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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
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
486 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
486 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.
snackeyp's avatar
snackeyp
455 posts
 
I recently bought the H590 to match with my Harbeth 40.2 Anniversary speakers and am extremely happy with this combo.  I've heard several amps with these speakers and this is the most satisfying combo to my ears.  There are many other great amps out there and it's true that the best one is the one that sounds best to YOU, but there is no substitute for amperage when it comes to finding the best sound.  The H590 has power in abundance.  
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