Hegel H30 Reference Amp

socfan12

socfan12

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I heard about these amps in passing and then did some research on them. On paper they sound like a great amp. Has anyone listened to this amp or any experience with Hegel products?

thx
allen


Hegel H30 Reference Power Amplifier (TAS 223) | The Absolute Sound

H30-02_686_537_80.jpg
 
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Very appealing aesthetically and consistently good reviews. The technical director, Bent, has an interesting background (back page of latest TAS which I'm sure you've seen!). Haven't heard them though...
 
That's what I'm hearing, too, Ron.

To quote the retailer (who shall rename nameless) who first introduced me to the brand: "I have a Hegel amp that is infinitely more musical than your current system at a fraction of the price..."

Needless to say I won't be auditioning that amp at his showroom, LOL! But am intrigued just the same.
 
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.
 
Thx, Darrin. Wow, Hegel and Contellation! Sweet! The Centaur's driving the S5s, correct? Would love to hear any feedback if you tried the Hegel w the S5s. ;). That's the combo I was considering.
 
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.
 
Thx, Darrin. Would like to give them a listen first.

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

Cheers
Allen
 
socfan12 said:
That's what I'm hearing, too, Ron.

To quote the retailer (who shall rename nameless) who first introduced me to the brand: "I have a Hegel amp that is infinitely more musical than your current system at a fraction of the price..."

Needless to say I won't be auditioning that amp at his showroom, LOL! But am intrigued just the same.
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Hi Allen, just to let you know IF you ever choose the Hegel amplifier it will be my pleasure to take your Jeff Rowland out of your hands just for you to have more room.:):):)
 
MrAcoustat said:
Hi Allen, just to let you know IF you ever choose the Hegel amplifier it will be my pleasure to take your Jeff Rowland out of your hands just for you to have more room.:):):)
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Haha! I'll keep that in mind, Andre! I actually had this on Agon for a little while before I pulled it. A friend of mine said keep it as it's one of Rowland's best.

Hey Joe, go for the 458s mentioned in the other thread, Howie will pick up your 108, I'll buy Darrin's Hegel, and Andre will buy my Rowland. Come on, let's get this swap meet rolling! :D
 
socfan12 said:
Haha! I'll keep that in mind, Andre! I actually had this on Agon for a little while before I pulled it. A friend of mine said keep it as it's one of Rowland's best.

Hey Joe, go for the 458s mentioned in the other thread, Howie will pick up your 108, I'll buy Darrin's Hegel, and Andre will buy my Rowland. Come on, let's get this swap meet rolling! :D
Click to expand...

Now you are thinking :)
 
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 can not tell you how happy I am to see you this excited about gear. I was really missing you over "there" and I am so glad to have you here. :)
 
Joe,
I am appreciative that you invited me over "here"....you and I are spiritual audio brothers for sure.
 
Dpod4 said:
Joe,
I am appreciative that you invited me over "here"....you and I are spiritual audio brothers for sure.
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Amen to that. Your experience has been an amazing journey for me as well as all of us.
 
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.

socfan12 said:
Thx, Darrin. Would like to give them a listen first.

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

Cheers
Allen
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Thank you for the great description, Darrin, very helpful. Over the next month, I'm sure I will audition the two amps. Sounds like a win in either case!:audiophile:
 
Dpod4 said:
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"
Click to expand...
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
 
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