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This Simple Amp Is the Best Way to Upgrade Your High-End Loudspeakers

Bring your high-end loudspeakers into the modern age with this bespoke streaming amplifier.

Hegel Streamliner amplifierHegel

By Tucker Bowe

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The Scandinavian hi-fi company Hegel has been around for over 30 years and is best known for making high-end yet bespoke audio components for serious audiophiles. Its latest integrated amplifier, the H400, stays true to that ethos.

Nicknamed the “Streamliner,” the Hegel H400 is a “just add speakers” streaming amplifier designed to drive your expensive loudspeakers and make streaming super easy.

Hegel Streamliner amplifierHegel

Hegel H400 Streaming Amplifier

Specs

Power 250 watts per channel (into 8 ohms)
Frequency Response 5Hz – 180kHz
Streaming Spotify Connect, Roon Ready, Tidal Connect, Google Cast, AirPlay, UPnP

Drives 250 watts per channel

The Hegel H400 is a dual-mono designed Class AB amplifier capable of driving 250 watts per channel into 8 ohms (stable down to 2 ohms) — it’s a little beast. It has a dampening factor of 4,000 that, according to the company, ensures “tight control over your speakers, providing precise and dynamic sound.”

The H400 lacks a built-in equalizer to preserve the integrity of the audio signal and is integrated with the company’s SoundEngine 2 technology to correct distortion during amplification.

According to Hegel, this results in “a detailed, agile sound, delivering both punch and finesse while maximizing power efficiency.”

Hegel Streamliner amplifier
The Hegel H400 is a bespoke yet premium build, with an aluminum front panel and aluminum knobs.
Hegel

A modern-day streamer

The Streamliner is integrated with a high-quality DAC — it’s the same DAC that Hegal uses in its higher-end H600 streaming amplifier ($12,500)— and a multitude of streaming capabilities over Wi-Fi (or Ethernet).

It supports most major streaming platforms including AirPlay, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Google Cast, Roon Ready and UPnP. And it allows you to group your loudspeakers in a multi-room sound system via AirPlay, Google Cast and Roon as well.

Naturally, H400 is more versatile than just streaming. It has a number of analog and digital inputs for connecting your other playback sources.

That said, it lacks a phono input, meaning you’ll need an external phono preamp if you want to hook up a turntable. It doesn’t have an HDMI-ARC/eARC connection either — though it does support optical — so it’s probably not the best option for connecting to your TV and building out a home theater.

Hegel streamliner amplifier
The Streamliner isn’t limited to streaming. It has digital and analog inputs as well.
Hegel

Price and availability

The Hegel H400 is the company’s new mid-range streaming amplifier that costs $6,995. It’s positioned between the company’s flagship 303-watt per channel H600 ($12,500) and 75-watt per channel H120 ($3,000) streaming amplifiers.

The Hegel H400 is available for pre-order now and is expected to start shipping next month — in September 2024.

Hegel Streamliner amplifierHegel

Hegel H400 Streaming Amplifier

Specs

Power 250 watts per channel (into 8 ohms)
Frequency Response 5Hz – 180kHz
Streaming Spotify Connect, Roon Ready, Tidal Connect, Google Cast, AirPlay, UPnP

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