Hegel H590

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/

+1 on contacting Mike at Suncoast.  A straight shooter with a large selection of great integrated amps including the Hegel 590. Pass, Gryphon and T+A. Also a KEF dealer. 

Op you may want to consider a few of the newer preamp/dac + amp options that may be similarily priced:

We have the Anthem STR amp and preamp which is an outstanding 400 watt per channel amp plus the new STR preamp state of the art dac + preamp with room correction both pieces are $10k no built in streamer though this package is $10k and it is really fantastic sounding one of the best sounding packages we have seen under $20k

There is the new Krell K300i at $8k this totally new Krell Ibias 150watt integrated was one of the highlights at Rocky Mountain where one of the reviewers Mike Trei said it was the best sound at the show, don't know haven't heard the piece yet but the buzz is very strong that this little integrated is pretty amazing.

You also have the new Mark Levinson 5000 series which are getting good buzz they have a new integrated at $7k.

The T+A gear is amazing they have one integrated amp the 2500R at $11k challenges way more expensive amps, very open, transparent, great soundstage but no built in dac. 

The take away is that there are a lot of great packages you can put together. We are waiting to hear the 590 as well, as we might be brining in Hegel again.

Long story short there is a lot of great gear on the market right now that repesents stunning sound and good pricing.

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ Krell, T+A, Anthem, Coda dealers