Hegel VIKING - CD Player

In a world full of music download options, audio formats, compression methods, and streaming services, putting on some music can seem overwhelming. What should be easy and fun suddenly becomes complex and stressful. Playing a CD on the Viking is not. It's just bliss. Viking is a true 16/44.1 native CD player developed from the ground up for optimum performance on standard CDs (Redbook). It is designed to deliver the most faithful sound reproduction possible by optimizing its components to provide high-quality output that is faithful to the original recording.

Hegel the Viking

We named our CD player Viking because, just like our ancient Norse ancestors, we are improving existing technology. When the Viking Age began, boats had been around for thousands of years. What the Vikings did was perfect the design. Their boats could not only sail close to the coast but also cross the open ocean. The improvements they made took the Vikings to new shores and even new continents. CD technology may be old, but we believe that once perfected, it will still be the best digital medium available.

Hegel the Viking

At first glance, Viking may seem simple, but from simplicity comes excellence. Because Viking focuses exclusively on playing Redbook CDs, it can achieve unprecedented levels of fidelity. By doing only one thing, there are no compromises. Viking only uses high-quality components designed specifically for this task, and that makes this CD player truly amazing.

Viking uses a dedicated laser and CD drive to ensure optimal data reading. It also features a state-of-the-art DAC that provides high-quality digital-to-analog conversion with minimal distortion, allowing you to hear all the nuances and subtleties of the music. Viking does not oversample or tamper with the signal in any way. Because by leaving the signal as it is on the disc, the already excellent DAC is optimized to perform at its best.

Hegel Viking

The drive and DAC are controlled directly by our unique Master clock system, ensuring perfect synchronization between the two. Using a quartz crystal with very low phase noise and our patented SoundEngine technology, the discrete Hegel-designed clock in the Viking reduces jitter to an absolute minimum. The Viking CD player also features an OLED display specially selected for its low noise, ensuring clearer and more detailed sound. The Viking's analog stage is specially developed for this model. It incorporates both our analog low-pass filter and Line Driver technology, ensuring completely balanced and noise-free handling of the signal all the way to the amplifier.

One of the most notable features of the Viking CD player is its cabinet design. The sleek Viking design matches the P30A and H30A for a modern, cohesive look. But the design choices aren't just cosmetic. A very reliable slot in the unit and a solid, well-designed construction mean this player will last for years to come. 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 use 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 a superb analog stage, Viking is a must for any audiophile who wants to experience music in its purest form. Viking is a top-of-the-line performance machine. It is designed to do one thing and one thing only: capture every single aspect of the music you are listening to. The Hegel Viking is the best CD player we have ever made.