HEGEL H400 streaming integrated amplifier > Stereophile Review

From Norway, an internet thing > The Hegel H400 combines the functions of an integrated amplifier, DAC, and streamer.

Designed in Oslo, Norway, and assembled in China, it connects to the wider world by wired Ethernet. It keeps a foot planted in pre-streaming hi-fi with plenty of other wired connections, digital and analog. It includes a line amp (source selection, a volume control) and a powerful class-AB amplifier. It can comfortably replace a previous-era integrated amp or receiver, lacking only a phono preamp and tuner to be complete—but who needs a tuner in the age of the internet radio? Hegel's app provides access to hundreds (perhaps thousands) of radio choices. That class-AB amplifier is specified to provide up to 250Wpc into 8 ohms. Hegel says it can drive impedance loads as low as 2 ohms nominal, with a damping factor of 4000 (!). That should be sufficient to boss even the unruliest speaker.
Inside is a little computer (Amlogic A113X "system on a chip," which uses an ARM CPU), controlled by the Hegel Setup app; Hegel says the app will be renamed Hegel Control in a future update. The DAC is based on an ESS Sabre ES9038Q2M chip and that company's Hyperstream II architecture, with built-in jitter correction. On the rear panel is a standard RJ45 Ethernet jack—no antennas. Hegel Vice-President of Sales and Marketing Anders Ertzeid said the decision to keep wireless networking out of the amplifier chassis was made "for the sake of sound performance.

Connections, connections—and controls of Hegel H400

In addition to streaming, the DAC can receive and convert bits and bytes from local sources via three optical TosLink and two coaxial S/PDIF connections, one on RCA and one on BNC. A USB Type B socket allows connection to a computer via a standard USB cable. An uncommon feature is a BNC "DAC Loop" digital output jack, which the user manual says "makes it possible to upgrade the digital inputs of the amplifier with an external high-end DAC" by connecting it to the "jitter-reduced" digital output and connecting the external DAC's analog output to the XLR inputs on the H400. (So choose an external DAC with balanced outputs.) This signal looping is enabled using the monochrome front-panel screen and menu trees activated using the Source knob's pushbutton or with buttons on the wireless remote control. Hopefully, a future update will allow things like this to be set by finger-tapping a phone or tablet screen.
A final DAC detail: Although the ESS chips offer various antialiasing filter options, Ertzeid said Hegel's designers "have pre chosen what we think sounds best: an apodizing filter without pre ringing."

The value proposition of Hegel H400

Over the past decade, the definition of a Hegel integrated amp has grown to include more and different input sources and functionality. Over the same period, the company's inflation-adjusted retail prices have dropped. In 2016, the Hegel H360 offered about the same power and analog input choices as the H400 at a retail price of $5700—about $7392 in 2024 dollars. Yet, the list price of the H400 is $6995. That's still a heavy lift for some budgets, but considering the amplifier's power, build quality, and full-function built-in streamer with app control, it's quite a value. Add the amplifier's excellent sound quality and tight control of various speaker loads, and the H400 is worth a close look if you're in the market for a future-facing integrated amplifier. It's a neat thing, comfortable on the internet.
- Tom Fine, Stereophile October 10, 2024

Hegel H400
Stereophile