About The Hegel H190v Streaming Amplifier
Introducing the H190v, the latest Hegel integrated amplifier. Rooted in a profound love for music, Hegel's pursuit has always been to craft amplifiers that cater to the diverse needs of music enthusiasts, irrespective of speaker types, musical preferences, or usage scenarios. The H190v, features include streaming capabilities, a new performance DAC, headphone output, smart-home integration, and a top-of-the-line MM phono preamplifier.
From music streaming to the nostalgic embrace of analogue vinyl, the H190v seamlessly integrates with a myriad of audio sources, ensuring that your music experience remains true to your individual tastes and preferences.
The H190v is a testament to Hegel's legacy of excellence in integrated amplifier design. An evolution of the beloved H190 amplifier, the H190v stands as the pinnacle of power, refinement, and adaptability. Positioned as the cornerstone of their integrated amplifier line up, the H190v caters to audiophiles who seek a comprehensive solution without compromise.
Crafted with meticulous attention to detail and minimalist aesthetics, the H190v resides within a robust steel chassis adorned with a sleek aluminium front and knobs, available in both classic black and pristine white. Despite its understated exterior, the H190v harbors a treasure trove of advanced features.
Beneath its surface, the H190v boasts formidable specifications. With 150W class AB power at 8 Ohms, a damping factor of 4000, and a robust toroidal transformer paired with premium output transistors, this amplifier delivers a blend of power and precision that captivates the senses. Enhanced by a dedicated power supply for the preamp and DAC sections, the H190v ensures a pristine audio environment where every musical nuance is rendered with utmost precision and control, offering a taste of high-end sophistication at a remarkably sensible price point.
Incorporating a cutting-edge phono preamplifier, the H190v allows users to directly connect turntables with moving magnet cartridges, harnessing the detailed and expansive sound signature reminiscent of Hegel's acclaimed V10 phono preamplifier. For those seeking a personal listening experience, the H190v features a dedicated 6.35 mm headphone output equipped with a high-quality amplifier capable of driving even the most demanding headphones.
The H190v's streaming capabilities further enhance its versatility, with support for AirPlay, Spotify Connect, Roon Ready, and DLNA/UPnP, transforming any space into a seamless hub for musical exploration.
Highly customizable to suit any environment, the H190v offers features such as volume limitation and remote control compatibility with common TV remotes, simplifying operation for all household members. Advanced users can enjoy IP control for seamless integration with smart home systems from leading brands like Control4, Crestron, and Savant.
Whether you're a vinyl aficionado, a fervent streaming enthusiast, or simply someone who revels in the immersive power of high-fidelity audio, the Hegel H190v is the ultimate companion, delivering an unparalleled listening experience that exceeds expectations. More than just an integrated amplifier, the H190v represents a complete audio solution, meticulously crafted for those who crave nothing but more music.
Organic Sound: Good recordings are best enjoyed naked. The organic sound of Hegel means that all parts of a dynamic recording are reproduced exactly like the original. The quality of the sound coming out of your speakers are only limited by what happened in the recording studio. Nothing added, nothing taken out - no artificial ingredients.
Music enjoyed on a Hegel system is the closest you can get to the live studio session. The company is proud to present The Hegel Concept - the first music system in the world that utilizes the very latest technology from all related fields, like integrated circuitry, broadcasting technology, and telecommunication. More than 10 years of research and development have made it possible to reproduce music in a more natural way than ever before.
The goal is to give music lovers the most natural and engaging listening experience possible. Real-life sound from acoustic instruments and voices from known artists were the preferred reference point while developing Hegel because nothing else would do.
SoundEngine: It's a common fact: As a story is told from person to person, details change. Things are added, others lost. At some point, the story has changed. When a music signal is passing through an audio amplifier a similar effect will take place. As the signal is passed from stage to stage within the audio amplifier, the music signal will be changed by every single amplifier stage.
When the music signal finally reaches your loudspeakers, the signal is different from the original music signal from the signal source. The Hegel SoundEngine local error cancelling system prevents distortion in the audio amplifier circuit stages, preserving the original details and the dynamic range in the original music signal. The end result is a much cleaner music signal with a larger dynamic range and lower distortion. The unique and patented Hegel SoundEngine audio technology combines the advantage of class AB and class A amplifiers, without having the drawbacks of class A and class AB-amplifier technologies.
The SoundEngine Technology cancels the crossover distortion found in all types of class-AB amplifiers. The human ear is very sensitive to high-frequency distortion components in the music signal. The Hegel SoundEngine technology will cancel high-frequency distortion components found in normal types of audio amplifiers. The Hegel SoundEngine technology is not using any kind of global negative feedback, it is using local and adaptive feedforward technology if there should ever be any need for cancellation of distortion within the audio amplifier stages.
DualAmp: All Hegel audio amplifiers are using a new kind of distributed amplifier technology called DualAmp Technology. This technology is used in all integrated amplifiers and power amplifiers from Hegel. In normal audio amplifiers, the voltage gain stages and current gain stages are combined in the same amplifier module.
DualAmp Technology from Hegel separates the voltage gain stage and the current gain stage into two completely different stages. First, the music signal goes to the voltage gain stage, amplifying only the voltage level of the music signal. By doing only voltage gain in this first stage, Hegel can use amplifier building blocks that are specially designed to do voltage amplification. After the separate voltage gain stage there is the current gain stage, doing only current gain and nothing else. This way Hegel can use amplifier blocks that are specially designed to do current gain. The current gain stage is needed to deliver a lot of current to the loudspeakers connected to the audio amplifier. By separating these two stages, we can keep the sensitive parts of the voltage gain stages away from the large speaker currents in the current output stage.
The output of the voltage gain stage is connected to the input of the current gain stage. There is no feedback from the current gain stage to the voltage gain stage. The Hegel DualAmp technology gives lower total distortion and a higher dynamic range than normal audio amplifiers. The Hegel DualAmp technology is developed in-house by Hegel and is only found in Hegel products.
DualPower: Normal audio amplifiers use the same power supply for the different amplifier blocks within the audio amplifier. The amplifier output stage driving the loudspeaker is using the same power supply as the crucial input stages and voltage gain stages of the audio amplifier. The large currents flowing in the connected loudspeakers will disturb the sensitive input and voltage gain stages of the audio amplifier.
Hegel integrated amplifiers, power amplifiers and sources are using completely separate DualPower power supplies for the input and voltage gain stages, and for the current output stages of the audio amplifier. The custom-designed Hegel power transformers have got separate DualPower windings feeding independent high-speed rectifiers and high capacity power supply capacitors.
By using the DualPower power supply technology Hegel amplifiers prevent disturbances from the high currents flowing in the loudspeakers entering the sensitive input gain stages and voltage gain stages. The Hegel DualPower technology gives lower total distortion and a higher dynamic range than normal audio amplifiers. The Hegel DualPower technology is developed in-house by Hegel and is only found in Hegel products.
Hegel H190v Review
"If you think I was impressed with the Hegel H190v, you've got that right. It has a clarity, smoothness and dynamic quality that speaks to listeners familiar with live music and who like to actively listen. It offers impressive value as well; in fact, I'd go so far as to say this is the benchmark electronics package beyond which you have to spend substantially for small, though possibly valuable, gains. At least that is the case in smaller listening environments, where I think the integrated and unobtrusive packaging of the H190v are also an important asset. In summary: well done to the point of being brilliant." The Absolute Sound
"Hegel's revised H190 integrated streamer wasn't meant to sound this good. All the Norwegians intended was to add an MM phono stage but the power supplies were redesigned to accommodate this upgrade and the overall sound improved. The original was a winner and, so, this new variant is a must-hear. Alongside the wonderful digitally-based solution for onboard streaming plus both optical and coax digital inputs, we have a phono stage that's very quiet and offers a rich, open sound while possessing sufficient gain for use with high output MC cartridges." The Ear - Best of 2024
Our Take
The H190v ramps things up considerably over the entry level models and might just be considered the sweet spot in the range. With a damping factor of over 4000 and a power rating of 150 Watts, the H190v is powerful enough to drive almost any loudspeaker currently on the market, especially the big ones.
As with all Hegel products, the fit and finish is impressive and the amplifier is very easy to setup and use. Every control operates smoothly and you very quickly get the impression you are dealing with a professionally designed piece of kit. Streaming is quite simple using third party apps like mconnect which supports streaming from Tidal & Qobuz as well as your Android or iOS mobile device or a NAS drive on your network. You also natively get Spotify Connect which is handy as well as AirPlay 2 to allow streaming direct from Apple devices. Of course, the serious streaming folk will have noticed that the H190v also supports Roon and I'm guessing that has got them more than a little excited.
The H190v has a good selection of digital and analogue inputs including a high quality moving magnet phono stage based on Hegel's acclaimed V10 phono preamplifier. It also sports variable and fixed pre outs. It's really when you start playing music that the H190v begins to impress, and in a big way. This amplifier is so even handed with any source and any loudspeaker that it is almost completely system agnostic, meaning you can slot it in almost anywhere and it will get the job done admirably. The H190v sounds neutral and musical and effortless, so much so that you just want to drop what you're doing and listen to music. Hmm, sounds like our kind of amp. It will work with all speakers anywhere near its price point and will definitely surprise you with how well it handles some of our more expensive Harbeth and Bowers & Wilkins models.
Main Features & Specifications
- Design: Stereo Streaming Amplifier
- Power Output: 2 x 150 Watts into 8 Ω
- Minimum Load: 2 Ω
- Analogue Line Level Inputs: 1 x Balanced (XLR), 2 x Unbalanced (RCA)
- Phono Input: Moving Magnet (RCA)
- Digital Inputs: 1 x Coaxial 24/192, 3 x Optical 24/96, 1 x USB-B 24/96, 1 x Ethernet 24/192
- Network: Ethernet – please note the H190v does not support Wi-Fi & needs to be hard wired to your network
- Spotify Connect
- Apple AirPlay 2
- UPnP Streaming
- Roon Ready
- Line level Output: 1 x Unbalanced variable (RCA), 1 x Unbalanced fixed (RCA)
- Headphone Output: 6.35mm Jack (front)
- Frequency Response: 5 Hz - 100 kHz
- Signal-To-Noise Ratio: More than 100 dB
- Crosstalk: Less than -100 dB
- Distortion: Less than 0.01% @ 25 W/8 Ω/1 kHz
- Intermodulation: Less than 0.01% (19 kHz + 20 kHz)
- Damping Factor: More than 4000 (main power output stage)
- Included Accessories: Remote Control, Power Cable, User Manual, Accessory Box
- Removable Power Cable: Upgrade to a Premium Power Cable for better performance
- Available Finishes: Black or White
- Dimensions (WxHxD): 430 x 120 x 410mm
- Weight: 14.2 kg
- Manufacturer's Warranty: 2 Years
Note: Features & Specifications Subject To Change Without Notice. E&OE.