Hegel V10 MM/MC Phono Preamplifier, Balanced XLR, JFET, EISA 2021-2022

The Hegel V10 is Hegel's dedicated phono preamplifier, supporting both moving magnet and moving coil cartridges with a fully discrete ultra-low-noise JFET input stage for each. It was awarded EISA Phono Stage 2021-2022. The V10 is also the basis for the phono circuit inside the Hegel H190v integrated amplifier. ProHiFi is an authorised Hegel dealer in India.

The MM input uses a single JFET transistor stage. The MC input goes further: four JFET transistors are connected in parallel to achieve complete input silence and prevent any bias current feedback to the cartridge coil, which is critical when working with sensitive low-output MC cartridges. Both input stages feed into gain amplifiers built with discrete bipolar transistors and their own independent ultra-low-noise power supplies.

The chassis is physically divided into two separate compartments: one for the power supply and one for the amplification circuitry. The external power supply uses a large custom E-core transformer in its own dedicated housing to eliminate all possibility of interference. Balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA outputs are both fixed-level and simultaneously active. A gold-plated custom grounding screw is provided for turntable earth connection.

The V10 is highly configurable. MM capacitance loading is adjustable across seven settings from 47pF to 367pF at 47k ohms. MC impedance loading is freely adjustable from 33 to 550 ohms or fixed at 47k ohms. Gain can be increased by 5, 10, or 12dB above the base level on both MM and MC. A switchable subsonic filter at 18dB per octave, minus 3dB at 20Hz, removes low-frequency rumble. Auto-standby is adjustable.

AnalogPlanet's Michael Fremer called it remarkable and sonically the equal of the PS Audio Stellar at nearly twice the price. SoundStage Hi-Fi praised its extended dynamics, wide bandwidth, and impeccable low-noise floor. Hi-Fi News awarded it Outstanding Product. HiFi+ called it a superb phono stage. Stereo Germany, Stereonet Australia, The Ear, VuMetre France, and over 20 other publications reviewed the V10 and reached the same conclusion: it outperforms its price by a meaningful margin.

Key Features

• Moving Magnet and Moving Coil phono preamplifier
• Ultra-low-noise discrete JFET input stage for both MM and MC
• MC input: 4 parallel JFET transistors for total silence and no bias feedback
• Discrete bipolar transistor gain stages with independent low-noise PSUs
• Separate chassis compartments for power supply and amplification circuits
• External linear PSU with custom E-core transformer in dedicated housing
• Balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA outputs (both fixed-level, simultaneously active)
• MM gain (XLR): 40/45/50/52dB; MM gain (RCA): 34/39/44/46dB
• MC gain (XLR): 60/65/70/72dB; MC gain (RCA): 54/59/64/66dB
• MC loading: 33-550 ohm adjustable or 47k ohm
• MM capacitance: 7 settings from 47pF to 367pF at 47k ohm
• Subsonic filter: switchable, -3dB at 20Hz, 18dB/octave
• Auto-standby; gold-plated input/output; custom grounding screw
• EISA Phono Stage 2021-2022; Hi-Fi News Outstanding Product; AnalogPlanet Recommended

Warranty:

1-year manufacturer's warranty

Why Consider the Hegel V10

The V10 is the right choice for vinyl listeners who want a phono preamplifier that is genuinely quiet, genuinely versatile, and genuinely over-specified for its price. The four-parallel-JFET MC input, separate chassis compartments, external transformer housing, and adjustable MC loading from 33 to 550 ohms represent engineering decisions associated with much more expensive phono stages. EISA's recognition and Michael Fremer's comparison with the PS Audio Stellar confirm that the engineering investment shows in the sound. The V10 works naturally alongside any Hegel integrated amplifier or preamplifier, and the balanced XLR output provides the cleanest signal path into any system with balanced inputs. For the H190v owner who later wants a dedicated standalone stage, the V10 is the logical and directly compatible upgrade.

Ideal for

• Vinyl listeners wanting a dedicated standalone phono stage with MM and MC support
• Low-output MC cartridge users needing adjustable 33-550 ohm loading
• Systems requiring balanced XLR phono output for cleaner signal path
• Hegel system owners pairing with any integrated amplifier or P30A preamplifier
• Those who want subsonic filter and gain adjustment for cartridge and system matching
• H190v owners who want to compare the built-in V10-derived circuit to the full standalone V10

Technical Specifications