Hegel D50 Reference DAC

Hegel D50 Reference DAC | High-End Digital-to-Analog Converter

With the D50 DAC, Hegel has taken a bold leap forward in digital audio. This is not just another DAC, it’s an exploration of what’s possible when technology is stripped to its essentials. Hegel wanted to make a dedicated machine that did one thing exceptionally well, converting ones and zeros to music. To achieve this, they have avoided anything that would introduce noise. This means there is no network input, streamer, or preamplifier. By fo­cusing solely on converting digital signals into music, Hegel have created a machine that soars above the competition. Meet the D50 DAC, affectionately named The Raven.

At first glance, the D50 appears understated, with its minimalist black design. No flashy details or unnecessary features distract from its purpose. Like the raven, it may seem plain, but this DAC is a master of its craft. Beneath the sleek exterior lies a remarkable ability to decode and deliver digital audio with breathtaking precision. The D50 unveils a soundstage so expansive it feels as though you’re soaring high above the music, revealing every intricate detail with stunning clarity. Whether you choose to focus on the smallest nuances or simply let the music carry you, the D50 offers an unparalleled listening expe­rience.

A Legacy of Mastery: Hegel has been perfecting the art of DAC design for more than two decades, and the D50 represents the pinnacle of that expertise. At its core lies the latest model DAC chip—a sophisticated tool with immense potential. But like the raven, one of the few animals ca­pable of using tools with precision, the D50’s genius lies in how it wields this technology. Every detail of the circuit design and layout has been meticulously crafted to extract the full potential of the DAC chip, transforming it from a mere component into a masterful instrument. The result is a design that uses this tool to its fullest, unlocking extraordinary sound reproduction.

Power Purified, Noise Eliminated: The D50 takes extraordinary measures to ensure the purity of its sound reproduction. Its power management is designed to silence noise and deliver clean energy to every part of the device. Advanced filters on the power input eliminate noise from the mains, and when connected to a grounded power outlet, this filtering can even enhance the performance of other equipment in the same circuit. To eliminate electrical noise even further, the D50 employs two low-noise toroidal transformers. One delivers power to the noisier digital processes and standby functionality while the other is dedicated to the sensitive analogue and digital components. Both transformers are shielded by thick steel and placed far from any sensitive electronics and their output is also filtered, ensuring the D50 operates with the purest power, allowing its performance to take flight.

Precision in Every Detail: The engineers at Hegel approach circuit board design with meticulous attention to detail, ensuring the best possible performance. In the D50, even the routing features rounded corners to minimize impedance drops and reduce radiation, reflecting the commitment to precision.

However, the real innovation lies in how the D50 processes incoming digital signals be­fore converting them to analogue. The AES/EBU input features a unique RS422 receiver balanced by a transformer, allowing it to handle both weak and strong signals flawlessly, free of jitter and time delays.

For SPDIF-based inputs, signals are received on a custom-designed card that unpacks the I2S data. While this process is inherently noisy and prone to timing errors, the D50 addresses these issues with precision. The decoded signals are reclocked using three dedicated master clocks: one for SPDIF signals, and for USB, separate master clocks for 48k and 44.1k sample rates. Strategically placed to minimize noise, these clocks deliver a perfectly timed signal to the DAC chip, enabling the purest and most accurate digi­tal-to-analogue conversion.

The DAC chip itself is thoughtfully perched on a separate board above the rest of the electronics. This elevated placement reduces noise and interference while providing short and unobstructed signal paths. With the D50, every aspect of the design has been carefully engineered to ensure that the signal remains as true to the original as possible. The result is an unaltered and breathtakingly accurate translation from digital to analogue.

Solid Craftsmanship: The D50’s construction is as solid as it is purposeful. Its aluminium housing provides both durability and a refined appearance and improves sound performance. Premium con­nectors ensure reliable performance, while aluminium feet with rubber soles guarantee stability. The thick, milled aluminium front plate conceals the buttons for an unbroken, elegant facade. Meanwhile, a bright, easy-to-read display delivers all the information you need without drawing attention away from the music.

Intuitive Simplicity: Though the D50 operates with the precision of a masterful instrument, using it is effort­less. Its advanced input sensing can detect a digital signal and wake the device auto­matically. You can customize how it responds to new signals, whether to switch inputs or simply power on. Features like automatic standby save energy when the music stops, while a display dimming option keeps the focus where it belongs - on the music. Once set up, the D50 becomes a seamless part of your system, ready to bring your music to life with no distractions.

Complete Connectivity: The D50 offers every connection you might need, accommodating USB, optical, coaxial RCA, coaxial BNC, and AES/EBU inputs. On the output side, it features true balanced analogue and single-ended RCA connections, giving you the flexibility to suit any system. The D50’s versatile inputs and outputs make it a perfect fit for any audio environment.

The Raven’s Perspective: In Norse mythology, the ravens Hugin and Munin brought Odin unparalleled insights, revealing the world’s hidden truths. Inspired by their precision and clarity, the D50 de­ciphers the complexities of digital audio with absolute precision. Its innovative design transforms raw data into music that is rich in detail, free from noise, and true to the orig­inal recording. No detail is added or lost - just the purest, most accurate reproduction of sound.

The Hegel D50 DAC represents the pinnacle of digital-to-analogue conversion, delivering music as it was meant to be heard—pure, detailed, and profoundly moving. Let it take your music to new heights.

Hegel D50 Review

With its midnight-black plumage, the raven is a bird that evokes a sense of seriousness. It’s been associated with prophecy and mysticism, and the intelligence of real-world ravens is well documented. In Norse mythology, two ravens, Huginn and Muninn, served Odin by traveling the earth and bringing back knowledge and insight. Tying into this mythology, Norway-based Hegel Music Systems has nicknamed its latest and greatest DAC, the D50 ($4900, CA$5900, £4250, €4895), “the Raven.” Click here to read the full review.

Our Review

The Hegel D50 Reference DAC, aptly named The Raven, represents the best of the best of digital-to-analogue conversion, stripping away unnecessary features to focus purely on sonic excellence. With a minimalist yet robust design, it embodies Hegel’s philosophy of reducing noise and interference at every stage, ensuring an unparalleled listening experience. Its meticulously engineered circuitry, advanced reclocking system, and dual low-noise toroidal transformers work in harmony to deliver an expansive soundstage with breathtaking clarity. Every detail, from the precision-crafted DAC chip placement to the premium aluminium housing, reflects an unwavering commitment to purity and performance. The D50 is not just a DAC - it is an instrument of musical revelation, soaring above the competition with unrivalled precision and depth.