Differences in sound between Hi-Fi brand

[Andrewjvt]

I really am asking as im saving for an expensive hegel h160 and i currently have a roksan kandy. Now based on the comments about hegel being neutral and roksan being bold. I think i like bold

You being a professional car tech is good in this instance. You don't have to be an electronics engineer, just take off the lid on both amps and let me know if one seems 'bolder' than the other.

Apart from all the boards etc the hegel 160 has a power supply of 550va Transformer and a 60000uf capacitor bank. the roksan i think going off memory is also 500 or 550va but not sure off the rest.

so please tell me as an professional how does the rest compare and if its similar please give me your verdict

.

 

[Vladimir]

so please tell me as an professional how does the rest compare and if its similar please give me your verdict.

I'm not an electronics engineer, but it's fairly obvious the Hegel has a more robust power supply, higher power output section and a top notch marketing department.

The best for last...

Strange that they haven't declared what the input sensitivity is. Hmmm...

 

[wilro15]

Abrahamsen v2.0-UP has 1000va *diablo*

 

[iQ Speakers]

Abrahamsen v2.0-UP has 1000va *diablo*

+ 100,000uF Capacitance

its like Top Trumps now there is an idea Vlad!

 

[Andrewjvt]

so please tell me as an professional how does the rest compare and if its similar please give me your verdict.

I'm not an electronics engineer, but it's fairly obvious the Hegel has a more robust power supply, higher power output section and a top notch marketing department.

The best for last...

Strange that they haven't declared what the input sensitivity is. Hmmm...

what does input sensitivity do or mean?

Ill email them and ask - they are very open

 

[Andrewjvt]

Abrahamsen v2.0-UP has 1000va *diablo*

same size as h300 although thats 250 watts / channel and £3800

 

[Andrewjvt]

Abrahamsen v2.0-UP has 1000va *diablo*

+ 100,000uF Capacitance

its like Top Trumps now there is an idea Vlad!

Ive worked out price of 2 power amps but id need also a dac and possibly a pre amp. if you price that altogether its more money so would come down to testing to compare.

 

[Vladimir]

same size as h300 although thats 250 watts / channel and £3800

Not really worth comparing to Abrahamsen, they are quite mad. When you make a budget integrated amplifier capable of welding your fence, you start stacking the electronics boards like cards sideways because you are running out of room. I like how the Hegel is tidy, civilized and well sorted.

 

[drummerman]

Abrahamsen v2.0-UP has 1000va *diablo*

same size as h300 although thats 250 watts / channel and £3800

Thats a lot of amplifier for the money though I do question the need for such a substantial power supply considering the wattage.

The basic version seems ample.

 

[iQ Speakers]

Abrahamsen v2.0-UP has 1000va *diablo*

same size as h300 although thats 250 watts / channel and £3800

Thats a lot of amplifier for the money though I do question the need for such a substantial power supply considering the wattage.

The basic version seems ample.

Its makes a huge differance in sound, I dont care how, why or what the specs are, the UP is simpley vastly superior. Same tone but just faster more dynamic and rerally punchy I could not recomend the standard version in the same passionate way. To me it makes no sence given the £200 differance, though you can upgrade it to the UP. Do you think i should offer the standard version?

 

[iQ Speakers]

Ive worked out price of 2 power amps but id need also a dac and possibly a pre amp. if you price that altogether its more money so would come down to testing to compare.

And alot more boxs! I have 2 V4.0 on the way and my intention is to see if the 2 bridged v4.0 offer a considerable sonic advantage.

 

[iQ Speakers]

I'd buy the Dev on paper and looks alone! I would have to listen to one first but i think its an incrediable product.

 

[Infiniteloop]

Abrahamsen v2.0-UP has 1000va *diablo*

same size as h300 although thats 250 watts / channel and £3800

At £3800 you're in the region of a Devialet 120. Lowest measured distortion of ANY amplifier (apparently) and DAC, SAM and Streamer included in the price.

http://en.devialet.com/devialet-120-en

 

[Infiniteloop]

I'd buy the Dev on paper and looks alone! I would have to listen to one first but i think its an incrediable product.

I didn't originally look at the specs when I bought mine. I bought it for its sound quality alone. It's so smooth it's almost Valve-like.

 

[Helmut80]

Ooh, that sounds interesting, especialy if you can glide around town in silence with a hybrid.

When it comes to hifi and cars, the obvious answer is a 911 with Burmester.

I've just switched from a sports car to a big Lexus as I am now to old and stiff to get in and out of the former. The Lexus has a Mark Levinson audio system and I have to say that allied to the near silence of the Lexus it is by a very long distance the best sound I have ever heard in a car.

Chris

 

[SteveR750]

Are we all saying that expensive hifi is not enjoyable?

Certainly not.

I seriously am worried to spend loads of cash on something more boring than what i had already

but as always you are the voice of reason between scientists and homeopaths ha

In your words what do you get for extra money or the more you upgrade/spend?

You wouldn't buy a car without driving it, yet you might make your shortlist up by looking at the specs. I've even let the specs almost override the driving test, that's how persuasive they can be, but that's how I think, and YMMV.

To answer your particular question, you know the specs, what's inside, now listen to it. You'll either hear a difference (and frankly its moot whether it's real or a spec induced placebo), or you won't. It's as informed a decision as you can make, and that includes being persuaded by other's opinions.

Meanwhile, read this

 

[plastic penguin]

IMHO the end sound you hear is influenced by room acoustics. It's too easy to pigeonhole brands (which I've done in the past), but the with the right source and speakers you can manipulate the sound, slightly, almost shape a sound to match your room/taste.

 

[Infiniteloop]

IMHO the end sound you hear is influenced by room acoustics. It's too easy to pigeonhole brands (which I've done in the past), but the with the right source and speakers you can manipulate the sound, slightly, almost shape a sound to match your room/taste.

If you've got a Valve Amp, you can also shape the sound a little by using different brand Tubes. - It's surprising the difference this can make.

 

[Covenanter]

Ooh, that sounds interesting, especialy if you can glide around town in silence with a hybrid.

When it comes to hifi and cars, the obvious answer is a 911 with Burmester.

I've just switched from a sports car to a big Lexus as I am now to old and stiff to get in and out of the former. The Lexus has a Mark Levinson audio system and I have to say that allied to the near silence of the Lexus it is by a very long distance the best sound I have ever heard in a car.

Chris

It is a hybrid and very quiet.

Chris

 

[Andrewjvt]

Ive worked out price of 2 power amps but id need also a dac and possibly a pre amp. if you price that altogether its more money so would come down to testing to compare.

And alot more boxs! I have 2 V4.0 on the way and my intention is to see if the 2 bridged v4.0 offer a considerable sonic advantage.
[please let us know]

 

[SteveR750]

Ive worked out price of 2 power amps but id need also a dac and possibly a pre amp. if you price that altogether its more money so would come down to testing to compare.

And alot more boxs! I have 2 V4.0 on the way and my intention is to see if the 2 bridged v4.0 offer a considerable sonic advantage.

[please let us know]

Instead of the H160?

It would be really interesting to put them against each other, with a variety of speakers.

 

[Andrewjvt]

Are we all saying that expensive hifi is not enjoyable?

Certainly not.

I seriously am worried to spend loads of cash on something more boring than what i had already

but as always you are the voice of reason between scientists and homeopaths ha

In your words what do you get for extra money or the more you upgrade/spend?

You wouldn't buy a car without driving it, yet you might make your shortlist up by looking at the specs. I've even let the specs almost override the driving test, that's how persuasive they can be, but that's how I think, and YMMV.

To answer your particular question, you know the specs, what's inside, now listen to it. You'll either hear a difference (and frankly its moot whether it's real or a spec induced placebo), or you won't. It's as informed a decision as you can make, and that includes being persuaded by other's opinions.?

Meanwhile, read this
[i think you need to get the credit for my decision to buy the 160. I never even heard of hegel before i read your posts. I was hooked straight away. I should be able if all goes to plan to collect mine in about 10 weeks.]

 

[SteveR750]

i think you need to get the credit for my decision to buy the 160. I never even heard of hegel before i read your posts. I was hooked straight away. I should be able if all goes to plan to collect mine in about 10 weeks.

I hope you like it then, though if I'm honest, the ATCs are the real game changers in my house, absolutely stupidly ridiculous value given how ridiculously expensive hi fi gear is. I'd love to hear the Abrahamsen amp having a go at 100+dB driving the 40s, which the Hegel does brilliantly.

 

[Andrewjvt]

Yes agree that speaker choice is more of a change than applification bit the hegel sounds very good too

 

[Andrewjvt]

I am glad you feel the same about hegel as i do. I Must be on the right track then.