• AddThis Social Bookmark Button

Halcro dm38 Stereo Power Amplifier Reviewed


  • October 13, 2008

| Print Page | Adjust Font Size:

Free Home Theater Review Weekly Newsletter.

Enter your e-mail below to get Home Theater Review's weekly newsletter with the latest equipment reviews and home theater news sent directly to your inbox.


*Required

halcro_dm38.jpgHalcro, a relatively new name to American audiophiles, first became known through their reference series of amplifiers. The dm38 at $20,000 is the lowest price amplifier in the series. The series begins with the dm38 180 Watt per channel, stereo amplifier and works its way up to the 270 Watt per channel monoblock dm88. The Halcro reference series amplifiers are comparable to the best solid state amplifiers in the world such as those from Krell, Mark Levinson and Pass Labs. Besides their uniquely shaped chassis, the amplifiers share a well deserved reputation of being extremely detailed and quiet. Their performance, build quality and industrial design are top notch.

The dm38 is housed in an "H" shaped chassis, however there are two horizontal cross bars. The shape of the 120 pound, 31 inch tall, 16 inch deep and wide, chassis itself was designed to maximize sound quality. The bottom cross bar contains the power supply, the top has the amplification circuits and the vertical legs have the heatsinks. The anodized aluminum body is incredibly well made with all fasteners hidden from sight. There are three sets of inputs, unbalanced current and voltage as well as balanced. The single set of speaker terminals are solid posts covered by large rubber knobs. Halcro gives much credit for its sound quality to its universal Power Factor Corrected power supply. The power supply is described in detail in the white paper available on the Halcro website. In brief, power factor corrected has the voltage from wall in phase with the current is drawn. With most amplifiers the voltage and current are out of phase. This results in a very clean and efficient power supply. Other design factors include limited negative feedback, active correction circuits and multi layer PCB boards coupled with high quality parts and careful layout.

The dm38 is a quick and neutral amplifier capable of resolving the finest details. The noise floor is extremely low which allows the amplifier's resolution to be heard. Listening to music through the dm38 is a revealing experience as it is capable of revealing all of the slightest details in the source recording. The amplifier is powerful enough to reproduce dramatic and detailed bass notes with ease yet detailed and clean enough to reproduce the most complex and delicate notes with great accuracy and no unwanted harshness.

High Points
• The build quality and design is excellent and more reminiscent of a piece of artwork than a stereo component. Seriously, if Halcro put their music playback system at an FBO (private jet airport) people who have never bought an audiophile system in their lives would buy Halcro. Its just that nicely finished and sounds just that compelling.
• The dm38 can hang with the likes of Mark Levinson, Krell and anybody else you want to throw at them. If they aren't on your short list for the best high end electronics out there - they should be despite not having the longest legacy. Legacy doesn't make for a better sounding amp.
• The sonic character of the dm38 is very neutral, its speed coupled with an extremely low noise floor make it an extremely revealing amplifier. Be sure to pair it with quality source components as you would only fuel your super car with the highest octane fuel.

Low Points
• The single pair of speaker posts makes the Halcro db38 difficult to bi-wire which is something I like for my speaker system.
• Weight and heat to a lesser degree an issue for some that are using a rack. While most high end custom installations go into a Middle Atlantic-type rack - you need to be very careful with where you place the db38 as it is a beast. If you plunk it on the floor between your speakers (audiophile style) then you have little to worry about other than going to the stone yard and picking out a smooth and gorgeous looking slab than can be polished into an ultimate amp stand.

Conclusion
The Halcro dm38 is among the best amplifiers in the world at any price. Its sound quality easily competes with the amplifiers from Krell, Mark Levinson, Pass Labs, Bel Canto, Spectral, Ayre, Boulder or any of the other players in the ultra-high-end market. At this level of performance, the sonic characteristics of the amplifiers become harder and harder to describe as they become closer to the proverbial "closer to the music" phenomenon. However, if forced to describe the Halcro's sound quality I find the Halcro sound to be similar to that of the Krell FPB series except a bit quicker and with less weight in the bass. For those in the market for a reference grade amplifier with the ability to resolve the slightest nuances, I strongly recommend a close look at the Halcro dm series.

Keywords

Halcro, Halcro dm38 reviewed, Halcro stereo power amp, audiophile amp, Mark Levinson, Krell, Spectral, Pass Labs, Ayre, Boulder, audiophile amp, Best Amp in the World

Subscribe to the Newsletter
Subscribe to HomeTheaterReview.com's Weekly Newsletter to get the latest news, reviews and insight on the world of home theater, HDTV and audiophile equipment. Subscription is 100% FREE!
*Required
Email Marketing by VerticalResponse
subscribe to rss Subscribe with RSS
Follow home theater equipment reviews and daily news via our RSS feed.
  • Comment on this article

    0
Post a Comment

Please answer the following question (required) before posting to help us prevent Spam.


Featured Audio-Video News

Experiencing Your Dream Home Theater While On Vacation

Experiencing Your Dream Home Theater While On Vacation -

It isn't any news that the economy is in the dumps. Morphing your living room, garage or basement into the...

Latest Stereo Amplifier Reviews

Bel Canto e. One S300iu Integrated Amplifier Reviewed -

Integrated amplifiers have always been an effective and affordable way to get into two-channel audio. However, in recent years, integrated amplifiers have come into their own, offering performance and simplicity that even high-end separate systems have trouble matching. Case in... Click for more...

Bel Canto e.One S300 Power Amplifier Reviewed -

Stereo amplifiers have been a staple since music went from single speakers to two-way back in the day. Over the years, we've seen stereo amplifiers go from simple, manageable black boxes to over-the-top, larger-than-thou space heaters for the home and... Click for more...

Bel Canto REF 1000M Mono Amplifier Reviewed -

When one thinks of a 500-Watt mono amplifier you probably picture a large, heat sink clad hunk of steel that weighs more than the car you drove it home in and probably costs more too. What if I told you... Click for more...

Arcam FMJ A18 Integrated Amplifier Reviewed -

Many music lovers find the idea of setting up an HDMI-based receiver system nothing short of a logistical nightmare. What should have been a one-cable connection, please-all solution has resulted in a complicated world of PC-like headaches that can make... Click for more...

Home Theater Review 2009 Best of Awards -

For the first time, Home Theater Review com's editors have picked a select list of the best gear from many of our AV equipment categories. The winners are picked subjectively by our staff. In today's economy, value matters - this... Click for more...

Rotel RA-1520 Integrated Amplifier Reviewed -

Rotel has been creating audio components for more than 46 years that have all been designed with the goal of bringing high-end audio technology to the more discriminating audiophile. Rotel's RA-1520 integrated amplifier retains the same focus, as this amplifier... Click for more...

Cambridge Audio Azur 840W Amplifier Reviewed -

Many companies try to walk the line between affordability and high-end performance, with few ever really being able to deliver both equally well. Cambridge Audio is a company that has been rather successful at delivering products that perform better than... Click for more...

Marantz PM-KI-Pearl Integrated Amplifier Reviewed -

Marantz's reference line-up of products may not be as well known as its more mass-market offerings, i.e. receivers and sources, but they are still highly regarded in many circles and have garnered many critical accolades. The newest additions to Marantz's... Click for more...

Marantz PM5003 Integrated Amplifier Reviewed -

The Marantz PM5003 integrated amplifier (SRP: $449.99) is a sleek, stylish audio component that delivers outstanding sound quality to music lovers and audiophiles looking for good sound on a budget, or who are putting together a second-room, summer home or... Click for more...

Cary Audio Xciter Integrated Amplifier Reviewed -

The Cary Audio Xciter vacuum tube integrated amplifier is one of those products that makes me take a step back and question the decisions I've made in building my system. Don't get me wrong, I am very happy with the... Click for more...

Latest Stereo Amplifier Reviews

Bel Canto e. One S300iu Integrated Amplifier Reviewed -

Integrated amplifiers have always been an effective and affordable way to get into two-channel audio. However, in recent years, integrated amplifiers have come into their own, offering performance and simplicity that even high-end separate systems have trouble matching. Case in... Click for more...

Bel Canto e.One S300 Power Amplifier Reviewed -

Stereo amplifiers have been a staple since music went from single speakers to two-way back in the day. Over the years, we've seen stereo amplifiers go from simple, manageable black boxes to over-the-top, larger-than-thou space heaters for the home and... Click for more...

Bel Canto REF 1000M Mono Amplifier Reviewed -

When one thinks of a 500-Watt mono amplifier you probably picture a large, heat sink clad hunk of steel that weighs more than the car you drove it home in and probably costs more too. What if I told you... Click for more...

Arcam FMJ A18 Integrated Amplifier Reviewed -

Many music lovers find the idea of setting up an HDMI-based receiver system nothing short of a logistical nightmare. What should have been a one-cable connection, please-all solution has resulted in a complicated world of PC-like headaches that can make... Click for more...

Home Theater Review 2009 Best of Awards -

For the first time, Home Theater Review com's editors have picked a select list of the best gear from many of our AV equipment categories. The winners are picked subjectively by our staff. In today's economy, value matters - this... Click for more...

Rotel RA-1520 Integrated Amplifier Reviewed -

Rotel has been creating audio components for more than 46 years that have all been designed with the goal of bringing high-end audio technology to the more discriminating audiophile. Rotel's RA-1520 integrated amplifier retains the same focus, as this amplifier... Click for more...

Cambridge Audio Azur 840W Amplifier Reviewed -

Many companies try to walk the line between affordability and high-end performance, with few ever really being able to deliver both equally well. Cambridge Audio is a company that has been rather successful at delivering products that perform better than... Click for more...

Marantz PM-KI-Pearl Integrated Amplifier Reviewed -

Marantz's reference line-up of products may not be as well known as its more mass-market offerings, i.e. receivers and sources, but they are still highly regarded in many circles and have garnered many critical accolades. The newest additions to Marantz's... Click for more...

Marantz PM5003 Integrated Amplifier Reviewed -

The Marantz PM5003 integrated amplifier (SRP: $449.99) is a sleek, stylish audio component that delivers outstanding sound quality to music lovers and audiophiles looking for good sound on a budget, or who are putting together a second-room, summer home or... Click for more...

Cary Audio Xciter Integrated Amplifier Reviewed -

The Cary Audio Xciter vacuum tube integrated amplifier is one of those products that makes me take a step back and question the decisions I've made in building my system. Don't get me wrong, I am very happy with the... Click for more...

All Stereo Amplifier Reviews

Latest Equipment Reviews

Mapleshade Time-Correcting Maple Bedrock Speaker Stands Reviewed -

For ages the adage with bookshelf and/or monitor speakers has always been getting the tweeter or tweeter/midrange as close to ear height will yield the best results. Of course proper placement in a room as well as in relation to... Click for more...

Mapleshade Samson V.1 Equipment Rack Reviewed -

Seemingly everyone makes an equipment rack of some form or another these days with varying degrees of success, however for best results you're better off going with a third party or specialty equipment rack. The problem with going with an... Click for more...

Oppo BDP-83 Special Edition Universal Player Reviewed -

Oppo Digital's first Blu-ray player the BDP-83 entered the market in mid 2009 to numerous accolades. A mere half year later, Oppo Digital, not satisfied with the untapped performance potential of the player, released the BDP-83 Special Edition reviewed here.... Click for more...

Parker Audio 95MK II Loudspeakers Reviewed -

Chances are you've never heard of or seen a pair of Parker Audio 95MK II loudspeakers. Because of that fact, you're probably thinking they're some sort of uber-esoteric, high-end, ultra-expensive loudspeakers from some designer's garage in Munich. Well, you'd be... Click for more...

Bel Canto e. One S300iu Integrated Amplifier Reviewed -

Integrated amplifiers have always been an effective and affordable way to get into two-channel audio. However, in recent years, integrated amplifiers have come into their own, offering performance and simplicity that even high-end separate systems have trouble matching. Case in... Click for more...

Bel Canto e.One S300 Power Amplifier Reviewed -

Stereo amplifiers have been a staple since music went from single speakers to two-way back in the day. Over the years, we've seen stereo amplifiers go from simple, manageable black boxes to over-the-top, larger-than-thou space heaters for the home and... Click for more...

OmniMount Link Series A/V Stands Reviewed -

As its name suggests, OmniMount's Link Series is a modular line of A/V stands that you can mix and match to craft the exact entertainment solution you need. You can also add on as your system grows. The Link Series,... Click for more...

Paradigm Reference Studio 20 v.5 Bookshelf Speaker Reviewed -

I've been a fan of Paradigm for years, owning and enjoying seemingly every speaker in their product line from the awesome and affordable Atoms to their flagship Signature S8s. Over the years there have been two Paradigm speaker designs that... Click for more...

Bel Canto REF 1000M Mono Amplifier Reviewed -

When one thinks of a 500-Watt mono amplifier you probably picture a large, heat sink clad hunk of steel that weighs more than the car you drove it home in and probably costs more too. What if I told you... Click for more...

OmniMount VideoBasics TV Mounts Reviewed -

You've spent the extra money to buy an ultra-thin HDTV. The last thing you want to do is hinder the minimalist look by mating the TV with a bulky wall-mount. OmniMount designed the VideoBasics line of flat-panel TV mounts with... Click for more...

Read All Reviews