Hegel Music Systems Releases HD2 and HD20 DACs

On March 17, 2011, Norway’s Hegel Music Systems announced the release of the HD2 and HD20 DACs. The HD2 and HD20 feature what the company claims "may be the world’s most advanced jitter reduction circuitry.”

Ben Holter, founder and chief designer at Hegel, elaborates, “Jitter is what matters. A DAC chip can only work with what it’s given. If the data-stream is not properly synchronized between the sender and the receiver, even the most expensive DAC chip will fail to produce music.”

Holter goes on to say that the improper implementation of asynchronous mode in DACs can actually increase jitter. Thus, as an alternative, the HD2 and HD20 utilize “a proprietary re-clocking circuit, with highly precise buffers and an advanced crystal clock developed by Hegel engineers. This circuit halts the data stream, re-builds it, and feeds it in near-perfect rhythm to the Hegel DAC chip.” Holter asserts that thanks to their new jitter reduction technology, “distortion is measurably lower in Hegel DACs.” Holter adds that “listeners are surprised to hear another layer of clean, powerful bass emerging from pure silence.”

The HD2 ($350) up-samples incoming signals to 24/192 and is now available. The HD20 ($2000) will be available by April 2011 for $2000. Building on their HD10 model, the HD20 offers balanced and single-ended outputs, multiple digital inputs, and supports 24/192 up-sampling via S/PDIF and 24/96 via USB.

For more information, visit the Hegel Music Systems website.

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