Integrated Amplifiers

The Hegel Setup app has a slightly misleading name – there’s not much ‘setup’ required for the H400, as Hegel believes Wi-Fi is not a good choice for an amplifier at this level and Ethernet in most cases is plug ’n’ play. Instead, the app is a worthy alternative to the bundled remote, not least because it lets you directly switch to a specific input – this isn’t possible via the remote, where you have to use IN+ and IN- buttons to scroll through the many inputs. Via an app interface that’s as sober as the amplifier’s design, it’s also possible to peruse and play music from a UPnP share or NAS.

The Hegel Setup app delivers in terms of usability and functionality too. It just works, although tried-and-tested alternatives such as mConnect or BubbleUPnP might entice you with their more lavish layouts. Specifically, it’s quite convenient to use Hegel’s app to listen to Internet radio and podcasts because, even though there’s no advanced functionality (such as bookmarking or listing new episodes), neither are you driven to distraction by the software encouraging you to ‘faff around’.