All-in-one integrated, 10-15K range, class A/B only

@speedbump6


Indeed the Hegel has been getting some good reviews from the Hegel owners. The 390 is supposed to be a really fine amp/dac, especially at the prices you see them discounted at both new and preowned. The 590 had better be good at $11k. The strongest reviews seem to be from the reviewers who already own Hegel, which can be a strong statement or a channel, depending on perspective. There is some great gear being made and designed throughout the world and I'm certain the Hegel falls into that camp.

Until you hear the Vitus, the Nagra, the Gryphon and then the Boulder...the refinement is just there. The elegance is just there. It does come at a price but to many its worth it. I don't know if Hegel really knows how to play in the 5 figure game yet, we will see. Go hear all of the aforementioned amps, no matter what you buy, its really amazing what is available today in high quality gear.

I’m talking about professional reviewers, not owners. It’s amazing how people will demean the professional reviewers as just paid advitisers, but now people who own them ( which I have not looked at any of those yet) are fanboys. It makes it seem like there’s an agenda and that a company that normally dosnt play in that price point shouldn’t be allowed. Their status image isn’t up to snuff. I listen with my ears. I don’t buy status. The names you mentioned have indeed earned their status and recognition, but that dosnt mean a lessor know player can’t also. Unless having heard those products, I’m not sure how such a statement could be made. I have not heard most of those first hand. So I cannot make judgement directly, only trying to respond to the ops question, and I enjoy learning about the products, so I’ve read up on most of the ones posted here and just noticed the great feedback from the Hegel. 

@essrand : it sounds you already know what to get --- the Boulder 866.

It checks all your boxes, and it's superb sounding Int. Amp. Cut to the chase and get one for yourself.

@speedbump6 


You misinterpreted my post. I'm not saying Hegel can't hang, they very well might be able to. The most glowing review of the Hegel 590 (I think it was soundstage but I dont remember) I saw came from a reviewer who already owned a 390 and also had a Hegel dac. I remember thinking to myself that that was probably the right guy for Hegel to get to review the 590 amp so he could communicate the differences. I also remember thinking to myself that I hoped he wasn't a "captive" reviewer...natural jump to a conclusion. Likely unfair on my part.

Listen, I hope the Hegel is great. I too was trying to answer the OP's question and was trying to do it from a position of this is what I've personally experienced. I have heard the McIntosh and summarily dismissed it. It was not very good and the dac section is, well, just meh. I made an incorrect assumption that you had heard the Hegel and the McIntosh because you were listing them as alternatives and since I had heard the McIntosh and it sounded mid-fi, I unfairly lumped in the Hegel. My bad.

Peace.

I’ve only read one review on the Mac, and it didn’t sound great either, but was just listi g for the OP. After the gushing review I first read on the Hegel, I went to look for more, as you never know if they could be a fan boy as you suggested. I found quite a few, some English, an Australian one, a few in the US , and they all seemed to say the same thing, when it’s that overwhelming I start to take notice. It sounds like the Dac alone is worthy of the price of admission, and the rest was equally as good. The one thing they did all ding it one, is a look that matched the price, the painted logo and same look they use on their lower priced models didn’t give an image of luxury, but in the end the sound is all that matters. Not as  much WAF involved with an amp as there is with speakers.