Hegel P30 Preamplifier

$12,995
By Hegel

Description

The P30 is the best preamplifier ever developed by Hegel. With its patented technology and hand-matched components, the P30 is a confident contender in the race towards being the best pre amplifier in the world. Regardless of price. Despite what many hi-fi enthusiasts believe, pre amplifiers are actually one of the most difficult audio components to develop. At the same time, it is one of the most important components in a well sounding system.

The reason is that the signal strength is very low when entering the pre amplifier, and is therefore very susceptible to high-frequency noise and distortion elements. The most critical phase in the pre amplifier is the volume regulation, and in the P30 this is a masterpiece in itself. The physical volume control knob is only used to describe the desired volume output level to the array of Gigahertz MOS-transistors. These direct the music signal through a network of high-quality resistors that reduce the signal level.

After the volume control circuit, the signal is directed through the amplification circuit. For the first time ever we are using the patented SoundEngine technology in the pre amplifier. Combined with Hegel's use of hand-matched FET transistors, this results in unsurpassed levels of musical distortion and noise. In total, the music signal will only pass through 2 transistors and between 1 to 3 resistors on its way through the P30. The sound you hear from the P30 can only be described as organic and very natural. To quote a journalist: "The Hegel sounds so much more natural than my previous reference. And it does so without flashing itself with gold and diamonds".

The Hegel P30 has 2 pairs of balanced inputs (XLR) and 3 regular unbalanced (RCA). In addition to this, it has a Home Theatre input that allows you to integrate it into a Home Theatre system. The P30 also has a 3,5 mm IR-direct input and a 12V trigger output connector. The Hegel P30 is available in both silver and black finish, so it can be matched with both the H30 and H20 power amplifiers.

Technical Specifications

Remote control: Volume, source and mute controlled by Hegel RC2
Inputs: 2 x XLR balanced, 3 x RCA unbalanced and Home Theatre inputs
Outputs: 1 x XLR balanced and 2 x RCA unbalanced outputs
Other connections: 3,5mm IR-direct jack, 3,5 mm jack 12V trigger output
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)
Finish: Black and Silver
Dimensions/weight: 8cm x 43cm x 30cm (HxWxD), 10kg
Dimensions/weight US: 3,2" x 17" x 12" (HxBxD), 22 lbs

Listening to the Hegel P30 + H30 was truly a pleasure. For a reasonable price the set offered incredible drive combine with a tube'esque timbre, while having enough braw and current that only a marble tombstone could put it in embarrassment. Inside the simple and modest enclosures of the Hegel true audiophile gems reside, which will shine fully when paired with the rest of the system at least equally good, and when good XLR cables are used to connect them. It will not be bad using RCA, but who would want to use only half of such a system? And this is only the first step to happiness according to Bent Holter, because only using two H30 in mono mode we can feel like the Odin during a feast in the mythical Valhalla.


Soundrebels (Poland)