A few years ago, Hegel had to discontinue its high-capacity Mohican CD player as some of its key components went out of production. Since then, they've been working on a replacement that would be even better. Improving perfection is not easy, but they have achieved it and are pleased to present Viking. The best CD player this Norwegian brand has ever made.
In a world full of music download options, sound formats, compression methods, and streaming services, putting on some music can feel overwhelming. What should be easy and enjoyable suddenly becomes complex and stressful. Playing a CD on the Viking is not. It's just joy. Viking is a true native 16/44.1 CD player developed from the ground up for optimal performance on standard CDs (Redbook). It is designed to deliver the most faithful sound reproduction possible by optimizing its components to deliver high-quality output faithful to the original recording.
They have called them Viking because, like our ancient Norse ancestors, they are improving existing technology. When the Viking Age began, ships had already existed for thousands of years. What the Vikings did was perfect the design. Their boats could not only sail near the coasts but also cross the open oceans. The improvements they made took the Vikings to new shores and even new continents. CD technology may be old, but Hegel believes that when perfected, it is still the best digital medium available.
At first glance, Viking may seem simple, but with simplicity comes excellence. Because Viking focuses solely on Redbook CD playback, it can achieve unprecedented levels of fidelity. By doing just one thing, there are no trade-offs. Viking consists of only high-quality components designed specifically for the task, and that makes this CD player sound truly amazing.
This player uses a laser and a dedicated CD drive to ensure optimal data readability. It is also equipped with a state-of-the-art DAC that offers high-quality digital-to-analog conversion with minimal distortion, allowing you to hear all the nuances and subtleties of music. The Viking does not upsample or manipulate the signal in any way. Because by leaving the signal as it is on the disk, the already excellent DAC is optimized to perform at its best.
The unit and DAC are controlled directly by a unique master clock system, ensuring seamless operation between the two. Using a quartz crystal with very low phase noise and our patented SoundEngine technology, the Hegel-designed discrete clock in the Viking reduces jitter to an absolute minimum. The Viking CD player also features an OLED display that is specifically selected for its low noise level, resulting in clearer and more detailed sound. The modified stage on Viking is developed specifically for this model. It incorporates both a low-pass filter and Line Driver technology, ensuring fully balanced and noise-free handling of the signal to your amplifier.
One of the most notable features of the Viking CD player is its cabinet design. Viking's sleek design matches the P30A and H30A for a modern, cohesive look. But the design choices are not just aesthetic. A very reliable slot in the drive and a solid, well-designed construction mean this player will last for years and years.
The Viking CD player has a pair of balanced XLR outputs, a pair of unbalanced RCA outputs, and a true 75-ohm BNC digital output, making it easy to operate and integrate into any audio system. The player also has an auto-standby function for added convenience, and comes with Hegel's solid aluminum RC8 remote control that can also control all other Hegel products.
The Hegel Viking is a top-of-the-line CD player designed to deliver the most faithful sound reproduction possible. With its mechanical design, advanced digital technology, our exclusive master clock system, and excellent analog stage, Viking is a must-have for any audiophile who wants to experience music in its purest form. Viking is a maximum performance machine. It's designed to do one thing and one thing only: capture every aspect of the music you're listening to. Hegel Viking is the best CD player Hegel has ever made.
Characteristics:
- Reference Bit-Perfect CD Player
- New design, matching the P30A and H30A amplifiers
- Exclusive top-of-the-line slot-loading CD drive and laser
- Auto standby mode (configurable)
- Stereo audio output via balanced XLR, RCA and BNC
- Incorporates Hegel SoundEngine, MasterClock, LineDriver and SynchroDAC technologies
- Compatible 12cm Redbook CD discs
- Line level output: 1 fixed unbalanced (RCA) / 1 fixed balanced (XLR)
- Analog output voltage: 2.5V RMS
- Digital output: BNC at 75 Ohm
- Frequency response: 0Hz-22kHz
- Distortion: Less than 0.0015%
- Dimensions (H x W x D): 99 x 430 x 305 mm
- Weight: 7.3 kilos
