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Upgrading to a Hegel H590

My current system for the past few years has been great so far..

Macbook USB to a $150 Audio Engine D1 DAC going directly to a $600 used Parasound A23 going to used $600 Kef LS50’s, $100 Transparent speaker cables and cheap USB and RCA cables.

That’s good enough to hear the difference between 44k and hi-res and also good enough to hear the difference between MQA and hi-res.

I’ve been lusting after a better experience after checking out the Parasound Hint 6 as a replacement for the above. (it was significantly better). Well, after a couple of months of manic youtubing and reading reviews etc. I slowly kept finding something better than the last thing I saw. So I splurged and got what I think will keep me satisfied for years to come and not continually hunting for something better. Famous last words I guess.

Just got a new H590. Haven’t opened it yet. But can’t wait to start experimenting and comparing with my old stuff. I also have Kef R500s and better cables.

I suspect the next thing will be looking for is better speakers; both floor standers and desktops

I’ll try to post observations here later
bataras
snackeyp's avatar
snackeyp
455 posts
 
Alan Shaw, owner and design guru for Harbeth Speakers, says the H590 is his amp of choice for listening to his speakers.  
It's because of his recommendation that I really want to hear this amp with my Harbeths.  
At any rate, you should look into the alleged magic produced with these two brands.  You might be amazed.  
joeinid's avatar
joeinid
658 posts
 
A friend has the Hegel H590 on Harbeth Super HL5+ speakers. An absolutely awesome combo. 
bataras OP
12 posts
 
duely noted. The Hegel is supposedly great with pretty much any speakers, based on all the reviews. I've always liked Harbeths from afar...
audiofound
81 posts
 
You can’t go wrong with that combination. I got to audition 7 different integrated amps at Suncoast Audio along with a set of Harbeth Super HL 5+ Anniversary model speakers (I have a pair at home). They ALL sounded superb. Outstanding speakers, BTW.

Just let your ears pick your amp. There isn’t any "best" amp in that price range. There is only what your ears prefer. The H590 was one of the amps I auditioned. It was VERY impressive. I could have been totally satisfied with it or any of the amps I tried.

Just for the record, I also auditioned a Luxman 509x, VAC 170i, Simaudio 700i v2, Naim Supernait 3, Gryphon D300, and Pass Labs INT 60. My ears especially loved the Pass Labs INT 60. Based on the INT 60 I ended up purchasing the Pass Labs INT 250. I wanted plenty of power for the transient peaks. But there was just something about those two Pass Labs amps.

I’d like to be there when you audition that H590. It’s guaranteed to put a huge smile on your face.
bataras OP
12 posts
 
thanks! now I'm screwed.. gotta start looking at Harbeths... haven't heard them yet. I really like the revealing, clarity of my KEFs. My main concern is reviews of Harbeth talk about "warmth" and possibly less revealing. I don't know the right words for it. I'll need to audition them
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