Hegel Splits the Signal Path: Meet the H200 and A200
Hegel Music Systems just gave hi-fi enthusiasts a rare kind of choice: two brand-new integrated amplifiers built on the exact same amplifier platform, engineered for two completely different ways of listening. Say hello to the H200, "The Connected," and the A200, "The Classic" — the Norwegian brand's answer to the question of whether a modern amp should do everything, or just one thing extremely well.
Both amplifiers share the same heart: a 150-watt-per-channel Class A/B output stage running Hegel's SoundEngine2 distortion-cancelling technology, stable down to demanding 2-ohm loads, with a damping factor above 4,000. From there, the two models go their separate ways.
H200 — The Connected
Think of the H200 as the centerpiece for a system that wants to do it all. It pairs that powerful amp section with a four-layer, in-house-designed DAC and a full streaming platform, supporting Spotify Connect Lossless, TIDAL Connect, Qobuz Connect, Apple AirPlay, Google Cast, Roon Ready, UPnP, and airable internet radio and podcasts. Digital connectivity covers coaxial and optical S/PDIF, USB-B for a computer, USB-A for playing directly off a flash drive or hard drive (library support up to 10,000 songs), and a network input — all controllable through the Hegel Control app.
It doesn't neglect analog either: one balanced XLR input, two unbalanced RCA inputs, a built-in MM phono stage derived from Hegel's standalone V10 phono preamp, and a headphone output round things out. A standout feature is DAC Loop, which lets you send a digital signal out to an external DAC and route its analog output back into the H200 — an upgrade path that keeps the streaming platform and amplifier while letting you swap in a different converter down the road. The H200 replaces the H190v and is available in black or white.
A200 — The Classic
The A200 takes the opposite approach: no DAC, no streaming, no network input at all. In their place, Hegel added a second pair of balanced XLR inputs, giving the A200 two balanced and two unbalanced RCA inputs in total, plus the same MM phono stage, headphone output, and both fixed and variable RCA outputs found on the H200. It's built for listeners who already have a great source component — a turntable, a dedicated streamer, a CD player — and simply want a serious, transparent amplifier to drive their speakers without any extra circuitry between the two. The A200 ships in black only.
Which One Is Right for You?
If you want a single, elegant box that handles streaming, digital sources, a turntable, and headphones — and you'd like it to slot into a smart home setup — the H200 is the obvious pick. If you've already curated your source components and want the purest possible signal path from them to your speakers, the A200 delivers the same muscular amplifier platform in a more focused, fully analog package.