Hegel H590

Why not home demo the H190 ? odds are the 2 will sound nearly identical while the 590 has twice the power you will still get a feel for the sound.

Congrats. I'm scared to order one because I just feel stupid ordering from Hegel based on their made in China pedigree and trying to hide it, the fact that another Chinese company is selling the exact same amp under a different brand/badge out the back door. I don't think Hegel even owns their own manufacturing factory, molds, etc, and I've read somewhere that the Chinese company that manufactures all the Hegel products has let their designs and molds slip into other factory hands, and there's actual counterfeit Hegel amps being made on the way to the market, using shoddy caps, etc. This is all in China, but the fact all this nonsense is happening has made me extremely wary of spending upwards of $5000 on a reference level amp by them. Hegel really needs to get their act together and start doing everything themself. I'd rather pay 2x and get actual made in Norway gear.

I contacted Hegel about hearing this in S. Cal but none of their dealers have bought one yet. I do know that the Suncoast dealer in Florida has the Hegel and a ton of other integrateds. You may want to give him a call and talk to him about it relative to the other great units he sells.

https://suncoastaudio.com/product-category/integrated/