If you want to be an audiophile, you’ll need a good amplifier. These are crucial to ensure that you’re getting a powerful enough signal sent to your speakers. Hegel is a company with more than 30 years of experience under its belt. It develops top-end audio equipment, but the company also makes mid-range devices. Hegel just announced the H400, an integrated amplifier that has all the bells and whistles you need.
There’s not much use in buying high-quality speakers if you’re not getting the proper power from your audio source. A quality amp can ensure that the audio you’re hearing is the best audio possible. Buying a good amplifier can run you a bunch of money, and the Hegel H400, despite its mid-range classification, isn’t exactly a cheap buy. It comes in at $6995. That’s a hefty price tag, but it’s lower than the $12,500 of the flagship Hegel H600. While the Hegel H400 isn’t the best that the company offers, it’s still a top-of-the-line device.
Hegel announced the H400 integrated amplifier
This is the kind of amp to get if you’re looking to streamline your audio setup. In fact, “Streamliner” is the nickname that Hegel gave to this device. This is an amplifier, but it also has a DAC. It eliminates the need to pick up a separate DAC. The DAC that this amp uses is based on the one present in the more premium H600, so that’s really good news. It’s a high-quality DAC that can deliver a bit-perfect signal to your speakers. Also, it shares the same Dual-Mono design as the H600.
Now, let’s talk power. The Hegel H400 is capable of delivering 250W of power into 8Ω. If you’re using a lower-powered setup, you’re still in luck, as this amplifier is stable down to 2Ω loads. Also, it has a damping factor of 4,000.
Streaming
The Hegel H400 is a streaming device, so it can be implemented with your streaming services. It will connect with different streaming services to deliver the audio right through your speakers. You won’t have to connect it to a computer or smartphone to do so. The Hegel H400 is compatible with AirPlay, Spotify Connect, Roon Ready, Tidal Connect, Google Cast™, and UPnP. These just give you more options for music to listen to.
This amp is also good for multi-room streaming. Using services like Roon, AirPlay, and Google Cast, you’re able to sync your music across different speakers in different rooms. This is great for if you’re hosting a party, and you want music in every room.
Inputs
You’re not starved for input options for the H400. You have several digital and analog input options. For the digital options, there’s a coaxial port, a BNC port, three optical ports, a USB port, and an Ethernet port. As for analog, you have XLR and four RCA ports (two left and two right).
Moving onto outputs, there are options for fixed and variable line level outputs. You also have left and right channel outputs for your speakers. There’s only one digital output option, and that’s coaxial.
The device
As for the amp itself, the Hegel H400 has two knobs on the front to change the source and adjust the volume. In between these knobs, there’s a nicely-sized screen that shows you your inputs and volume level. It’s a large screen, so you won’t have any trouble seeing it from a distance.
The Hegel Control app lets you control your device from your phone. You’re able to control the volume, control your media playback, listen to internet radio, listen to podcasts, and more. It’s a great solution to have full control over the amp.
Specs
Power output: 2 x 250 W into 8 Ω, Dual Mono
Minimum load: 2 Ω
Analog Inputs: 1 x balanced (XLR), 2 x unbalanced (RCA)
Digital Outputs: 1 x coaxial (BNC) S/PDIF 24/192
Digital Inputs: 1 x coaxial (BNC, S/PDIF 24/192, DSD64 (DoP), MQA 8x), 1 x coaxial (RCA, S/PDIF 24/192, DSD64 (DoP), MQA 8x), 3 x optical (S/PDIF 24/96, MQA 8x), 1 x USB (32/384, DSD256 (DoP), MQA 8x, 1 x Network (24/192, DSD64 (DoP), MQA 8x)
Line level Output: 1 x unbalanced fixed (RCA), 1 x unbalanced variable (RCA)
Streaming: Spotify Connect, Roon Ready, Tidal Connect, Google Cast, AirPlay, airable Internet Radio and Podcast, UPnP
Streaming formats: MP3, WAV, FLAC, ALAC, AIFF, DSF, DFF, AAC, PCM, MQA, Ogg
Frequency response: 5 Hz – 180 kHz
Signal-to-noise ratio: More than 100 dB
Crosstalk: Less than -100 dB
Distortion: Less than 0.005% @ 50 W/8 Ω/1 kHz
Intermodulation: Less than 0.01% (19 kHz + 20 kHz)
Damping factor: More than 4000 (main power output stage)
Dimensions incl feet: 15 cm x 43 cm x 44 cm (HxWxD), 20 kg unit weight
Dimensions (US): 5.9″ x 16.93″ x 17.32″ (HxWxD), 44,1 lbs unit weight
If you’re looking for a truly top-notch amplifier, then you should look into picking up the Hegel H400. It brings a ton of premium features that will deliver a powerful and high-quality listening experience.
The device isn’t ready just yet for purchase, just yet. Once it goes on sale, the company will start sending these amps out in late September. So, there’s still some time to wait.