With a poetic nod to Norse mythology and the bird’s legendary intelligence, the company says the D50 is designed to strip digital audio processing down to its purest form. Unlike many modern DACs, which integrate streaming, preamplification, and network capabilities, Hegel has taken a minimalist approach, focusing solely on digital-to-analog conversion.

While the Raven-inspired references bring a certain flair to the launch, what really matters is whether the D50’s technical design and execution justify its positioning in the highly competitive reference DAC market. For starters, Hegel has opted for a dedicated DAC chip. Still, rather than fixating on the silicon itself, the company highlights its circuit layout and implementation as the real difference-maker. The DAC chip sits on a separate board above the main circuitry, a design choice Hegel says reduces noise and interference while ensuring short and direct signal paths. While such implementations are often seen in high-end designs, real-world performance will determine whether this approach delivers tangible sonic benefits.

According to Hegel, the D50 significantly minimises electrical noise, particularly in power management. The unit features two low-noise toroidal transformers, one dedicated to handling digital processing and standby power, while the other is reserved for analog and sensitive digital components. Both transformers are housed in steel shielding and further filtered, a design aimed at preventing unwanted interference. Additionally, the company claims its advanced filtering system on the power input can even improve the performance of other equipment on the same circuit when the DAC is connected to a grounded power outlet. While power filtering can undoubtedly play a role in high-end audio design, whether it has a broader system-wide impact will likely depend on the specific setup and electrical conditions.

On the digital front, Hegel has equipped the D50 with multiple clocking systems to reduce jitter and timing errors. The AES/EBU input features an RS422 receiver designed to handle both weak and strong signals with minimal time delay. For SPDIF inputs, the D50 unpacks I2S data on a custom-designed card, then reclocks it using three dedicated master clocks—one for SPDIF and separate clocks for USB’s 48kHz and 44.1kHz sample rates. This precise clocking arrangement is intended to ensure accurate digital-to-analogue conversion, minimising timing inconsistencies that can affect sound quality. The DAC supports various formats, including PCM up to 32-bit/384kHz, DSD256 (DoP), and MQA decoding. Notably, while its optical inputs are capped at 24-bit/96kHz, its AES/EBU and coaxial inputs handle up to 24-bit/192kHz and DSD64 (DoP).

The D50's chassis is constructed from aluminium, with a thick, milled front plate that conceals physical buttons for a clean, minimalist aesthetic. The display is bright yet discreet, with a dimming option for distraction-free listening. Hegel has also integrated auto signal sensing, meaning the unit can automatically wake up and switch inputs based on the detected signal. Connectivity is broad, with USB, optical, coaxial RCA, coaxial BNC, and AES/EBU inputs, while analogue output options include both balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA. However, as a pure DAC, there are no variable outputs or preamplifier functionality—it’s strictly a source device designed to feed an external preamp or integrated amplifier.

Hegel’s D50 DAC, or The Raven, certainly leans into its namesake’s mystique, emphasising purity, precision, and high-end implementation. The company claims its careful circuit design, low-noise power supply, and precise clocking result in an exceptionally clean and detailed soundstage.

With an expected release in May 2025, the D50 will compete in an increasingly crowded high-end DAC market. Hegel has a solid reputation for well-executed digital designs. If the D50 follows in the footsteps of its predecessors, The Raven may prove to soar as a serious player in the world of reference DACs.

The D50 will be priced at  US$4,900/ €4,895 / A$8,495 / NZ$9,795

What’s in a Name?

Hegel has leaned heavily into the raven theme for its new D50 DAC, a name rich with symbolism. In Norse mythology, Odin’s ravens Hugin and Munin were said to bring wisdom and insight, a fitting metaphor then for a device designed to decode digital signals with absolute precision. The company also draws parallels between the raven’s intelligence, one of the few animals known to use tools and its engineering philosophy, where the absolute mastery lies not in the DAC chip itself but in its implementation. 

Visit Hegal for more information.