Hegel?

mrbiron

I'm in the market to try something new, that's what this hobby does...
I'd like to replace my Decco65 on the Zu's.

I'm looking to see what the masses have to say about Hegel. Particularly, their integrated amps. There are a couple of H80's on the 'Gon right now that get glowing reviews all over the interweb. I know, i read at least 14 last night...

What i like is the back isn't overloaded with inputs that i will never use. As it stands right now, i need 1 Analog, 1 USB, 2 Optical. The Line out is a plus if i ever feel the need to add an amp. My speakers are quite efficient so i doubt i'd need it.

Anyone have ears on one? There is a shop semi-local in Waltham, MA that i could visit if i ever found the time. My budget is <$1300 at this current time. Basically, what i have saved up in the rainy day jar plus offloading the Decco.

Thanks!

Input is appreciated!

txcoastal1

When i was shopping for an integrated Hegel was at the top of my list. Heard one paired with a pair of Focal's. I only chose the Modwright because I got a great deal but would pick Hegel any other day.

It will keep things simple

I believe Danny (assimilated) has a Hegel if you want to send him a PM

mrbiron

I know he was looking at them a long while ago. In fact, he was the first time i heard of Hegel and since have researched&drooled over their shtuff.

mhardy6647

Hegel, eh?

https://youtu.be/l9SqQNgDrgg

mrbiron

No Mr. H......not that Hegel

Hegel is Norwegian....not English.

cstmar01

A local dealer here loves them and heard one of the integrated on Maggies and it sounded very good. Not something I've had in my own home to compare to other things but it did a great job at driving the 3.7s they had set up. If your getting it used and not paying full price I would say it would be a good deal and something to try out for sure.

mrbiron

That's what I'm thinking...
We all tout the same tried &true gear and Hegel seems to be a little more, not a lot, outside the box. I'll keep reading...

txcoastal1

The Hegel will definitely sweeten up the bottom end compared to the Decco

mrbiron

Welp.....2 out of 3 H80's that were on the Gon are now....gone.
I'm still weighing my options here. It really does fit the bill perfectly. Also, i shot Assimilated a PM to see if he can generalize his experience.

Last night, while eating dinner, i realized that i am officially done with the Decco.
Maybe there is something else i should be looking at other than Hegel?

If i didn't go Hegel, i'd like to look at a First Watt F3 but then i would need a pre which puts me out of budget.

Thoughts?

grimmace19

I have an HD11 dac that I use on a daily basis in my rig and love it...

My other experience with Hegel was a demo a few years back where they went from their H80 and all the way up the line to their 15k mono blocks on a pair of Kef Blades... Yes, there was a tremendous difference between the H80 and the top end mono's but dang, for such large demanding speakers I was floored by what the H80 was capable of in such a large space with them.

I'd love to try a p20 or p30 on my main rig rather than running everything through my marantz pre/pro and see what it would do.

mrbiron

Thanks for the experience Grimmace!
Last night i had a lot of time to reflect as i lay awake due to feeling like ****$. I am teetering on the edge of Hegel...

Something will be done in the next couple of days!

mrbiron

Well...the search continues. Every Hegel HD80 that I have come across, that was affordable, has be first Gen without the "line out". Maybe I'm being picky but having the option to run it as a pre, if it ever happened, was a big selling point.

So here is exactly what I want/need;
(1) analog in
(1) Opt in
(1) USB in
(1) Pre Out

Can anyone help me spend my wife's shoe money?!


On a side note, Reno Hifi is having a black Friday sale on all of their first watt used inventory which was to be my second choice....

mrbiron

Oh that's right....I also wanted the line out so I could use my "crack"...... Can't forget about the crack..........addiction!