Hegel v Primare

[Romulus]

I am interested in both makes in regard to amplifiers (integrated or Pre/Power) and both makes seem to attract positive reviews. Has any one heard both Hegel and Primare, if so what was your opinion of their sound quality? What I am specifically interested is what is the difference between their sounds? A lot of Hegel reviews seem to share a common denominator of mentioning the soundstage and silky voice potrayal. While a few reviews on Primare specifically mention the good rythms and rich texture. Unfortunately I cannot pop into Exeter and try both amps..! (as they are not sold there or any where near..). Both Primare and Hegel attract praise as to their bass portrayal and the clear portrayal of music (whatever that means..?).

 

[Al ears]

I am interested in both makes in regard to amplifiers (integrated or Pre/Power) and both makes seem to attract positive reviews. Has any one heard both Hegel and Primare, if so what was your opinion of their sound quality? What I am specifically interested is what is the difference between their sounds? A lot of Hegel reviews seem to share a common denominator of mentioning the soundstage and silky voice potrayal. While a few reviews on Primare specifically mention the good rythms and rich texture. Unfortunately I cannot pop into Exeter and try both amps..! (as they are not sold there or any where near..). Both Primare and Hegel attract praise as to their bass portrayal and the clear portrayal of music (whatever that means..?).

Haven't been to Exeter for quite a while, does it still have a WiFi shop?

I had a Primare combo and have heard a Hegel and, quite frankly I don't think you would find much at fault with either. The Primare was no slouch at producing a large soundstage, but this could be dependent on which speakers you use rather than the amp. What I haven't heard is a Primare integrated, though I doubt there would be much change to the 'house sound'.

The Hegels appear more modern with their inbuilt DAC (if you like that sort of thing) whereas the Primare integrated can take a digital board which is normally extra.

To be truthful the differences, to my hearing, are miniscule. I'd certainly try to audition at least one if you are paying this sort of money then it all comes down to connectivity and aesthetics, and budget of course.

This you would have to take into account as the i32 plus media board comes in at around £3300 which is dearer than the Hegel 160 but cheaper than their 300.

To me 'clear portrayal of music' means they are essentially neutral and you hear what's on the recording nothing added or taken away.

 

[Romulus]

I am interested in both makes in regard to amplifiers (integrated or Pre/Power) and both makes seem to attract positive reviews. Has any one heard both Hegel and Primare, if so what was your opinion of their sound quality? What I am specifically interested is what is the difference between their sounds? A lot of Hegel reviews seem to share a common denominator of mentioning the soundstage and silky voice potrayal. While a few reviews on Primare specifically mention the good rythms and rich texture. Unfortunately I cannot pop into Exeter and try both amps..! (as they are not sold there or any where near..). Both Primare and Hegel attract praise as to their bass portrayal and the clear portrayal of music (whatever that means..?).

Haven't been to Exeter for quite a while, does it still have a WiFi shop?

I had a Primare combo and have heard a Hegel and, quite frankly I don't think you would find much at fault with either. The Primare was no slouch at producing a large soundstage, but this could be dependent on which speakers you use rather than the amp. What I haven't heard is a Primare integrated, though I doubt there would be much change to the 'house sound'.

The Hegels appear more modern with their inbuilt DAC (if you like that sort of thing) whereas the Primare integrated can take a digital board which is normally extra.

To be truthful the differences, to my hearing, are miniscule. I'd certainly try to audition at least one if you are paying this sort of money then it all comes down to connectivity and aesthetics, and budget of course.

This you would have to take into account as the i32 plus media board comes in at around £3300 which is dearer than the Hegel 160 but cheaper than their 300.

To me 'clear portrayal of music' means they are essentially neutral and you hear what's on the recording nothing added or taken away.

Thank you for your reply. Exeter has I would imagine quite a few WIFI shops which among others includes Gullifords, Sevenoakes, Richer Sounds and Bang & Oulfson, but non of these stock Primare nor Hegel products. I have just found out that Senso Systems in Truro (Cornwall) stock Primare products so the distance is not too far and for Hegel its all the way to Derby or to Kent. Auditions involve a lot of travelling and travel expense! From your hearing of both products which would you say had better timing, resolution and potrayal of texture of instruments (or were both products roughly the same?).

 

[Al ears]

All the things you question have a lot to do with the speakers themselves, however regards the amps then I would say they are pretty much equal but bear in mind I was comparing a 2 box Primare to an integrated Hegel.

You really need to see if Senso Systems stock similar speakers to yours and get down there for an audition if you're thinking of spending this much money then the train fare is miniscule. My ears are not yours, as the saying goes.

My question is what's the amp going to do? Do you need that built-in DAC? If not why pay for it?

 

[Romulus]

All the things you question have a lot to do with the speakers themselves, however regards the amps then I would say they are pretty much equal but bear in mind I was comparing a 2 box Primare to an integrated Hegel.

You really need to see if Senso Systems stock similar speakers to yours and get down there for an audition if you're thinking of spending this much money then the train fare is miniscule. My ears are not yours, as the saying goes.

My question is what's the amp going to do? Do you need that built-in DAC? If not why pay for it?

I do need built - in - DAC in amplifier hence my interest in Primare and Hegel. Right now I have a CoctailAudio X10 and all my ripped Cd's are on a Hard Drive. With a Primare or Hegel Amplification I can simply connect my Coctail Audio X10 and maintain all my play lists. You are right the speakers will make the difference and the required last but not least, finance.*smile*

 

[Al ears]

All the things you question have a lot to do with the speakers themselves, however regards the amps then I would say they are pretty much equal but bear in mind I was comparing a 2 box Primare to an integrated Hegel.

You really need to see if Senso Systems stock similar speakers to yours and get down there for an audition if you're thinking of spending this much money then the train fare is miniscule. My ears are not yours, as the saying goes.

My question is what's the amp going to do? Do you need that built-in DAC? If not why pay for it?

I do need built - in - DAC in amplifier hence my interest in Primare and Hegel. Right now I have a CoctailAudio X10 and all my ripped Cd's are on a Hard Drive. With a Primare or Hegel Amplification I can simply connect my Coctail Audio X10 and maintain all my play lists. You are right the speakers will make the difference and the required last but not least, finance.*smile*

Surely the X10 also has a DAC, are you saying it's rubbish? or is there some other reason you need another.

A bit lost here and you could save a lot of money on the Primare if you do not opt for the media board.

Perhaps you want to bypass the DAC in the X10 by using the digital out, is that it?

 

[Romulus]

All the things you question have a lot to do with the speakers themselves, however regards the amps then I would say they are pretty much equal but bear in mind I was comparing a 2 box Primare to an integrated Hegel.

You really need to see if Senso Systems stock similar speakers to yours and get down there for an audition if you're thinking of spending this much money then the train fare is miniscule. My ears are not yours, as the saying goes.

My question is what's the amp going to do? Do you need that built-in DAC? If not why pay for it?

I do need built - in - DAC in amplifier hence my interest in Primare and Hegel. Right now I have a CoctailAudio X10 and all my ripped Cd's are on a Hard Drive. With a Primare or Hegel Amplification I can simply connect my Coctail Audio X10 and maintain all my play lists. You are right the speakers will make the difference and the required last but not least, finance.*smile*

Surely the X10 also has a DAC, are you saying it's rubbish? or is there some other reason you need another.

A bit lost here and you could save a lot of money on the Primare if you do not opt for the media board.

Perhaps you want to bypass the DAC in the X10 by using the digital out, is that it?

The Coctail Audio X10 can be upgraded by connecting to an external DAC and Amplifier, but all the play lists are maintained. Otherwise I would have to purchase a seperate scource for the upgrade and start all over again with long play lists.... There is nothing wrong in using its DAC, ripped Cd's and amplifier, the sound is good for a small system, but is lacking for Classical music where I want a greater soundstage, resolution and depth.

 

[Al ears]

All the things you question have a lot to do with the speakers themselves, however regards the amps then I would say they are pretty much equal but bear in mind I was comparing a 2 box Primare to an integrated Hegel.

You really need to see if Senso Systems stock similar speakers to yours and get down there for an audition if you're thinking of spending this much money then the train fare is miniscule. My ears are not yours, as the saying goes.

My question is what's the amp going to do? Do you need that built-in DAC? If not why pay for it?

I do need built - in - DAC in amplifier hence my interest in Primare and Hegel. Right now I have a CoctailAudio X10 and all my ripped Cd's are on a Hard Drive. With a Primare or Hegel Amplification I can simply connect my Coctail Audio X10 and maintain all my play lists. You are right the speakers will make the difference and the required last but not least, finance.*smile*

Surely the X10 also has a DAC, are you saying it's rubbish? or is there some other reason you need another.

A bit lost here and you could save a lot of money on the Primare if you do not opt for the media board.

Perhaps you want to bypass the DAC in the X10 by using the digital out, is that it?

The Coctail Audio X10 can be upgraded by connecting to an external DAC and Amplifier, but all the play lists are maintained. Otherwise I would have to purchase a seperate scource for the upgrade and start all over again with long play lists.... There is nothing wrong in using its DAC, ripped Cd's and amplifier, the sound is good for a small system, but is lacking for Classical music where I want a greater soundstage, resolution and depth.

I see, many thanks for explaining.

 

[Artoo]

I am interested in both makes in regard to amplifiers (integrated or Pre/Power) and both makes seem to attract positive reviews.  Has any one heard both Hegel and Primare, if so what was your opinion of their sound quality?  What I am specifically interested is what is the difference between their sounds?  A lot of Hegel reviews seem to share a common denominator of mentioning the soundstage and silky voice potrayal.  While a few reviews on Primare specifically mention the good rythms and rich texture.  Unfortunately I cannot pop into Exeter and try both amps..! (as they are not sold there or any where near..). Both Primare and Hegel attract praise as to their bass portrayal and the clear portrayal of music (whatever that means..?).  

Hi, I'm pretty new to hi fi, currently looking into what will be my first setup. I did a side by side comparison of (among a few other amps) Primare I22 and Hegel H80, with the KEF LS50 speaker. To my totally hi fi untrained ears, I found the Primare slightly rough / harsh in the treble in this setup, and the Hegel very detailed though not harsh sounding. The Hegel to me also sounded more dynamic than the Primare. I found the Hegel more live and present. I think I will go with the H80 and LS50 which sounded great to me.

 

[pyrrhon]

I am interested in both makes in regard to amplifiers (integrated or Pre/Power) and both makes seem to attract positive reviews. Has any one heard both Hegel and Primare, if so what was your opinion of their sound quality? What I am specifically interested is what is the difference between their sounds? A lot of Hegel reviews seem to share a common denominator of mentioning the soundstage and silky voice potrayal. While a few reviews on Primare specifically mention the good rythms and rich texture. Unfortunately I cannot pop into Exeter and try both amps..! (as they are not sold there or any where near..). Both Primare and Hegel attract praise as to their bass portrayal and the clear portrayal of music (whatever that means..?).

I had a h80 demo for a week but took it back after 2 days disappointed. It didnt drive my speakers correctly, too much treble and some coarse rumblings in the sub bass. I didn't like the remote (cheap and small) nor the blue led screen (too bright, numbers, too large). A demo is mandatory. Never heard a Primare.