Hegel H160 -> Hegel H390 upgrade suggestion

Well, in addition to the power differential with the H390 you’re also getting overall higher parts quality in both the preamp and amp sections (don’t discount that as it’s huge), a much better DAC (if that’s even an issue), and apparently a smoother-sounding device, which is different.  Will it be significantly better to you?  I’d tend to think so but who knows?  My only point about the additional sub is you’ll most certainly experience improvements that would come at a much lower cost than an H390.  Which would be better or more significant to you in your room and system and for your tastes is an unknown.  I just wanted to bring the sub option up as another possibility you’d probably want to implement at some point anyway because two subs are just flat-out better than one.  If it was me I think I’d add a second F12 first (used if possible) and live with that for a while and see what that does for you, plus it’s much cheaper and may delay “the itch” to upgrade further for a while.  Plus, and as I mentioned earlier, you’ll likely wanna add a second sub anyway at some point so why not just start there?  Honestly, I don’t think you can go wrong either way, so it really comes down to a matter of budget and priorities. 
 

All that said and because I’m very good at making things more complicated, here’s a nice used H390 at a good discount that you could try, and if it doesn’t provide significant improvements you can just turn around and sell it for little/no loss. 
https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650010507-hegel-h390-integrated-amplifier-excellent-condition/

And to make matters even more complicated, here’s an F12G SE for sale as well.  
https://www.usaudiomart.com/details/650006229-rythmik-f12g-se/

You must really hate me at this point, and I wouldn’t blame you. If I was to try to put lipstick on this pig I’d say you could buy both these used pieces for less than a new H390 alone with relatively little risk if either or both don’t blow you away.  Ok, I’ll leave you alone now but hope this at least gives you some useful things to think about. 

Hegal is just coming out, with the New 600 so I imagine the newer better smaller version will be out too.

You have pass labs, and Luxman ,as well as Ayre .

the assembly in China with the Hegel totally turned me off  when I was  found that out a couple years ago  the above don’t have a inner dac but higher quality layout inside  imo.

@audioman58 I agree with you on that. How do you compare say vintage sansui or pioneers (ofcourse without the dac) vs Hegel or amps today rather in general? Do you think they (vintage) amps still stand a chance knowing not much has evolved in terms of "amplification" over the years.

@soix thanks much Soix that was quite an indepth recommendation. I think I might consider starting with a second sub but do you think a second sub would make that much of a difference when the lower frequencies are directionless anyways? I am anyways not using the Hegel DAC. I am using CS4398 in my SA8005 Marantz SACD player and send analog over to Hegel except when I do stream Spotify which is very occasionally. Also as I just asked Audioman above, do you think giving Vintage amps a shot is also a good idea esp when Sansui also used feedforward mechanism that Hegel essentially employs in its amps? 

No vintage equipment can go toe to toe with the New Hegel integrated amps ,

pits very respectable , my only knock is that they assemble in China ,no need for Thst just to make much bigger profit ,

Luxman don’t ,or Pass Labs and the  Krell 300i is excellent  I forgot 

and my dealer gave my friend a good deal on his  for under $8k a great piece of engineering.and made in U.S.A.