Hegel P20 Preamplifier
The P20 is Hegel's entry-level preamplifier and offers an affordable door into the Hegel Reference line of products. Designing the P20 was not a task Hegel took lightly. Many of the ideas and concepts were taken from its bigger brother. Although scaled-down, many of the good characteristics remain - the enormous soundstage, the deep rhythmic bass response, the perfect timing... In short, the sense of being there with the performers.
The P20 comes with a high-quality system remote control, milled out of one solid piece of aluminium. It has the same bead blasted and anodized surface finish as the preamplifier itself. You can really feel the quality of each part of the P20; not only hear it. There is a total of 5 regular inputs. Both balanced and unbalanced. In addition, a special Home Theatre input allows integration in Home Theatre systems. Finally, there are both balanced and unbalanced outputs as well as a fixed line-level output.
The idea behind the P20 was, as mentioned, to offer a more affordable entry into the Hegel line of separates. But most of all, it was to set a new standard of price and performance in preamplifiers. Something Hegel think they have achieved. The preamplifier is perhaps the most delicate unit in a sound system. Because the signal levels are so low, even the tiniest levels of noise or distortion smear the image and mask the small details that enliven the music.
In designing the P20, Hegel achieved the highest quality of sound at such a low price point by using brand new technologies, such as Silicon Germanium transistors. In addition, Hegel implemented high-frequency components that were not originally designed for audio, and use them in ways that had never been done before. The result is an open and natural sounding preamplifier at a very competitive price.
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.
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 P20
The Hegel P20 Stereo Preamplifier stands as a remarkable achievement in audio engineering, embodying Hegel's commitment to sonic excellence and innovation. Crafted with precision and finesse, the P20 represents a synthesis of cutting-edge technology and meticulous craftsmanship. Its sleek design belies the complexity within, housing a range of sophisticated features engineered to deliver unparalleled audio performance. From its meticulously designed circuitry to its intuitive user interface, every aspect of the P20 is crafted to elevate the listening experience, making it a standout choice for audiophiles seeking uncompromising quality and clarity in their sound systems.
Main Features & Specifications
- Design: Stereo Analogue Preamplifier
- Designed to match the Hegel H20 Power Amplifier
- Inputs: 1 x XLR balanced, 4 x RCA unbalanced and Home Theatre Bypass inputs
- Outputs: 1 x XLR balanced, 1 x RCA unbalanced outputs and 1 x RCA recording outputs
- Signal To Noise Ratio: More than 130 dB balanced mode
- Crosstalk: Less than -100 dB
- Distortion: Less than 0.005 %
- Intermodulation: Less than 0.01% (19kHz+20kHz)
- Remote Control: Volume, Source, and Mute
- Removable Power Cable: Upgrade to a Premium Power Cable for better performance
- Finish: Black
- Dimensions (WxHxD): 430 x 80 x 300 mm
- Weight: 10 kg
- Manufacturer's Warranty: 2 Years
Note: Features & Specifications Subject To Change Without Notice. E&OE.