The Hegel H600 is an exceptional integrated amplifier. Using the Bryston BDA-2 DAC I was able to compare the H600 and B135 strictly as integrated amplifiers and found the former superior—effortless and pristine at any volume. Remarkably, Hegel includes with this outstanding amplifier a topflight DAC that can easily rival external DACs costing thousands of dollars. This is the finest integrated amplifier-DAC combination I’ve heard in my time as a reviewer. At $12,500, the H600 isn’t cheap, but I suspect it would cost at least as much, probably more, to find another combination of integrated amplifier and DAC, whether as one or two units, that could outperform it.
Has the designer got what he was aiming for? Certainly. Here is the best-possible single-box integrated that Hegel can create given current technology. If this were a German product it would be at least £25,000 – and I can think of something comparable. Hats off to Hegel on another masterpiece. Such is the level of audio competence displayed by the H600, it is not only highly recommended but must be a strong contender for the Ear’s Product of the Year awards.
Hegel blew us away with the launch of the H600, and we were equally surprised by how quickly we received it for testing. But that was nothing compared to the shock when we heard it.
Aug 01, 2023 | Full Review…
The Hegel H600 is an exceptional integrated amplifier. Using the Bryston BDA-2 DAC I was able to compare the H600 and B135 strictly as integrated amplifiers and found the former superior—effortless and pristine at any volume. Remarkably, Hegel includes with this outstanding amplifier a topflight DAC that can easily rival external DACs costing thousands of dollars. This is the finest integrated amplifier-DAC combination I’ve heard in my time as a reviewer. At $12,500, the H600 isn’t cheap, but I suspect it would cost at least as much, probably more, to find another combination of integrated amplifier and DAC, whether as one or two units, that could outperform it.
Philip Beaudette
Nov 23, 2023 | Full Review…
Has the designer got what he was aiming for? Certainly. Here is the best-possible single-box integrated that Hegel can create given current technology. If this were a German product it would be at least £25,000 – and I can think of something comparable. Hats off to Hegel on another masterpiece. Such is the level of audio competence displayed by the H600, it is not only highly recommended but must be a strong contender for the Ear’s Product of the Year awards.
Trevor Butler
Sep 08, 2023 | Full Review…
Hegel blew us away with the launch of the H600, and we were equally surprised by how quickly we received it for testing. But that was nothing compared to the shock when we heard it.
Geir Nordby