Hegel HD30: DAC with built-in AirPlay technology

Hegel HD30 is a digital-to-analog converter with streaming and built-in AirPlay technology. The HD30 is the ultimate digital control center. He is capable of everything you could possibly need, and does it with the highest quality. The DAC received a full-size metal case mounted on three support legs. In the center of the front aluminum panel is a display showing the source, volume level and sampling frequency. There is an input selector on the left, and a volume attenuator with step-by-step adjustment on the right, thanks to which the model can be used in pairs with a terminal or active speakers. It is possible to program a certain volume level at start or completely bypass the control in bypass mode.

To convert “digital” to “analog”, the Hegel HD30 uses two AK4490EQ chips (one per channel), and the AK4137EQ chip acts as a quantization frequency converter. The new highly efficient clock generator deserves special attention. The flagship power supply is equipped with a pair of toroidal transformers for separate power supply of digital and analog circuits, as well as capacitors with a total capacity of 54,000 uF. The analog output section uses SoundEngine technology, which uses feedforward instead of feedback in the circuit topology. As a result, it is possible to significantly reduce distortion. The signal-to-noise ratio of the model is 150 dB, and the distortion coefficient does not exceed 0.0005%.

There is an AirPlay function for iOS devices. To implement it, you need to connect the DAC to a Wi-Fi router via a LAN interface. The model also supports DLNA streaming. The flagship works with UPnP/DLNA protocols, easily connects to a local network and can play WAV, AIFF, FLAC, Ogg and MP3 files stored in the memory of computers/servers on this network.

The rear panel of the DAC has the following inputs: coaxial, BNC, 3 optical, balanced AES/EBU and LAN. There is a USB port with the ability to select operating modes (“A” or “B”) using a switch. In “B” mode, the DAC accepts audio in 24-bit/192 kHz resolution or DSD64/128 format. However, this will require installing the appropriate drivers. The outputs are represented by balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA connectors. The power switch is located on the rear panel of the case. To control the Hegel HD30, a universal remote control with an aluminum housing is used. You can control audio playback over a local network through an application for mobile devices.

Characteristics Hegel HD30

DAC 2 x AK4490EQ in dual mono configuration, 32 bit/192 kHz
Frequency range 0 Hz – 50 kHz
Harmonic coefficient 0.0005%
Signal-to-noise ratio – 150 dB
Output voltage 2.6 V
High-precision, stepped volume control
Bypass function volume control yes
Output impedance 22 Ohm (RCA), 44 Ohm (XLR)
AirPlay support yes (for wired connection via local network)
Support for DLNA and UPnP protocols yes
Supported file formats when connected via local network WAV, AIFF, FLAC, Ogg, MP3
Inputs coaxial (24 bit/192 kHz), BNC (24 bit/192 kHz), 3 optical (24 bit/192 kHz), balanced AES/EBU (24 bit/192 kHz), LAN (Network), USB USB port
can work in two modes (A or B), mode B requires driver installation and supports PCM (24 bit/192 kHz), DSD64/128
Line outputs RCA and balanced XLR
Other switching IR port (3.5 mm)
Power supply 2 toroidal transformer (separately for digital and analogue sections), total capacitance of capacitors: 54,000 uF
Universal remote control
Dimensions (WxHxD) 430x100x310 mm
Weight 6.5 kg