Hegel P30 Preamp

audio.bill

audio.bill

Active member
Joined
Aug 31, 2013
Messages
1,588
Location
Chicago suburbs
Looking for any direct experience or thoughts you can share about the performance of the Hegel P30 preamp. It's their top of the line, a technically advanced fully balanced solid state design that has received very favorable reviews. Some dealers claim that in many respects it betters competitive models at two to three times the price ($7,500 US). Thanks in advance for your time, I would welcome any comments either from dealers or individual Sharks that have experience with it.
 
I have one but haven't compared it or even played it much. Not sure if it needs burn in time or not. They say the amps don't. Getting it back from Mark tomorrow. Don't think it was his favorite. I'll compare with Virgo II and Soulution 520
 
I had one in my system and did a preamp shoot out. It beat my VAC renaissance preamp, my CJ GAT preamp, and was only bettered by (my now reference) ARC ref 40 preamp. The P30 and H30 are insanely good values. I have since purchased an air tight atc-2 and it is even closer in performance to my ARC ref 40...so if you like tubes and can find a used Air Tight ATC 2 preamp that is also an insanely good deal (at used prices).
 
Darrin, how many hours did you have on the P30? Mark's findings were very different - but I will let him fill in the details.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
 
Dpod4 said:
I had one in my system and did a preamp shoot out. It beat my VAC renaissance preamp, my CJ GAT preamp, and was only bettered by (my now reference) ARC ref 40 preamp. The P30 and H30 are insanely good values. I have since purchased an air tight atc-2 and it is even closer in performance to my ARC ref 40...so if you like tubes and can find a used Air Tight ATC 2 preamp that is also an insanely good deal (at used prices).
Click to expand...
Very interesting comments and comparisons, exactly what I'm looking for. Thanks!
 
Mike said:
Darrin, how many hours did you have on the P30? Mark's findings were very different - but I will let him fill in the details.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
Click to expand...

A dealer sent me one fully broken in. Then I bought a new one that I never opened because I got the ARC REF40 and didn't build out my second system like I thought I would (p30 and H30).


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
 
Design Audio Video said:
I have one but haven't compared it or even played it much. Not sure if it needs burn in time or not. They say the amps don't. Getting it back from Mark tomorrow. Don't think it was his favorite. I'll compare with Virgo II and Soulution 520
Click to expand...

David, I look forward to your comparo.
 
I had the P30 in my system for a couple of days, together with my newly purchased Hegel H30. I thought it was very nice sounding.
But compared to the Classe' CP 800, it just didn't measure up. The CP 800 allowed the H30 to really sing. With the Classe', the soundstage was bigger, more 3D, greater clarity, better imaging.
The music had a much more open sound, much greater air. I couldn't find one thing the P30 did better than the CP 800. The P30's volume control was not very good to use with the remote, the volume jumped in bigger increments than than I like, and very,very fast.

I know I may sound a little harsh, but I'm not bashing the P30, I'm comparing it.

For people that have had one in their system, you already know what I'm talking about.
For everybody else, let me tell you something. I've paired the Classe' preamp with Constellation,Solution, D'Agostino,EAR,VAC,Classe', and a few more.
If you really want to know the truth about how your amp sounds , pair it with the Classe', then you will understand what I mean.

Of the preamps I've tried, the CP 800 has the least affect on an amps sonic signature.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
MDP said:
I had the P30 in my system for a couple of days, together with my newly purchased Hegel H30. I fought it was very nice sounding.
But compared to the Classe' CP 800, it just didn't measure up. The CP 800 allowed the H30 to really sing. With the Classe', the soundstage was bigger, more 3D, greater clarity, better imaging.
The music had a much more open sound, much greater air. I couldn't find one thing the P30 did better than the CP 800. The P30's volume control was not very good to use with the remote, the volume jumped in bigger increments than than I like, and very,very fast.

I know I may sound a little harsh, but I'm not bashing the P30, I'm comparing it.

For people that have had one in their system, you already know what I'm talking about.
For everybody else, let me tell you something. I've paired the Classe' preamp with Constellation,Solution, D'Agostino,EAR,VAC,Classe', and a few more.
If you really want to know the truth about how your amp sounds , pair it with the Classe', then you will understand what I mean.

Of the preamps I've tried, the CP 800 has the least affect on an amps sonic signature.
Click to expand...
Thanks very much for your input Mark! I appreciate having your perspective and value it greatly, I wasn't just looking for rave reviews on the P30.
 
MDP said:
I had the P30 in my system for a couple of days, together with my newly purchased Hegel H30. I thought it was very nice sounding.
But compared to the Classe' CP 800, it just didn't measure up. The CP 800 allowed the H30 to really sing. With the Classe', the soundstage was bigger, more 3D, greater clarity, better imaging.
The music had a much more open sound, much greater air. I couldn't find one thing the P30 did better than the CP 800. The P30's volume control was not very good to use with the remote, the volume jumped in bigger increments than than I like, and very,very fast.

I know I may sound a little harsh, but I'm not bashing the P30, I'm comparing it.

For people that have had one in their system, you already know what I'm talking about.
For everybody else, let me tell you something. I've paired the Classe' preamp with Constellation,Solution, D'Agostino,EAR,VAC,Classe', and a few more.
If you really want to know the truth about how your amp sounds , pair it with the Classe', then you will understand what I mean.

Of the preamps I've tried, the CP 800 has the least affect on an amps sonic signature.
Click to expand...

I haven't heard classe equipment but from what i have read it is SOTA at really reasonable prices.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Dpod4 said:
I haven't heard classe equipment but from what i have read it is SOTA at really reasonable prices.
Click to expand...
I haven't heard the CP-800 myself, but from the reviews I've seen they always mention that it seems to lack the ultimate musicality or harmonic beauty of other highly rated gear. Apparently that is not Mark's experience, so I'd welcome further thoughts on that in this thread as well as what other preamps you've compared to the CP-800.
 
I heard the P30 in Mark's system with his H30 and it was almost like it was too much of a good thing, if that makes any sense. A little is great and too much just took away the enjoyment for me. The Classe preamp was a great match up with the H30.

As I type this, I wonder how it would have sounded with the Classe power amps. Maybe in that senario, I would have liked the P30 better. But I didn't think to try that combo.
 
the professor said:
I heard the P30 in Mark's system with his H30 and it was almost like it was too much of a good thing, if that makes any sense. A little is great and too much just took away the enjoyment for me. The Classe preamp was a great match up with the H30.

As I type this, I wonder how it would have sounded with the Classe power amps. Maybe in that senario, I would have liked the P30 better. But I didn't think to try that combo.
Click to expand...

Great callout. The P30 sounded best with my VAC reference amp which was more tipped up and holographic than than the H30 which was more meaty and dynamic.
 
Last edited:
the professor said:
I heard the P30 in Mark's system with his H30 and it was almost like it was too much of a good thing, if that makes any sense. A little is great and too much just took away the enjoyment for me. The Classe preamp was a great match up with the H30.

As I type this, I wonder how it would have sounded with the Classe power amps. Maybe in that senario, I would have liked the P30 better. But I didn't think to try that combo.
Click to expand...

I found something similar when auditioning the Ayre VX5 with matching KX5 preamplifier. It was just too clean/sterile sounding. The amp sounded much better through a VTL preamplifier (not very tubelike either)
 
audio.bill said:
I haven't heard the CP-800 myself, but from the reviews I've seen they always mention that it seems to lack the ultimate musicality or harmonic beauty of other highly rated gear. Apparently that is not Mark's experience, so I'd welcome further thoughts on that in this thread as well as what other preamps you've compared to the CP-800.
Click to expand...

Bill, that's what I was trying to say, the CP 800 does not add anything of its own to the sound. It is,what it is. If you want a preamp to add a little flavor,and there is nothing wrong with that , then the Classe' won't be for you.
If you want a dead neutral preamp, the CP 800 fits the bill.
 
Compared to my VAC preamp, the CP800 is strictly neutral, clean and as Mark said, seemingly without sonic character - like a straight line from source to amp. Depending on your amp, that can be good or not so much. To me, my heavily modified VAC preamp is delightful and rich and 3D on the MC275 amps.

I prefer my VAC preamp on my Mc275's and my CP800 over the VAC preamp on my VAC amps. Odd....but it is what it is.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Mike said:
Compared to my VAC preamp, the CP800 is strictly neutral, clean and as Mark said, seemingly without sonic character - like a straight line from source to amp. Depending on your amp, that can be good or not so much. To me, my heavily modified VAC preamp is delightful and rich and 3D on the MC275 amps.

I prefer my VAC preamp on my Mc275's and my CP800 over the VAC preamp on my VAC amps. Odd....but it is what it is.
Click to expand...
Mike - thanks for providing us with your perspective, I always value your input.
 
Mike's right, it is what it is. If you want to know the sound of just your amp, the CP 800 is a valuable commodity.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top