Halcro Eclipse Stereo Power Amplifier Review

Distinctive Design and Appearance

The Halcro Eclipse Stereo power amplifier is renowned for its instantly recognizable and unique aesthetic, a design carried over from the original Halcro dm38. Developed with a focus on optimal electronic separation and passive heat dissipation, it features four heavily shielded modules and extraordinarily large heatsinks. The amplifier's imposing physical presence is characterized by its dimensions: 79cm tall, 40cm wide, and 40cm deep, with a substantial weight of 85kg. Its chassis design cleverly forms the capital letter 'H'. Available finishes include a 'Standard' powder-coat or a premium hand-painted 'Signature' finish.

[Image Description: A full-page photograph showcases the striking, tall, and imposing design of the Halcro Eclipse Stereo Power Amplifier, highlighting its unique vertical fins and substantial heatsinks.]

The Halcro Legacy and Resurrection

The story behind the Halcro Eclipse Stereo is as remarkable as its sound. Originating from the vision of South African physicist Dr. Bruce Halcro Candy, the brand experienced a period of dormancy after its initial success. The company was revived through a serendipitous meeting between Lance Hewitt (Candy's former lead engineer) and Mike Kirkham of Magenta Audio. They partnered with Dr. Peter Foster, leading to the founding of Longwood Audio in 2015. Longwood Audio acquired all of Halcro's assets, including the brand name, patents, and manufacturing tooling, thereby resurrecting this esteemed audio marque. The current team comprises Peter Foster (CEO), Mike Kirkham (Head of Sales & Marketing), and Lance Hewitt (Development & Manufacturing).

Technical Excellence and Features

The Halcro Eclipse Stereo boasts exceptional technical specifications and features designed for ultimate audio performance:

• Sound Quality: Sensational sound quality, quiet operation, and exceptionally low distortion.
• Appearance: Handsome and distinctive design.
• Dimensions: 79cm (Height) x 40cm (Width) x 40cm (Depth).
• Weight: 85kg.
• Recommended Retail Price (RRP): $66,990 (Standard finish).
• Warranty: Five years.
• Construction: Modular design separating audio power, drive, inductor, and power supply modules for optimal performance and heat management.
• Heatsinks: Extraordinarily large, non-resonant heatsinks designed for passive cooling.
• Protection Systems: Sophisticated automated protection includes short-circuit proofing, over-current limiting, gradual power limiting, output DC offset detection, continuous output current monitoring, input overload protection, and power supply fault detection.
• Standby Switch: Air-pressure activated to minimize electrical interference.
• Inputs: Supports unbalanced (via gold-plated RCA), balanced (via gold-plated XLR), and a 'low gain' unbalanced input.
• Input Modes: Three distinct modes: unbalanced (22-kohm impedance), balanced (22-kohm + 22-kohm), and minimal path (660-ohm).
• Power Supply: Features a two-stage switch-mode design with power factor correction.
• Output Stage: Utilizes 12 (V)FETs, implemented on six-layer PCBs, with proprietary circuit design.

Halcro maintains a high level of secrecy regarding its circuitry, with schematics not released and circuit boards coated in epoxy to mask component designators.

Sonic Performance

In listening sessions, the Halcro Eclipse Stereo delivered an awe-inspiring audio experience. When playing music from GoGo Penguin, the amplifier reproduced complex double-bass lines with stunning accuracy and clarity, while the intricate drumming was delivered with epic precision. The amplifier's ability to maintain sonic separation and detail across dense musical passages was remarkable, creating an "inky-black silence" between notes.

Listening to Talking Heads, the amplifier showcased its power reserves and bass control, delivering a tight, deep, and realistic bass sound. The channel separation was so complete that it was difficult to distinguish from a multi-channel setup. The clarity of vocals and the purity of percussion on tracks like "This Must Be The Place" were exemplary.

The reproduction of Alexandre Tharaud's piano recordings of Erik Satie was equally impressive, capturing the instrument's full dynamic range and subtle nuances with fidelity. The amplifier's performance was so outstanding that the reviewer noted, "I could easily have been convinced that I was auditioning a pair of Eclipse Monos instead!"

[Image Description: Mike Kirkham, described as a self-professed obsessive collector and listener of music, is pictured standing next to the Halcro Eclipse Stereo Power Amplifier. He is associated with the amplifier's development and distribution.]

Laboratory Test Results

Newport Test Labs conducted extensive testing on the Halcro Eclipse Stereo, confirming its exceptional performance and often exceeding Halcro's own specifications. The amplifier demonstrated outstanding power output, delivering 202 watts per channel into 8 ohms and 386 watts into 4 ohms at 1kHz, surpassing the rated 180 watts and 350 watts respectively.

Power Output Table

Note: Figures in the dBW column represent output level in decibels referred to a one-watt output.

Detailed Test Results

Graph Descriptions:

• [Graph 1 Description: Frequency response graph showing a very wide bandwidth from approximately 10Hz to 100kHz within a -1dB tolerance, and extending to 280kHz within a -3dB tolerance.]
• [Graph 2 Description: Output spectrum of the test signal generator at 1kHz, illustrating its extremely low distortion components.]
• [Graph 3 Description: Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) at 1kHz into an 8-ohm load, showing distortion levels that are virtually indistinguishable from the generator's output.]
• [Graph 4 Description: THD measured at 20 watts into 8 ohms with a 1kHz test signal. The distortion profile closely matches the test signal generator, indicating minimal added distortion.]
• [Graph 5 Description: THD measured at the maximum rated power of 180 watts into 8 ohms with a 1kHz test signal. Performance remains exceptionally low, demonstrating the amplifier's capability at high output levels.]
• [Graph 5 (second instance) Description: Intermodulation Distortion (IMD) test at 20 watts into 8 ohms using 19kHz and 20kHz test signals. The graph shows minimal sideband distortion, indicating excellent linearity.]
• [Square Wave Test Descriptions: Square wave tests at 100Hz and 1kHz into 8 ohms show near-perfect waveforms with minimal rounding or overshoot, confirming the amplifier's stability and fast transient response.]

Newport Test Labs concluded that the Halcro Eclipse Stereo exhibits extraordinarily low distortion, superior signal-to-noise ratios, and an exceptionally low output impedance (0.002 ohms), resulting in a damping factor of 4,000. The amplifier consistently outperformed its specifications, demonstrating a near-perfect response across all tested parameters, making it a benchmark in audio amplification.

Conclusion

The Halcro Eclipse Stereo is unequivocally positioned as one of the world's finest amplifiers, celebrated for its unique recognisability, aesthetic beauty, remarkable quietness, and exceptionally low distortion. Its performance, validated by rigorous laboratory testing, places it among the elite in high-fidelity audio. Considering that many competing high-end amplifiers command prices exceeding $150,000, the Halcro Eclipse Stereo offers outstanding value, even at its premium price point, representing a truly mind-bogglingly good amplifier.

Review by Greg Borrowman.

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