The History of HEGEL

The story begins in 1988. Bent Holter, a student at the Technical University in Trondheim (NTNU), decided to do a thesis under the original design of the transistor used in amplifiers, that would cure the problems of traditional hi-fi systems. Enemy number one was distortion. Holter somehow could not accept the fact that when we supply a simple signal to an amplifier, the output reproduces that signal plus something else; distortion produced by the electronics.

 Fighting distortion usually means deterioration of other parameters, including damping factor. Holter decided to break free from classic schematics and developed a project that became the basis of what we know today as SoundEngine Technology, a Hegel Patent.

 The Hegel SoundEngine technology will cancel high-frequency distortion components found in normal types of audio amplifiers.  This technology is not using any kind of global negative feedback.  It is using local and adaptive feedforward technology if there should ever be any need for cancellation of distortion within the audio amplifier stages.

Hegel H90 Integrated Amplifier

The Hegel H90 is a dynamic 60 watts integrated amplifier with a variety of features that add value and flexibility. It is also configurable to be fixed level inputs, allowing you to easily integrate the H90 in a Home Theatre system. You can also connect to your Sonos streamer's digital output and use the Sonos volume attenuator rather than the Hegel remote.  There is also a high-quality headphone output and a sleek, informative, white OLED display.

The new and improved SoundEngine2 reduces distortion even further than our older models. It makes certain you hear all those tiny details in the music. The ones that suck you in and give you the feeling of actually being there, while also sounding natural and fluid. SoundEngine2 also quite dramatically improves bass control, and the amplifier's grip of the loudspeakers, which is why even a tiny 60 watts of output power can be enough.

The damping factor is up to 20 times higher than the industry average.  Ensuring a dynamic and powerful bass response, even on larger floor standing loudspeakers. The H90 is designed simply, making it a perfect stand-alone unit. Connect your TV, cable decoder, phono stage or phones. Add a pair of speakers and you are good to go!

Features

• Network streaming

• Variety of digital and analogue connections

• Apple Airplay®

• Easily integrate in a home theatre system

• High quality headphone output with a sleek, informative, white OLED display

• Connect to digital output of Sonos steame

• White OLED display

Technical Details

Power output2 x 60W in 8 Ohms
Minimum load2 ohms
Analog Inputs2 x unbalanced (RCA)
Digital Inputs1 x coaxial S/PDIF, 3 x optical S/PDIF, 1 x USB, 1 x Network
Line level Output1 x unbalanced variable (RCA)
Frequency response5Hz-100kHz
Signal-to-noise ratioMore than 100dB
CrosstalkLess than -100dB
DistortionLess than 0.01% @ 25W 8 Ohms 1kHz
IntermodulationLess than 0.01% (19kHz + 20kHz)
Damping factorMore than 2000 (main power output stage)
FinishBlack
Dimensions8cm x 43cm x 31cm (HxWxD), 11kg shipment weight