Hegel H400 Integrated Amplifier and Streamer at Vinyl Sound Buffalo, NY USA

The Hegel H400 is a streaming integrated amplifier from Hegel Music Systems (Oslo, Norway), available at Vinyl Sound in Buffalo, NY, USA. Nicknamed the Streamliner, the H400 delivers 250 watts per channel into 8 ohms in a dual-mono Class AB configuration, stable down to 2-ohm loads with a damping factor exceeding 4,000. The onboard bit-perfect DAC is built around the ESS Sabre ES9038Q2M converter, the same chip used in Hegel's reference H600, and supports USB at 32-bit/384 kHz and DSD256 via DoP. Streaming is handled by a platform covering Spotify Connect, Roon Ready, Tidal Connect, Google Cast, AirPlay, airable Internet Radio and Podcast, and UPnP, with multi-room support via Roon, AirPlay, and Google Cast. All circuitry is developed entirely in-house by Hegel's Oslo engineering team. The H400 earned the EISA Premium Streaming Amplifier 2024-2025 award.

SoundEngine2 Amplification and Dual-Mono Design

The H400's amplification section applies Hegel's patented SoundEngine2 feed-forward distortion correction to a dual-mono Class AB output stage. SoundEngine2 cancels distortion elements generated within the amplifier circuits by playing them back at negative phase in real time, reducing THD to below 0.005% at 50 W into 8 ohms without the phase-related trade-offs of conventional high-order negative feedback. The dual-mono architecture provides independent power supply rails and output stages for each channel, minimizing inter-channel crosstalk to below -100 dB and ensuring that dynamic demand on one channel does not affect the other. The combination of 250 W per channel, a damping factor exceeding 4,000, and SoundEngine2 correction gives the H400 the ability to drive loudspeakers with low sensitivity and complex impedance curves, including planar-magnetic and electrostatic designs, with the same authority as amplifiers rated at substantially higher power.

ESS Sabre DAC, Streaming Platform, and System Integration

The H400's digital section uses the same ESS ES9038Q2M converter implemented in the H600, in a bit-perfect configuration that applies no resampling or upsampling to any input format, preserving native resolution from the source to the analog output stage. The USB input accepts 32-bit/384 kHz PCM and DSD256 via DoP; two coaxial inputs (BNC and RCA) and three optical inputs provide S/PDIF connectivity for additional digital sources. A LAN network port enables streaming at up to 24/192 and DSD64 via DoP. Signal sense on all digital inputs except USB enables automatic input detection and amplifier wake-up when a connected source begins playing. The Hegel Control App, available for iOS and Android, provides volume control, input selection, and access to internet radio, podcasts, and media server playback from a smartphone or tablet. Multi-room playback is supported natively via Roon, AirPlay, and Google Cast without additional hardware. The H400's TV remote learning function allows the amplifier to be controlled directly from a television remote, simplifying home entertainment integration.

Key Features

• 250 W per Channel into 8 Ohms, Dual-Mono: High-power dual-mono Class AB amplification with stable operation rated to 2-ohm loads and a damping factor exceeding 4,000 for tight control of any loudspeaker.
• SoundEngine2 Feed-Forward Distortion Correction: Hegel's patented second-generation real-time error cancellation achieves THD below 0.005% at 50 W into 8 ohms without conventional negative feedback phase trade-offs.
• ESS Sabre ES9038Q2M Bit-Perfect DAC: The same converter platform as the H600 reference integrated, supporting USB at 32/384 kHz and DSD256 via DoP with no resampling applied.
• Comprehensive Streaming: Spotify Connect, Roon Ready, Tidal Connect, Google Cast, AirPlay, airable Internet Radio and Podcast, and UPnP, with multi-room support and the Hegel Control App for iOS and Android.
• Automatic Signal Detection: All digital inputs except USB incorporate signal sense for automatic source recognition and amplifier wake-up.
• TV Remote Learning: The H400 can be programmed to respond to a standard television remote, eliminating the need for a separate remote control in home entertainment configurations.
• Home Theater Bypass: All inputs support fixed high-level pass-through, enabling seamless integration with surround processors and multi-room distribution systems.
• Multi-Room Audio: Synchronized multi-room playback via Roon, AirPlay, and Google Cast allows the same high-quality audio to be played in different rooms simultaneously.
• Streamlined Minimalist Design: Two multifunctional front-panel knobs for source selection and volume, a center display showing essential information only, and a discreetly positioned rear power button maintain a clean, uncluttered aesthetic.
• Frequency Response to 180 kHz: Extended high-frequency bandwidth of 5 Hz to 180 kHz, wider than the H600's 100 kHz specification, reflecting refinements in the H400's amplifier topology.

Technical Specifications

Awards and Critical Recognition

• EISA Premium Streaming Amplifier 2024-2025

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Hegel H400?

The Hegel H400, nicknamed the Streamliner, is a streaming integrated amplifier from Hegel Music Systems (Oslo, Norway). It delivers 250 W per channel into 8 ohms in a dual-mono Class AB design, incorporates a bit-perfect ESS Sabre DAC supporting USB at 32/384 kHz and DSD256, and provides a full streaming platform including Roon Ready, Tidal Connect, Spotify Connect, AirPlay, and Google Cast. The H400 won the EISA Premium Streaming Amplifier 2024-2025 award and is positioned between Hegel's H600 reference integrated and the entry-level H150 in the company's lineup.

How does the Hegel H400 compare to the Hegel H600?

The H400 and H600 share the same ESS ES9038Q2M DAC chip and SoundEngine2 distortion correction technology, and both are dual-mono Class AB designs with a damping factor exceeding 4,000. The H600 delivers 303 W per channel vs. the H400's 250 W, has two balanced XLR analog inputs vs. the H400's one, specifies a frequency response to 100 kHz vs. the H400's 180 kHz, and features the precision volume attenuator from Hegel's standalone P30A reference preamplifier. The H600 also supports JPLAY Certified streaming. The H400 provides a more streamlined interface and is lighter and slightly less deep, making it better suited to spaces where size and ergonomic simplicity are priorities alongside high-performance streaming amplification.

How does the Hegel H400 compare to the Naim Uniti Nova PE?

The Naim Uniti Nova PE is a British all-in-one streaming integrated amplifier rated at 80 W into 8 ohms, featuring Naim's DR power supply regulation and proprietary streaming platform. The H400 offers more than three times the rated output power (250 W vs. 80 W), a much higher damping factor, and a more open streaming ecosystem supporting Roon, Tidal Connect, Google Cast, AirPlay, and Spotify Connect simultaneously. The Nova PE is preferred by listeners who prioritize Naim's characteristic rhythmic presentation in a compact form factor, while the H400 is suited to larger rooms, more demanding loudspeakers, and listeners who want a neutral, transparent, high-power amplifier with a versatile streaming hub.

Does the Hegel H400 support multi-room audio?

Yes. The H400 supports multi-room synchronized playback natively via Roon, AirPlay, and Google Cast. Multiple H400 units, or a combination of H400 with other Roon-Ready, AirPlay, or Google Cast-compatible devices, can play the same audio stream simultaneously across different rooms without requiring additional third-party hardware. The Hegel Control App for iOS and Android provides centralized control of volume, input selection, and streaming playback from a single interface.

What DAC does the Hegel H400 use?

The H400 uses the ESS Sabre ES9038Q2M chip in a bit-perfect configuration, the same converter used in Hegel's reference H600 integrated amplifier, though implemented with a separate circuit design optimized specifically for the H400. The DAC applies no resampling or upsampling to any input format, preserving native file resolution from the source to the analog output stage. It supports USB at 32-bit/384 kHz and DSD256 via DoP, coaxial inputs at 24/192 and DSD64 via DoP, optical inputs at 24/96, and network streaming at 24/192 and DSD64.

Where can I buy the Hegel H400 in Buffalo, NY or the USA?

The Hegel H400 is available at Vinyl Sound in Buffalo, NY, an authorized Hegel dealer serving audiophiles across western New York and the United States. Vinyl Sound provides expert system matching consultation, in-store or by-appointment demonstration, and full manufacturer warranty support for the complete Hegel lineup.