Received an announcement today that Halcro USA is back in operation. Office is in Beverly Hills. The announcement indicates the company was purchased by a high end speaker company but will be doing business as a separate entity. Bruce B. is back as the Halcro USA President. Bruce Candy and Lance Hewitt are staying with the company "designing new products." (Gary and Paddy remain as well).


Jim

Good, bad ,neutral ?

Art

I think that's a fair question to ask given recent history. This is still a very small company and I'm unclear as to what level of backing they'll receive from this unnamed "high-end speaker company."

I guess it's good for all of us Halcro owners (and dealers), but remains to be seen what level of support is provided and what new products are introduced going forward. Personally, I still like the Halcro performance in my HT.


Jim

i heard that the speaker company is the one from south africa ex b and w designer producing Vivid brand.

http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue35/vivid_k1.htm

All is good!

halcro's main gig is metal detectors and landmine sensing devices as i recall. the audio is just a toy for the execs back when times were good.

paddy is a pretty cool guy i'm glad to seem him land on his feet.

now the 2 channel stuff sound pretty nice but big $$$ but this is the big balls forum of $20K+ !

I thougt Halcro Audio was always an audio company that had been bought by MineLab and was later separated from MineLab when the audio side slowed, which subsequently led to closing Halcro's US operation.


Jim

My main hope would be that this might increase the likelihood of upgrades to the SSP (24/192 DACs, or at the least fixing the ongoing bugs in the firmware).

WhqWhhqtt are the main bugs you see? I see:

1. Switching sources with front panel knob is practically impossible.
2. Some sources fail to show the volume level on the front panel.
3. Pressing OSD interrupts the video while displaying info. Should just overlay the video.

I see all those, plus I also have problems with selecting source from remote. I sometimes have to push the button 2-3 times, especially if it's part of a macro. I am using Pronto, and never had this problem prior to last update.

I use RS-232 and that is problem free. You using IR?

Yes, I use IR. Maybe I should consider RS-232. What do you use, Jeff?

RTI (poor man's Crestron). I am only using it as 1 way. But there is 2 way now. Best of all it is user programmable. If you got one, I'd send you my file and you'd be up and running.

I use a T4 remote in my theater and have a T3 in my family room. Easy to program and ultra reliable.

Also,

I checked with Gary a ways back. I have firmware #55 but there is a #57 that I have a copy of.. But with Halcro on shakey ground, I have not loaded it for fear of a failure. I don't think I need it as fore the most part all works fine.

I have all the same problems with the front knob and the IR remote. Switching sources is a pain in the butt.

Wanted to switch to RTI for RS232 but was told that RTI programming software not available to end users. Is this not correct?

I have all the same problems with the front knob and the IR remote. Switching sources is a pain in the butt.

Wanted to switch to RTI for RS232 but was told that RTI programming software not available to end users. Is this not correct?

Correct.... but it is available if you need it.

Thanks.

Thanks, Jeff. I am also running .55. Is .57 supposed to fix the bugs? (Gary didn't respond to my last email).

Please tell me how to check the software version. I can't remember!!

I got probably the last upgrade done in the US last December just before they closed down US operations. I'm curious if I got .55 or .57.

You know... I think you simply press and hold the POWER button on the front panel. If you want 57, I have it and the accompanying email and instructions..

Here is the body of the email from Halcro:

Hi Jeff,



Please find attached the latest firmware for your SSP200.



Save the file to a folder on your computer. Go to that folder, if the file is named SSP SW Updater.abc then simply highlight the name and change the .abc to .zip



If you do not see the .abc, go to “Tools” at the top of the window and select “Folder Options”. Then click on the “View” tab, look for “Hide extensions for known file types” and uncheck it. Now you should be able to rename it as a .zip file. You will get a warning saying that changing the file type may make the file unusable, this means that it worked so select “Yes”. The icon should change to a Zip folder icon.



Now double click on the Zip folder and inside should be a “SSP SW Updater” folder. Drag and drop the SSP SW Updater folder to your desktop. The firmware installer program is a Windows based program and has only been tested on Windows XP and Vista. Inside the folder should be a set of instructions for Vista. The instructions are pretty straight forward, but there are a couple of addendums (the instructions were written for the SSP100, the MCU file you are installing is 057 and the config file is the one for the SSP200). Baud rate for your unit is 19,200. It is imperative that the power not be interrupted to the processor during the update process (it will not turn on again if this happens). If the update fails for any reason, do not turn off or disconnect the power to the Processor. Simply check the box that says "Force Update", disconnect and reconnect the programming cable and try again. If you have any problems give me a call.



The cable you need is a straight through USB cable (A to A), (do not use a crossover cable, as this will not work). Be sure that no RS232 or HDMI cables are connected to the unit as these may interfere with the update. It is recommended that you write down the Source and Channel settings before uploading the firmware. Further note: When the installer instructs you to power cycle the unit, use the power switch on the back of the unit.

Thanks for the offer. Let me first check and see what i have.

Like you, I'm a little nervous about doing an upgrade especially when everything else is working fine and the ability to access support may be limited at least at this time.

Agreed. HDMI hand shakes are fast and reliable. Sound is great and there are no hiccups once the source is selected. Just some small annoyances.

I checked. POWER ON and keep holding the ON button and the firmware version will show.

I have firmware version 57 on my unit which was upgraded to a SSP200 from an SSP100 in December 2008.

I don't know what 57 has that is not in 55, however, I can assure you that the problems selecting sources from the front panel knobs, buttons, and remote were not fixed in 57, as I still experience these issues.

Might need to check with Gary to see what's new in 57.

Perfectionist,
Good to know. Definitely not worth the risk then for me to upgrade.

All is good!

Not good yet. The company had a "heart attack." It's going to be a while before they are fully recovered and back "running."

Not good yet. The company had a "heart attack." It's going to be a while before they are fully recovered and back "running."

I cant imagine Halcro doing another firmware update to fix the few nuisances that still remain with the SSP 200/220 - even when/if fully recovered. I think all company's have had a heart attack these days... Hence the lack of 'new from the ground up' SSPs. I have never seen it this bad ever. There are literally no choices today for a new tour de force SSP. Yes, Theta has one coming but we'll have to see what bugs it brings.. But nothing from Lexicon, Meridian, Halcro, etc.. Those that have released new products are having some major HDMI issues (e.g. Anthem, Cary, Krell). I like my Halcro but if it died, I have no idea where I would go today. Likely the Denon until things sort out.

I cant imagine Halcro doing another firmware update to fix the few nuisances that still remain with the SSP 200/220 - even when/if fully recovered. I think all company's have had a heart attack these days... Hence the lack of 'new from the ground up' SSPs. I have never seen it this bad ever. There are literally no choices today for a new tour de force SSP. Yes, Theta has one coming but we'll have to see what bugs it brings.. But nothing from Lexicon, Meridian, Halcro, etc.. Those that have released new products are having some major HDMI issues (e.g. Anthem, Cary, Krell). I like my Halcro but if it died, I have no idea where I would go today. Likely the Denon until things sort out.

What about the Classe SSP 800? It was built from the ground up and has only a few very minor issues. Some reviews are saying its the best at any price. but i guess technically it was released last year, but jsut got a DSP upgrade this month.

I like my Halcro but if it died, I have no idea where I would go today. Likely the Denon until things sort out.

The Denon AVP is a quality pre/pro. I highly recommend it. It's been out for little over a year now, and is still state-of-the-art and has a proven track record. On the other hand, McIntosh is coming out with their MX150 for $12k. You may want to look at that.

I haven't heard it yet myself, but if I were buying an SSP today, I would put the Classe at the top of my audition list. It does 24/192, HDMI 1.3, decodes all present formats, and according to reviews sound quality is among the best, both analog and digital.

I haven't heard it yet myself, but if I were buying an SSP today, I would put the Classe at the top of my audition list. It does 24/192, HDMI 1.3, decodes all present formats, and according to reviews sound quality is among the best, both analog and digital.

I have heard it and its quality is above anything in audio I have ever heard before. I have been saving my pennies ever since then to replace my SSP 600.

Its 2 channel performance rivals the best dedicated 2 channel CD players/pre amps available as well.

And it looks sweet :)

[QUOTE=terrym4;17006364 It does 24/192, HDMI 1.3, decodes all present formats, and according to reviews sound quality is among the best, both analog and digital.[/QUOTE]

Can it actually handle 7.1 channels of 24/192? I was under the impression that although it has 24/192, the actual audio is 24/96? Classe has always made great products. I have heard the Classe set-up. I never got around to hearing Halcro stuff. Whenever I was in Dallas, there is a dealer there, it was always around a holiday and I never got a chance to "hook-up" with the dealer.

I'll have to check it out. Classe' has always made good stuff.

There is also the new simaudio cp-8. I know it is costly, but I here it is one hell of a ssp. I have sold my Halcro 220 and have the CP-8 in hand, but not set up yet. It will be up in running around Sept the first and I will report back.

The cp-8 seems to have only 2 HDMI inputs and one output- that alone kills it for me. I currently have 4 HDMI sources going into my Halcro, and another going directly into my TV. The DACs on the MOON are 24/96 and the HDMI is 1.3a vs 24/192 and 1.3b on the Classe, although of course the proof is in the listening.
I don't know if the Classe can do 7.1 channels of 24/192- I would hope it could at least handle 2 channel audio at 24/192.

Are there any BD discs that are 24/192? In fact, there are only a few that are 24/92.

The vast majority are 24/48 and that is likely not to change.

2 HDMI inputs??? Crazy!

I have the Neil Young Archives blu-rays, which are 2 channel at 24/192. Most hi-rez audio available online is now 24/192, some 5.1, some 2 channel. I haven't run across any 7.1 at 24/192 yet.

There are plenty of hdmi switchers available including the sim piece. I got it thrown in as part of the cp-8. With the econ the way it is its a good time to make good deals. Just have to shop around. In the cp-8 owners manual it state that 2 channel 32-192khz 16/20/24 bits and multi channel 8 channel 32-192/ 16/20/24 bits. Is this what you are talking about. This is for hdmi. there is also one of the digital inputs that does 24/192 at least that is what the manual says. Also the classe site states that ssp800 is 1.3a hdmi(have they changed)?

Also the classe site states that ssp800 is 1.3a hdmi(have they changed)?Not sure if its changed, but its indicates 1.3b here, http://www.classeaudio.com/delta/detail-ssp-800.htm

"Four HDMI 1.3b (High Definition Multimedia Interface) inputs for audio/video sources are supplemented by standard SPDIF (coax) and EIAJ (optical) digital inputs for audio."

and

"The SSP-800 uses HDMI 1.3b primarily to support the component’s long life in an evolving market."

Do you know if the product has passed any compliance testing like here (http://www.digital-cp.com/compliance)?

I cant imagine Halcro doing another firmware update to fix the few nuisances that still remain with the SSP 200/220 - even when/if fully recovered. I think all company's have had a heart attack these days... Hence the lack of 'new from the ground up' SSPs. I have never seen it this bad ever. There are literally no choices today for a new tour de force SSP. Yes, Theta has one coming but we'll have to see what bugs it brings.. But nothing from Lexicon, Meridian, Halcro, etc.. Those that have released new products are having some major HDMI issues (e.g. Anthem, Cary, Krell). I like my Halcro but if it died, I have no idea where I would go today. Likely the Denon until things sort out.

I hope your SSP stays healthy, but the Denon is a good choice if you need a replacement.

I have the SSP-100, then did the upgrade. I had problems the whole year that I owned the Halcro. It sounded nice, but I ended up going through 3 units before finally giving up and getting out of the Halcro. It was an extremely frustrating year.

I switched to the Denon. The sound is on par with the Halcro, and the thing works with every HDMI device I have thrown at it. Firmware updates are timely, and the just works.

I guess Halcro USA coming back is a good thing for current Halcro owners. I will never by another Halcro product, but it Halcro USA coming back probably means more support for the SSP100/200.

These are very very tough times for the relaunch of anything let alone high end audio and HT equipment. What nitch are they attempting to fill? I wish them luck but i would be surprised to see them make it.

Off the Halcro topic, but on the Classe topic, Robert Harley has a glowing review of the SSP800 in TAS (next issue, now online). He calls it the best multi-channel prepro he's ever heard, and compares it favorably to $5K 2 channel preamps.

I hope your SSP stays healthy, but the Denon is a good choice if you need a replacement.

I have the SSP-100, then did the upgrade. I had problems the whole year that I owned the Halcro. It sounded nice, but I ended up going through 3 units before finally giving up and getting out of the Halcro. It was an extremely frustrating year.

I switched to the Denon. The sound is on par with the Halcro, and the thing works with every HDMI device I have thrown at it. Firmware updates are timely, and the just works.

I guess Halcro USA coming back is a good thing for current Halcro owners. I will never by another Halcro product, but it Halcro USA coming back probably means more support for the SSP100/200.

I think the SSP100 upgrade was a complete design failure. I haven't heard one good thing about it. I went to a SSP-200 and never had an issue - most others have been OK as well. I don't blame you, however, for staying away.