Hegel H95 Review (Streaming Amplifier)

[Everett T]

Until Amir decides to standardize his test procedures this kind of thing will (and does) keep happening.
Anyone who claims that the tests for amplifiers, as they stand, are valid need only to look at this 600 plus mess of responses about an obviously mediocre product which is actually better than it appears to be and mostly in line with the manufacturers claimed specifications. Could we be any more excitable? Geesh.

The tests are standardized, they're the same everytime.

 

[watchnerd]

I am not here to defend Hegel, but Who does listen above 12 O`clock?,I have rarely seen an amplifier operatino at 13 00 Hrs . usually that volume setting becomes unbearingly loud

I read somewhere that most integrated amps are set up such that unity gain occurs at 1 o'clock.

 

[Everett T]

The problem with ASR results is that many of the results are irrelevant for 90-95% of present and future H95 users. Some will use line outs for connecting to external sub but only a few plan to use it for connecting to external amp. DAC is far from being SOTA but it is not as bad as SINAD results and final comment indicate.

It's not a problem for ASR and I wouldn't want my sub clipping at reference levels.

 

[watchnerd]

In my formal living room and listening to classical. I'm 18' from the speakers...

Me, too.

Although at my 75-90 dB listening level at the seat, with 85 dB sens speakers, I'm usually at -20 to -15 dB on the amp*.

*not a Hegel

 

[AdamG]

We knew the Trolls would come! Now that they have arrived, let’s remember to not over feed the little darling’s.

 

[USER]

Until Amir decides to standardize his test procedures this kind of thing will (and does) keep happening.
Anyone who claims that the tests for amplifiers, as they stand, are valid need only to look at this 600 plus mess of responses about an obviously mediocre product which is actually better than it appears to be and mostly in line with the manufacturers claimed specifications. Could we be any more excitable? Geesh.

Say you don't understand the measurements and what has been posted without saying you don't understand the measurements and what has been posted.

This thread has been going pretty darn well. Lots to unpack and members have been game.

The level of expertise here continually impresses me and I have learned a bit from the discussion. Of course there are wannabes around that just want to be heard but you learn to sort them out--it's the internet (and engineering) after all.

 

[Mnyb]

Also this line output that really is a sub output for 2k$ i would not only expect it provide 2 volts but where is the crossover ? there should be a proper crossover with high pass to the mains , possible also some eq to get the integration of a sub right .

I just wonder why they even bothered to include it, the product would be better without it

 

[noel_fs]

typical

 

[watchnerd]

It seems like if the YouTube influencers hadn't hyped up this product as being some kind of sonic wunderkind, half of the drama would be gone.

Lifestyle products that prioritize convenience over performance have a legitimate value prop and mass market niche.

 

[aliqaz]

Doug Schnieder from soundstage hifi chiming in on the Hegel Facebook group

Quite a bit of controversy on the H95 over on AudioScienceReview.com. For people interested, we have a far more comprehensive and we believe useful suite of measurements for the H95 published. Unfortunately, the folks at AudioScienceReview.com have decided to bring a lot of "subjectivity" into their measurement process -- basically, they seem to instilling their own beliefs of how products should get measured rather than taking a more experience, judicious, and insightful approach that focuses more on practical usage by a user. Furthermore, there seems to be a zealousness on that forum to practice "gotcha" methods (i.e., finding an issue an dwelling on it instead of reporting with perspective), as well as the foolish notion that amplifier measurements can be boiled down to just one parameter -- in their case, a SINAD measurement of 5W into 4 ohms. This could simply be due to inexperience when it comes to evaluating hi-fi products -- or some other reason. Nevertheless, Feel free to share this post and, also, look to our measurements, which are much more comprehensive than elsewhere. Our goal is to simply produce plentiful, unbiased measurements, letting the cards fall where they will. https://www.soundstagehifi.com/inde...el-music-systems-h95-integrated-amplifier-dac

 

[thyristor]

Did anybody actually notice that it's clear the DAC itself is not distorting at all? Amir tested the "line out" in good faith but the line out is the dimmed down speaker out and to reach 2Vrms the amp is already on the edge of clipping. The DAC itself was never tested and cannot be tested.
The DAC itself performs just fine im 100% confident, as does the amp. Not SOTA performance but completely OK. The price/performance ratio looks to suffers a bit which is also quite clear why.... Norway is an expensive country, Hegel is a small-scale outlet.

Hegel's products are build in China.

 

[Bogda]

It's not a problem for ASR and I wouldn't want my sub clipping at reference levels.

Sub would not be clipping because main speakers would start clipping much before that.

 

[VintageFlanker]

Doug Schnieder from soundstage hifi chiming in on the Hegel Facebook group

Quite a bit of controversy on the H95 over on AudioScienceReview.com. For people interested, we have a far more comprehensive and we believe useful suite of measurements for the H95 published. Unfortunately, the folks at AudioScienceReview.com have decided to bring a lot of "subjectivity" into their measurement process -- basically, they seem to instilling their own beliefs of how products should get measured rather than taking a more experience, judicious, and insightful approach that focuses more on practical usage by a user. Furthermore, there seems to be a zealousness on that forum to practice "gotcha" methods (i.e., finding an issue an dwelling on it instead of reporting with perspective), as well as the foolish notion that amplifier measurements can be boiled down to just one parameter -- in their case, a SINAD measurement of 5W into 4 ohms. This could simply be due to inexperience when it comes to evaluating hi-fi products -- or some other reason. Nevertheless, Feel free to share this post and, also, look to our measurements, which are much more comprehensive than elsewhere. Our goal is to simply produce plentiful, unbiased measurements, letting the cards fall where they will. https://www.soundstagehifi.com/inde...el-music-systems-h95-integrated-amplifier-dac

Looks like someone did not manage to overcome his departure from ASR...

By the way...

 

[PeteL]

Sub would not be clipping because main speakers would start clipping much before that.

The line out and the speaker output will clip at exactly the same time, but the issue is that in some case this level will be insufficient for the subs

 

[3dbinCanada]

To understand this correctly with the arguements of over driving the amp in Amir's measurements,

Hegel doesnt supply a standard line out. Its a variable gain on the line out.. and Amir compensated to bring the gain out to a THX standard of 29db

Hegel H95 Review (Streaming Amplifier)

was going to be post #7 but got distracted by checking for any h95 going cheap on ebay. too many boxes. sounds complicated. what appeals to me with the hegel products is min. box count that family members can stream music to via airplay or watch movies on TV without needing me to switch dac...

www.audiosciencereview.com

Is this what the contention in the measurements is all about?

 

[Geert]

Looks like someone did not manage to overcome his departure from ASR...

By the way...

View attachment 168361

Explains why he didn't find it necessary to point out the measured damping factor is only a fifth of what Hegel specified. Instead the review just mentions the latter number to comment "This should translate into better speaker-driver control".

 

[pma]

Doug Schnieder from soundstage hifi chiming in on the Hegel Facebook group

Quite a bit of controversy on the H95 over on AudioScienceReview.com. For people interested, we have a far more comprehensive and we believe useful suite of measurements for the H95 published. Unfortunately, the folks at AudioScienceReview.com have decided to bring a lot of "subjectivity" into their measurement process -- basically, they seem to instilling their own beliefs of how products should get measured rather than taking a more experience, judicious, and insightful approach that focuses more on practical usage by a user. Furthermore, there seems to be a zealousness on that forum to practice "gotcha" methods (i.e., finding an issue an dwelling on it instead of reporting with perspective), as well as the foolish notion that amplifier measurements can be boiled down to just one parameter -- in their case, a SINAD measurement of 5W into 4 ohms. This could simply be due to inexperience when it comes to evaluating hi-fi products -- or some other reason. Nevertheless, Feel free to share this post and, also, look to our measurements, which are much more comprehensive than elsewhere. Our goal is to simply produce plentiful, unbiased measurements, letting the cards fall where they will. https://www.soundstagehifi.com/inde...el-music-systems-h95-integrated-amplifier-dac

It is interesting that he writes

Our goal is to simply produce plentiful, unbiased measurements, letting the cards fall where they will.

after he has attacked ASR measurement process. OK. However if we compare his measurements of amplifier section of H95 with @amirm measurements , we can see almost same results

Same distortion, same difference in mains hum between the channels.

And again same. This is definitely NOT a SOTA amplifier.

So he has, in fact, appraised ASR measurements .

And let's not forget that damping factor of 2000 (as per manufacturer...)

 

[Geert]

After he has attacked ASR measurement process. OK. However if we compare his measurements of amplifier section of H95 with @amirm measurements , we can see almost same results

He seems to believe the quantity of graphs is more important.

 

[caught gesture]

Doug Schnieder from soundstage hifi chiming in on the Hegel Facebook group

Quite a bit of controversy on the H95 over on AudioScienceReview.com. For people interested, we have a far more comprehensive and we believe useful suite of measurements for the H95 published. Unfortunately, the folks at AudioScienceReview.com have decided to bring a lot of "subjectivity" into their measurement process -- basically, they seem to instilling their own beliefs of how products should get measured rather than taking a more experience, judicious, and insightful approach that focuses more on practical usage by a user. Furthermore, there seems to be a zealousness on that forum to practice "gotcha" methods (i.e., finding an issue an dwelling on it instead of reporting with perspective), as well as the foolish notion that amplifier measurements can be boiled down to just one parameter -- in their case, a SINAD measurement of 5W into 4 ohms. This could simply be due to inexperience when it comes to evaluating hi-fi products -- or some other reason. Nevertheless, Feel free to share this post and, also, look to our measurements, which are much more comprehensive than elsewhere. Our goal is to simply produce plentiful, unbiased measurements, letting the cards fall where they will. https://www.soundstagehifi.com/inde...el-music-systems-h95-integrated-amplifier-dac

“On the rear panel, from left to right, are a pair of line-output jacks (RCA), should you wish to use the H95 as a preamplifier” (bold text added by me for emphasis from the soundstagehifi review). Isn’t this a fundamental problem with the outputs? They are not suitable for preamplifier duties.

 

[3dbinCanada]

“On the rear panel, from left to right, are a pair of line-output jacks (RCA), should you wish to use the H95 as a preamplifier” (bold text added by me for emphasis from the soundstagehifi review). Isn’t this a fundamental problem with the outputs? They are not suitable for preamplifier duties.

And is this the cause for the contention of the measurements?