Hegel V10 Phono Preamplifier

The Hegel V10 is a standalone phono preamplifier from Hegel Music Systems (Oslo, Norway), available at Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Canada. Compatible with both Moving Magnet (MM) and Moving Coil (MC) cartridges, the V10 is built around ultra-low-noise discrete JFET transistors at every gain stage, an external linear AC power supply with a custom E-core transformer in its own shielded housing, and extensively adjustable loading and gain settings to match virtually any turntable and cartridge combination. It was awarded the EISA Phono Stage 2021-2022, confirming its standing as one of the finest phono preamplifiers available at any price. For vinyl listeners at Vinyl Sound Toronto who want to hear everything their records contain, the V10 is the definitive answer.

Thirty Years of Discrete Transistor Design Applied to Vinyl

The V10 is the product of three decades of Hegel expertise in discrete transistor amplification, applied for the first time to a phono preamplifier. Its MM input uses ultra-low-noise discrete JFET transistors in the input stage. Its MC input goes further, using four discrete JFET transistors connected in parallel to create a completely silent input that eliminates external noise and prevents any bias current from feeding back into the delicate MC cartridge coil. Both MM and MC gain stages use ultra-low-noise power supplies built with discrete bipolar transistors, ensuring the microscopic signal from the stylus is amplified with maximum accuracy and minimum added noise. The chassis is physically divided into two separate compartments, with power supply circuitry and sensitive amplification circuitry kept completely isolated from each other with no detectable interference between them.

External Linear Power Supply and Shielded Transformer

The V10 is supplied with a dedicated external linear AC power supply featuring a large custom E-core transformer housed in its own separate enclosure. Locating the transformer entirely outside the main chassis eliminates the electromagnetic interference that is the primary source of hum and noise in phono preamplifiers with internal power supplies. Combined with the dual-compartment chassis and the discrete bipolar transistor power supply rails for each gain stage, the V10's power architecture is the most thorough noise elimination approach available in a phono preamplifier at its price point.

Key Features

• MM and MC Compatible: Handles Moving Magnet and Moving Coil cartridges via dedicated RCA inputs with individually optimised input stages
• Four Parallel JFET Transistors on MC Input: Completely silent MC input with no bias current feedback to the cartridge coil; essential for low-output MC cartridges
• Ultra-Low-Noise Discrete JFET Input Stage for MM: The same JFET transistor approach applied to MM for a naturally transparent and detailed presentation
• Adjustable MC Load Impedance: Freely adjustable between 33 and 550 ohms, or fixed at 47 kohm, to match the optimal load for any MC cartridge
• Adjustable MM Load Capacitance: Seven settings from 47 pF to 367 pF at 47 kohm to optimise MM cartridge frequency response and high-frequency roll-off
• Adjustable Gain in Four Steps: MM gain up to 52 dB (XLR) and MC gain up to 72 dB (XLR); gain adjustable in 5, 10, and 12 dB increments to match source levels across the system
• RIAA Accuracy of ±0.2 dB from 20 Hz to 20 kHz: Exceptionally precise equalisation curve for faithful tonal balance across the full audio band
• Switchable Subsonic Filter: -3 dB at 20 Hz, rolling off at -18 dB per octave to eliminate turntable rumble and warp noise without affecting audible bass
• Balanced XLR and Unbalanced RCA Outputs: Gold-plated terminals; both outputs active simultaneously for maximum system flexibility
• External Linear AC Power Supply with Shielded E-Core Transformer: Transformer housed in its own separate enclosure for zero electromagnetic interference with the amplification circuitry
• Dual-Compartment Chassis: Power supply and amplification sections physically separated with no detectable crosstalk between compartments
• Solid Custom Grounding Screw: Dedicated turntable ground connection for clean, hum-free operation with any turntable
• Plug-and-Play MM Operation Out of the Box: Ships configured as a high-quality MM preamplifier with no setup required for standard MM turntables
• Adjustable Auto-Standby: Configurable automatic power-down after inactivity for energy efficiency and component longevity
• EISA Phono Stage 2021-2022: Awarded by the European Imaging and Sound Association across 60-plus specialist publications in 29 countries

Technical Specifications

Awards and Critical Recognition

• EISA Phono Stage 2021-2022 — awarded by the European Imaging and Sound Association, representing over 60 specialist audio publications across 29 countries

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Hegel V10?

The Hegel V10 is a standalone phono preamplifier compatible with both Moving Magnet and Moving Coil cartridges. It features discrete JFET transistor input stages, four parallel JFET transistors on the MC input for a completely silent low-output MC signal path, fully adjustable loading and gain, a switchable subsonic filter, balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA outputs, and an external linear power supply with a shielded E-core transformer. It won the EISA Phono Stage award for 2021-2022.

Does the Hegel V10 support Moving Coil cartridges?

Yes. The V10 has a dedicated MC input using four parallel JFET transistors for a completely silent input stage. MC load impedance is freely adjustable between 33 and 550 ohms, or fixed at 47 kohm, and MC gain reaches up to 72 dB via the balanced XLR output, covering even very low-output MC cartridges.

How do I set up the Hegel V10 for my cartridge?

Out of the box the V10 is configured as a plug-and-play MM preamplifier at standard settings, suitable for most MM cartridges without any adjustment. For optimised performance, MM users can adjust load capacitance across seven settings from 47 to 367 pF, and MC users can dial in the precise load impedance their cartridge requires. Gain can be increased in 5, 10, or 12 dB steps on both MM and MC to match the output level of other sources in the system.

What is the subsonic filter on the Hegel V10?

The switchable subsonic filter rolls off frequencies below 20 Hz at -18 dB per octave, eliminating turntable rumble, warp noise, and other very low-frequency artefacts that consume amplifier headroom and cause woofer excursion without contributing any audible musical content. It can be switched off when not needed to preserve absolute low-frequency extension.

Why does the Hegel V10 use an external power supply?

Locating the transformer outside the main chassis entirely eliminates its electromagnetic field from the area surrounding the amplification circuitry. Transformer hum is the primary source of noise in phono preamplifiers, and removing it physically from the chassis is the most effective solution available. The V10's external linear supply also uses a custom E-core transformer design for lower residual electromagnetic radiation than standard toroidal types.

Can the Hegel V10 be used with the Hegel H190v or H150?

Yes. The H190v and H150 both include built-in MM phono stages derived from the V10, but connecting a standalone V10 to their line-level inputs would upgrade phono performance further, particularly for MC cartridges which the built-in stages do not support. The V10 is also the natural phono stage partner for the P30A, P20, and any Hegel integrated amplifier without a built-in phono input.

Where can I buy the Hegel V10 in Toronto or Canada?

The Hegel V10 is available at Vinyl Sound in Toronto, Canada, an authorised Hegel dealer. Contact us to discuss cartridge matching, system integration, and to arrange an in-store audition with your turntable and cartridge combination.