The P30A is Hegel's reference preamplifier. It is nicknamed "The Conductor" because its job is to control the power amplifier with a signal that is as close to the music as possible. According to Hegel, the preamplifier is the most critical component in a great-sounding system, and it is also the most difficult to realize. The very low-gain signals coming from the source can easily be corrupted, so extensive technical know-how and sophisticated engineering are required to ensure that the signal remains consistent throughout the preamplifier. With the P30A, Hegel has applied all its capabilities to achieve exactly that.

First, matched-pair FET transistors are used that have no higher-order harmonic distortion. Within each batch of transistors, there will always be slight measurement deviations. This may be within what is considered normal deviation, but for sensitive electronics like this, it is simply not good enough. That's why Hegel's founder and chief engineer Bent measures the transistors to ensure they have exactly the same values. Perfectly matched transistors are of utmost importance for the performance of the preamplifier and ensure that the P30A sounds very smooth and natural without compromising on detail. In addition, the internal layout is designed so that the signal paths within the preamplifier are as short as possible. This reduces the possibility of distortion from electrical interference. To further reduce distortion, the number of electrical components the signal passes through is also minimized. In the P30A, the music signal passes through only two transistors and an extremely low-noise volume attenuator. The P30A also uses Hegel's patented SoundEngine technology. This actively monitors the music signal for disturbances and corrects intermodulation distortion through a feed-forward design. The SoundEngine eliminates distortion in real-time while the signal is being amplified.

All these steps result in a preamplifier that is very quiet and treats the delicate low-amplitude music signal as gently as possible. Nevertheless, signal distortion can still occur, but the P30A has another feature that prevents this. The P30A is fully balanced throughout. This means you have two separate amplifiers, volume controls, and SoundEngine modules per channel. This design eliminates almost all residual distortion, providing a signal that is as close as possible to the original material.

The P30A offers a wide range of inputs and outputs. It has 2 balanced (XLR) and 3 unbalanced (RCA) inputs, as well as a fixed-level home theater input that allows integration into a home theater system. This input can also be configured as a normal input. On the other side, there is one balanced (XLR) and two unbalanced (RCA) variable outputs, all of which are active, allowing you to connect multiple devices simultaneously. One of the unbalanced RCA outputs can even be configured as a fixed volume output. The P30A also features a 3.5mm IR direct input and a 12V trigger output. All together, this creates an extremely versatile, extremely quiet, and naturally sounding preamplifier that can be the heart of any high-end audio system. The P30A is a truly brilliant conductor for all music.

Remote Control: Volume, source and mute
Inputs: 2 x XLR balanced, 3 x RCA unbalanced and home theater inputs
Outputs: 1 x XLR balanced and 2 x RCA unbalanced outputs
Other Connections: 3.5 mm IR direct jack, 3.5 mm jack 12V trigger output
Signal-to-Noise Ratio: More than 130 dB in balanced mode
Crosstalk:< -100 dB
Total Harmonic Distortion:< 0.005%
Intermodulation:< 0.01% (19 kHz+20 kHz)
Finish: Black
Dimensions/Weight: 9.6 cm x 43 cm x 30 cm (HxWxD), 7.2 kg

GP Acoustics GmbH
Nordhofstr. 2, 45127 Essen, DE
hegel.de@kef.com
https://www.hegel.com/de/