Ghosthouse you are raising a point that is very true, the mistake that people make thinking a solid state amp sounds like x and a tube amp sounds like Y.
There are tube amps that sound like solid state and solid state sounds like tubes.
The issue this man has is DNM cables are okay and are thin sounding cables, our suggestion gets the man improved sound with what he already has due to the fact that he is fixing two areas of weakness, the Exposure integrated is a good integrated amp, does it sound as good as separates no it does not, but until he address his weakness in cables and source components he is not ready to make that jump.
By the way if you like the Hegel you should listen to a Coda the Coda is just scary good.
Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ