The Hegel H190v is a modern all-in-one integrated amplifier that combines substantial Class AB power with a high-resolution DAC, network streaming, MM phono stage and dedicated headphone amplifier. Essentially an evolution of Hegel’s long-running H190, the “v” version adds a built-in phono preamplifier while retaining the original model’s powerful amplification and digital architecture. Hegel positions it as a complete solution for listeners who want to accommodate vinyl, digital music and streaming without assembling a rack full of separate components.
At the center of the H190v is a 150-watt-per-channel Class AB amplifier rated into 8 ohms. Its most remarkable specification is arguably the damping factor of more than 4,000, reflecting Hegel’s emphasis on maintaining tight electrical control over the loudspeaker. The amplifier can handle loads down to 2 ohms, making it suitable for a wide variety of speakers, including demanding designs. Hegel’s SoundEngine2 feed-forward correction system is employed to reduce distortion while preserving dynamics and detail.
The H190v is equally versatile as a digital source. Its internal DAC accepts PCM up to 24-bit/192kHz through the coaxial and network inputs, while the three optical inputs and USB-B input support resolutions up to 24-bit/96kHz. Network streaming includes Roon Ready, Apple AirPlay, Spotify Connect and UPnP/DLNA, providing access to both locally stored music and major streaming platforms.
The major addition over the original H190 is the MM phono stage. Hegel based the circuit on technology developed for its V10 standalone phono preamplifier, adapting it specifically for the electrically challenging environment inside an integrated amplifier. SoundStage! noted that the phono stage was the feature that most clearly distinguished the H190v from its predecessor.
In listening, the H190v has received considerable praise for its combination of authority and refinement. The Absolute Sound singled out “bass definition and drive” as the amplifier’s immediate standout quality, describing its low-frequency performance as very close to state of the art within its power limits. The review also praised the H190v’s ability to combine the strengths traditionally associated with Class AB and Class D amplification.
Hi-Fi+ went considerably further, describing the H190v as the reviewer’s “desert island audio system”—a component he would be happy to use as a straightforward, no-fuss system. Meanwhile, SoundStage! Hi-Fi characterized the H190v as a particularly comprehensive all-in-one component and highlighted its 150-watt amplifier, streaming capabilities and newly integrated phono stage.
The H190v’s physical design is understated and distinctly Scandinavian: a thick aluminum front panel, central OLED display and two large control knobs provide a minimalist appearance. At approximately 31 pounds, however, it is anything but lightweight internally. The combination of substantial power supply capacity, high-current output stage and extensive digital circuitry makes the H190v a serious piece of high-end electronics.
For the listener seeking a single central component for vinyl, streaming, digital sources and conventional line-level equipment, the H190v offers an unusually broad feature set without abandoning the performance-oriented design for which Hegel is known.
Product Specifications
- Type: Integrated stereo amplifier with DAC, streamer, MM phono stage and headphone amplifier
- Amplifier Design: Class AB
- Power Output: 150W × 2 into 8 ohms
- Minimum Load: 2 ohms
- Damping Factor: More than 4,000
- SoundEngine: SoundEngine2
- Analog Inputs: 1 × balanced XLR; 2 × RCA
- Phono Input: 1 × RCA, MM
- Digital Inputs: 1 × coaxial S/PDIF; 3 × optical S/PDIF; 1 × USB-B; 1 × Ethernet/network
- Coaxial Resolution: Up to 24-bit/192kHz
- Optical Resolution: Up to 24-bit/96kHz
- USB Resolution: Up to 24-bit/96kHz
- Network Resolution: Up to 24-bit/192kHz
- Streaming: Roon Ready, AirPlay, Spotify Connect, UPnP/DLNA
- Supported Network Formats: MP3, WAV, FLAC, ALAC, AAC, PCM, Ogg
- Analog Outputs: 1 × fixed RCA; 1 × variable RCA
- Headphone Output: 6.3mm / ¼-inch
- Frequency Response: 5Hz–100kHz
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio: >100dB
- Crosstalk: <−100dB
- THD: <0.01% at 50W/8 ohms/1kHz
- Intermodulation Distortion: <0.01%
- Standby Consumption: <0.5W
- Dimensions (H × W × D): 4.72 × 16.93 × 16.15 inches
- Weight: 31.3 lb (14.2kg)
- Finish: Black or white
- Notable Features: MM phono stage, SoundEngine2, high-current amplifier, network streaming, fixed and variable line outputs, IP control
