HEGEL D50

The Hegel D50 DAC represents the pinnacle of Hegel's digital audio technology, designed to reproduce music with absolute purity and extreme precision. With its elegant and minimalist design, carefully selected components, and advanced signal and power management technologies, the D50 delivers a wide and detailed soundstage, faithful to the original recording.

Perfect for audiophiles and high-fidelity enthusiasts seeking the ultimate in digital audio performance.

Hegel D50: The definitive DAC for pure and immersive sound

At first glance, the Hegel D50 appears understated and elegant with its minimalist black design. Free from flashy details or superfluous features, nothing distracts from its true mission: delivering impeccable digital audio. Beneath its stylish exterior lies an extraordinary ability to decode and render digital audio with breathtaking precision. The result is a wide and detailed soundstage that transports the listener directly into the heart of the music, revealing every nuance with stunning clarity.

Twenty years of refinement: Hegel's technological apex

For over two decades, Hegel has passionately dedicated itself to developing the best DACs on the market. The Hegel D50 represents the culmination of this journey, embodying all the experience gained over time. Inside, we find the latest generation of DAC chips, a technologically sophisticated instrument with immense potential. The secret of the Hegel D50 lies in the masterful way it harnesses this advanced technology. Every detail of the circuit design and layout has been meticulously crafted to fully exploit the capabilities of the DAC chip, transforming it from a mere component into a true musical instrument.

Absolute purity of sound: advanced power management

The Hegel D50 takes extraordinary measures to ensure the utmost purity in sound reproduction. Power management is designed to eliminate all forms of noise and provide clean energy to every component. Advanced filters at the input completely eliminate noise from the power grid. Connected to a grounded outlet, the D50 even improves the performance of other devices on the same circuit. To further reduce electrical noise, the Hegel D50 uses two low-noise toroidal transformers: one powers the digital processes and standby mode, while the other is dedicated solely to the delicate analog and digital components. Both are shielded by thick steel structures and strategically positioned away from any sensitive electronics, ensuring pure and silent operation that elevates audio performance.

Innovation in digital signal processing

The Norwegian brand has always meticulously crafted every design detail with the utmost precision, and this approach is evident in the construction of the Hegel D50's printed circuit board. The signal path features rounded corners to reduce impedance drops and electromagnetic interference. But the true innovation lies in the handling of incoming digital signals. The AES/EBU input uses an exclusive RS422 receiver balanced by a transformer, which handles strong and weak signals with absolute precision, free from jitter and delays.

For SPDIF inputs, the signal is processed by a custom board that extracts I2S data. Although this process is inherently noisy and prone to timing errors, the Hegel D50 tackles these issues flawlessly, thanks to three dedicated master clocks that provide precise and clean signals to the DAC chip.

A DAC engineered for sonic perfection

The DAC chip in the Hegel D50 is positioned on a separate board from the rest of the electronics, reducing interference and ensuring short, clean paths for the audio signal. Every aspect of the design has been engineered to keep the signal as true to the original as possible, delivering an extraordinarily accurate listening experience.

Robust construction and refined design

The Hegel D50 boasts a solid and functional structure. The aluminum housing not only provides durability and a refined aesthetic but also contributes to enhanced audio performance. High-quality connectors ensure reliable operation, while aluminum feet with rubber soles guarantee absolute stability. The thick, milled front panel elegantly conceals the buttons, offering a smooth and sophisticated surface. The bright and easily readable display provides all necessary information without distracting from the music.

Simple and intuitive operation

Despite its technical precision, the Hegel D50 offers extremely simple operation. The advanced digital input detection system automatically activates the device, adapting to user preferences. Features like automatic standby and display dimming contribute to a distraction-free musical experience.

Versatile connectivity for any system

The Hegel D50 provides every type of connection needed: USB, optical, coaxial RCA, coaxial BNC, and AES/EBU inputs. For outputs, balanced XLR and single-ended RCA analog connections are available, ensuring seamless integration into any audio environment.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Digital Inputs: 1 x AES/EBU S/PDIF (24/192, DSD64 DoP, MQA 8x) 1 x Coaxial BNC S/PDIF (24/192, DSD64 DoP, MQA 8x) 1 x Coaxial RCA S/PDIF (24/192, DSD64 DoP, MQA 8x) 2 x Optical S/PDIF (24/96, MQA 8x) 1 x USB (32/384, DSD256 DoP, MQA 8x)

Line Level Outputs: 1 x Unbalanced fixed RCA (2.5 V) 1 x Balanced fixed XLR (2.5 V)

Analog Bandwidth: More than 0 Hz – 100 kHz

Signal-to-Noise Ratio: More than 100 dB

Noise Floor: Typically -150 dB

Distortion: Less than 0.0002%

Power Consumption:

Standby: Less than 0.5 W

On: Less than 20 W

Dimensions/Weight: Metric: 43 x 30.5 x 9.9 cm (W x D x H), 6.6 kg