Strictly Stereo
Trade: Strictly Stereo
I agree with amplifying analogue audio signals and to a lesser degree with converting digital audio to analogue. Not sure IIRC how we moved digital audio "across a network decades ago" (>20 years), or how we will do it in the decades to come. Perhaps we will do it wirelessly, but I am sure the Hegel can be upgraded accordingly.
TCP/IP over Ethernet has been a global standard for better than 20 years. The technology is actually much older than that. It will still be around 20 years from now. Today's DACs work with the same bitstreams as converters from the 70s and 80s.
Just five years? I would expect a product selling for 9k UKP will "do well" for a lot longer than that.
Much longer than that I expect. I used five years because that's the number Per chose.
Perhaps you have a different definition of minimalist - I didn't mean it in the sense of power, but WRT box count which is relevant for the OP.
This was a little tongue in cheek. I understand your point completely.
Do you think MQA will still be relevant in five years? Or DSD?
I have no idea. They are both niche technologies today, but they both have their fans. A technology like MQA could become very relevant with the stroke a pen, if the pen belonged to Spotify, Amazon, Apple etc.
I agree, this is sensible. But again, the Hegel not having these features may be relevant for the OP who wants to cut down on boxes.
Out interest, how long do Hegel service their products? If the OLED breaks down in 5 or 10 years, will they still be able to provide spares?
It might and this is certainly something for the OP and any other potential owners to consider. This product will not meet every possible requirement for every customer, but you could say that about absolutely any product. What it does, it does extremely well.
There is no fixed time limit for service and repair. Hegel will continue to maintain products for as long as they are able, which means for as long as they hold stock of or are able to source suitable replacement parts.