The Hegel P20 Preamplifier is Hegel's entry-level preamplifier and offers an affordable route into Hegel's Reference products. Designing the P20 was not a task that was taken lightly. Many of the ideas and concepts were taken from its bigger brother (The Hegel P30). Although scaled-down, many of the good characteristics remain - the enormous soundstage, the deep rhythmic bass response, the perfect timing.
The Hegel P20 comes with a high-quality system remote control, milled out of one solid piece of aluminum. 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 Hegel P20 was, as mentioned, to offer a more affordable entry into Hegel's line of separates. But most of all, it was to set a new standard of price and performance in preamplifiers. 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, high-frequency components were implemented 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.
Technical 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), 10 kg