Daniel Hertz makes audio equipment for those who want to feel like they are in the room with the musicians, and are willing to pay a premium to get the best seats in the house.
"I founded Daniel Hertz in 2007 to develop new technology and product concepts which redefine excellence in audio and connect us more to what the musicians intended. To make things better we had to make changes, and when we really went for it we ended up breaking the established business model of the industry. For this reason, Daniel Hertz is not as widely available as some brands but that’s ok with us, our priority is not being the easiest to find, it’s refusing to compromise performance and quality." - Mark Levinson
From the flagship M1 system to the M10 bookshelf speaker, all Daniel Hertz systems have the same DNA. Like a series of pianos from 2.8m down to 1.5m, each has it’s place.
Daniel Hertz makes only 3 amplifiers - the M9, M11, and M12. Each one is a complete electronics solution (no separate components and mess of cables) and each one matches a range of speakers that meet different needs and budgets.
Unlike products that come and go, Daniel Hertz products are handmade works of art that are practical for every day use, give many decades of good service, and retain high value over time.
We invite you to join the DH club of happy music lovers. Feel free to ask us any questions. We are here to help you.
Mark Levinson
Daniel Hertz develops new ideas, technology, and products that challenge the audio industry and advance the state of the art in music reproduction.
Daniel Hertz is an engineering driven company committed to honesty and putting the customer first. In an era of mediocrity, complexity, and products that come and go, we are focused on quality, simplicity and lasting value. The central high end audio assumption is “if you spend enough money mixing and matching audio equipment, you will eventually be in audio nirvana.” This assumption leads people to endlessly chase their tail, wasting time and money. It’s good for generating profits and advertising revenues but not for the customer. Customer satisfaction is created not by mixing and matching but by innovation and thoroughly engineered solutions.
Daniel Hertz develops complete music systems to eliminate the shortcomings you don't want and provide the performance you do. When you own a Daniel Hertz system, you don’t need to upgrade or change it because it passes the record/playback test.
Daniel Hertz Master Class (software for Mac) enables you to obtain sound very much like original high speed analog tape from digital recordings in all formats, with recordings from all eras and genres. With Master Class and a Mac, a Daniel Hertz amplifier and speakers, your satisfaction is guaranteed. No excuses and no upgrades required.
Breaking the rules, changing the assumptions
High end audio uses recordings to evaluate equipment.
High end audio uses recordings to evaluate equipment. DH equipment tells you how good the recording is. This is because DH systems are calibrated to live music. Record a live music event with a good 2 channel recording system and the playback through a DH system will sound like the live event. Faithfulness to live music (accuracy) never goes out of style.
The audio industry is geared to reviewing and selling separate products that come and go.
The audio industry is geared to reviewing and selling separate products that come and go. Daniel Hertz is dedicated to complete systems that stay in production a long time.Daniel Hertz equipment can be used with all good audio equipment but the full benefit becomes evident when it is used as intended.
Is it possible to have the best possible sound without bi-amplifying?
Is it possible to have the best possible sound without bi-amplifying? No. The laws of physics have not yet been repealed. To avoid sonic compromise, Daniel Hertz reference series systems (M1, M2/3, M4) have been biamplified since their introduction in 2010 The first DH amplifiers had active crossovers built in to enable this important feature.The consumer audio industry does not understand bi-amplification because audio reviewers don’t have bi-amplified systems and there are almost no amplifiers with active crossovers on the market – except DH. The new DH M11 makes it even better, easier, more practical and less expensive to bi-amplify but it is not compatible with the mix and match mentality of the ‘high end’ audio industry. Oops, sorry, DH is not compromising sound just to be “compatible” with the industry.
DH uses simple, elegant designs where form follows function.
DH uses simple, elegant designs where form follows function. Many expensive audio products have very expensive cosmetics with nothing special inside like amplifiers with super thick heavily machined front panels but nothing special inside, and speakers with complex shapes but conventional drivers - it’s all show and no go. DH is for people who want to spend their money on engineering and performance with elegant exteriors but no useless frills.
The best recordings are made on Macs.
The best recordings are made on Macs. Why not use one to play back? The main reason is that Apple doesn't advertise in audio magazines so they won’t write about Apple and audio stores won’t sell them because there is no profit. A Mac with Master Class software blows away any other audio source and provides many advantages and exciting musical experiences unavailable with any player or server, with ease of use and low cost. Try making a Master Class version of John Coltrane or Maria Callas live in concert with picture and sound on www.youtube.com that is not commercially available. Sound like analog tape from standard digital audio formats – for real.
The best audio systems need separate DACs,
The best audio systems need separate DACs, preamps, power amps, expensive cables, accessories, etc. – NOT! A Daniel Hertz M9, M11 or M12 amplifier is a single chassis that does it all with better sound and many advantages due to stunning new technology. Our amplifiers use a “brain” (chip) with a wireless receiver that converts line level digital audio input (or analog input) to analog power output in one stage. No degradation from complex signal paths, no interconnect cables, just pure sound and simplicity. Is this an integrated amplifier? No, not in the usual sense. DH amplifiers use only one chip to do all the hard work so it is a highly integrated and cost effective solution that offers the most elegant signal path with the lowest distortion and the maximum benefits.
Until now, music lovers had to choose
Until now, music lovers had to choose between residential audio with warmer sound or pro audio equipment with punch and dynamic range. DH puts natural sound together with punch and dynamic range for the first time. Ever wonder why recording and mastering studios don’t use high end audio equipment, or why audiophiles don’t use pro equipment? Only DH is equally at home in both settings.
Expensive cables are important – NOT.
Expensive cables are important – NOT. The “right” cables are important but the small differences people maybe hear when changing cables are easily dialed in with more precision by Master Class software – and the listener can optimize for each recording instead of constantly chasing his tail (every recording is tuned differently). Expensive cables generate huge profits for cable companies and audio magazine advertising so DH does not win industry points by trashing this profit center, but audio advancements are made by good engineering, not by wishful thinking and marketing.
LP’s are great but why not have it all?
LP’s are great but why not have it all? A turntable and a Mac with Master Class sets you free. Many great recordings are available only in digital formats. Master Class versions sound like the original master recordings or better. Mark Levinson says, “I have over 500 original master tapes in my library and the Master Class versions sound equal to or better than the original in every case. There is no other way to achieve this level of sound quality.”
Enjoy movies?
Enjoy movies? Use your Mac for playing movies (like iTunes movies) and eliminate the plastic, the input selector, the defective DVD and Blu-ray discs, and the inconvenience. It’s the best and easiest way to enjoy movies with the best quality. Movies are made on Macs in the first place so why not play back on one? Oops - expensive video players not needed? There goes more advertising revenue and profits.
Small speakers need subwoofers – NOT.
Small speakers need subwoofers – NOT. The DH M10 bookshelf speaker has 35Hz bass with no EQ or processing – you can prove it yourself with a high precision audio signal generator program on your Mac like Audio Test by Kitsura (cost: USD5) . Dial in 50Hz, 45Hz, 40Hz, 35Hz - the bass is there (provided you don’t have room cancellations).
Powerful amps with good sound put out heat – NOT.
Powerful amps with good sound put out heat – NOT. DH amplifiers put out 200W @ 8 ohms, 400W @ 4 ohms with very low heat so no complex ventilation issues.
Tweeters and woofers cannot be improved – NOT.
Tweeters and woofers cannot be improved – NOT. DH Mighty Cat software, embedded in the “brain” of the M11 and M12, allows speakers to be fine-tuned for more natural sound. The difference is amazing and the cost is zero because it’s made by embedded software.
Expensive terminations on speaker cables contribute to performance – NOT.
Expensive terminations on speaker cables contribute to performance – NOT. DH makes it’s own speaker connectors in-house that accept bare wire to eliminate the potential degradation of solder joints and other aspects of terminations. DH speaker connectors also accept spade and donut lugs. A special DH tool is provided that allows greater tightening that by hand alone.
Wireless connectivity is not as good as hard wired – NOT.
Wireless connectivity is not as good as hard wired – NOT. Connect two Macs, one with USB cable and one with wireless and listen for yourself – no sonic difference (levels must be calibrated for 0dB level difference). If you are curious, compare with any other playback solution at any price. The best sound, maximum convenience and economy.
Daniel Hertz speaker connector
The audio cable business generates huge profits for manufacturers and stores, and advertising revenue for magazines. The quality of the termination (spade lug, donut lug, banana connector or other type) is usually a focal point of the pitch. Terminations add solder joints or crimping and another piece of metal so at best are not ideal. The Daniel Hertz speaker connector accepts bare wire and clamps it between two solid brass plates with high pressure so no termination is required. (Spade lugs and Donut lugs can also be used. Banana connectors are not recommended because of their typical low current capacity.)
The threaded shaft of the connector bolts directly to the amplifier output board inside the amplifier so internal output wiring is eliminated. A separate mechanical strain relief on the amplifier is provided for each pair of speaker cables so the electrical connection is stress-free. A DH tool is provided to allow tightening beyond hand level. The DH tool is made of delrin so it won’t scratch the red and black anodised aluminium caps, and a stainless steel top provides a comfortable grip. No cable terminations = higher performance achieved and another industry profit centre gone.
Reliability
DH speakers are built with extremely robust tweeters and woofers. Check the price of high efficiency tweeters and woofers from the 1930’s - 1950’s and see the high cost of parts made 70 - 100 years ago. They sound great and last “forever.” DH high efficiency drivers are built to similar high standards using more modern materials and are designed to last “forever” as well. Many typical speakers including some very expensive ones need to be rebuilt after some years if indeed they can be rebuilt at all. DH speakers don’t mind high humidity and extremes of temperature. The DH Reference series speakers use woofers and tweeters that can take 4000W peaks with low distortion so are highly resistant to death by peak power signals.In short, they are seriously tough and and likely to last longer than your ears will.
The quality of DH speaker cabinets and crossover networks is similarly robust. The quality of DH speaker cabinetry is second to none in the audio world.
DH amplifiers use new technology that eliminates many of the typical parts that degrade and fail over time like the usual power supplies, volume controls, and other parts. The M9, M11 and M12 work on all AC voltages from 90 - 250VAC so no voltage change is needed anywhere in the world. The power supplies are fully regulated smps designs that buffer the audio circuitry from the AC line so there is no need for power conditioners (they tend to make the sound worse). Oops - another profit center gone.
Mark Levinson wanted a family name for the company (his name is owned by a large public company) so he used Daniel, his father's first name, and Hertz, his mother's maiden name. Heinrich Hertz was Mark's great uncle on his mother's side. Heinrich Hertz (February 22, 1857 – January 1, 1894), the German physicist, was the first to demonstrate the electromagnetic wave, thus the beginning of audio. The Hertz is now the internationally used term for cycles per second, a measurement of frequency Hz. Heinrich Hertz was one of a group of scientists and inventors who made the discoveries that built the base of modern electronics..
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more on Heinrich Hertz...
Heinrich Hertz