Hercules

This review first appeared in November 2024 on HifiKnights.com. By request of the manufacturer and permission of the author, it is hereby syndicated to reach a broader audience. All images contained in this piece are the property of HifiKnights. – Ed.

Reviewer: Dawid Grzyb
Transport: Innuos Statement, fidata HFAS1-S10U
DAC: LampizatOr Pacific (KR Audio T-100 / Living Voice 300B + KR Audio 5U4G Ltd. Ed.)
USB components: iFi audio Mercury3.0
Network: Fidelizer EtherStream, Linksys WRT160N
Preamplifier: Trilogy 915R, Thöress DFP
Amplifier: Trilogy 995R, FirstWatt F7, Enleum AMP-²3R
Speakers: Boenicke Audio W11 SE+, sound|kaos Vox 3afw
Headphones: HifiMan Susvara
Interconnects: LessLoss Entropic Process C-MARC, Boenicke Audio IC3 CG
Speaker cables: Boenicke Audio S3, LessLoss C-MARC
Speaker signal conditioning: LessLoss Firewall for Loudspeakers, Boenicke ComDev
Anti-vibration conditioning: 1²x Carbide Audio Carbide Base under DAC, preamp and speakers
Power delivery: Gigawatt PC-3 SE EVO+/LC-3 EVO, LessLoss C-MARC, LessLoss Entropic Process C-MARC, Boenicke Audio Power Gate, ISOL-8 Prometheus
Equipment rack: Franc Audio Accessories Wood Block Rack 1+3
Music: NativeDSD
Retail price of reviewed component in EU (incl. VAT): €10'900 with stock tubes, €12'000 with upgraded tubes

Until recently, domestic brand Audio Reveal had just tube integrateds. Earlier this year a very unusual DAC joined the gang. Now it's time to take a closer look. Four years and then some. That's how long it's been since I learnt about the existence of Audio Reveal. Shortly after I was sent their integrated amplifier named Second. This classy machine was styled to impress tube aficionados and ran KT150. Its maker Michal Posiewka applied these beam tetrodes in classic single-ended class A where each channel runs on just one device. Interestingly the man traded some output power of his KT150 for longer life. 20wpc into 8Ω didn't seem much on paper but the Second proved highly competent on control, power and traction. I still think this integrated amp would make a similar impression on me today.

Officially established in 2018, Audio Reveal is relatively new. Michal Posiewka's designs however suggest that he's been in business much longer. Many newcomers release initial hardware with minor or major shortcomings. Audio Reveal's Second loaner delivered to me in June 2020 was made perfectly; silent, mechanically rigid, predictable under stress and assembled with tight tolerances. Every little detail was sorted. The impression of a luxurious product built to last was present and any reason to complain absent. That's important. Whether we like it or not, we also buy this stuff with our eyes. Speaking of, Audio Reveal's conservative styling isn't for those who fancy machined aluminum minimalism. It aims at those who appreciate that a massive plinth festooned with transformer cowls and tubes are essentials without real alternatives. Michal makes products mainly for that audience, in a proven dress code he personally enjoys. Gracefully lit-up tubes happen to be their indispensable eye-pleasing attractions. If there's no need to reinvent the wheel, don't.

Several months back Audio Reveal's roster comprised a total of five fairly similar single-ended dual-mono integrateds. This list opens with Junior (10wpc/8Ω, 2 x 6550), higher up is First (10wpc/8Ω, 2 x KT88) and its improved MkII version (10wpc/8Ω, 2 x KT88) above which sits Second (20wpc/8Ω, 2 x KT150) and on the very top its Signature sibling (21wpc/8Ω, 2x KT170). If I had to guess the newcomer to this integrated party, either a phono or twin-box pre/power team would have been my gamble. Wrong. Michal took a turn into digital and in March this year released the Hercules DAC. You'd think of it as a sensible decision and nothing to get excited about per se. The thing is, direct-heated power triodes and vintage R-2R inside suggest otherwise and also make it quite the standout on a global scale.

Hercules delivered in double cardboard which I was able to handle alone. The inner box with several precisely cut foam liners nests the product, gloves and manual. It also has a separate compartment for tubes. The packaging scheme is modest but practical and generally professional so extraction was easy. Hercules measures 476 x 410 x 220mm WxHxD and weighs 16kg. That's large and heavy for a DAC yet perfectly manageable by one adult. The published specs list 20Hz–20kHz response, 2.7V output voltage and 95W power draw. The USB input supports 24-bit/384kHz, the available S/PDIF inputs 24-bit/192kHz. The vintage R-2R chips inside don't do DSD so native 1-bit tracks will cause nothing but noise. Many people may view this as a major demerit. I don't. DSD represents less than 2% of my collection. These days many streamers and playback software like Roon can convert DSD to PCM on the fly and the problem with 1-bit playback is less severe than years back. Also, Michal is already working on a ΔΣ engine that will support native DSD so in the future Hercules will come with a vintage or modern digital board. When that turns into reality, I intend to compare the two and update this article.