Just bought a Hegel H390 Integrated


     At 65 years old and have had systems since 1972. I just settled my divorce, went from her wanting $220,000 to her getting $2,500 and a thank you from the judge for not getting alimony and part of her pension which I could of. 
     All my receivers and amps have been in the $1000.00 range. Don't laugh, I'm poor. After 20 years with an Adcom 555 running Infinity Kappa 8's I bought a pair of Bryston A2 wired speakers. My local dealer recommended replacing the 20 year old Adcom to avoid failure and damaging my new speakers. So he kept me in the same price range and sold me a Emotiva XPA Gen III. I loved the sound but I did have to add a sub to give me the punch that the Infinity's did. 
      So, with the money I saved it was time to buy a Mac which I have loved the looks since the 70's.  My dealer set up my Brystons for an audition with the Mac MA352, but told me to keep an open mind. I was going with the Mac before I got there as I have a lot of art on my walls which gives me a great listening environment. The Hegel was $500.00 less than the Mac at $6500.00. Finally realized it's the sound and not the looks. The Hegel is amazing. I've been lucky as my listening room was great with the old system. 
     I have to move into a new house and even if the new system sounds great I asked my dealer to recommend room treatments. He has a guy that can come out and do that. I don't want to miss out on the possibilities of the best sound.
      After setting up the Hegel I couldn't find the headphone jack. There is none, and then I thought, I don't need one as I'm single and staying that way. The remote is even made of metal with 4 screws to remove to change the batteries. Never seen a metal remote before this one.
     My other components are:
          Thorens TD160 that I bought back in 1973. Sat for 20 years until I got back into vinyl 2 years ago.
           Pro Ject Tube box S2 tube phono amp
            Nad 546 BEE CD player
            Isotek power conditioner
            All power cords in the $100.00 range along with all the other cables
            Audio Quest speaker wires. (here is a funny one. the manual for the Infinity's from the 80's recommended using               standard lamp cord) 
      
             Please remember I don't have money and now being retired with no pension it's a struggle, but I have my music.
             Any thoughts from you guys?

golden210
Forget the Hegel ... Congratulations on the divorce. It'll get even better once your gonads drop down from your stomach and return to their rightful place. Been there, done that. Let the good times roll!
hegel h390 is a stunningly good piece, not just at its price, but in any absolute sense - when i got mine, i was stunned that it could do much and deliver a sound that is natural, powerful, subtle and stunning all at the same time

congrats on it ... and the divorce  :)  


Congratulations!.... For the amp and for the divorce....

I am also poor, and in the last 2 years i succeed to give to myself an audiophile experiencxe at low costs...

You can read my thread for details...

You will think that i am nut but i am not at all.... I can assure you that if you learn how to improve the controls over the 3 embeddings of any audio system: mechanical, electrical, and acoustical, you will reach heaven...

Upgrading for costly electronic components is not the solution to the basic audiophile problems.... Taking care of the embeddings is....

And if you dont listen to anybody except your ears the cost is very low...

My best to you....