They do sound a little different. I believe the 390 is a touch cooler sounding.
the 590 is a big deal because it has true balance and an extra XLR input. Plus since they just came out with the 600 you should get a better discount percentage on the 590. Most people are working their way up the line from the 95 up. So why not just get the best. If you are near Chicago you can go to Holm Audio. You might want to call for prices anyways. They will ship it to you and have a great relationship with Hegel. I hope this helps.
Hegel comparison
I have the opportunity to buy either a Hegel 390 or 590. Pricing to be negotiated, and there are no dealerships anywhere in my region that would allow me to hear either one before making a decision.
Does anybody have an opinion, based on live auditioning, re: the relative sonic profiles of these two products?
Thanks for any opinions based on first-hand experience.