About the Hegel H120

The H120 is a small step up from Hegel’s entry level amplifier in terms of price, but it is a solid step up in features and performance. The significantly larger power supply creates a more dynamic sound and can drive more challenging loudspeakers.

The digital section is taken directly from its larger H190 sibling, and this is really the core of the H120. We see the typical user of the Hegel H120 as people who are into digital music streaming, but there are plenty of options available for analogue music lovers.

Built-in DAC

The digital-to-analogue conversion in the Hegel H120 is of the highest quality. The technology is crafted from the ground up by Hegel. The H120 takes full control of the digital data stream, using technology developed from Hegel’s absolute reference products.

The goal is to ensure that digital music is delivered in its purest form. The result for you is perfectly natural sound, without any artifacts or harshness to make you want to turn the volume down.

Flexible Configuration

The Hegel H120 has Apple Airplay, Spotify Connect and UPnP streaming. It is also certified Roon Ready. More features are already in progress and will be offered at no cost, using the easy over-the-Internet software update functionality. All inputs are configurable for volume bypass, so you can integrate in a home theatre or with a third party streamer, for example Bluesound or Sonos. Whatever you want, you can do it with the Hegel H120.

SoundEngine2

The H120 uses the Hegel’s SoundEngine2 amplifier platform, allowing a damping factor higher than 2,000 together with extremely low distortion levels. SoundEngine technology works rather like a noise cancelling headphone. It compares the output of the amplifier with the input. It detects all the distortion and plays this forward into the speaker output, but in reverse phase.

In this way, it cancels out distortion in real time, leaving you with only the most natural sound. SoundEngine technology has been developed over more than 30 years, from conception to where it is now. Millions of euros have been invested in its development. It is what makes possible the sound performance for the money in the Hegel H120.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 75 W per channel enough to drive demanding speakers?

Yes. Despite its compact size, the H120 delivers 75 W into 8 ohms and remains stable down to 2 ohms, giving it excellent control and plenty of headroom — even with difficult loudspeakers.

What makes SoundEngine 2 special?

SoundEngine 2 is Hegel’s unique distortion cancellation technology. It monitors and corrects distortion in real time, resulting in clean, dynamic sound with exceptional grip and timing, especially in the bass.

Does the H120 sound better than the older Hegel Röst?

Yes. The H120 refines the Röst’s analogue performance and upgrades the digital section significantly, using the same DAC and streaming platform as the H190v. The result is a more refined, expressive and detailed sound.

Is the streaming platform future-proof?

Yes. The H120 supports AirPlay, Spotify Connect and UPnP. It is also certified Roon Ready. Hegel provides regular firmware updates to keep the streaming features current and compatible.

What inputs and outputs are included?

The H120 includes coaxial, optical, USB and Ethernet digital inputs, along with RCA and XLR analogue inputs. There’s also a variable output for connecting a subwoofer, power amp or active speakers.

Can I use my CD player or turntable with it?

Absolutely. The H120’s analogue inputs let you connect traditional sources like a CD player, phono stage, or other hi-fi components. It’s as comfortable in an all-digital system as it is with legacy gear.

How easy is it to use day to day?

Very easy. Just two front panel knobs control source and volume, and the clear OLED screen tells you exactly what’s going on. It even works with many TV remotes for simple volume and input control.

Does it run hot or require special ventilation?

No. The H120 runs cool and quiet even during extended listening. It uses a highly efficient power supply and toroidal transformer, so there’s no need for extra fans or noisy cooling systems.

Can I integrate it into a home cinema or smart home system?

Yes. The H120 supports fixed-level input modes for home theatre bypass, and it’s compatible with IP control and systems like Control4, making it a flexible hub for any modern setup.

Features

  • 2 x 75 W (8 Ω)
  • 6 digital inputs
  • 3 analogue inputs including a balanced XLR input
  • SoundEngine 2
  • Apple AirPlay
  • DLNA/UPnP
  • Spotify Connect
  • Certified Roon Ready
  • Headphone output
  • Firmware upgradable over the Internet

Press Reviews

Trevor Butler for

The Ear

Jay Lee for

Soundstage Network

Alan Sircom for

Hi-Fi+

David Vivian for

Hi-Fi Choice

Gordon Brockhouse for

Soundstage Simplifi

Roger Kanno for

Soundstage Hi-Fi

Downloads

Hegel H120 user manual
Hegel network streaming guides

Specifications

Attributes Value
Brand

Hegel
Colour

Black, White
Analogue Inputs

1 x balanced XLR, 2 x RCA
Digital Inputs

1 x coaxial RCA, 1 x Ethernet, 1 x USB (Type B), 3 x optical Toslink
Analogue Outputs

1 x RCA (variable), 6.3 mm headphone jack, Speaker binding posts
DAC

AKM Velvet Sound AK4490REQ
Network

Ethernet
Streaming Support

AirPlay, Roon Ready, Spotify Connect, UPnP/DLNA media server
Power Output

2 x 75 W (8 Ω)
Minimum Load

2 Ω
Frequency Response

5 Hz – 100 kHz
Signal-to-Noise Ratio

>100 dB
Crosstalk

<100 dB
Distortion

<0.01% @ 50 W, 8 Ω, 1 kHz
Intermodulation

<0.01% (19 kHz + 20 kHz)
Damping Factor

>2000 (main power output stage)
Dimensions (W x D x H)

430 mm x 350 mm x 100 mm
Weight

12 kg
Warranty

2 years

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