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Would you pay nearly $100,000 for an amplifier?
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Return to top of page · Post #: 1 · Written at 8:57:47 PM on 1 July 2021.
	Ian Robertson Location: Belrose, NSW Member since 31 December 2015 Member #: 1844 Postcount: 2476
https://halcro.com/product/eclipse-mono/ This is as close to perfect as any amplifier in the world has reached and it's Australian. When I read the specs my initial reaction was disbelief. My view was shared by the other engineers in the office. But apparently it's true and the design is a real breakthrough.. There is a VERY interesting story about the company, the people who developed it and how they did it.

Return to top of page · Post #: 2 · Written at 7:06:38 PM on 2 July 2021.
	Brad Administrator Location: Naremburn, NSW Member since 15 November 2005 Member #: 1 Postcount: 7395
At one time, and if money wasn't an object, and it had valves, I may have but not now, due to hearing loss (not total). That said, I've always believed that if money is to be spent, spend it on the loud speakers rather than the amplifier and this was backed up by a bloke keen on the subject who said to me that if the amplifier will amplify signals between the critical 20Hz - 20kHz range then it is doing its job. That said, this beast doesn't look bad. I like the inclusion of the woodgrain at the base. ‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾‾ A valve a day keeps the transistor away...

Return to top of page · Post #: 3 · Written at 9:04:12 PM on 3 July 2021.
	NewVista Location: Silver City WI, US Member since 10 May 2013 Member #: 1340 Postcount: 977
Their patented ultra-low-distortion circuit uses both positive and negative feedback! https://patents.google.com/patent/US5892398A/en

Return to top of page · Post #: 4 · Written at 10:29:02 PM on 3 July 2021.
	Ian Robertson Location: Belrose, NSW Member since 31 December 2015 Member #: 1844 Postcount: 2476
That seems to be one of several patents held by this entity. I believe the latest amp uses Class D techniques and a digital implementation of the PWM.

Return to top of page · Post #: 5 · Written at 8:02:56 PM on 4 July 2021.
	Robbbert Location: Hill Top, NSW Member since 18 September 2015 Member #: 1801 Postcount: 2078
In answer to the original question, no I wouldn't buy it, even if it was gold plated. The money would be much better off growing in super. And I wouldn't be able to tell the difference (if any) due to hearing loss.

Return to top of page · Post #: 6 · Written at 6:43:01 PM on 6 July 2021.
	Ian Robertson Location: Belrose, NSW Member since 31 December 2015 Member #: 1844 Postcount: 2476
You can pay more or equal money and get much less performance. Remember Western Electric? http://westernelectric.sectorlink.org/products/97a.html Oh but they must be better, they have that tube sound!

Return to top of page · Post #: 7 · Written at 8:12:02 PM on 13 July 2021.
	NewVista Location: Silver City WI, US Member since 10 May 2013 Member #: 1340 Postcount: 977
A pre-war Western Electric 1086 amp can fetch as much as a Halcro, especially if it's loaded with orig WE tubes (262As & 300As) WE 262As are especially hard to find. I sold an output tranny for a 1086 a few years ago, got $1200, found it in a draw in a projection booth

Return to top of page · Post #: 8 · Written at 8:00:37 PM on 14 July 2021.
	NewVista Location: Silver City WI, US Member since 10 May 2013 Member #: 1340 Postcount: 977
"..latest amp uses Class D techniques and a digital implementation of the PWM" Reminds me of the "amazing" Sinclair X10 http://www.vk6fh.com/vk6fh/sinclair%20x10.htm

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