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Less than two weeks before the start of Munich High End 2024, I spent several days in Faro, Portugal (footnote 1), touring the modern 1000-square-meter headquarters and manufacturing facility of digital-audio company Innuos. My hosts were Amelia Santos, chief executive officer, and Nuno Vitorino, chief technology officer.

Amid late-night meals, sumptuous lunches, tours of 8th-century castles and 13th-century churches, and a romp on Cacela Velha beach, we focused on a company that, 15 years on from its founding by Vitorino and Santos, makes music servers and streamers, network…

We interrupt this tech talk for music
Having unpacked the H400 from its sturdy double box, I set it up in my office and connected it to my Amphion One18 nearfield speakers. While I dug further into the guts of the H400 (in the virtual sense, not literally), I started playing music. Because the only network-connection option is wired Ethernet, connecting to my home network required no fussing with passwords. I downloaded the Hegel Connect app to my iPhone 15, and it quickly found the H400. From the Home screen, I had immediate access to Airable internet radio and podcasts, and via…

Description: Integrated amplifier/DAC/streamer. Streaming protocols: AirPlay, Chromecast, UPnP, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Roon Ready. Streaming formats: MP3, WAV, FLAC, ALAC, AIFF, DSF, DFF, AAC, PCM, MQA, Ogg. Analog inputs: one pair balanced (XLR), two pair unbalanced (RCA). Digital inputs: 2 coaxial (1 RCA, 1 BNC), 3 optical, 1 USB, 1 Ethernet (RJ45). Analog outputs (line level): fixed (RCA), variable (RCA). Digital output: 1 coaxial (BNC). Maximum output power: 250Wpc into 8 ohms (24dBW) (dual-mono topology). Minimum load: 2 ohms. Frequency range: 5Hz–…

Digital sources: dCS Bartók streaming DAC, Oppo DV-981HD universal disc player.
Line preamplifier: Benchmark LA4.
Power amplifier: Benchmark AHB2.
Loudspeakers: B&W 808, Amphion One18.—Tom Fine

I performed a full set of measurements on the Hegel H400 using my Audio Precision SYS2722 system. I used the front-panel controls, the remote control, and the Hegel Music Systems app, which I installed on my iPad mini after connecting the amplifier's Ethernet port to my network. Not all settings are available with the app. The amplifier is specified as having a maximum output power of 250W into 8 ohms; I preconditioned the H400 before the measurements by following the CEA's recommendation of running it at one-eighth of the full specified power into 8 ohms for 30…

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