Hegel P20 Preamplifier
The P20 is Hegel's entry-level preamplifier and offers an affordable door into the Hegel Reference line of products. Designing the P20 was not a task they took lightly. Many of the ideas and concepts were taken from its bigger brother. Although scaled-down, many of the good characteristics remain - the enormous soundstage, the deep rhythmic bass response, the perfect timing... In short, the sense of being there with the performers.
The P20 comes with a high-quality system remote control, milled out of one solid piece of aluminium. It has the same bead blasted and anodized surface finish as the preamplifier itself. You can really feel the quality of each part of the P20; not only hear it. There is a total of 5 regular inputs. Both balanced and unbalanced. In addition, a special Home Theatre input allows integration in Home Theatre systems. Finally, there are both balanced and unbalanced outputs as well as a fixed line-level output.
The idea behind the P20 was, as mentioned, to offer a more affordable entry into their line of separates. But most of all, it was to set a new standard of price and performance in preamplifiers. Something Hegel think they have achieved. The preamplifier is perhaps the most delicate unit in a sound system. Because the signal levels are so low, even the tiniest levels of noise or distortion smear the image and mask the small details that enliven the music.
In designing the P20, Hegel achieved the highest quality of sound at such a low price point by using brand new technologies, such as Silicon Germanium transistors. In addition, they implemented high-frequency components that were not originally designed for audio, and use them in ways that had never been done before. The result is an open and natural sounding preamplifier at a very competitive price.
Specifications
Remote control: Volume, source and mute controlled by the Hegel RC8
Inputs: 1 x XLR balanced, 4 x RCA unbalanced and Home Theatre inputs
Outputs: 1 x XLR balanced, 1 x RCA unblanced and 1 x RCA recording outputs
Signal to noise ratio: More than 130 dB balanced mode
Crosstalk: Less than -100 dB
Distortion: Less than 0.005%
Intermodulation: Less than 0.01% (19 kHz + 20 kHz)
Finish: Black
Dimensions/weight: 8 cm x 43 cm x 30 cm (HxWxD), weight 10 kg
Dimensions/weight US: 3,2" x 17" x 12" (HxBxD), weight 22 lbs