Hegel HD12 DAC
Hegel HD12 replaced HD11, although it looks more like a flagship HD20 with a large display in the center of the front panel. The main difference is the headphone jack. The signal is fed from the built-in high-quality amplifier, which makes the new DAC absolutely self-sufficient. Another feature of HD12 is support of DSD 64 stream.
The device is equipped with a coaxial, two optical inputs and a USB interface. Due to the use of modern digital CM6632A (USB 2.0) and AK4118 (S/PDIF) receivers, all inputs support a signal with a resolution of 192 kHz/24 bit.
The last few years the company prefers to build a digital path on Asahi Kasei Microsystems chips - these are a two-channel sampling frequency converter AK4127 and a stereo 32-bit AK4399EQ DAC with built-in digital filter. This converter with a dynamic range of 123 dB has balanced outputs for each channel.
The analog section is also symmetrical, with direct outputs to the XLR connectors. The bandwidth is from 0 to 50000 Hz, the distortion does not exceed 0.0005%, and the noise level is like in some passive element - 140 dB!
The remote control is like in the previous Hegel models. Using it, you can select the desired input, control playback and adjust the volume. The level is displayed on the display in the range from 0 to 100. When the converter is turned off, the volume level is memorized until next activation.
Before listening, I set the level to maximum, i.e. in fact, I eliminated the digital regulator from the tract. At first, the sound seems to be ordinary, without any zest, but then you realize that everything is so balanced in it that it is impossible to single out any one aspect. I remember that bass in HD11 called attention to itself - a powerful, relief, but sometimes pulls a musical balance on. Here you can feel an absolutely neutral, but not impassive manner at all. It seems to be nothing special, but all necessary things are present - the accuracy of nuances, a decent resolution in the upper band, energy with correct attack and palpable kick. The violin sounds very natural, with a rich spectrum.
There is clearly a third dimension in the sound stage, the relative proportions of instruments and other virtual sources are true. The built-in headphone amplifier is very good, especially at the work with high-impedance headphones. At high volume with 32-ohm ones a coloring still arises, indicating distortions.
High-resolution files sound as they should - with a lot of details in the middle and a moving bass falling into the infra-low area. Per totality of the qualities HD12 does not differ much from the more expensive Hegel DACs. The difference is minimal - in the formation of the atmosphere, the naturalness of "copper" supply and other audiophile nuances. But the music lover will unlikely find reasons for criticism - Hegel HD12 performs music of any genre masterfully without embellishing or missing something.
