Hegel 390 or the 590

There was a Soundstage review where they implied the 390 wasn’t all that far off the 590, especially considering the price difference.  I think this was it…

https://www.soundstagehifi.com/index.php/equipment-reviews/1365-hegel-music-systems-h390-integrated-amplifier-dac

The 390 I tested had a DAC that was on par with my Wadia 321. Some great used deals on the 390 as people move to the new 400

If I recall correctly, some said that the 390 has a warmer presentation than the 590.  

I’ve owned both, and now use and love the Hegel H590 in my current audio system.  Based on extensive experience, I can tell you this, the H590 offers a more powerful, refined, detailed, transparent and resolving sound  presentation over the H390 (as it should).  The H590 also offers tighter bass control and greater dynamics over H390 (as it should).  The H390 was still extremely impressive, offering a slightly warmer presentation, which I could have happily lived with if I wasn’t in need of the extra horsepower of the H590.  The H590 is by no means cold or sterile sounding, as it offers the perfect (and more desirable for me) degree/combination of warmth, detail, transparency and musicality.  The H590 is a true reference quality sounding piece of gear, as far as the amp/preamp section is concerned.  I used an outboard DAC with both the H390 and the H590, so I can’t speak on their internal DAC’s sound quality.   In conclusion, if you don’t think you’ll be needing the extra power that the H590 offers, I wouldn’t hesitate to run with the H390, which I think you’d be extremely happy with.  As for me, I love my Hegel H590 so much, it’s become end-game for me.  Happy listening.           

IIRC many felt that the small increase in 590 performance vs the 390 was not worth the extra cost.  Both included DACs were good/decent, aka not an afterthought, but could be beaten by external DAC upgrades.  The new H400/H600 have significant internal DAC sonic upgrades.