The Best Amplifier Ever ?

HiFi - no SS amp could ever do bells better on Quads than tubes, even an old Marantz 8B even my MC-60's, I know that like I know me. Ahhh.....bells, tubes and quads, now your talking :)

Rowland Model Twelves, at least in my system.

I'm actually starting to believe that we all have gone nuts and have and are paying far too much for what we get. There is really not that much difference today between moderately priced gear and super expensive stuff.

Will be trying out the new Parasound JC-1 monoblocks soon, that retail for $6,000 - well at least pricewise I'm headed in the right direction.

I plan to listen to these amps in my system this week. (Quads and OTLs) I agree with all the posts that the magazine reviews are overdone ("best ever" indeed! - who has heard all contenders comparatively?) On the other hand I am struck by the broad spectrum of enthusiastic raves from many many 'professional' audio reviewers, including Ken Kessler who in my experience is not given to "politics" (except for his support of local products - easily understood). My conclusion: It's likely a very good amp. Best for me? I am going to let my ears be my guide. Will post again with my 0.02$ after hearing.

Cj, we look forward to the review. Thanks for offering.

There is a best amp out there waiting, you just have to find it. :-) (yuk, sound like a ...?)

I spent 3 and ½ hours with the Halcro dm 58s in my system. The following is a report based on this brief listening experience.

System description: Crosby modified Quad ESL 63s (late production). NYAL Futterman OTL monoblock amps heavily modified by George Kaye (dual chasse w/tube regulated power supply) Siltech Echo Bay (G5) speaker cables. Bear Labs interconnect cables. Levinson 32 Reference preamp. REL Stadium subwoofer system driven by the Levinson using the high level input, crossed at 25Hz. Music sources: Basis 2800/Graham 2.2 tonearm/Lyria Helikon for vinyl playback. Electrocompaniet EMC-1 MK II 192 (w/ all latest mods) for CD. Power cords: Custom Power Cord Company Top Gun from wall to conditioners, Asylum cables, Bob Crump design, from conditioners to components. Power conditioning: PS audio 600 for source. Audio Magic Stealth for preamp and amplifiers including REL. Dedicated AC lines for amplifiers and source equipment. (note: Halcros went directly into the AC line – no power conditioning used.) Room treatments: Echo Busters. Equipment rack: Silence by Tidal Audio.

Preliminary note: I am an audio hobbyist. Not a professional. I think that this is important. It is quite different to have this as a hobby than as a source of income. The perspective is very different. Also my exposure to equipment, while considerable as a hobbyist (I’ve been at this for over 30 years) is not as extensive as a professionals’. I am also not an engineer. While I am handy with a soldering iron and have a rudimentary idea about electrical circuits, I am in no way an expert in the area of amplifier design. I also am not a musician. I listen to all types of music from popular music and blues/jazz to early music on original instruments and opera. I attend live music venues about 1-2 times a month but mostly rely on my audio equipment to satiate my love of music.

Also I want to commend Halcro as a company. I sent an email letter expressing my interest in a home demo. 1 day later I got a detailed response from the company. The following day I got an email from the US distributor Phillip O’Hanlon. He put me in touch with Steve Rabitz, a local dealer, who brought a pair of amps to my home within a week of my expressing serious interest. That’s customer service!

Observations:

The Halcros are superb amplifiers. I was impressed enough to take out my checkbook. Now, my Futterman OTLs are also marvelous amplifiers. The Halcros simply outperformed them – at least in this short listening session. In listening to the Halcros I could not tell if it was a tube or solid state amplifier. As noted in many reviews it is dead quiet. There was no easily discernible signature. Both amplifiers have a very sweet midrange. I would be hard pressed to say which was better in the midrange. Frequency extremes belonged to the Halcros, particularly the highs which surprised me. I was less surprised by the low frequency extension and control provided by the Halcros. I found I needed to make some readjustments with the REL sub-bass system as the Quads were providing better low frequency response with the Halcros. Both the OTLs and the Halcros were excellent at low level detail. I’m not certain which was better here. However on complex orchestral music there was no question – the tubes got muddled and the Halcros were as clear and resolving with complex musical passages as when playing a solo violin. For example: Hummel’s Mass in B opus 80 (nice music and recording by the way- EMI 1971). This work calls for a full orchestra, 4 soloists and a large men and boys choir. At times during the piece the 4 soloist, choir and orchestra are all working at a crescendo. With the Halcros resolution is maintained such that you can clearly hear each soloist, all the instrumentation and the various tonal components of the boys’ choir from young boys to older men. With the OTLs at these musical peaks there is a loss of resolution. I had thought this was a shortcoming of the recording or my vinyl setup – until the Halcros.

On the other hand what I heard was not revolutionary, at least not to my ears. I would characterize it more as evolutionary. When hearing what the Halcros did for my system I had a response in many respects similar to the response I had after putting in the Siltechs – that is my system was distinctly better than what it was before. It was not however, an earth shattering experience, or any sort of musical revelation. The Halcros are audio amplifiers, very good amplifiers indeed, but not a magic machine that makes musicians appear in the listening room.

I think the Halcros bode well for all audio hobbyists because any excellent audio component allows for the development of better components up and down the audio chain. I don’t think the Halcros are for everybody however. They are expensive, though not absurdly so. Without commensurate equipment they would be a waste of money. Another way to look at this is that any improvement in the audio reproduction chain is important, whether amplifier, power cables or source equipment. Even granting that these are ‘the best amplifier ever’, (which I don’t claim – they are just the best I have heard in my system) many audiophiles will be able to make improvements in their system equal or greater to that of adding a Halcro amplifier by improving one or several other aspects of their audio chain. Equipment lust is a hazard in our hobby, sometimes irrationally so! Professional reviewers who are evaluating equipment as isolated pieces of gear would do well to keep in mind that the hobbyist – the source of the business – is only concerned (or should only be concerned) with the sound of their system as a whole, not the sound (or lack thereof) of any particular piece of equipment. In fact I would be willing to bet that there are systems in which the introduction of Halcro amplification would result in a less satisfactory system performance than that gained by using some other amplifier. So can it really be said that one amplifier is ‘the best’?

In sum: As indicated, I intend to purchase the Halcros (thanks Mom, for encouraging my interest in going to medical school!) However I will not be parting with my OTLs, at least not for a while. Why? Well, I have only spent a few hours with the Halcros. The time I spent was long enough for me to know I want more time, but not long enough to know everything. Years of experience in this hobby have taught me that it sometimes takes a large number of hours, over several listening sessions, to hear the problems of a component, particularly when that component provides some immediate audible benefit. I have had my Futterman OTLs for 20 years now in various configurations (I was fortunate to have the opportunity to get a pair of original Futterman’s from Julius Futterman many years ago and George Kaye has kept the amplifiers performing at a state of the art level.). It is a tried and proven solution giving many, many hours of listening pleasure. The best compliment I can pay the Halcros is that they are the first amplifier I have heard (again, my experience is quite limited) that have made me think about moving the Futtermans’ out of my system. In addition to the (thus far) superior audio performance of the Halcros, the prospect of not having to deal with tubes heating up my room, running up the electric bill, and slowly degrading over time is a plus. I should take delivery on these outstanding amplifiers in about 2 weeks. I’ll post another report on this forum after living with the Halcros for an extended period of time.

It seems you are new here, Cjsmithmd, so allow me to welcome you to Audiogon and the forum. Since this is your only post to date, please do not take offense if I say that your comments might be treated as provisional until you have some history on the forum (there is always the possibility that a positive 'review' could be posted by an 'anonymous newcomer' with an interest in marketing the product - your post does not seem typical of this, however). You may not know that Audiogon now has a section devoted to member reviews. While your thoughtful article is certainly valid as a part of this particular thread, if you still have the draft in your computer by any chance, you may want to post it separately in that archived section for commentary and reference by members interested in researching this product. Based on your contribution here, I think I can safely speak for the forum as a whole in saying we will look foward to more input drawn from your apparently extensive experience and interest (not to mention bankroll! ;^). Good luck with your ongoing auditioning, and congratulations if you have found your new personal reference amps.

Cjsmithmd, well done. Thanks for sharing.

Very nice review, Cjsmithmd, well written and informative. I'm impressed that a Futterman owner could wind up going for a solid state amp, the Halcros must be something special! If you could put your review into the Reviews topic as Zaikesman suggested it would be nice. Welcome to the forums!

Very good review CJ, and I also totally agree on the customer service, I have been very happy even though Halcro is out of Aus, there is a NA office and repair centre in the works, I think O'Hanlon told me it would be in Las Vegas.

For me the Halcros are very special and I look forward to see the new stuff from Halcro in Vegas at CES in Jan !

Matt
http://members.rogers.com/mzn50/

Cj, thanks for the review. It is excellently written and clearly thoughtful. Welcome.

Appreciate the kind words. I have been lurking this site for over a year now but didn't feel I had something to contribute until now. I will follow the suggestion to post the 'review' (really just my observations and reactions) of the Halcro in the appropriate section for member reviews. And I also like the appellation CJ - wish I thought of it!

The best amplifier ever - hmmm - lets see. It would have to be one of these (devided into categories tube, solid state and digital):

Tube Research Labs Platinum Golden Triode Reference 800 Mono Amplifiers
Jadis JA-800
Atma-Sphere MA-3 Reference Mono Amplifiers
Conrad Johnson Grand Anniversary Triode Mono Amplifiers(upcoming)
Vacum Tube Logic Siegfried Reference Mono Amplifiers
Audio Research Reference 610T Vacum Tube Monaural Amplifiers
Wavac Audio SH-833 Mk.II
LAMM Industries ML-3 Signature Mono Amplifiers
Convergent Audio Technologies JL-1 Limited Edition
Joule Electra VZN-350 Destiny OTL Monoblock Amplifiers
Kondo Gaku-On Mk.II
Shoreline 800 Monoblock Amplifiers
Pathos Acoustics Adrenaline
Glass Master SD-2
Tube Research Labs Single Ended Triode Reference 50 Mono Amplifiers
Loth-X Silbatone 300 SEL
Tenor Audio Hybrid Series 300 Hp Monoblock Amplifiers
Balanced Audio Technologies VK-300SE Dual Block Balanced Zero Feedback Triode Bridged Mono Amplifiers
Ypsilon SET-100 Monoblock Amplifiers
Octave Research Jubilee Monos
Zanden Audio Model 9600 Push Pull Mono Amplifiers
Nagra VPA Mono Amplifiers
Walcott Audio Presence Mono Amplifiers
Cary Audio CAD-1610SE Monblock Amplifiers
KR Audio Double Kronzilla Mono Amplifiers
Marantz Project T-1
Van Gaylord Audio Uni Monoblock Amplifiers

Dynaudio Arbiter Mono Power Amplifiers
Krell Master Reference Amplifiers
Mark Levinson No.33 Reference Monaural Amplifiers
Burmester Reference Line Power Amplifier 909 Monos
GamuT Audio S600M Mk.III
Edge Electronics NL Reference Mono Amplifiers
FM Acoustics Resolution Series 2011
Goldmund Telos 5000 (upcoming)
Halcro dm88
Spectral Audio DMA-360S Reference Monaural Amplifiers
Jeff Rowland Design Group Model 301
Krell Evolution One Monophonic Power Amplifiers
MBL 9011 Reference Line Mono Power Amplifiers
Boulder Amplifiers 2050 Class A Mono Amplifiers
Hovland Company Stratos Reference Mono Amplifiers
Audire The New Monarch
Bridge Audio Laboratory BAlabo BP-1 Mk.II Bridged Mono Amplifiers
McIntosh Mc2KW
Essence Jasper Reference Mono Amplifiers
Cello Performance II
Pass Labs X-1000.5
Classè Omega Reference Monaural Amplifiers
Theta Citadel
Esoteric Audio Research M100A
Linn Klimax Chakra 500 Solos
Chord SPM 14000
Accuphase M-8000
Dynamic Presicion DP-A2
Electrocompaniet Nemo Mk.II
Forsell The Statement
Bladelius Design Group Beowolf
Gryphon Anthilleon Signature Monos
Vitus Audio SM-101 Signature Monaural Amplifiers
Sim Audio Moon The Rock
Viola Audio Labs Bravo Reference Monaural Amplifiers

Wadia 790 PowerDAC
Audio Physic Monos

So the the definitive answer is that it has to be matched with the rest of your setup.

Cary Anniversary 805's with 6SL7 input tubes. I've owned two pairs of 805C's with 6SN7's and 6SL7's. I own a pair of Anniversary 805's with the 6SL'7s and have owned a pair of Anniversary with the 6SN'7. The Anniversarys normally come with the 6SN'7s. "BIG MISTAKE HERE" The 805 Anniversary with the 6SL7's just sound more musically correct from top to bottom. I didn't like the 6SN'7 version at all. These amps are really incredibale and are very hard to beat and in this version I would take on all challengers bar none. In my opinion one of the very best amps every produced. Try it; you'll like it I swear

such a question is really academic. the best amp for an electrostatic speaker is not necessarily the best amp for a horn speaker. the best low powered amp for a horn speaker would not drive a magnepan.

what are the criteria for "the best amp" ?

it is better to ask "what is my favorite amp and why" ?

too many of the questions which include the word "best" are so open ended that the answers may not be applicable to all situations.

Rhagen: you forgot to include the Acoustic Reality Thauma Turge mono amps. One audiophile replaced three pairs(!) of his WAVAC SH-833's (which are included in you list) with the Acoustic Realities.

Chris

I didn't inclue the Acoustic Reality amps because I don't like them. They sound very detailed but cold and unmusical to me.

Rhagen, which Acoustic Reality amp did you hear?

I listened to the Thauma Turge.

The best amp ever is a Sanyo model QV-30 receiver made in 1979.

Serial #64522 only (the rest of them suck).

Rhagen, I guess I have some auditioning to do =:-))

what is the purpose in asking a question which has no definitive answer ? each of us has a favorite component that is neither better nor worse than another person's favorite component.

asking what is the best of anything does not accomplish much.

by the way, can anyone specify what "better" and "best" mean in audio, other than to indicate personal preference ?

Bear, does that mean you absolutely equate "Best Measuring Amp" with "Best Amp"? If so, that would imply that you believe that the currently-available and performed suite of measurements is 100% sufficient to ascertain any amp's ability to reproduce music.

Quite, the only way you can legitimately talk of the "Best" component, is in the context of measurements. Assuming a component is thoroughly bench tested, you can say this amp measures better than anything I have tested before, ergo it is the best. The trouble is, everyone(or nearly everyone) has ceased believing measurements count for much in performance terms. Therefore "best" ends up being subjective in all cases and thus meaningless. Best is only legitimate in the context "This is the best amp, CD player I have had in my system". I can relate to, appreciate and find utility in that.
Sorry if I am teaching my grandmother to suck eggs(do you colonials use that expression too). Sometimes I think we need a logician to analyse these threads, a bit of symbolic logic might resolve the arguments. I would do it too, if I had'nt been a dismal failure at logic, when I was at university

One gentleman suggested that the acoustic reality thauma turge sounded cold and unmusical. I assume that he meant to himself. I would suggest that this problem could possible have come from up stream. I heard the thauma turge amps in the system containing the wavac's, about $1000,000.00 worth in one of the finest home music room's on earth. So much better were the acoustic reality thauma turge's that I purchased three pair( I must admit that I got a little carried away and purchased one pair more than I needed, but, that's life). At any rate these amps are like chameleons They take on the color of whatever components are up or down stream. However the entire system must be up to task. These are the most uncolored amps that I have ever heard, therefor they lend themselves to wonderful preamps such as the suprateks, or passives transformer based attenuators such as the wonderful music first audio (mfa) from England. they (the Thauma Turge) put the experienced audiophile in control of his canvas. You may be a Monet,or a chagall, or just a guy like me, but you may do what you want. Of course, preference must be taken into consideration, and I have. And that is what's so wonderful about these amplifier's, thay make room for YOUR preference. At any rate you can finally be the master of your music, for a long, long time. if possible, get a pair of these wonderful and rare instruments and enjoy music. Cheers