in

Hegel readies P30A Pre and H30A power amps

From High End 2022, which number one couldn’t attend because silly…silly – he didn’t check his passport was invalid with post lockdown ‘forgetability’ in the mix, Hegel announces the new P30A and H30A pre and power amps.

Due to begin shipping when leaves drop in 2022, these new offerings replace the outgoing P30 and H30 models, which having been introduced in 2011, are now in Hegel’s words, on ‘borrowed time’, due to the discontinuance of certain resistors they use.

The ‘Conductor’ and ‘Orchestra’ of a multi duty amplification system is of course the Pre and Power amps, and in immutably quirky ways, respectively these are the names Hegel assign to these new products. I think the H390 amplifier used in my test rig is the ‘Robin Hood of amps’ – takes from the rich and gives to the poor you see, and certainly true vis-à-vis value.

Missed my appraisal – watch on YouTube below;


‘Conductor’

Hegel say they perfectly match the transistors to ensure great performance in the balanced design P30A and the internal layout is designed in a way that keeps signal paths short to reduce distortion from noise. Also Hegel minimise the number of electrical components the signal passes through to further reduce distortion. Easy-Peasey to get your head around.

But Hegel onlookers and fanista’s like me primarily concerned with the audio end-game will be pleased to see that this pre-amp keeps the SoundEngine2 technology of their Integrated range. In effect ‘monitoring the musical signal for corruptions and correcting for intermodulation distortion using a feed forward design’ is where this tech is at, to the savvy. Hegel say distortion is removed in real time when the signal is amplified. There are two amps, volume controls, and SoundEngine2 modules per channel. Yum! Yes! Licking noises…..don’t believe me then try Hegel amps against conventional negative feedback amplifiers!

Hegel P30A and H30A

But the connectability and rear socketry is as simple and clear as old school retro HiFi meeting new age clean lined minimalism that such Scandinavian Audio equipment plays too. But ‘word-salad’ aside, Hegel gear KISSes on connections – Keep It Simple Stupid – a 1960’s US Navy acronym for easy design. And to this end; 2 sets of XLR analogue inputs, 3 sets of RCA unbalanced inputs, and a RCA max level home theatre input that looks like you can use your AV amp to control volume through the P30A. Then on the variable volume output side – one set of XLR outputs and two sets of RCA outs. One of the RCA outs can be configured to line level output and all are in use at once. Finally a 3.5mm remote controllable IR extension socket for P30A’s a-cupboard bound, and a 12V trigger out to ON/OFF other components with your P30A.

Whilst the quality of Hegel to anyone in the know is as true and clear happening as knees up cheese and wine ‘hoo-ray henrying’ at SW1A 2AA, the inquisitive and more budget conscious of us might be thinking, where does this fit for my Hegel Integrated? Where André Previn as conductor meets with relative guitar and drum Integrated’s, against the more top of the line full on Orchestra Hegel? Well my dear Watson, a question of Integrated upgradeability. Because the Integrated’s suit the P30A’s design with dual mono balanced design and the right balanced connections to boot! I for one would be salivating to try my 390 with a P30A. Hegel agree – this new pre amp makes for an individual upgrade, whilst it is designed to be used with the…….

‘Orchestra’

The H30A is a mono power amp outputting a gut busting 1100W into 8ohms, so quite obviously for partnering with serious kit. Hegel say; ‘it is stable even with 1ohm loads, it uses 2 separate 1000VA toroidal transformers for fast response and minimal hum and with a power bank of 270,000 μF Caps, the H30A can handle the most challenging piece of music at any volume’.

The Input stage of large power amps is prone to electrical interference distorting the musical signal and one such issue which abounds is higher order harmonic distortion which Hegel say they remove by hand matching single pair FET transistors that have the same values, to eliminate such a type of distortion.

The H30A has three sets of input banks rear bound with input selectors for mono or stereo use, so it is possible to buy just one amplifier for more relatively modest speakers in stereo operation.

Pricing for the UK is not yet set but Euro pricing is expected to be €7,995 for the P30A and €17,995 for the H30A I have been advised, so clearly these products are aimed at high end enthusiasts….Watch the Hegel space – their Facebook Forum is here


Specifications – Hegel P30A and H30A

P30A

  • Remote control : Volume, source, and mute
  • Inputs : 2 x XLR balanced, 3 xRCA 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
  • Dimensions : 9.6 cm x 43 cm x 30 cm(HxWxD)
  • Weight : 7,2 kg
  • Dimensions (US) : 3.8” x 17” x 12”US(HxWxD),
  • Weight (US) : 15.9 lbs

H30A

  • Output power : More than 1100 W in 8ohms (mono)
  • Min. 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 in 8ohms
  • Intermodulation Less than 0.01% (19 kHz + 20 kHz)
  • Damping factor : More than 500 (mono)
  • Power supply : 2000 VA dual mono,270,000μF capacitors
  • Output stage : 56 pcs 15 A 200 W highspeed, ultra-low distortion bipolar transistors
  • Finish : Black
  • Dimensions/weight : 24 cm x 43 cm x 57.5 cm(HxWxD), weight 47.4 kg
  • Dimensions/weight US : 9.4” x 17” x 25.6” (HxWxD), 104.5 lbs



Written by Simon Price

I'm music lover who shares experiences of faithfully reproduced audio in an ENGAGING way with HIGH VIDEO PRODUCTION VALUES. I enjoy and make reviews as I love audio gadgets, being a voice on audio and producing creative videos that ultimately benefit the industry and new participation. I keep technicalities easy, as I believe great audio serves music and music is inclusive and to be enjoyed by all!

Buchardt S400 Mk2 Speakers Thrill!

REL’s T/7x – Do you need a Subwoofer?