So, to answer the question in the first paragraph, the Hegel H190/Amphion Argon 7LS combination is clearly more than merely a marriage of convenience. Splitting the pairing up shows they are both very fine products in their own rights. Speaking for myself (not in the more dispassionate tones of the reviewer) I think the Amphions are the better part of the pairing, but I can see why many would say the opposite, and that is at best nit-picking and both are capable of delivering a very musical experience in combination and in other systems. It’s easy to hear why people are excited about the products of both brands, and it’d be interesting to hear the bigger (£4,900) H390 amplifier in place of the H190. Whether that might be closer to a match made in heaven will have to wait for another day (and the successful pitch to the Editor for a follow-up review), the combination of Hegel electronics and Amphion loudspeakers is clearly one of those partnerships which has settled into long-term, happy contentment.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Hegel H190
Type: Solid-state two-channel integrated amplifier with onboard DAC
Analogue inputs: 1 balanced via XLR connector, 2 unbalanced line level via RCA jacks
Digital inputs: 1 coaxial (BNC connector); 1 coaxial (RCA connector); 3 optical; 1 USB; 1 network (RJ55)
Analogue outputs: One unbalanced (RCA); one pre-amp (variable) (RCA), one pair multi-way loudspeaker binding posts
Rated power into 8Ω:150 Watts, both channels working
Damping factor: >4000 (main power output stage)
Signal to Noise Ratio: >100dB
Frequency response: 5Hz–100kHz
Intermodulation: <0.01% (19KHz & 20KHz)
Crosstalk: <-100dB
Distortion: < 0.01% @25 Watts, 8Ω, 1KHz
Minimum load: 2Ω
Finishes: White; Black
Dimensions (HxWxD): 12 × 43 × 41cm
Gross Weight (packed): 19kgs
Price: £3,200
Manufacturer: Hegel Music System AS
URL: hegel.com
Amphion Argon 7LS
Type: Two way, floorstanding loudspeaker with passive radiators
Driver complement: 1 × 25mm titanium tweeter; 2x 165mm aluminium woofer
Crossover frequencies: 1600 Hz
Frequency response: 28 Hz–25lHz (+/-3dB)
Impedance: 4Ω
Sensitivity: 91 dB
Finishes: White (grill accent colour options available for driver grilles); walnut
Dimensions (H×W×D): 116 × 19.1 × 30.5cm
Weight: 30Kg
Price:£3,600 (white); £3,840 (walnut)
Manufacturer: Amphion Loudspeakers Ltd
URL: amphion.fi
UK distributor: Auden Distribution
Tel: +44(0)7917 685759