Integrated amplifiers — Hegel H95

The H95 is the entry-level integrated amplifier by Hegel Music Systems and opens a range that continues with the H150, H190v, A200, H200, H400 and H600. Beyond amplification it carries a digital-to-analogue converter that Hegel designed entirely in-house, together with network streaming, so a single black chassis can anchor a compact system.

Key specs that matter

Hegel specifies 2 x 60 W per channel into an 8 ohm load with 1 percent THD at 1 kHz on 100, 120 or 230 V mains, and the minimum load it accepts is 2 ohm. Frequency response runs from 5 Hz to 100 kHz. Noise lies more than 100 dB under the signal, crosstalk is below -100 dB, distortion stays under 0.01 percent at 25 W into 8 ohm at 1 kHz, and intermodulation measured with 19 kHz and 20 kHz tones is also under 0.01 percent. Hegel gives a damping factor above 2000, which the company puts at up to 20 times the industry average. The case measures 10 cm high, 43 cm wide and 35 cm deep, and it weighs 10.6 kg.

Engineering and use context

Two analogue RCA inputs sit alongside one coaxial digital input, three optical inputs, a USB port and a network connection. A variable RCA line output and a 6.3 mm front headphone socket complete the connections. The amplifier stage uses SoundEngine2, the patented feed-forward error correction circuit with which Hegel pushes signal distortion down to very low levels. On the digital side, Hegel controls the data stream with design principles taken from its reference products. Over the network the H95 supports Apple AirPlay, Spotify Connect and UPnP, and it plays files in MP3, WAV, FLAC, ALAC, AAC, PCM or Ogg format. Volume can be controlled with a TV remote, inputs can be configured to a fixed level for use with an external processor, the software can be upgraded, and an OLED display shows the current status. When used with a television, a maximum volume limit can also be set.

Pairing

The optical inputs make it straightforward to connect a television, a games console and a disc player at the same time, while the USB port accepts a computer as a source. The variable line output is suited to driving a powered subwoofer or a further power amplifier, and the fixed-level input setting lets the H95 act as the front channel amplifier in a surround system with a separate processor. Its low minimum load rating widens the range of passive loudspeakers it can be connected to.

Alternatives

Within the same catalogue, the Hegel H150 is the next integrated model up and is positioned as a streaming amplifier with a wider set of connectivity options.