The design is a minimalist affair in keeping with other Hegel products. Build quality is the level of Hegel’s reference equipment, and by removing the pre-amplifier and focusing on the DAC technology itself this is a real step up from their previous reference HD30 DAC. 

The unit itself is designed to be as low in distortion as possible. The chassis houses 2 toroidal transformers, shielded in a separate steel compartment, to minimise stray RFI noise. Their output is also filtered before entering the unit, further lowering noise.

To further drive down noise and minimise signal path lengths, the DAC itself, ESS’ new, flagship, 2-channel 9039Q2M chip, is housed on a separate circuit board which is raised above the rest of the electronics. The resulting digital processing is very accurate and clean of unwanted digital artifacts.

Hegel are using no less than three separate master clocks to ensure timing errors and jitter are kept to an absolute minimum.

Hegel have implemented a new technology what they call Synchronised Up-sampling, as opposed to more usual, lesser performant, asynchronous up-sampling of other brands. These better-timed digital signals minimise jitter and boost performance.

The Linear Phase ‘LineDriver’ output stage has a high current capacity and low output impedance to be able to drive all types of signal cables and equipment. Hegel has designed the crucial analogue low pass filter and line driver circuits to preserve the highest possible dynamic range free from distortion and noise.

DAC-Loop

The D50 has a DAC-Loop which, when connected to Hegel’s top-level integrated amplifiers, allows the internally-streamed digital music to pass via the D50 DAC. The DAC-Loop utilises the digital output connection and menu functions of the amplifiers to pass the internally-streamed digital music to the D50 DAC. By utilising the latest Hegel DAC technology, this upgrades the in-built streamer, along with all other digital inputs, resulting in a superior sound quality. Essentially future-proofing the amplifier.

This DAC-Loop feature is available in the current H400 and H600 amplifiers but was also included in some older models including H300, H360, H390 and H590, which means that owners of these can benefit from the latest Hegel technology.

In our listening test we have found the D50 to be a very dimensional performer. The sound stage it creates is textured, and due to the low noise floor low level fine details are revealed. It has the expected Hegel sonic signature, marginally on the warm side of neutral, and free from digital glare, making for a non-fatiguing, relaxed, listen.

In our listening test we have found the D50 to be a very dimensional performer. The sound stage it creates is textured, and due to the low noise floor low level fine details are revealed. It has the expected Hegel sonic signature, marginally on the warm side of neutral, and free from digital glare, making for a non-fatiguing, relaxed, listen.

Book now for an in-studio presentation, or home trial.

The Hegel D50 DAC is priced at £4,250.