Hegel Viking CD Player

Some years ago, Hegel had to discontinue its highly-capable Mohican CD player because key components were no longer being produced. Since then, they have been working on a replacement that would be even better. Improving on perfection is not easy, but they did it, and we are proud to introduce Viking. The best CD player Hegel has ever made.

Purity of purpose

In a world full of options for downloading music, sound formats, compression methods and streaming services, putting on some music can feel overwhelming. What should be easy and enjoyable, suddenly becomes complex and stressful. Playing a CD on the Viking is not. It is only joy. Viking is a true native 16 bit / 44.1 kHz CD player developed from the ground up for optimal performance on standard Red Book CDs. It is designed to deliver the most faithful sound reproduction possible by optimising its components to deliver a high quality output that is true to the original recording.

Hegel called its new CD player Viking because, much like their ancient Norse forefathers, they are improving on existing technology. When the Viking era began, boats had been around for thousands of years. What the Vikings did was perfect the design. Their longboats could not only sail near the coasts but also traverse the open oceans. The improvements they made took the Vikings to new shores and even new continents. CD technology might be old, but it is still the reference to which other digital media are compared.

Excellence from simplicity

At first glance Viking might seem simple, but with simplicity comes excellence. Because Viking is focused solely on playing Red Book CDs, it can reach unprecedented levels of fidelity. By doing only one thing there are no trade-offs. Viking consists only of high quality components designed specifically for the task, and that makes this CD player sound truly astounding.

Viking uses a dedicated laser and CD drive to ensure optimal reading of the data. It is also equipped with a state-of-the-art DAC that delivers high quality digital-to-analogue conversion with minimal distortion, making it possible to hear all the nuances and subtleties in the music. The Viking does not upsample or tamper with the signal in any way. By leaving the signal as it is on the disc, the already excellent DAC is optimised to perform at its absolute best.

Master clock system

The drive and the DAC are directly controlled by Hegel’s unique master clock system, ensuring perfect timing between the two. Using a quartz crystal with very low phase noise and Hegel’s patented SoundEngine technology, the Hegel-designed discrete clock in the Viking reduces jitter to an absolute minimum. The Viking CD player also features an OLED display that is specifically selected for its low noise, resulting in a clearer and more detailed sound. The analogue stage in Viking is developed specifically for this model. It incorporates Hegel’s analogue low pass filter and Line Driver technology, ensuring fully balanced and noise free handling of the signal all the way to your amplifier.

Built to last

One of the most notable features of the Viking CD player is its cabinet design. The Viking uses the same premium build as the P30A preamplifier, H30A power amplifier and H600 integrated amplifier, for a modern and cohesive look. But the design choices are not only cosmetic. A very reliable slot in drive and a well engineered and solid build means this player will last for years and years.

The Viking CD player has one pair of balanced XLR outputs, one pair of unbalanced RCA outputs and one BNC digital true 75 ohm output, making it easy to operate and integrate into any audio system. The player also has an auto standby feature for greater convenience and it comes with Hegel’s solid aluminium RC8 remote that can also control all other Hegel products.

Peak performance machine

The Hegel Viking is a top-of-the-line CD player designed to deliver the most faithful sound reproduction possible. With its mechanical design, advanced digital technology, unique master clock system, and superb analogue stage, Viking is a must have for any audiophile who wants to experience music in its purest form. Viking is a peak performance machine. It is designed to do one thing and one thing only – to capture every single aspect of the music you are listening to.

Specifications

Downloads

Viking user manual

Frequently Asked Questions