Hegel H30 or Bryston 7B3 monos

Soix, I felt the Levinson gear had very good synergy.  I found the 512, 326s and 436 have excellent detail, and transparency, but ultimately lacked some soundstage, depth, drive and musical presentation.  I went with Vinnie Rossi's LIO as a preamp and recovered some tube warmth and 3d I was missing.  I changed speakers from Wilson W.P. 8 to Magico S5 (both excellent speakers).  But the S5 has a different sound, not as forward or hyper-real as the WP8s, so I am looking to add more of the slam and dynamics that I hear from the big rigs at the auto shows, while maintaining that transparency that is equally addicting.  
An amp that is similar to the 436 but with more power seems to be a logical step.  
Also-trying to keep all my gear black, cant do bright meters because of Home theater use, and probably staying ss for the amps. 

Keep me posted -firefightingrob

Happy Listening!

If you're looking for slam and dynamics without sacrificing transparency, I suspect you won't be disappointed with the Hegel on your Magicos. I'm extremely happy with mine in these areas with my Raidhos. I'm using one in stereo mode, which provides 675 watts into 4 ohms. Hegel doesn't specify the output into 4 ohms with the monos, but I'd guess it's considerably more powerful than the stereo unit (contact Hegel and ask them). Of the stereo unit, Pacula at 6 moons says: "I don’t believe there are loudspeakers beyond the Hegel’s power capacity starting with the Franco Serblin Ktêma through the German Physiks HRS 120 Carbon to the Ascendo System ZF3 S.E. and Avalons ending with the Sonus Faber Elipsa and Stradivari". And Harley at TAS says, "I also had the feeling that the H30 had virtually unlimited power reserves." My previous amp was more powerful on paper, but the Hegel is more dynamic and adds more control.

A couple reviewers (including TAS) thought the stereo amp sounded better than the monos--I suppose that's up for debate. Schneider at Soundstage thought the depth was lacking a bit, but that was in comparison to the Luxman which excels there--but then again, Harley says, "the palpability of timbres and images toward the back of the soundstage was phenomenal." I guess everything is relative to what you're comparing to, but I haven't noticed any deficits in stage width or depth. On the contrary, I find the soundstage and image specificity seem generous and accurate.

I use a tube preamp, as you're planning to do, which I think is a good idea. Overall, the Hegel is the best amp I've heard in my system, doing a fabulous job balancing clarity and detail with ease and liquidity. I haven't heard the Bryston, so can't comment on the comparison.

Thank you Richards, awesome response from someone with  experience with the h30. I sent hegel an email about its 4ohm rating as a mono, no answer yet after 2 days.  im trying to avoid using a stereo amp as it would require new cables and selling my existing. 

I received an email from Hegel regarding the H30 ability to drive 4 ohm speakers.  His reply is they push about 2000 watts into 4ohm when used as a monoblocks.  

Hi Rob

 

Thanks for your email.

 

In 4 ohms about 2000watts.  

 

Med vennlig hilsen/Best regards

Hegel Music System AS

 

 

Fredrik Johnsen

fredrik.johnsen@hegel.com

Tlf: +47 22 60 56 60