Hegel HD12 DSD DAC And Headphone Amp Review

[Rja4000]

A question about noise modulation

Measuring dynamic range the standard way doesn't reveal this problem:

So noise must be going up with the amplitude of signal (noise modulation).

But in IMD graph, we see noise following level.

The high noise floor comes to surface in IMD distortion test relative to level:

It's high, for sure, but pretty linear vs level.
So what does this mean?

 

[amirm]

It's high, for sure, but pretty linear vs level.

That's because the input signal keeps getting higher so the ratio becomes smaller. You almost always see that relationship.

 

[amirm]

So what does this mean?

It is a noisier device.

 

[Rja4000]

Did you test SPDIF or AES/EBU?
At least the dashboard, to be sure this is not a USB-specific error. (Although in that case, we'd rather see distortion, not noise, I guess. Except if there is some form of signal truncation?)

 

[Rja4000]

That's because the input signal keeps getting higher so the ratio becomes smaller. You almost always see that relationship.

Yes, I understand that.
But where is the noise modulation showing then?

 

[gvl]

Based on AK4399, -105dB THD+N is the spec, performance is worse but not terribly so.

 

[amirm]

Did you test SPDIF or AES/EBU?

No. They hardly get used these days so I don't bother testing them.

 

[Rja4000]

No. They hardly get used these days so I don't bother testing them.

Personally, I hardly ever use USB at all.
(Except for measurements of course)
Not that I'm interested in that device, but, well...

 

[Rja4000]

Based on AK4399, -105dB THD+N is the spec, performance is worse but not terribly so.

I also have some 2010ish devices with AK4396 and they are in the same range too.

 

[pcdinh]

Too expensive. Engineering quality seems to be just average. High end audio companies are producing craps

 

[RayDunzl]

(on testing S/PDIF)
No. They hardly get used these days so I don't bother testing them.

What devices other than PC/Smartphone/Tablet have USB outputs?

I use S/PDIF, even the USB from the PC gets converted via a D10 (I gave away the Signstek to Audio buddy so he could do some measures, and he needed S/PDIF).

 

[JohnYang1997]

Though I would never buy this dac, I have to say I use spdif all the time. It's convenient, free of ground loop and pc power supply noise. I don't have to install 10s of drivers to test dacs. Just plug into the spdif and they will make sound in less than half a second.

 

[Frank Dernie]

They do spec 2.5V output on the website: https://www.hegel.com/products/discontinued/hd12

My TEAC UD-H01 specifies 2.0V on XLR and RCA alike. Must be a design choice.

An open-case pic from one of the paid advertisers reviewers shows that weird foam strip too. Guess it's part of the design for some reason:

http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/0115/Hegel_HD12_DAC_inside_large.jpg

That is a "can't be arsed to put a top fixing" rattle stopping foam strip if I'm not mistaken.

 

[oivavoi]

This is disappointing. Even though I assume this dac is audibly transparent, like almost all non-esoteric dacs made these days, I still thought that Hegel was an engineering-based company more or less similar to Benchmark, which tried to push for the ultimate when it comes to performance.

I would be interested in having reps from the company chime in. Their claim about the noise floor in this device being 145 db down doesn't seen to hold true.

 

[Rja4000]

Their claim about the noise floor in this device being 145 db down doesn't seen to hold true.

With 24 bits having maximum theoretical resolution of 144dB, without dithering, that seems hard to achieve anyway. Not to speak about analog noise.

 

[th0m]

Very interesting. Makes me wonder how the "other" Norwegian brand Electrocompaniet would do in a test like this. I have been looking for a used ECD 2 DAC for a while, simply because it would match my EC amp, but it would be nice to see some trustworthy measurements first. At least Electrocompaniet amps have been used in some pretty serious studio settings in the past so I have a feeling they would be the more "scientific" of the two.

 

[oivavoi]

Very interesting. Makes me wonder how the "other" Norwegian brand Electrocompaniet would do in a test like this. I have been looking for a used ECD 2 DAC for a while, simply because it would match my EC amp, but it would be nice to see some trustworthy measurements first. At least Electrocompaniet amps have been used in some pretty serious studio settings in the past so I have a feeling they would be the more "scientific" of the two.

Internally in Norway at least I would say that Hegel has a much more science-oriented reputation than Electrocompaniet.

 

[PierreV]

No. They hardly get used these days so I don't bother testing them.

Non USB user here as well (except for eventual config/flashing). S/PDIF optical whenever it is possible.

 

[JJB70]

In an era where you can access transparent digital to analogue conversion and headphone application for peanuts the only real reason for high end audio DACs and headphone amplifiers to exist is premium industrial design and quality. If they can't get that right I see no reason for such products to exist.

 

[Hayabusa]

Amir, looking at the top spectrum graph there seems to be no reason for the SINAD to be that low (93 dB)
Highest peak is -112 dB and the noise floor looks low enough... Any idea?