Hegel H120 or H190
Hello!
I’m considering getting an Hegel integrated amplifier. I like their sound, they are in my budget range and they feature the functions I will use. Because of my budget, I’m considering a H120 or a H190, used or new. H390 and H400 are out of my budget I think.
After several tests, I would say the H190 sounds slightly better (wider soundstage, more precision) but it’s not day and night though so I am still wondering what to do because it is also much more expensive, whether used or new.
I’d like to know your thoughts about that, if any of you had the two and used them over the course of several weeks or months.
Speakers are B&W CM1 (bookshelf); I’ll probably upgrade them within 2 or 3 years. I rarely listen to my music above 80 db and the room is about 17 square meters.
Thank you very much for your ideas!
Well I am late to the show here. That said, considering the fact that you don't listen at high volumes and have a smallish listening room I agree that you are not in need of more power than that provided by the Hegel 120. You should have no trouble finding speakers that play well with that amp in your room. The price differential between the 120 and the 190 could be used towards speakers. |
I have the Hegel h160 and found it to be a very good performer. The h190 made changes to the pre section I believe adding an additional power supply, supposedly tweaked bass response for listening at lower SPLs but I can't definitively say which I would prefer. I never found the h160 to sound thin in the lows or mids. Either way, both the h160 and the h190 can be found at good discounts used. These amps are known to be reliable so I wouldn't hesitate from a used model. I will be listing mine shortly as I have decided to downsize and seek speakers that respond well to lower power at lower SPLs where I listen. I also don't want heavy equipment anymore, I'm over 60 and want smaller and lighter. That limits alot of stuff I have looked at such as some audiophile standmounts that purportedly need a higher powered, higher current capable amp to sound good justifying their higher prices, even at lower volumes, especially if they dip well below 4 ohms. That's a lot of constraints to put together a system that works well for me. I could keep the Hegel as it has worked with everything well enough and has a good sounding dac that's still hard to beat unless you spend about a grand or more IMO, and then it could be more a match with a different coloration/flavor. The h190 has the so called improvements however incremental more or less they may be and its a newer model. Starting to see prices a bit under $2K used. So an h160 will have to be substantially less. Either will give a taste of Hegel. If 40 lbs and higher boxes are not an issue, I would go for the power. Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. If lower power is sufficient, then there are alot of other options as well. I preferred Hegel over Parasound for what its worth. There's so many others around 100 to 150 watts as well, Creek, Outlaw, etc. I would stay away from those with reliability issues or outdated parts. Not that any can't be repaired, it just adds to the cost. A good amp can sound good for many many years and not require repairs/maint. At least Hegel is known for reliability and most say a neutral, smooth but powerful sound. There are livelier amps, some darker, pick your preference.
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@agwca I would be interested in your Hegel, if you post where you would list it. Probably would still be outside my budget. |
