The Well-Tempered Computer, an introduction to computer audio

Friday, March 18, 2011

Hegel HD20 DAC and HD2 USB DAC

HD20 is Hegel of Norway's new top of the line DAC. It offers both USB inputs as well as regular coaxial and optical spdif inputs and incorporates jitter reducing and impedance matching technology.




With the remote control (supplied) you can switch between the different inputs, dim the display or adjust the volume level. The HD20 has a high performance digital pre amplifier, fully capable of driving a high end power amplifier.

A rather unique functionality in the HD20 is that you are able to remote control computers that are connected to the USB port. If you start a play list you can use the HD20's remote control to start/pause and browse around in your play list. No installation is necessary, and it works on both PC, MAC and most different types of media players. Including most streaming services like Spotify or Rhapsody.

The HD20 has a high resolution 24 bit / 192 kHz D/A-Converter inside, and can play native 192 kHz from it's coaxial and optical inputs. It also has the capability to stream high definition 24 bit / 96 kHz audio files over USB.

  • 24bit / 192 kHz multilevel sigma-delta DAC
  • Signal output: 2,5V RMS
  • Digital inputs: 1 x USB, 2 x coaxial and 1 x optical spif
  • Line outputs: 1 pair of RCA unbalanced, 1 pair of XLR balanced
  • Frequency response: 0 Hz to 50 KHz
  • Phase response: Linear Phase Analogue filter
  • Noise floor: Minus 140 dB
  • Distortion: Typical 0,0007%
  • Power supply: Built-in torodial transformer, 30.000 uF capacitors
  • Dimensions/weight: 6cm * 21cm * 26 cm (H*W*D), 2,8 Kg
  • US$2,000
Hegel also offers a USB-only strip-down version which is the $350 HD2. Same underlying technology but with a 24/96 USB input with internal 24/192 (upsampled) and RCA analog output and a digital coaxial output - in case you use it as a stand-alone USB to SPDIF converter.