Hegel has introduced the D50 digital audio converter, also known as The Raven. Drawing inspiration from Norse mythology and the bird’s renowned intellect, the company emphasizes that the D50 aims to deliver digital audio processing in its most unadulterated form. In contrast to numerous contemporary DACs that incorporate streaming capabilities and volume adjustments, Hegel has opted for a streamlined design, concentrating exclusively on the DAC conversion. The D50 is anticipated to be available for shipping in May 2025.
Hegel D50 The Raven: purist DA converter
Hegel asserts that the D50, also known as The Raven, effectively reduces noise levels, particularly due to its advanced power supply design. This new digital-to-analog converter (DAC) incorporates two low-noise toroidal transformers: one is specifically allocated for digital processing and standby power, while the other supports analog and sensitive digital components. Both transformers are encased in steel shielding and are further enhanced by a surrounding topology designed to mitigate unwanted interference. Additionally, Hegel claims that its sophisticated filtering system on the power input can enhance the performance of other devices on the same circuit when the DAC is connected to a grounded power outlet. It is important to note that this performance enhancement is likely contingent on specific conditions.
Hegel D50 The Raven
The chassis of the D50 is constructed from aluminum, featuring a robust, machined front bezel that contributes to its sleek, minimalist design. The central information display is both vibrant and subtle, equipped with a dimming feature to ensure an undistracted listening experience. Additionally, Hegel has integrated automatic signal detection, allowing the unit to wake up and change inputs automatically in response to the detected signal.
Hegel D50 The Raven
The D50 is designed to connect with nearly all digital sources, featuring USB-B, two S/PDIF optical inputs, coaxial cinch, coaxial BNC, and AES/EBU connections. For analogue output, it utilizes cinch and XLR connections. However, it does not include preamplifier functions, meaning there is no volume control or analogue inputs. The D50 serves solely as a source device intended to connect to an external preamplifier or integrated amplifier.
Hegel has chosen a proprietary DAC chip, but the designers emphasize that it is not just the chip itself that influences sound quality; rather, it is the entire circuitry surrounding the DAC that plays a vital role. The DAC chip is mounted on a separate printed circuit board positioned above the main circuitry, a design decision made by Hegel to minimize noise and interference while maintaining short and direct signal paths.
Hegel D50 The Raven
Hegel has incorporated several clocking systems into the D50 to minimize jitter and timing inaccuracies. The AES/EBU input is equipped with an RS422 receiver that effectively manages both weak and strong signals with minimal latency. For SPDIF inputs, the D50 extracts I2S data onto a specially engineered card and subsequently re-clocks it using three distinct master clocks: one dedicated to SPDIF and separate clocks for the 48 kHz and 44.1 kHz USB sample rates. This meticulous clocking process aims to guarantee precise DAC conversion, thereby reducing timing discrepancies that could compromise sound quality. The DAC is compatible with various formats, including PCM up to 32-bit/384 kHz, DSD256 (DoP), and MQA decoding. It is important to note that the optical inputs are restricted to 24-bit/96 kHz, while the AES/EBU and coaxial inputs can accommodate up to 24-bit/192 kHz and DSD64 (DoP).
Hegel D50 The Raven
Hegel states that the D50 features a noise floor of -150 dB and an S/N ratio exceeding 100 dB. Its analog circuits operate within a bandwidth of 0 Hz to 100 kHz. The D50 measures 43 x 30.5 x 9.9 centimeters (W x D x H) and has a weight of 6.6 kilograms.
The Hegel D50 DAC / The Raven is priced at a recommended retail price of 4,895 euros, with availability set for May 2025.
Hegel
