John
The latest streaming integrated to spill from Norway’s Hegel is the H95 — an update to the outgoing H90. Unlike the H90, the H95’s internal network streamer will support UPnP, Spotify Connect (Premium and free tiers) plus the original Apple AirPlay. A future firmware update will add AirPlay 2 support but, crucially, not Control 4 compatibility or the Roon Readiness that will eventually land on the H120, H190, H390 and H590.
The newcomer also features a modified analogue stage with “small improvements in the power supplies and in the implementation of the analog stage.” Hegel’s SoundEngine2 feed-forward correction is present for 60wpc into 8 Ohms. A 4 Ohm rating has yet to be specified but Hegel claims this latest integrated to be stable down to 2 Ohms. The H95 headphone socket’s noise levels have also reportedly been reduced.
In between, the largest amount of engineering attention has been applied to the H95’s D/A converter. On this Hegel says, “The H95 uses the same DAC as the H120 and the H190, and this is a massive step up from the H90. It is quite simply a completely different level of D/A conversion. It is smoother, more precise and more dynamic. So, while it is already an upgrade when using analog, it is a completely different animal when it comes to digital.”
The H95’s internal DAC is not only accessible via the internal network streamer but back panelled coaxial, USB and a trio of TOSLINK inputs. Next to those, to sets of single-ended RCA inputs and a pre-amplifier output.
The H95 will go on sale in September for US$2000.
Further information: Hegel
