Hegel Music Systems

Hegel Music Systems is a hi-fi company from Oslo, Norway. Founder Bent Holter developed the basis of its SoundEngine technology at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) and started Hegel Electronics in 1990. The first mass-produced amplifiers followed in 1998, and all research and development still takes place in Oslo.

Technology and range

• SoundEngine is a patented method for reducing distortion in real time without changing the natural character of the music.
• Hegel makes integrated amplifiers, preamplifiers, power amplifiers, DACs, CD players and amplifiers for custom installation.
• Almost all integrated amplifiers support Roon Ready streaming. The H190v, for instance, offers AirPlay, Spotify Connect, Roon Ready and UPnP/DLNA and has a built-in DAC and a phono stage for MM cartridges.

Where it fits

Hegel describes its products as cost-effective and dependable and as often able to outperform more expensive alternatives built around less rigorous priorities. Amplification, DAC and streaming in one box is typical of the current integrated amplifiers.