All units benefit from Hegel’s Sound Engine 2 technology which constantly monitors the music signal and removes several sources of distortion, including crossover distortion between the transistors themselves. This technology allows the delicacy and dynamics producing a real presence to the music.

Hegel H400

The new H400, which takes over from the superb H390 has an improved, bit-perfect DAC which allows for maximising the sound quality from any digital source. It also has a new streaming platform that supports Apple AirPlay 2, Google Cast, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, and UPnP. This has allowed the H400 to win the 2024/25 EISA award for Best Premium Streaming Amplifier. 

The H400 has a dual-mono design allowing for better channel separation, with a substantial 250 watts per channel at 8 ohms (420 at 4 ohms) and an industry-leading damping factor of 4000. The high value contributes to better control a loudspeakers bass drivers, maximising resolution and dynamics.

Hegel H400 integrated amplifier 250wpc/8ohms £5,900

Hegel H600

Moving up from the H400 is the reference H600, which has all of Hegel’s expertise incorporated replacing the outgoing H590. The H600 offers a similar DAC and streaming functionality to the H400, described above. However, there are lots of changes which really elevate the performance. Firstly, the amplifier now has an impressive 303 watts per channel at 8 ohms, with around 500 watts at 4 ohms. Despite having only 53 watts per channel more than the H400, the power supply is 50% more powerful than that of the H400 and has 40% more power transistors. This allows the amplifier to feel even more effortless and more refined than the already superb H400. 

The larger chassis for the H600 is built entirely from non-magnetic aluminium (including the feet) for maximum noise rejection and is also more rigid than the H400 chassis, where thinner steel is used. Importantly, the H600 has the volume control (attenuator) taken directly from their flagship P30 pre amplifier, which allows for a step up in performance over the outgoing H590. This allows for a more dynamic and detailed rendition of music. 

Additionally the larger housing allows for the various sections to be shielded from each other to maximise signal integrity and to enable further noise-rejection. This includes a shielded DAC, a shielded pre-amplifier section, and shielding the main AC input from the rest of the unit. 

The component-quality is improved over the already excellent H400, including the quality of the circuit boards themselves.

Finally, there is also an increase in connector quality, including high-end Mundorf speaker terminals and very high-quality RCA connectors.

This is one of the very best integrated amplifiers on the market today. We recommend booking an audition to compare the sonic differences between the H400 and the H600. 

Hegel H600 303wpc/8ohms £10,500