Thread: Hegel H30 Reference Amp

I just bought the Hegel H30 and P30. Still boxed and unopened. I had previously auditioned the P30 and it beat my VAC preamp. It comes close to the performance level of my ARC Ref40 preamp. The H30 is equally incredible, especially when paired with the P30. Together at roughly $23,000 they compete with six figure set ups relative musicality, drive, grip, delicacy, harmonics etc. They could charge 3x what they are and I wouldn't think that is insane. Freakishly good for the price. H30 beat my VAC 450S on a few dimensions. Nothing approaches the magic of my Constellation, but if I didn't have the Centaur I would be happy with the H30. Robert Harley's review is spot on.

Yes the Hegel and S5 is very very good. If I didn't have Centaur I would mate Hegel with S5. But if you can reach for Centaur that is where the magic lives. If you want to buy a new P30 and H30 send me a PM. Was going to use in my second system but don't have to.

Hi, John. Here's the convoluted history of my amps, thanks for asking....

I started with a VAC 300.1a running Esoteric MG20 speakers (wow the transparency was too much for me!), then upgraded to the VAC Statement 450S and it was a definite step up....more holographic, more drive, more texture, more, more, more of the VAC goodness....and the tube heat ugggh. Then I auditioned a Hegel P30 which surprised the hell out of me. I was surprised by the little P30...it beat my VAC preamp...made my VAC 450S sound so much better through my Magico speakers...more extension, bigger, etc. One area it didn't beat the VAC was in harmonic texture. The beauty of VAC is a violin sounds like a violin - no electronic sheen that disrupts the illusion of musicians in your room. But the P30 (and the H30) brought a "bigness" of sound and grip especially on the low end that made me think my Magicos were playing midrange and above with the VAC. No heat and perfect synergy with the P30, I was ready to put the H30 into active duty and call it a day.

Then....Then....Then....and it is the biggest "THEN" I can write....along came Constellation Centaur (I'm listening to it right now). I don't have the words to express what I'm hearing. I didn't know it could sound this good. If Magico wanted to have powered S5s all they have to do is incorporate the Centaur and call it a day. It is everything and then some....but not too much. Gentle and strong at the same time. Full but precise. My woofers have no dust on them. ZERO, absolutely ZERO fatigue, but 1,000,000,000,000,000 percent detail and transparency. Smooth as a baby's bottom. I could go on and on and on. Best way i can describe is the Centaur with the Magico S5 speakers exceeds my expectations and obsessive perfection every time I hit play or drop the cue.

If I had to choose one word to describe the sound of the Centaur it would be "delectable"

Joe,
I am appreciative that you invited me over "here"....you and I are spiritual audio brothers for sure.

Hi, Allen.

H30 is in charge and in control (especially when mated with P30), and throws a big sound with great articulation at the low end and a sweet high end.

The Constellation Centaur is hard to put into words....all that the VAC and the Hegel brought and then more of everything that matters including delicacy, float, fullness, nuance, detail, balance, etc. I'd love to sell my Hegel equipment but if someone had the coin, I'd point them to Constellation if they owned the S5 speakers. Hegel will provide happiness. Constellation...ecstasy.

Originally Posted by socfan12

Thx, Darrin. Would like to give them a listen first.

Until then, how would you describe the difference between the two?

Cheers
Allen

Originally Posted by Dpod4

Hi, John. Here's the convoluted history of my amps, thanks for asking....

I started with a VAC 300.1a running Esoteric MG20 speakers (wow the transparency was too much for me!), then upgraded to the VAC Statement 450S and it was a definite step up....more holographic, more drive, more texture, more, more, more of the VAC goodness....and the tube heat ugggh. Then I auditioned a Hegel P30 which surprised the hell out of me. I was surprised by the little P30...it beat my VAC preamp...made my VAC 450S sound so much better through my Magico speakers...more extension, bigger, etc. One area it didn't beat the VAC was in harmonic texture. The beauty of VAC is a violin sounds like a violin - no electronic sheen that disrupts the illusion of musicians in your room. But the P30 (and the H30) brought a "bigness" of sound and grip especially on the low end that made me think my Magicos were playing midrange and above with the VAC. No heat and perfect synergy with the P30, I was ready to put the H30 into active duty and call it a day.

Then....Then....Then....and it is the biggest "THEN" I can write....along came Constellation Centaur (I'm listening to it right now). I don't have the words to express what I'm hearing. I didn't know it could sound this good. If Magico wanted to have powered S5s all they have to do is incorporate the Centaur and call it a day. It is everything and then some....but not too much. Gentle and strong at the same time. Full but precise. My woofers have no dust on them. ZERO, absolutely ZERO fatigue, but 1,000,000,000,000,000 percent detail and transparency. Smooth as a baby's bottom. I could go on and on and on. Best way i can describe is the Centaur with the Magico S5 speakers exceeds my expectations and obsessive perfection every time I hit play or drop the cue.

If I had to choose one word to describe the sound of the Centaur it would be "delectable"

Darrin, I have been following your post and comments about the Hegel H30/P30 combo that I will be auditioning next Sunday.
I currently own an integrated Luxman 590AX, 30 watts class A. My room is 10X12 not the best but good enough for NYC standards of living.
I am looking for an amp that bring nirvana on near fields at low volume without being forward sounding.
I own Harbeth 30.1 and Dali Helicon's 800 MKII.
What do you think about the Hegel combo?
Regards

Sent from my HTC One M9 using Tapatalk

Originally Posted by junglern

Darrin, I have been following your post and comments about the Hegel H30/P30 combo that I will be auditioning next Sunday.
I currently own an integrated Luxman 590AX, 30 watts class A. My room is 10X12 not the best but good enough for NYC standards of living.
I am looking for an amp that bring nirvana on near fields at low volume without being forward sounding.
I own Harbeth 30.1 and Dali Helicon's 800 MKII.
What do you think about the Hegel combo?
Regards

Sent from my HTC One M9 using Tapatalk

Hello. I was very impressed with the Hegel combo. I thought great performance at that price point. I used the amp in stereo mode and it was plenty to drive my Maggie 3.7 and Magico S5 speakers. I thought the constellation was better. And then happened cross used marantz monos that (in my system) sounded even better. Always important to try the gear since impedance and power matching to a speaker is important.