Hegel H150 Integrated Amplifier - The Prodigy

Hegel H150 Integrated Amplifier - The Prodigy

H150 Streaming Amplifier – The Prodigy

The H150 Streaming Amplifier is Hegel's most impressive value proposition to date. Hegel has nicknamed it the Prodigy because, while being at the entry level in the range, the H150 displays a level of performance and versatility usually reserved for far more expensive models, showing talent well beyond its price point. The H150 draws inspiration from the Hegel reference products, but also adds to the user experience with its own unique solutions. With a wealth of connectivity options and a powerful, articulate amplifier section, the H150 is a true all-in-one music solution. It fits seamlessly into a wide variety of spaces and can confidently drive almost any loudspeaker.

Design & Build

While the H150 is a full width amplifier designed to match standard hi-fi components, its depth of just 35cm makes it easy to place on or into most shelves and media cabinets. Available in both black and white, the H150's clean, understated design complements any interior. Its robust construction includes a thick, precision milled aluminium front panel and control knobs, with a steel top cover perforated with heat vents, adding to its compact, modern look. A central OLED display provides clear readouts from a distance and can be dimmed or turned off entirely to suit your environment.

Amplifier Performance

The H150's 2 x 75 watts power rating might seem humble, but do not be fooled. This is no ordinary amplifier. The H150 features a custom class AB amplifier design with Hegel's patented SoundEngine 2 technology, ensuring a class-leading damping factor of 2000 and stable operation down to 2 Ohm loads. SoundEngine 2 preserves musical detail and dynamics with stunning clarity, offering an engaging and lifelike listening experience. The H150 is powered by a large, ultra-low-noise toroidal transformer and high-speed capacitors, supplying instantaneous current, giving the H150 the grip and punch to control all but the most demanding loudspeakers with ease. Inside the H150 is a competent, custom designed, four layered digital-to-analogue converter (DAC). Inspired by the acclaimed Viking CD player, it leverages Hegel's latest digital advancements to extract rich, detailed sound from both connected digital sources and the internal streaming section.

Efficiency through In-House Development

Every aspect of the H150 has been meticulously developed in house, ensuring unparalleled quality control and cohesive design. This streamlined approach eliminates unnecessary steps and complications, allowing our engineers to focus on innovation and performance. By keeping development under one roof, we guarantee that every component and feature is perfectly integrated, enhancing overall efficiency and reliability. This in house development strategy also allows for faster implementation of new features and improvements, ensuring the H150 remains at the forefront of audio technology.

Streaming Made Simple

Out of the box, the H150 supports an extensive range of streaming options: Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Qobuz Connect, Google Cast™ Apple AirPlay, and UPnP are all built-in, offering seamless access to your favourite services. The list is ever expanding, and automatic firmware updates keep you at the cutting edge as new services appear. The H150 is a modern performer that effortlessly stays ahead of the curve.

Digital Connectivity

The H150 lets you easily connect your external digital sources. Two optical inputs (one TV-optimized), one coaxial input, a USB-B, and a network port accommodate everything from TVs, streamers, and game consoles to laptops and network nodes. A USB-A socket lets you connect a flash drive or powered hard disk (and even charge a phone or laptop), with library browsing handled by the Hegel Control app. A coaxial digital output can forward signals from the digital inputs to active speakers, a second system, or an external DAC in a DAC-loop mode, upgrading the digital stage without losing the H150's functionality. It's a level of flexibility that's rare in amplifiers at this level.

Analogue Connectivity

The H150 isn't just great with digital sources. Nothing is left to chance on the analogue side either. The H150 has an unbalanced analogue RCA input and a true electronically balanced XLR analogue input. Most notably, the H150 has a high quality Moving Magnet phono input that will complement any good MM based turntable with details and dynamics that are usually reserved for dedicated phono preamps. The amplifier also has a good headphone output and a variable line level output, making it easy to add subwoofers or external power amps.

Everyday Ease of Use

The H150 is designed to be as easy to use as possible. Anyone in the household can enjoy the H150 without reading the manual. Input sensing on digital inputs and streaming wakes the amp and selects the correct source automatically, while the adjustable auto standby saves energy after you finish listening. Popular TV remote codes are pre-loaded for seamless volume and power control with your TV remote. Any input can be fixed at a high output level, allowing you to control the volume with any connected device, such as your home cinema receiver or multi-room streamer. Multi-room is of course also offered directly in the amplifier, either via AirPlay, Google Cast, or Roon, and voice commands via Google Home or Apple Home are just a phrase away. Control is also available from the elegant aluminium remote or the free Hegel Control app, which offers full input and volume management, plus built in internet radio and podcasts powered by airable.

Talent Beyond Its Size

The result is an amplifier that makes sophisticated performance accessible to all users. The H150 Streaming Amplifier proves that greatness doesn't only come in large or expensive packages. It's a compact performer whose talent, versatility, and musicality stand out far beyond its peers - a true prodigy.