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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
grislybutter
3,124 posts
 

@stuartk yes, luckily there are some fine examples. Personally, I think audio companies should post pictures of their gear in "real" living rooms to appeal to a wider audience. 

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
5,183 posts
 

DH Labs should be good. See if you can borrow some power cords as well - rule out the power related issues 

Some recordings will have sibilance. However  how harsh and unnatural that sibilance is reproduced depends on your components, speakers and cables as well as the room acoustics. 

stuartk OP
2,890 posts
 

@audphile1

Darn -- forgot about the power cords. Thanks for the reminder!

I never had sibilance until I acquired the Jay's and the Hegel. 

 

audphile1's avatar
audphile1
5,183 posts
 

Is everything broken in?

stuartk OP
2,890 posts
 

@audphile1

 

I paid for 72 hour burn-in on the new cables -- I’ve been buying Rob’s cables for over 15 years and have always paid for burn in and have never found them to change much.

Another variable is the fact that the analogue out from DAC to Hegel is now via balanced XLR connection. The wire is the same as the RCA s I use but the termination is different -- rhodium. There is more weight/lower mids now, with this cable, which I actually like. This was something I always felt was missing before and which I attempted to bolster with the Schiit Lokius.

To be honest, I’m not clear re: the distinction between using balanced connections and using balanced connections between components with balanced topologies.

The Aqua site describes the La Voce S2 DAC’s XLR output as "asymmetrical".

Not sure about the Hegel -- one reviewer describes it as "true balanced" but I didn’t see this in the description on Hegel’s website.

If you were asking whether components are broken in, yes -- definitely

Just looked at your virtual system. Impressive! Another forum member suggested I swap out the Hegel for Pass.  

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