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All-in-one: $1k Marantz or $2k Hegel?

Considering upgrading from Bluesound Powernode 2 for office system. Looking for better sound quality from one-box amplified digital streamer box. Only Tidal streaming will be used for this system.
Intrigued by marantz pm7000n at $1k, and also considering Hegel h90 at $2k. Both 60 Wpc and I believe both use AK4490EQ as dac chip (though hard to confirm for Hegel - but h190 is reported to use 4490 and I think I read h90 uses same, wish I knew for sure).
I know Heos stream interface for marantz is solid because I have a marantz AVR in my main HT system and streaming works well there. Little unsure about the Hegel stream interface.
Anyone heard both units and can compare and contrast?

speakers not purchased yet but likely Kef LS50 with Kef kube 10b sub. I understand Kef and Hegel pair well and each uses other at shows. 

I am going to try to audition both first before deciding just seeking advance opinions
kren0006
kren0006 OP
1,859 posts
 
More info: my main system is Spendor and ARC and is sound I prefer but this will be much lower budget system. I found the Powernode 2 to sound thin and small and looking for better SQ. 
soix
9,456 posts
 
If you like ARC I think you’d do better with the Hegel.  ARC tends to be more in the neutral sound camp with lots of detail and air that also applies to the Hegel while the Marantz sound skews more to warmth with less detail/air up top.  And although the Hegel sound is generally neutral with good detail they are never categorized as thin sounding in any review I’ve read.  Best of luck. 
milpai's avatar
milpai
2,373 posts
 
I am helping a good friend of mine to setup a system and we are looking at the same amplifiers to power up a pair of Revel F36 loudspeakers. While we have not listened to either of the 2, it is the Marantz's wireless streaming convenience that seems very lucrative at the moment. Can we stream Spotify/Tidal/Amazon HD to the Hegel wirelessly? 
reubent
6,978 posts
 
What about the Naim units? Very good sound and supposed to b a top-notch operating environment. Not sure of the price range for their all-in-one units, but I think they have a couple of units in the $1K to $2K range.
kren0006 OP
1,859 posts
 
The Naim Uniti is $3k+, outside of my budget for this system. Similarly for NAD M10 at 2.75ish. 

In reality, at twice the cost the SQ of Hegel will have to be much better than the marantz for me to justify the extra cost, but if it is then it’ll be worth it. 

A UK mag that reviewed the marantz stated it was much better on several levels than the Bluesound Powernode 2i, so that’s positive. For whatever mag reviews are worth ....
Both the Hegel and marantz are class AB.
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