Hegel H150 streaming amplifier
The 75W Hegel H150 integrated streaming amp replaces the brand’s popular H120 but with a world of difference. The timing is also apt because my long-in-the-tooth original H190 has had a hard life over the past six years and has been surpassed by Hegel’s latest circuitry; not least the option of Qobuz Connect for high-quality streaming.
Hegel have been busy over the past few years working to establish a new level of features and performance in the higher end of its integrated range, including the power house H600 which I would not live without. The new H150 is an attempt to make all of that plus as much of the performance as possible, available at a much lower price point.

Design
Internally, the H150 is known as Prodigy by the Oslo-based manufacturer which has aimed to create it best-value proposition to date. While it’s an ‘entry-level’ product in the growing Hegel range, the H150 displays a level of performance and versatility the brand usually reserves for far more expensive models. The H150 draws inspiration from the Hegel reference products while majoring on user experience through an abundance of connectivity options to create what can only be described as an all-in-one music solution.

Set-up and operation

Connecting mains power and an ethernet lead (those needing wi-fi can use one of a myriad of adaptors available), the H150 offers a wide selection of inputs. All the Connects; Spotify, Qobuz, Tidal as well as Google Cast, Apple Airplay and UPnP all inbuilt. This list is likely to expand with automatic firmware updates allowing additional services as they become available. Hegel’s own app is now a cinch to use and makes control of musical selection a doddle, not to mention access to simply thousands of internet radio stations from around the globe.

Ease of use

As part of Hegel’s drive towards user-friendliness, input-sensing on the H150’s digital inputs and streaming wakes the amp and selects the correct source automatically, while the [to my mind really annoying] adjustable auto-standby can be set to save energy after you finish listening. Popular TV-remote codes are pre-loaded for seamless volume and power control with your TV remote.

First impressions

I must admit to still using Apple’s Airplay more than I probably should (given its quality compromises), but I have years of private recordings stored on iCloud, many transferred from ¼-inch tape. Hegel has always implemented Airplay in a more acceptable way than many of its competitors. In fact, this is how I came to discover what, at the time, was a fledgling Norwegian manufacturer taking its first steps into the UK. In those early days Hegel worked with Apple in a collaborative way and the results were pretty sensational. Other brands may have caught up now but I still think Hegel’s Airplay is hard to beat.

Panel excitement

Top of the panel’s comments were those relating to the H150’s bass handling, referring to it as solid, extremely well-controlled, tight and detailed. Low frequency control is something that Hegel has become noted for, so this was a good start. To my mind, too many modern-sounding amplifiers go for an over-blown or exaggerated bass, all in the name of creating excitement when auditioning in the dealership and helping to cement a sale. Thankfully Hegel avoids this trait and gives you precision and dynamics in abundance when it’s on the source material, combined with natural sounding weight and punch to the lower registers.
It is Hegel’s treatment of midrange neutrality which appeals to me as a listener of heavily speech-orientated material. Here, again, we are spared any effort by the electronics’ wizards to try and stamp their own mark on the recording, so we are greeted with a precise and transparent presentation. A few specifics from what became a protracted listening session as the panel enjoyed the sound so much, they were not eager to leave; saying probably as much about the H150’s musical prowess as anything else.
After a mammoth session, involving several coffee breaks, we ended with an up-to-date tune in Mika’s Run (Anders Enger Jensen) from 2023 which reminded me of Kraftwerk compositions oft played at hi-fi events. The track not only confirmed the H150s ability with speed and agility but also bass handling as we were thrown back into our seats by the full force of the hard-hitting 16th note bass sequence, paired with big drums, set against reverberant and spacious synth. The various audio layers were clearly separated in razor-sharp precision to create something of an addictive sound. The H150 produced a solid, punchy bass while the instruments’ resonances were beautifully preserved to increase the sense of being at the recording venue. The panel left with smiles on their faces.

Conclusion

Hegel refer to the new H150 as an ‘all-in-one audio solution’ and that’s certainly proven to be the case. The fact that it’s less money than my H190 was six years ago is testimony to the real value-for-money on offer, not least they have added functions and facilities such as Airable radio and podcasts plus Qobuz Connect which my ageing model lacks.

Hegel H150
The Ear
The Ear Review (PDF)