{"id":122610,"date":"2020-10-30T10:34:41","date_gmt":"2020-10-30T10:34:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.techweekmag.com\/?p=122610"},"modified":"2023-10-18T07:26:05","modified_gmt":"2023-10-18T06:26:05","slug":"hegel-h95-review-budget-amplifier-with-high-end-potential","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hifiratings.com\/tech\/hi-fi\/hegel-h95-review-budget-amplifier-with-high-end-potential\/","title":{"rendered":"Hegel H95 : Budget amplifier with high-end potential"},"content":{"rendered":"

To replace the youngest in the line of integrated amplifiers Hegel – the popular model H90 – the audioguru from Oslo prepared a new device.\u00a0“Intelligence is change.”\u00a0It was under this motto that the Hegel H95 was introduced to the general public.\u00a0Indeed, in combination with the proprietary “Hegel” sound quality, the widest possibilities for an upgrade were laid in its design.<\/p>\n

\"Hegel-H95-front-scaled-1y.jpg\"<\/p>\n

For all the undoubted merits of the H90, its streaming and digital processing capabilities have gradually become obsolete in its three years of production.\u00a0And the recently released older models – H190 and H120 – were built on a more advanced software platform.\u00a0Both units provide Spotify Connect access and a much more stable UPnP connection, and upcoming updates will make them AirPlay2 compatible.\u00a0When creating the H95, Hegel engineers aimed to provide its future owner with most of the functionality of older models.<\/p>\n

The main advantage of the novelty is the digital-to-analog converter.\u00a0Today, most of the music content that the amplifier deals with is digital.\u00a0The Hegel H95 uses the same DAC as the H120 and H190.\u00a0And this is a significant step forward compared to the H90.<\/p>\n

The new device demonstrates a completely different level of digital-to-analog conversion.\u00a0It has become smoother, more accurate and dynamic.\u00a0While analog signal processing has improved, it is now done in a fundamentally different way in the digital domain.\u00a0Hegel’s proprietary technologies provide complete control of the data flow, transferring digital music to the speakers without distortion.<\/p>\n

\"Hegel-H95-front-scaled-23.jpg\"<\/p>\n

By updating the software in the future, it will be possible to implement new functionalities that will allow the device to remain relevant for many years.\u00a0The device’s firmware is updated via the Internet and the on-screen menu.\u00a0In addition, the menu provides the ability to view the IP address and other information.\u00a0All inputs can be configured individually.\u00a0The function of bypassing the volume control circuit has been implemented, which allows the amplifier to be integrated into a home theater system.\u00a0Another popular option today is to set the maximum volume for headphone output and separately for speaker output.\u00a0You can also set the initial sound volume – the level with which the device starts to work after switching on.<\/p>\n

\"hegelh90-03w.jpg\"<\/p>\n

Finally, the Hegel H95 wakes up from standby mode to operating mode over the LAN.\u00a0Even if the unit is turned off, you can still select it from Spotify, AirPlay, etc.\u00a0And take it out of standby mode!\u00a0The analog part of the Hegel H95 is in many ways similar to the proven H90 platform.\u00a0The developers have provided it with an improved power supply and an analog stage.\u00a0Design improvements have also been made to reduce noise in the headphone output.<\/p>\n

The basis for the impeccable sound of the new amplifier is provided by proprietary Hegel Sound Engine 2. It guarantees extremely low distortion.\u00a0And a very impressive damping factor of over 2000!\u00a0The device demonstrates dynamic, agile and powerful bass response.\u00a0And that’s why 60 watts of output power is more than enough power to sound the most sophisticated speakers with confidence.<\/p>\n

In many ways the SoundEngine 2 works like a noise canceling headphone.\u00a0The output of the amplifier is compared with the input.\u00a0The system detects all sound pollution (distortion) and transmits the signal to the acoustic outputs, but in antiphase – like “1 – 1 = 0”.\u00a0In this case, any distortions are neutralized.\u00a0And only pure, natural sound remains.\u00a0It took over 30 years to develop SoundEngine technology – from concept to complete implementation.\u00a0Investments in it amounted to millions of dollars.<\/p>\n

\"Hegel-H95-front-scaled-265.jpg\"<\/p>\n

The traditional ergonomic Scandinavian design with a massive front panel inspires confidence.\u00a0And the finishing touch is a well-read informative OLED display.\u00a0The Hegel H95 amplifier is capable of changing over time and keeping up with your needs.\u00a0This approach makes it almost the perfect heart of the modern music system.\u00a0This is the most convenient product to use, the most versatile in its equipment and the most high-quality sounding not only for its value, but also in comparison with more expensive models.<\/p>\n

Hegel H95 review\u00a0<\/b>from StereoNet<\/b><\/p>\n

The Hegel H95 amplifier is a development of the already well-known H90 model.\u00a0The amplifier demonstrates a successful combination of rich functionality and excellent sound at an affordable cost.\u00a0The use of the proprietary Hegel SoundEngine 2 amplification circuit in the “ninetieth” model made it possible to transmit the musical recording to the speakers with virtually no distortion.\u00a0In the new device, it was decided to improve the digital part, built on the basis of the AKM4490 converter, similar to the older models of the Hegel integrated circuit line – H120 and H190.<\/p>\n

\"1912xx.Hegel-H90.5.jpg\"<\/p>\n

As a matter of fact, in addition to a completely new digital circuit, the developers have significantly improved the power supply for the analog part and minimized the noise in the headphone amplifier path.<\/p>\n

The amplifier supports Spotify and UPnP, and will receive AirPlay 2 support in a future update. The design of the device strikes a very good balance between the number of modern options and their ease of use.\u00a0This is clearly not a typical “Japanese” – with a scattering of indicators and buttons.<\/p>\n

The user has two pairs of analog inputs, three optical, digital coaxial and USB.\u00a0And also – the ability to connect to a local network.\u00a0Naturally, there are already familiar settings for the initial and maximum volume and input configuration.<\/p>\n

\"1912xx.Hegel-H90.3.jpg\"<\/p>\n

From the very first minutes of listening, it becomes obvious that the H95 sounds very similar to its more expensive “relative” H120.\u00a0Is that a little smoother.\u00a0This does not affect detail and rhythm in any way.\u00a0Most importantly, its tonal balance is still impeccable.<\/p>\n

Lazy Calm by Cocteau Twins is a great example of 80s ambient.\u00a0The recording is certainly not a reference, but in a good system it constantly retains attention.\u00a0In the performance of the H95, the sound turned out to be balanced and very nuanced.<\/p>\n

Modern jazz performed by Herbie Hancock demonstrated similar coherence and sufficiency in the presentation of musical material by this amplifier.\u00a0Perhaps he lacks the scale of the soundstage a little.\u00a0But this is exclusively in comparison with much more expensive models.\u00a0And how he reproduces guitar rock!\u00a0Those same violent Australians from Airbourne have no sleekness, pure emotion and drive.<\/p>\n

\"1912xx.Hegel-H90.7.jpg\"<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h3>\n

Hegel H95 is a budget amplifier with far from budget potential. The combination of build quality, ergonomics, functionality and unrivaled sound of the Hegel leaves little room for the competition of the H95.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

To replace the youngest in the line of integrated amplifiers Hegel – the popular model H90 – the audioguru from Oslo prepared a new device.\u00a0“Intelligence is change.”\u00a0It was under this motto that the Hegel H95 was introduced to the general public.\u00a0Indeed, in combination with the proprietary “Hegel” sound quality, the widest possibilities for an upgrade […] More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10404,"featured_media":122614,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[642],"tags":[778],"class_list":["post-122610","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-hi-fi","tag-reviews"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hifiratings.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/122610","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hifiratings.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hifiratings.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hifiratings.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10404"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hifiratings.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=122610"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.hifiratings.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/122610\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hifiratings.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/122614"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hifiratings.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=122610"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hifiratings.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=122610"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hifiratings.com\/tech\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=122610"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}