’s perspective, it permits for the identification of imperfections within the playback chain that so typically take you away from the music. The H190 rendered this easy association in whole readability – Will Oldham’s vocals took on a palpable sense of actuality within the room, with the sluggish acoustic guitar strumming gently supporting the proceedings. The sudden twang of nylon strings was simply heard as fingers moved on the fretboard. Backing vocals from Dane Waters seem at key moments of the track and are superbly subdued and managed to fulfill Will’s lead. The Hegel’s DAC provided no harshness or sibilance when paired with the JBL studio screens, giving an in depth playback presentation that was each beguiling and attractive in equal measures.
So far as precision manufacturing goes, it’s exhausting to maneuver previous the exacting techno of Atroxx’s Anvil. Providing a wealthy and articulate backside finish with a focused and well-defined sound stage, the H190 as soon as once more confirmed its innate subtlety and element throughout the midband. This remained no matter quantity was chosen as a result of as the extent elevated, this amplifier stayed clear, and I obtained an apparent sense of how effectively blended the monitor is. At greater listening ranges, the niceties of the playback from the H190 do not get misplaced; they only get bolstered. Additionally, the soundstage was a degree above what you may count on from an all-in-one field resolution, being large, deep and tall.
Taking part in well-mastered high-resolution materials like R.E.M.’s Me In Honey allowed this reviewer to realize some perception into how the Hegel reproduces digital content material, but in addition the way it processes analogue materials throughout the amplifier. Every instrument was clearly outlined within the combine, providing a powerful sense of depth and dimensionality. The recording high quality of this track is phenomenal, showcasing Peter Buck’s jangly electrical and acoustic guitars, Mike Mills’ articulate bass strains, and Invoice Berry’s crisply outlined drumming. Michael Stipe’s emotive vocals had been introduced with precision, and visitor vocalist Kate Pierson added a layer of harmonic texture. There was by no means any trace of glare, though the sound did lack the tonal richness of some rival designs.
The Kingfisher A16 is a much less delicate loudspeaker than the JBL 4312G, and is rated at 4 ohm nominal impedance. Nevertheless, with the immense grip that the Hegel provides, it was tough to listen to any distinction when taking part in again tougher, bass-heavy materials. Pop Pop by Vex’d is a basic monitor with thick dub basslines that merge with staccato rhythms and results. The sharp snare hit by exhausting with the Hegel and Kingfisher pairing, and glued useless centre within the combine whereas the aggressive bass stuffed the room. This sort of music is difficult to do justice to through standmounting audio system, but it was clear that the H190 was not challenged in any respect by this.
The Hegel delivered a really muscular bass sound from the compact Kingfishers then, however its dynamics weren’t as instant as some rivals. PJ Harvey’s superlative Rid Of Me switches gears instantly from sedate riffing and whispered vocals to explosive Steve Albini-produced rock. The H190 served up an expansive recorded acoustic and anchored the track with a sturdy backside finish, though it did sound ever so barely extra relaxed than some value rivals.
THE VERDICT
Hegel’s H190 is a flexible built-in amplifier that provides a variety of connection choices, catering to each conventional analogue audio and at this time’s digital and streaming wants. Whereas it would not have superior sign processing options like EQ or room correction, it is a wonderful all-in-one resolution for many customers. The amplifier is appropriate with most kinds of audio system, from studio screens to standmount designs, delivering a robust efficiency with none issues about energy output.
When examined with my JBL screens, it supplied a transparent and coherent listening expertise, permitting the precision of those audio system to shine by. Its efficiency was additionally spectacular when paired with Kingfisher A16s, showcasing the graceful treble and deep bass. So, with its high-quality built-in DAC and streamer, the Hegel provides nice worth for these trying to simplify their audio setups. It successfully combines a variety of well-designed options right into a single unit, making it a handy and cost-effective alternative for potential purchasers. It actually ought to be in your radar in case you’re contemplating a brand new system or simply trying to simplify an present one.