Hegel H30A Power Amplifier
With its immense power, speaker matching is no longer an issue. The H30A can play any music recorded in any "venue", be it large stadiums or small cellar clubs, and with its unsurpassed skill and attention to detail, no music is too challenging. It conveys all music like you never thought possible. No matter what or where it plays, H30A will always perform at its best.
The H30A is Hegel's reference power amplifier. The H30A's job is to take command of any music on any speakers and make it sound as good as possible without ever breaking a sweat. The H30A is an absolute powerhouse of an amplifier. In its mono state it delivers a truly astounding 1100 watts into 8 Ohms, and it is completely stable even with 1 Ohm loads. To achieve this, Hegel have applied all their skills and knowledge in amplifier design and combined that with the best electronics. The H30A power supply uses 2 separate 1000 VA toroidal transformers for fast response and minimized transformer hum. With a power bank of 270,000 μF capacitors, the H30A can handle even the most challenging piece of music at any volume, it always has enough power in reserve. In the output stage are 56 x 15A 200W high speed, ultra-low distortion bipolar transistors. With so much power ready at any given time, things like speaker sensitivity and variation in loads no longer come into play. With the H30A you can confidently drive any speaker you like.
Power is however nothing without the details to match. In a large power amplifier like this, the input stage is especially vulnerable to electrical interference distorting the music signal. One troublesome type of distortion is higher order harmonic distortion. It is a type of distortion that is far removed from the original music frequencies and can often make the amplifier sound harsh and unmusical. In the H30A input stage Hegel eliminate this by using single pair FET transistors. These are carefully hand matched transistors that have the exact same values, and therefore they have no higher order harmonic distortion. Other types of distortion are cancelled out with Hegel's patented SoundEngine technology. This actively monitors the music signal for corruptions and corrects for distortion using a feed forward design. SoundEngine effectively removes distortion in real time as the signal is amplified. These measures make the H30A sound very smooth and natural, without compromising on the details.
The H30A is designed as a mono power amplifier, but it can also be used as a stereo power amplifier. It has both balanced (XLR) and unbalanced (RCA) inputs and a 12V trigger input. For the best possible connection, the H30A features high quality, gold-plated speaker binding posts. Usually, when going from one amplifier to a more powerful one, you experience more of everything. More bass, more details, more involvement - everything is just more. With the H30A Hegel have reached a whole new level of differences. Because the H30A is so immensely powerful and detailed, the concept of "more" simply becomes irrelevant. In the H30A the bass is tremendously deep, but never dominating. The high frequencies are exceptionally detailed, but never fatiguing. And the articulation of vocals in the midrange is just sublime. At this level, what you experience is simply total control. The H30A is an amplifier that can drive virtually all known loudspeakers with authority and ease. It never sounds forced, only relaxed and musical. The H30A is the spearhead of Hegel's amplifier technology.
Organic Sound: Good recordings are best enjoyed naked. The organic sound of Hegel means that all parts of a dynamic recording are reproduced exactly like the original. The quality of the sound coming out of your speakers are only limited by what happened in the recording studio. Nothing added, nothing taken out - no artificial ingredients.
Music enjoyed on a Hegel system is the closest you can get to the live studio session. The company is proud to present The Hegel Concept - the first music system in the world that utilizes the very latest technology from all related fields, like integrated circuitry, broadcasting technology, and telecommunication. More than 10 years of research and development have made it possible to reproduce music in a more natural way than ever before.
The goal is to give music lovers the most natural and engaging listening experience possible. Real-life sound from acoustic instruments and voices from known artists were the preferred reference point while developing Hegel because nothing else would do.
SoundEngine: It's a common fact: As a story is told from person to person, details change. Things are added, others lost. At some point, the story has changed. When a music signal is passing through an audio amplifier a similar effect will take place. As the signal is passed from stage to stage within the audio amplifier, the music signal will be changed by every single amplifier stage.
When the music signal finally reaches your loudspeakers, the signal is different from the original music signal from the signal source. The Hegel SoundEngine local error cancelling system prevents distortion in the audio amplifier circuit stages, preserving the original details and the dynamic range in the original music signal. The end result is a much cleaner music signal with a larger dynamic range and lower distortion. The unique and patented Hegel SoundEngine audio technology combines the advantage of class AB and class A amplifiers, without having the drawbacks of class A and class AB-amplifier technologies.
The SoundEngine Technology cancels the crossover distortion found in all types of class-AB amplifiers. The human ear is very sensitive to high-frequency distortion components in the music signal. The Hegel SoundEngine technology will cancel high-frequency distortion components found in normal types of audio amplifiers. The Hegel SoundEngine technology is not using any kind of global negative feedback, it is using local and adaptive feedforward technology if there should ever be any need for cancellation of distortion within the audio amplifier stages.
DualAmp: All Hegel audio amplifiers are using a new kind of distributed amplifier technology called DualAmp Technology. This technology is used in all integrated amplifiers and power amplifiers from Hegel. In normal audio amplifiers, the voltage gain stages and current gain stages are combined in the same amplifier module.
DualAmp Technology from Hegel separates the voltage gain stage and the current gain stage into two completely different stages. First, the music signal goes to the voltage gain stage, amplifying only the voltage level of the music signal. By doing only voltage gain in this first stage, Hegel can use amplifier building blocks that are specially designed to do voltage amplification. After the separate voltage gain stage there is the current gain stage, doing only current gain and nothing else. This way Hegel can use amplifier blocks that are specially designed to do current gain. The current gain stage is needed to deliver a lot of current to the loudspeakers connected to the audio amplifier. By separating these two stages, we can keep the sensitive parts of the voltage gain stages away from the large speaker currents in the current output stage.
The output of the voltage gain stage is connected to the input of the current gain stage. There is no feedback from the current gain stage to the voltage gain stage. The Hegel DualAmp technology gives lower total distortion and a higher dynamic range than normal audio amplifiers. The Hegel DualAmp technology is developed in-house by Hegel and is only found in Hegel products.
DualPower: Normal audio amplifiers use the same power supply for the different amplifier blocks within the audio amplifier. The amplifier output stage driving the loudspeaker is using the same power supply as the crucial input stages and voltage gain stages of the audio amplifier. The large currents flowing in the connected loudspeakers will disturb the sensitive input and voltage gain stages of the audio amplifier.
Hegel integrated amplifiers, power amplifiers and sources are using completely separate DualPower power supplies for the input and voltage gain stages, and for the current output stages of the audio amplifier. The custom-designed Hegel power transformers have got separate DualPower windings feeding independent high-speed rectifiers and high capacity power supply capacitors.
By using the DualPower power supply technology Hegel amplifiers prevent disturbances from the high currents flowing in the loudspeakers entering the sensitive input gain stages and voltage gain stages. The Hegel DualPower technology gives lower total distortion and a higher dynamic range than normal audio amplifiers. The Hegel DualPower technology is developed in-house by Hegel and is only found in Hegel products.
Hegel Philosophy
"All Hegel products are based on a simple philosophy: Add as little as possible. We always aim to keep the music signal close to the original recording. We are constantly looking for ways to lower distortion and noise. By lowering noise, we unveil layers of music covered by noise. And by lowering the distortion we can have a better and more precise reproduction of the recording. We work hard to give you the best possible music experience. Our minimalistic Scandinavian design is styled to fit in with any interior. The products are easy to operate and manufactured according to the best quality principles." Bent Holter, Founder Hegel Music Systems
About Hegel
The Hegel story begins in 1988 when Bent Holter, a student at the Technical University in Trondheim, Norway, decided to do a thesis under the original design of the transistor used in amplifiers that would cure the problems of traditional hi-fi systems. Enemy number one was distortion and Holter somehow could not accept the fact that when we supply a simple signal to an amplifier, the output reproduces that signal plus something else; distortion produced by the electronics. Fighting distortion usually means deterioration of other parameters, including damping factor so Holter decided to break free from classic schematics and developed a project that became the basis of what we know today as SoundEngine Technology.
And where does the name of the company come from? Well, during his spare time Bent played in a rock-metal band called The Hegel Band. When they needed amplifiers for concerts, he suggested building them himself. His ideas took on real shape, but it took lots of money to refine the technology and help came from Telenor - one of the biggest players in the telecommunications industry.
The early 90s were a period of prosperity for the brand. First, they patented the SoundEngine technology and soon thereafter released a DAC and a CD Player. Over the next few years, the company steadily developed its product range including their burgeoning range of integrated amplifiers. Today Hegel is one of the best-established brands on the Hi-Fi market. They produce integrated, pre and power amplifiers as well as CD players and some of the most modern and sophisticated D/A converters. SoundEngine Technology was just a start. Today there are six more original technical solutions in Hegel's portfolio. The company has dealers in 63 countries and its products are sold all over the world. Awards and press reviews speak for themselves.
Our Take On The Hegel H30A
The Hegel H30A Power Amplifier stands as an embodiment of sonic excellence and engineering prowess. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to delivering unparalleled audio performance, this amplifier represents the apex of Hegel's dedication to sonic fidelity. Its design encompasses a fusion of cutting-edge technology and timeless craftsmanship, resulting in a powerhouse that effortlessly drives even the most demanding speaker systems with clarity, precision, and authority.
From its robust construction to its refined circuitry, every aspect of the Hegel H30A Power Amplifier reflects a dedication to sonic purity and uncompromising quality. Its performance transcends mere amplification, elevating music reproduction to an art form. With a sound signature characterized by transparency, dynamics, and an unwavering sense of control, the H30A invites listeners to rediscover their favourite music with newfound depth and emotion. In essence, the Hegel H30A Power Amplifier stands as a beacon of audio excellence, a testament to Hegel's unwavering commitment to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in pursuit of sonic perfection.
Main Features & Specifications
- Design: Power Amplifier
- Designed to match the Hegel P30A Preamplifier
- Stereo Power Output: More than 305 W + 305 W into 8 Ohms
- Mono Power Output: More than 1,100 W into 8 Ohms
- Minimum Load Impedance: 1 Ohm Load
- Inputs: RCA unbalanced and XLR balanced
- Speaker Outputs: One pair of heavy-duty gold plated terminals
- Input Impedance: Balanced 20 kOhm, unbalanced 10 kOhm
- Signal to Noise Ratio: More than 100 dB
- Crosstalk: Less than -100 dB
- Distortion: Less than 0.003% at 100 W into 8 Ohms
- Intermodulation: Less than 0.01% (19 kHz + 20 kHz)
- Damping Factor: More than 1,000 Stereo, More than 500 Mono
- Power Supply: 2,000 VA dual mono, 270,000 μF capacitors
- Output Stage: 56 pcs 15 A 200 W high speed, ultra-low distortion bipolar transistors
- Power Consumption: 120 W in standby switched on
- Removable Power Cable: Upgrade to a Premium Power Cable for better performance
- Finish: Black
- Dimensions (WxHxD): 430 x 240 x 575mm
- Weight: 47.4 kg
- Manufacturer's Warranty: 2 Years
Note: Features & Specifications Subject To Change Without Notice. E&OE.