Hegel Music Systems V10 Phono Amp – First Look
All Images Credit: Hegel
Norway-based Hegel Music Systems in February 2021 released the V10, the company’s first MM/MC phono preamplifier. This new design was built from the “ground up” using all discrete amplification. The V10 uses a fully balanced internal signal chain, deploying “ultra-low-noise” discrete JFET transistors for the input stages for both moving magnet (MM) and moving coil (MC) cartridges. The MC input stage uses 4 JFETS in parallel which Hegel claims makes the V10 completely silent and stops any bias current feedback from getting to the cartridge’s coil. The input stage feeds the amplifier section of the V10 and both MM and MC gain stages use low noise power supplies with discrete bipolar transistors, again in order to keep noise to an absolute minimum.
The chassis is divided into two internal compartments, one containing the power supply the other the sensitive pre-amp circuitry. This really helps to electrically and magnetically isolate the pre-amp and reduce interference and noise from entering its sensitive circuitry. Connectivity for signal I/O is provided on the rear panel and supports gold plated unbalanced (RCA) separate inputs for MM and MC, unbalanced (RCA) and balanced (XLR) outputs and a solid grounding screw. This panel also gives access to the DIP switches to set a range of input loading and gain values etc. NOTE: The MM and MC inputs must not be connected at the same time.
The separate AC power supply needed to drive the internal analog PSU electronics comes from a custom E-Core transformer that is contained in its own separate wall-wart style housing. It is connected to the V10 underneath the chassis using two connectors, providing 15VAC @ 200mA to the internal analog power supply. This is a really nice feature as it keeps any stray magnetic fields well away from the phono amplifier chassis, and more importantly it is an all analog power supply rather then the typically poorly designed and inexpensive switched mode wall-wart that often radiates interference.
To save power and to comply with EU legislation, the V10 goes into sleep mode if there’s been no music played through it for 15 minutes. This function maybe disabled if you wish by the use of the front panel power button that also sets the signal level at which the V10 goes into sleep mode.
Cartridge loading flexibility is supported by the rear panel DIP switches that provide:
- Adjustable gains for both the MM and MC phono cartridge, 0, +5, +10, +12 dB.
- MC resistive loading values between 33-550 Ohm, fixed 47K Ohm is also available.
- MM capacitive loading between 100-467pF. MM resistive loading fixed at 47K Ohm.
- Selectable subsonic filter.
There are also two additional internal adjustments that are available to a suitably qualified enthusiast with the judicial use of an allen key:
- An additional +6dB of gain may be selected, (max gain +78dB)
- A small pot on each channel provides for the selection of a wider range of MC loading values.
Technical Specifications:
Gain XLR Out MM – 40dB / 45dB / 50dB / 52dB
Gain XLR Out MC – 60dB / 65dB / 70dB / 72dB
Gain RCA Out MM – 34dB / 39dB / 44dB / 46dB
Gain RCA Out MC – 54dB / 59dB / 64dB / 66dB
MC Load Impedance – 100/300(adjustable)/47K Ohm
MM Load Capacitance – 100pF / 147pF / 220pF / 247pF / 320pF / 420pF / 467pF @ 47K Ohm
Subsonic Filter – Switchable on / off, -3dB at 20Hz, -18dB octave
RIAA Accuracy – +/- 0,2dB / 20Hz – 20kHz
Output Noise: -84dB/MM (“A” weighted ref: 0dBV), -81dB/MC (“A” weighted ref: 0dBV)
Output Impedance – XLR / RCA: 200 ohm
Channel Crosstalk: -84dB @1kHz 0dBV
Frequency Response: 2Hz – 20kHz
Distortion (THD) MM – < 0.005% @1kHz 0dBV
Distortion (THD) MC – < 0.009% @1kHz 0dBV
Inputs – 1 x unbalanced (RCA) MM, 1 x unbalanced (RCA) MC
Outputs – 1 x unbalanced fixed (RCA), 1 x balanced fixed (XLR)
Power Adapter – Hegel Power Adapter M30103
Dimensions with Feet – 6cm x 21cm x 28cm, 2.4″ x 8,3″ x 11″ (H x W x D)
Weight – 2,2kg / 4,9lbs unit weight
Release date: February 2021.
MSRP: USA – $1,500.00, UK £1,350.00
For more look here on the Hegel Music Systems web site.
See this earlier post on my introduction to phono amplifiers.
