equinox preamplifier

The Equinox is a completely new preamplifier design, based upon the unique topology used in Halcro acclaimed Eclipse power amplifiers.

Halcro Equinox – A New Standard in Preamplification

The Equinox is a completely new preamplifier design, based upon the unique topology used in our acclaimed Eclipse power amplifiers. The Equinox uses a proprietary dual switch-mode power supply; a complex switch mode circuit switching at over 100kHz – well outside the audio band.

To ensure optimal performance and minimise interference with the delicate audio signal, the Equinox is a two box design, with the power supply and control circuitry located in one enclosure and all of the audio circuitry isolated in a separate chassis.

Advanced Gain Stage Topology

Gain stages of The Equinox are derived from lessons learnt over many years developing the current generation Eclipse power amplifiers. In particular, the Equinox active gain stages are based on a completely new amplifier topology developed for the input stage of the new Eclipse power amplifier. Active components are configured in such a way as to ensure that they are always operating at the optimum point in the I-V curve, resulting in negligible distortion, high slew rate, fast transients and an extremely linear response. This is one of the signature, proprietary approaches that separates Halcro from other amplifier designs.

The new gain stage topology delivers exceptional transient attack and resolves subtle musical cues while presenting them in a very natural way. This also provides for very high dynamic contrast, expressively presenting the deliberate changes in volume within a piece of music which add emotional depth and nuance.

Equinox also preserves the phase integrity of the signal, a critical element in reproducing music. This ensures the accuracy of tone, timing and the pitch relationships between notes. It does more than this; it results in faithful reproduction of the full sound stage, in 3 dimensions. Every instrument is faithfully presented in the right place and at the right scale.

Versatile Connectivity

There are more than enough inputs and outputs. The Equinox has four balanced inputs and three unbalanced inputs per channel. Each channel has four balanced outputs, four unbalanced outputs and two current outputs, a very rare option in audio. Current-loop interconnects are highly immune to environmental RF noise and may offer significant improvements in noisy environments. The Equinox offers a phase inversion feature for those annoying out-of-phase recordings and ‘ground-lift’ isolation for noisy systems.

Bridged-Drive Mode – Power Without Compromise

The Equinox has the added feature of bridged-drive mode. This allows it to drive bridged amplifiers without needing custom cabling solutions. Use your existing high quality interconnects and select bridged mode to drive a pair of power amplifiers per channels. Equinox can drive bridged amplifiers in balanced, unbalanced or current output mode. Bridge-mode amplification uses two amplifiers operating in push-pull mode to quadruple the output power. A pair of 200W amplifiers driven in bridged mode can theoretically deliver 800W into the load if they have enough current capacity.

Innovative Industrial Design

The industrial design of The Equinox represents a transition from the iconic designs of previous Halcro models to the design language of the future. The enclosures are machined from solid metal. Care has been taken to minimise resonance with internal bracing at strategic points within the chassis using complementary materials, chosen for their damping properties. Custom isolation feet were designed to minimise structural resonance and reduce interference with the delicate audio signals.

Designed by Perfectionists for Music Lovers

The goal was to create an amplifier that would be transparent, enabling the listener to peer into the music and hear the finest details, whilst presenting everything in a very natural way. Great care was taken in component selection and voicing.

Four years in the making – we present The Equinox – designed by perfectionists and music lovers

“For anybody who demands the very best, the Halcro Equinox is it.”

“Ultimately, Halcro’s new Equinox is the best preamplifier I have ever had the pleasure of auditioning.”

Greg Borrowman – Australian Hi Fi Magazine

read the full review here