Thread: Hegel h190 problems

Welcome to the forum

Crossfree,

Welcome and I'm sorry to hear of your troubles. Hopefully you can get them worked out.

As for gear made in China, I personally have had TERRIFIC luck with all my PrimaLuna equipment. Fantastically well made. I do know that the owner of the company is meticulous and allows for no shortcuts in the China factory. As with most things in life there are good and there are bad...

You said one was brought over to listen to, can we assume your H190 is brand new? Seems you dealer would support you if you have a new unit. How long have you been into audio, just asking because sometimes it can be something as simple as speakers out of phase.

It is not the norm for a Hegel to be bad and I've gotten quick responses from email inquiries. Which country are yu in?

When you say "getting Hegel to do anything", what do you mean? Are they not willing to honor the warranty or check the amp out?

Originally Posted by crossfree

Hi all,
bought h190. Unit has a 4000 damping factor. The demo was fantastic that was brought over and hooked up my system. Really great. The new unit I received received has very little base. Getting Hegel to do anything is like pulling teeth. The product never opened up, never developed much bass response at all. I asked for a new product. I'm in the middle Of dealing with them. I will never again by anything made in China. Had the same problem with some new audio monitor speakers. No more China for me.

Crossfire - First it may have been a be broken in unit. Second was the demo in your home with your equipment and the dealers 190?

Oh forgot - Welcome

Welcome - sorry about the problem. Don't know where you are located, but I use a Hegel H190 in a secondary system. What are your system components.

One question - did You check correct power cord polarization?

Originally Posted by crossfree

Yes, it was new. I have been into this for perhaps 3 year in this class, bot have always had a system to listen too.

How owe do I tell if a speaker is out of phase?

I have a new new one now, though not keen on opening the box, no confidence in this brand.

If you think a speaker is out of phase just reverse the + and - on one speaker or at the 190. If a speaker was out of phase you should hear it immediately.

You want to be sure the red (+) on the amp goes to red (+) on the speaker, same with black (-), this is in phase. Out of phase means you have a red to black on one of the speakers.

Out of phase has one of the woofers moving in while the other moves out, this causes frequency cancellation, lack of bass.

Try the new amp, it should be fine.

Originally Posted by crossfree

Yes, it was new. I have been into this for perhaps 3 year in this class, bot have always had a system to listen too.

How owe do I tell if a speaker is out of phase?

I have a new new one now, though not keen on opening the box, no confidence in this brand.

Crossfree
Another thing is dealers normally like to do is put their best cables into a system for demo. They want to show what the product is capable of. Cables can make a big difference.

Forgot to mention regarding cables - they can be pretty expensive.

Total system synergy is the key. Expensive cables does't always mean better but usually do.

Originally Posted by crossfree

No, not sure how to check power cord polarization. Please tell me.
However,, I read here, about checking speaker cable polarization. It was correct. However, when I used the new speaker cable on my other system I noticed what seems to be the same issue. I believe this speaker cable was spliced at the factory, and blue jean didn't check ohm. and thus the lack of bass. The cables show a solid wire, but a spliced 10 ga wire, when spliced, won't transfer the bass signal in its entirety.

Btw, Hegel did respond to my requests.

I'm wondering if when the cable was spliced they reversed the wires on one of the cables. For grins and giggles I would try reversing the cable polarity on just 1 speaker only. If you get the bass back then it's one of the cables. Or do you have some other speaker wires to try?

Originally Posted by crossfree

Thanks all. You helped me figure this out. I am going to give the amp proper time to break in as this is a replacement for the first. Any suggestions on burning in a new amp? You all seem well schooled. Thnx again

Just leave it on and maybe stream some internet radio through it

It's perfectly fine to upgrade the power cord. Foryour experience once you are satisfied with the sound of the amp you should listen to both cords to hear if you notice improvement with the Venim over the stock cord.

Originally Posted by crossfree

Oh, I was sold a venom power cord at purchase. Is it proper to change out Oem for a "thicker cord"?

Originally Posted by crossfree

No, not sure how to check power cord polarization. Please tell me.
However,, I read here, about checking speaker cable polarization. It was correct. However, when I used the new speaker cable on my other system I noticed what seems to be the same issue. I believe this speaker cable was spliced at the factory, and blue jean didn't check ohm. and thus the lack of bass. The cables show a solid wire, but a spliced 10 ga wire, when spliced, won't transfer the bass signal in its entirety.

Btw, Hegel did respond to my requests.

Just use the simplest neon mains testing screwdriver


And correct polarity:

Originally Posted by crossfree

Oh, I was sold a venom power cord at purchase. Is it proper to change out Oem for a "thicker cord"?

It is not a problem at all , not sure why you think it could be a problem !!