500 watts per channel into 8 ohms:
Our 500-watt/8-ohm per-channel power rating for the Hercules II Stereo is actually pretty conservative; it’s really more like 550 watts. And 750 watts into 4 ohms, and a full 1 kW into 2 ohms. Thanks to its increased power supply capacitance and ample cooling capacity, the Hercules II Stereo drives low-impedance speakers with ease.
Modular circuit concept:
Instead of achieving the Hercules II Stereo’s in the traditional way—just bulking it up with more output devices—we build it from numerous 125-watt single-ended modules. It thus has the musicality of smaller amplifier, and the power and control of a large amplifier.
Balanced drive design for superior musicality:
In the Hercules II Stereo, as in all Constellation Audio amplifiers, both the positive and negative halves of the audio signal see exactly the same type of output devices: N-type transistors. In other amps, the transistors are half N-type and half P-type, resulting in an inherent signal imbalance.
Inherently stable circuit design:
Our circuit design combines high bandwidth with inherent high stability. Unlike many high-powered amplifiers, the Hercules II Stereo does not need a Zobel network at the output terminals to ensure stability at high frequencies.
Dual-mono design with one 3,000-watt transformer per channel:
Each of the Hercules II Stereo’s channels has its own custom-wound, 3,000-watt toroidal transformer. Both transformers contain multiple isolated sets of windings to supply independent power feeds to various circuits within the amplifier. The isolation of the windings assures consistent voltage and current supply to all of the amplifier’s circuits, regardless of the demand placed on those circuits. Because each channel has its own transformer and supply capacitors, it is unaffected by the operation of the other channel.
High-efficiency passive cooling:
With more than 1,000 watts total power into 8 ohms, the Hercules II Stereo demands a constant, free-flowing supply of cool air. To achieve this without the use of fans, we incorporate two huge heat sinks and hundreds of large ventilation ports to minimize airflow impedance and maximum cooling.
Perfect balancing through Line Stage Gain Module:
The Hercules II Stereo incorporates two Line Stage Gain Modules, one for each channel. This module uses servo circuits and hand-selected FETs to assure that all incoming signals are perfectly balanced by the time they reach the amplifier stages. This is the same exact circuit found in our Altair II and Virgo line stages, and in all of our source components.
Constellation Direct balanced interface:
If you are using a Constellation Audio preamplifiers, you can use the Hercules II Stereo’s Constellation Direct input. This input bypasses the amplifier’s Line Gain Stage Module, which simplifies the audio chain for the best possible detail and musicality.
Specification:-
Inputs 4 XLR (2 Constellation Direct), 2 RCA
Power output, 8Ω (1 kHz @ 1% THD+N) 550 W
Power output, 4Ω (1 kHz @ 1% THD+N) 750 W
Power output, 2Ω (1 kHz @ 1% THD+N) 1 kW
Outputs metal binding posts
Frequency response 10 Hz to 100 kHz, +1/-0.5 dB
Gain 32 dB
THD+N (1 kHz @ rated power) Less than 0.05%
Output impedance 0.05Ω
Damping factor (8Ω load) 150
Input impedance 10KΩ unbalanced, 20KΩ balanced
Output noise Less than 500 µV, -100 dB @ 250 watts
Weight 220 lbs / 100 kg
Dimensions 13" / 330.2mm x 19" / 482.6mm x 32" / 812.8mm (hwd)