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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
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
audiofound
81 posts
 
I absolutely love my Harbeth Super HL 5+ 40th Anniversary speakers and can highly recommend them, without hesitation. They go extremely well with my Pass Labs INT 250 integrated. However, don't be too quick to ditch the KEFs. If you can do a side-by-side with your KEFs and the Harbeths that would be great. The KEFs might fit your ears just fine. I can't imagine them not sounding exemplary with a Hegel H390 or H590. I gotta admit though my Harbeths do sound sublime with the Pass Labs INT 250. It all just goes back to your ears and what they like.
bassdude
497 posts
 
Yes... Harbeths are special when driven by the H590, or the H390, H360, H300.  They need the power these amps produce to control their drivers, and add clarity and resolution to the sound.  Their high damping factor really clears up the bass and mids.  

I would not have kept my M30.1's and M40.2's had I not found the H590, which totally changed their sound from muffled and too warm... to... very balanced sound with amazing clarity and detail resolution, as well as superb bass and soundstage.  

I doubt any tube amp can drive them as well.  I've tried the ARC 150SE, and it does not.  I doubt any others can either.
bassdude
497 posts
 
They also sound great with the McIntosh MA252 and MA352.  But these are not tube amps.  They are tube / SS hybrid amps with sufficient power to control the drivers of the Harbeths to add the clarity and resolution they cann present... IF... they're driven by the right amp.
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