bjornid

I also wonder how the new series compares to the old 220se. I have the 200se amp today driving a pair of Dynaudio 160. Fantastic amp, but I have also had a few problems with my unit. Fixed by the local importer, but still.... I actually was concidering swapping the 220 for a Hegel h160 and borrowed a unit over a weekend to compare the two. Where I live these two units costs almost the same, the Hegel being a little more expensive. I was kinda hoping the Hegel would be in a different league, however after some back and forth testing the inital impression is tha the the sound of the two is very much the same. Both are rather neutral with a slight warmt to the sound. Both are more than enough powerfull and sound great at lower listning levels. The Hegel is perhaps of better quality technically and its got airplay. But the overall sound is very much the same and I could bot justify a swap at least not based on sound alone. Taking the issues I have had into account I still have some doubts. The 220se sounds in short exceptionally good and I believe one should spend a lot more on an amp to get really improved sound quality. I would like to audition and compare with the Hegel h360, but that one costs more than the double of a 220se. If I had limited resources perhaps... So if the new 300 amp is improved and sounds better than the old 220se then perhaps I am in for an upgrade. But Peachtree: QC is essential here. You make great sounding products but my experience with tech quality is so so. I like to think the the sound matters and trumps a few tecnical issues, but If the new units have some of the 220se problems, then my next amp will be a Hegel.