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Hegel H390 DAC

I hesitate to add yet another DAC related thread but I haven't seen this particular question asked before, so....

After owing an H390 for a year, I just got around to listening to it's onboard DAC. What?  Huh? Why? I was biased -- convinced I wouldn't like because it wasn't described by reviewers as overtly"warm", like my Aqua La Voce S2.

As someone who always advocates making buying decisions based on listening, I feel quite sheepish making this confession but as this is an audio forum, not group therapy, I'll move on to the main point.  

I was shocked to discover I actually prefer the Hegel's DAC to the Aqua. In my system, in my room, it is more transparent, smoother and more effortless. And, to my surprise, it conveys more emotion. 

The only downside is that the Hegel's DAC is somewhat leaner in the mids than I'd prefer.

Question: which outboard DACs have a similar but more fleshed-out sonic profile under 7K, new? 

 

 

 

 

stuartk
markmuse
245 posts
 

@mm1tt77 same, U2 Mini. But what is the SBooster? Using USB to the DAC. I compared USB to AES, and USB was smoother, more musical. The cable matters a lot.

Thinking about the U2, but the Mini sounds great. Sometimes one doesn’t know what improvements can be had until you hear them. 
 

BTW, I tried the AirLens via HDMI. The Mini was clearly better. Cute little unit, though.

mm1tt77
126 posts
 

@markmuse the SBooster is a power supply upgrade.  Upscale Audio and others carry them, easy upgrade and to my ears is well worth it.  Many say the upgrade brings the mini pretty close to the U2.  I had a D2 awhile back and found the SBooster was a worthy upgrade to that unit as well. 
 

I’ll have to research and then try a USB. 
 

Thanks, 

jbuhl's avatar
jbuhl
900 posts
 

According to Hegel’s site the H390 uses a SyncroDAC. Maybe do some research on that and see what different implementations there are as it obviously covers many of your bases.

 

 

stuartk OP
2,383 posts
 

Before checking out other dacs, I’m going to try the Aqua inserted into the Hegel’s dac loop. My hope is that the Hegel’s clocking and anti- jitter capacities will ensure the smoothness I’m currently enjoying with its onboard dac will remain but applied to the Aqua’s less lean presentation.

 

 

 

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
4,311 posts
 

@stuartk you’re comparing a dedicated tube DAC to an integrated amp solid state onboard DAC. Most likely the Hegel DAC will sound leaner. What RCA cables are using from Aqua into Hegel? What power cord is on the Aqua? You might want to experiment with interconnects between Aqua and Hegel. Try XLRs, something more transparent than your current cables. I’m pretty sure Hegel has a nice DAC but not sure it would be an improvement over a dedicated DAC. You might also want to spend some more time with the Hegel integrated DAC before drawing any final. conclusions. 

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