Anyone familiar with HEGEL

[HiFiFan]

Not a name I was familiar with until a few weeks back. At RMAF a sound engineer I spoke to claimed Hegel made the best amplifies but that Devialet were getting closer and in his opinion Devialet were doing the best Class D (yes I know it is a hybrid of sorts) at the moment.
Anyway I did some web searching and Hegel hail from Norway and have some very positive reviews behind them. I was just wondering if anyone here has any of their stuff or has heard it?

[Diapason]

Nope!

[HiFiFan]

I found a dealer in SF that seems very knowledgeable and seemed to give a honest assessment on things. I like what I have read and what he said so I am going to go ahead auditioning some Hegel also. I thinking of trying to overlap my time with the Hegel with the Devialet but perhaps trying to schedule a close back to back would be better. Either way I'll let you know how I get on.

If this is anyone on the forum with experience with this manufacturer I'll still be very interested in hearing about it.

[Diapason]

Please report back!

Remind me what speakers you have HFF. Do you need gobs of power, or is refinement the order of the day, or are you a valve or SS fancier or wha'?

[HiFiFan]

Hi
My speakers are Wilson Audio Sophia III, not the easiest of loads but not too difficult either. I am not a valves fan in general mainly because of heat, power and maintenance. Though I do like Doshi amps (too expensive for me) and ARC Ref amps with the Wilsons.

I want/like something uncoloured but not dry, tight control, great detail and separation, followed by soundstage. Needs to be engaging. I recently auditioned some AYRE amplifiers and while it fulfilled some needs I wasn't tapping along or getting drawn into the music.

[Diapason]

Yes, I admire Ayre in many ways, but their products historically haven't moved me. I'd say the Devialet may in fact tick a lot of your boxes based on your description, but time will tell. I'm intrigued by the Hegel mention now too. Have you ever had the opportunity to hear any of the solid state amps that used to pop up on Audio Federation? I'm thinking Edge and the like.

It sounds like you've got a cracking system one way or the other HFF!

[Claus]

Hegel are very popular in Denmark. They are considered best in class by many reviewers in Scandinavia. I have not heard them yet but they would be high on my list for audition if I was looking in that price bracket.

[HiFiFan]

Thanks Claus. That is my impression also. They have only got traction in the US in the last few years. Since checking them out I am finding loads of well-respected Scandinavian manufacturers (and others) that I had not heard of before. Note: Hegel actually have some reasonably priced items such as their integrated amps H70/80/100 etc. and P20 pre-amp.
If I go with Hegel I am thinking of a P30/H20 combination.

[HiFiFan]

[quote="Diapason"]Yes, I admire Ayre in many ways, but their products historically haven't moved me. I'd say the Devialet may in fact tick a lot of your boxes based on your description, but time will tell. I'm intrigued by the Hegel mention now too. Have you ever had the opportunity to hear any of the solid state amps that used to pop up on Audio Federation? I'm thinking Edge and the like.quote]


I have not heard Edge (or at least not that I remember). If these are the same ones I am thinking of these are now Maker Audio? One amp that has really got my attention is the Vitus RI-100.