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Ridiculous reviews.
What? With respect chaps and after a couple of heated 'discussions' with my better half over her not using my sound systems (and the fact I seem to have taken too much space with gear and media) -
LOOK at the Hegel models. Semi concealed power switch underneath, two controls only and with a neat display that *anyone* should be able to understand. Turn on, rotate the source knob to select the one you want and then adjust the volyume accordingly. Couldn't be easier and for many of us with lives and partners with no gear-interest, a nigh-on perfect solution I reckon. Forget the preamp outputs on the back (most power amps likely to be used are sensitive enough really) and if the dac isn't as good as the latest Topping £/$200 wonder-box, can anyone really *hear it?*
For decades, I didn't give a s**t what my gear looked like or how the visuals (didn't usually) match together. As long as it 'sounded good' for my budget. I dismissed B&O as 'All show and no go!' and looking back, this opinion was largely unfair as many of their units under the showy skin were highly competent if not actually quite good. I look at my wife's interest in music but total reluctance to even touch my audio gear and I'm deeply sad about that. I WANT her to play more music over a half decent sound system and not to feel intimidated my supposed complexity that 'we' take for granted. I do understand if most of you lot don't agree, as I felt this way half my life ago and just didn't understand back then
The price of the Hegel isn't an obstacle to interested parties either really. 'We' may well look at Cambridge and other simpler less expensive streaming options (not something I currently have need for), but I can think of two UK based companies making easy to use 'solutions' which cost rather more than this basic Hegel unit.
Look at the market. people who want good basic 'more than good enough' performance in a simple to use box and who have ample money to spend. They're not chasing SINAD (or spectacular Klippel either) and probably don't know what that is. I can't say any of you will agree, but this audio tribe here is but a tiny tiny niche in a larger domestic audio niche I'm afraidWhat?
The CI market basically confirms this, where electronics routinely cost as much or more then the speakers sold sold to the consumer.Look at the market. people who want good basic 'more than good enough' performance in a simple to use box and who have ample money to spend. They're not chasing SINAD (or spectacular Klippel either) and probably don't know what that is. I can't say any of you will agree, but this audio tribe here is but a tiny tiny niche in a larger domestic audio niche I'm afraid
I'll get out of my hole now before I'm in so deep I can't get out
These people don't spend close to 2k on an amp, and they don't need to. A Bluesound Powernode does the job for half the money and has better looks.people who want good basic 'more than good enough' performance in a simple to use box and who have ample money to spend
Problem is it tests badly as well.Bluesound Powernode
Those are not reviews of the PowerNode.Problem is it tests badly as well.
Bluesound Node Review (Streamer)
This is a review and detailed measurements of the 2021 Bluesound Node wired and wireless streamer and DAC. It is the next generation from Node 2i which I reviewed a while back. The Node costs US $549 and was kindly drop shipped to me by a member. In case you don't know, Bluesound is from the...www.audiosciencereview.comReview and Measurements of Bluesound NODE 2i Streamer
This is a review and detailed measurements of the Bluesound Node 2i Streamer. It is on kind loan from a member and costs $499. I am assuming their target market is where SONOS dominates if you are familiar with that brand. From the outside, this is one looking and feeling unit! The unit is...www.audiosciencereview.com
Right. SorryThose are not reviews of the PowerNode.
Less than that.A Bluesound Powernode does the job for half the money and has better looks.
I think the question is rather:Why is the review still out, when the Line outs could not provide more than 0.55 V, but were driven to 2 V ?
And who in their right mind would set the volume knob at 98/100 when playing music ?
How about testing it at 0.5 v output, or just delete the entire review ?
Of course Hegel should absolutely put limitations of the line outs on spec sheet, because it might limit what you can connect there,
but having such a rigid test procedure, kind of limits the validity of testing it in the first place.
The THD+N 5 watts readings looks absolutely unreal compared to HEgels own in post #467. There is no spikes. Is it the same amp ?
Is it a review, or a political statement ? I was looking for a useable AVR, but now i am not sure what to believe.
Maybe there is more apparatus been tested outside their limits ?
He literally posed a question.So you would say the review is perfect ? I am asking the wrong questions ?
One should perhaps not ask any questions, but just accept.
I have mentioned 2 subjects, referring to other issues does not do much for these 2
afaik they explain that the amp is clipping at level 98 when trying to output 2 volts, it _can_ still be used though.
But that's exactly what Amir explains:The line out can in fact be used to feed every amp on the planet, but will distort above 0.55 v out
When sweeping IMD distortion level, we can see part of the problem:
This is something we see in Audio/Video receivers where they set the optimal gain to drive their amplifiers and not the 2 volts we are looking for. Even then performance is not good, barely showing less noise than a $9 phone dongle! We can measure the noise itself:
This is horrid performance in any modern DAC.
Sorry, but reading charts? The dac sinad is presented as 61dB In the very first "measurement". How is that reading charts? Turn it down until it stops clipping, and re-take it.