Hegel H300

There's a review of the H300 that directly compares it against the M6 500i at goodsound.com.

Donjr..I read Hans Wetzel's reviews of the H300 and the M6 500i. No clear winner. The Hegel is more neutral and forward, and the MF is warmer and more laid back. Hans did have a problem with the remote control with the M6-500i when adjusting the volume. I previously owned the Musical Fidelity A308 Preamp back in 2004 and had the same problem. The remote would only work in a straight line in front of the Pre and would not work when sitting to the left or right. The remote for the MF M6-500i looks like a very cheap piece of plastic junk that comes with a home theater in a box system at Kmart. You would think after all these years later that Musical Fidelity would apply a little more class and provide a remote with much better build quality. Its just not a concern with them.

I'd love to hear the Hegel. My dealer tells me he's going to have one for me to addition soon. He just got in the Ayre AX5 today and texted me a picture. There's a pretty decent price gap between the Hegel and the Ayre. I have this funny feeling I would like the Hegel better with my Harbeth C7es3's than I would with the Ayre. I tried the AX7e and it just didn't have the guts to get my speakers moving. The new AX5 is 125 watts but that's just a number. I want current.

I've never heard a MF. I'm surprised they don't give you the option to buy a upscale remote with their flagship integrated.

Hegel H200 enough juice to power anything,
Quiet, refine sound.

Thanks for all your responses.

I went ahead and bought a Hegel H300 to go with my Harbeth P3's. Even though the Harbeth's are amp friendly, I am impressed with the upgrade in sound that comes from the increase in power.

The Hegel is both refined and dynamic. The smooth, tube-like richness of tone is intoxicating. I may have found my forever amp.

Now maybe I should audition the Harbeth 30.1......