Halcro's Eclipse amplifiers are designed by physicist and audiophile Bruce Candy "to challenge the theoretical lower limits of distortion", so we are informed and carry five international patents, as well as apparently embodying twelve fundamental conceptual changes in circuit design, setting themselves apart from "conventional" amplification platforms.
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Those patents cover aspects of Halcro's unique power factor corrected power supply and amplifier topology. We're told that Eclipse's design features "substantial shielding" alongside physical separation to isolate the power supply from the delicate audio circuitry, resulting in a quoted Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) at less than 1000 parts per billion at full power (versus 200,000 parts per billion from nearest competitors).
Furthermore, the Eclipse designs promise to maintain the phase coherence of the signal source, preserving the relative timing of various notes or tones within complex music.
Pillars house the power supply, an input amplifier section, a power amplifier and an output filter while disguising the large heatsinks. Meanwhile, the solid aluminium casework panels are said to provide acoustic isolation and damping to reduce vibration-induced distortion.
A dozen MOSFETs provide amplification - stereo 180/350W/ch 8/4 Ω, mono 300/550W/ch 8/4 Ω - which should be plenty to drive most loudspeaker loads. Halco tells us that six-layer Printed Circuit Boards in the amplification stage are designed to isolate and shield functional areas. In addition, substantial eddy current and electrostatic shielding are used throughout to reduce noise coupling. Elsewhere, the application of large capacitors promises low Equivalent Series Resistance (ESR), which the company says enables faster response to the signal, resulting in a more natural sound.
Halcro's Universal Power Factor Corrected (UPFC) power supply eschews the expected toroidal transformer in favour of a switching, not linear, power supply. According to the Australian company, the reasoning for this is that this improves power supply efficiency to allow maximum power transfer from the mains to the amplifier while providing complete isolation from mains-borne noise. Furthermore, the brand adds that its UPFC supply avoids inducing distortions onto the mains, protecting the performance of other hi-fi components.
Halcro Eclipse Amplifiers will be available from April 2023 with prices starting at £40,000 for the Eclipse Stereo (powder coat finish as seen above) or £46,000 for the Eclipse Stereo Signature (premium paint finish). The Eclipse Mono has an RRP of £60,000 per pair, and the Eclipse Mono Signature comes in at £72,000 per pair.
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Posted in: Hi-Fi | StereoLUX!
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