Sound
Contents
The Hegel H95 immediately comes across as a very dynamic and powerful amplifier. The H95 plays big… surprisingly large even. The bass is powerful and well controlled. That’s a characteristic of Hegel anyway, but the fact that this small H95 can do that too, is an achievement.
If we take an Arcam SA10 out of our storage, to make a comparison – yes, the Arcam costs half the Hegel H95, but still …. – at first we hear quite a lot of similarities. However, there are differences of course. It mainly is in the power and control in the bass and the interpretation of the music; where are the accents?
The Hegel is punchy, powerful and a bit warm. The Arcam is fast, open and airy. But the bass is a bit thinner. That has to do with the power and just the tuning. We’ve recorded samples to give you an idea. You’ll find those later in the video. And you can download the wav-files.
We alse hear differences in the size of the stereo image. The Hegel presents larger, but this is a bit at the expense of sharpness in the image. Certainly not annoying and maybe it’s a choice, but we find voices and instruments a bit large compared to the Arcam that plays a bit less large and 3D, but it focusses sharper. Now the focus can be improved with some toe-in, but that can also be at the expense of depth… We suggest you experiment with it.
Analog or digital
As mentioned before, we have played both via the digital and analogue inputs with the Hegel H95. Digital both via coaxial and ethernet. Ethernet both UPnP and via Roon (Airplay).
Analog sounds a fraction better, but that makes sense, considering the source: an Ambre with a Pavane. However, it does show that input-stage and amplifier are transparent enough to show this. Through Coaxial we hear a bit more energy. This may be due to the different character of the AKM (Oversampling) compared to the Metrum (NOS).
Streaming is currently only ‘lossless’ via UPnP. Via Roon only Airplay is possible and well: that sounds less ‘pleasant’. We always hear it anyway. A little more harsh, a little less airy… Just not that nice. When we start BubbleUPnP and start a track it just sounds richer. More body, smoothness and rhythm. Streaming sounds almost equal to the coaxial input. That’s not surprising: it goes through the same dac-chip.
Hi! Could you update the audio samples?
Hi Andre. Are the links not working? You can also login and check the sample database.
Good evening! Yes, the link from the article was down but through the database it worked… Thank you! Trying to decide between atoll in100, hegel h95 and the arcam sa20… Hoping these samples and your articles help! Thank you and keep the good work!
I am interested in Hegel and Primare amps. Both brands do amps with analogue and digital Dacs. Including your review of Hegel H95. you also reviewed/ auditioned the Primare Prisma I15 among other amplifiers under 2500Euros. How would you describe Hegel sound presentation in comparison to Prisma sound presentation?
Out of the beginning lower models of Hegel and Prisma which amp would drive ATC SCM 11 & 19 properly..? (I can’t afford Hegel H190 so I suppose I mean Hegel H95 or H120 or Primare Prisma I15)
Thanks for all the Audio work you do most interesting….!
Thanks for the comment and kind words.
I would go for the Primare i15 Prisma. It’s more neutral, better streaming capabilities and can drive the ATC’s without an issue.