At first glance, the D50 appears very simple with its minimalist black design. No flashy details or unnecessary functions distract from its purpose. Like the raven, it may seem plain, but this DAC is a master of its craft. Behind its elegant exterior lies a remarkable ability to decode and reproduce digital audio data with breathtaking precision. The D50 reveals a soundstage so vast that you feel as if you are soaring high above the music, reproducing every minor 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 experience.

Hegel has been perfecting the art of DAC design for more than two decades, and the D50 represents the pinnacle of that experience. At its heart is the latest DAC chip - a sophisticated tool with immense potential. But like the raven, one of the few animals capable of using tools with precision, the genius of the D50 lies in how it handles this technology. Every detail of the circuit design and layout has been carefully crafted to unleash the full potential of the DAC chip, transforming it from a mere component into a masterful instrument. The result is a design that fully utilizes this tool, enabling extraordinary sound reproduction.

The D50 takes extraordinary measures to ensure the purity of its sound reproduction. Its power management is designed to suppress interference and deliver clean energy to every part of the unit. Sophisticated filters at the power input eliminate mains noise, and when connected to a grounded outlet, this filtering can even improve the performance of other devices on the same circuit. To further eliminate electrical noise, the D50 features two low-noise toroidal transformers. One powers the noisier digital processes and standby functions, while the other is responsible for the sensitive analog and digital components. Both transformers are shielded by thick steel and placed far away from sensitive electronics. Their output is also filtered, so the D50 operates with the purest energy and can fully unfold its performance.

At Hegel, we pay great attention to detail when designing printed circuit boards to ensure the best possible performance. In the D50, even the traces have rounded corners to minimize impedance drops and reduce radiation. This reflects our commitment to precision. The true innovation, however, lies in how the D50 processes incoming digital signals before converting them to analog. The AES/EBU input features a unique RS422 receiver that is balanced via a transformer and can handle both weak and strong signals flawlessly without jitter or time delays.

For SPDIF-based inputs, signals are received on a specially developed board that unpacks the I2S data. Although this process is inherently noisy and susceptible to timing errors, the D50 solves these problems with precision. The decoded signals are re-clocked using three dedicated master clocks: one for SPDIF signals, and separate master clocks for the 48k and 44.1k sampling rates for USB. 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.

The DAC chip itself is housed on a separate board above the rest of the electronics. This elevated placement reduces noise and interference and ensures short, unobstructed signal paths. In the D50, every aspect of the design has been carefully crafted to ensure the signal remains as faithful as possible. The result is an unadulterated and breathtakingly accurate translation from digital to analog.

The construction of the D50 is as solid as it is functional. Its aluminum chassis ensures durability and a noble appearance while improving the build quality. High-quality components ensure reliable performance, while aluminum feet with rubber soles provide stability. The thick, milled aluminum front panel hides the buttons, creating an uninterrupted, elegant facade. The bright, easy-to-read display provides all the information you need without distracting from the music.

Although the D50 operates with the precision of a masterful instrument, operation is effortless. Its advanced input sensing can detect a digital signal and wake the device up automatically. You can determine how the device reacts to new signals, whether it switches inputs or simply turns on. Features like automatic standby save energy when the music stops, and a display dimming option ensures the focus remains where it belongs - on the music. Once set up, the D50 integrates seamlessly into your system and is ready to bring your music to life without distraction.

The D50 offers all the connections you need: USB, optical, coaxial RCA, coaxial BNC, and AES/EBU inputs. On the output side, it features true balanced analog and unbalanced RCA connections, giving you the flexibility to adapt to any system. The D50's versatile inputs and outputs make it a perfect solution for any audio environment.

In Norse mythology, the ravens Huginn and Muninn helped Odin gain unparalleled insights, revealing the hidden truths of the world. Inspired by their precision and clarity, the D50 decodes the complexity of digital audio data with absolute precision. Its innovative design converts raw data into music that is rich in detail, noise-free, and transparent. 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, reproducing music as it was meant to be heard - pure, detailed, and deeply moving. Let it take your music to new heights.

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), 2.5V, 1 x balanced fixed (XLR), 2.5V

Analog bandwidth:
Greater than 0 Hz - 100 kHz

Signal-to-noise ratio:
Greater than 100 dB

Noise floor:
Typically -150 dB

Distortion:
Less than 0.0002%

Standby power consumption:
Less than 0.5 W

Power consumption when switched on:
Less than 20W

Dimensions/weight:
43 x 30.5 x 9.9 cm (WxDxH), 6.6 kg

Herstellerangaben:

Hegel Music Systems
PB 26, Blindern
314 , Oslo
Norway
info@hegel.com

Verantwortliche Person:

GP ACOUSTICS GMBH
Nordhofstrasse 2
45127 , Food
Germany
info.de@kef.com