Hegel D50 Reference DAC

Hegel D50 Reference DAC

At first glance, the D50 appears understated, with its minimalist black design. No flashy details or unnecessary features distract from its purpose. Like the raven, it may seem plain, but this DAC is a master of its craft. Beneath the sleek exterior lies a remarkable ability to decode and deliver digital audio with breathtaking precision. The D50 unveils a soundstage so expansive it feels as though you're soaring high above the music, revealing every intricate detail with stunning clarity. Whether you choose to focus on the smallest nuances or simply let the music carry you, the D50 offers an unparalleled listening experience.

In Norse mythology, the ravens Hugin and Munin brought Odin unparalleled insights, revealing the world's hidden truths. Inspired by their precision and clarity, the D50 deciphers the complexities of digital audio with absolute precision. Its innovative design transforms raw data into music that is rich in detail, free from noise, and true to the original recording. No detail is added or lost - just the purest, most accurate reproduction of sound.

The Hegel D50 DAC represents the pinnacle of digital-to-analog conversion, delivering music as it was meant to be heard - pure, detailed, and profoundly moving. Let it take your music to new heights.

Design

Hegel has been perfecting the art of DAC design for more than two decades, and the D50 represents the pinnacle of that expertise. At its core lies the latest model DAC chip - a sophisticated tool with immense potential. But like the raven, one of the few animals capable of using tools with precision, the D50's genius lies in how it wields this technology. Every detail of the circuit design and layout has been meticulously crafted to extract the full potential of the DAC chip, transforming it from a mere component into a masterful instrument. The result is a design that uses this tool to its fullest, unlocking extraordinary sound reproduction.

Power 

The D50 takes extraordinary measures to ensure the purity of its sound reproduction. Its power management is designed to silence noise and deliver clean energy to every part of the device. Advanced filters on the power input eliminate noise from the mains, and when connected to a grounded power outlet, this filtering can even enhance the performance of other equipment in the same circuit. To eliminate electrical noise even further, the D50 employs two low-noise toroidal transformers. One delivers power to the noisier digital processes and standby functionality while the other is dedicated to the sensitive analog and digital components. Both transformers are shielded by thick steel and placed far from any sensitive electronics and their output is also filtered, ensuring the D50 operates with the purest power, allowing its performance to take flight.

Processing

At Hegel, we approach circuit board design with meticulous attention to detail, ensuring the best possible performance. In the D50, even the routing features rounded corners to minimize impedance drops and reduce radiation, reflecting our commitment to precision. However, the real innovation lies in how the D50 processes incoming digital signals before converting them to analog. The AES/EBU input features a unique RS422 receiver balanced by a transformer, allowing it to handle both weak and strong signals flawlessly, free of jitter and time delays.

For SPDIF-based inputs, signals are received on a custom-designed card that unpacks the I2S data. While this process is inherently noisy and prone to timing errors, the D50 addresses these issues with precision. The decoded signals are reclocked using three dedicated master clocks: one for SPDIF signals, and for USB, separate master clocks for 48k and 44.1k sample rates. Strategically placed to minimize noise, these clocks deliver a perfectly timed signal to the DAC chip, enabling the purest and most accurate digital-to-analog conversion.

DAC Chip

The DAC chip itself is thoughtfully perched on a separate board above the rest of the electronics. This elevated placement reduces noise and interference while providing short and unobstructed signal paths. With the D50, every aspect of the design has been carefully engineered to ensure that the signal remains as true to the original as possible. The result is an unaltered and breathtakingly accurate translation from digital to analog.

Build

The D50's construction is as solid as it is purposeful. Its aluminium housing provides both durability and a refined appearance and improves sound performance. Premium connectors ensure reliable performance, while aluminium feet with rubber soles guarantee stability. The thick, milled aluminium front plate conceals the buttons for an unbroken, elegant facade. Meanwhile, a bright, easy-to-read display delivers all the information you need without drawing attention away from the music.

Specification

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 use in standby: Less than 0.5 W
Power use when on: Less than 20 W
Dimensions/weight: 43 x 30.5 x 9.9 cm (WxDxH), 6.6 kg