Eclipse TD307 MK3 Desktop Speakers with Chord Electronics Qutest DAC and Anni Amplifier Review
I’m excited to be reviewing something totally different and it is a complete system, not just any system but a desktop system which would be perfect for your office/study for casual listening when you are working but still want high quality stereo for your music. I recently reviewed the outstanding Eclipse TD510Z speakers and they were a complete revelation to me and nothing like I have had before at The Speaker Shack when compared to the conventional type speakers that I have reviewed and that have passed through my listening space, they opened my eyes and ears to what could be achieved from this Japanese speaker brand and it was clear how with their advanced design they had perfected a near perfect performing speaker with stunning imaging and transparency.
The Eclipse TD307MK3 Speakers are an important part of this review but I also have the Chord Electronics Anni amplifier and Qutest DAC powering them, having reviewed quite a few DACs from Chord Electronics this will be a first for me with the Anni amplifier as I have never reviewed one of their amps so was looking forward to hearing the Anni. I am going to break down each component and what they have to offer with the build quality and features for each of them, in this unique and compact desktop system.
Build Quality and Features
Eclipse TD307MK3 Speakers
Having already reviewed the bigger TD510Z speakers the design and technology used in the TD307MK3s is identical except smaller and made for use in a desktop scenario but I could also see them being used as discreet speakers for multichannel use considering how well this design performs and when partnered with a good sub would make a great multi channel package. Using a 6.5cm fiberglass full range driver it manages to extend from 80hz to 25kHz but considering its sensitivity is measured at 80db a fairly good quality amplifier would be recommended, with the 5 pillar diffusion stay holding the driver in place it more or less floats in the egg shaped housing and because of the shape and rigid form of the enclosure internal standing waves is just not an issue, a cone shaped mass anchor is used to keep the driver in place as the forces the driver can generate is considerable. The table top stands keep the TD307MK3 firmly in place and a ball joint allows for tilting the speakers to the correct listening position just like the larger TD510Zs, a mesh metal grill covers the full range driver to protect it and gives these tiny monitors a clean look.
Chord Electronics Anni Amplifier
The Integrated Anni amplifier is a compact unit which has the same dimensions as its partnering Qutest DAC, the amplifier technology used in the Anni has trickled down from the Ultima range of electronics which are extremely impressive having just heard them at the UK HiFi Live Show 2023 and even though rated at 10watts into 8ohms of output it sounds like a lot more seeing how loud it drives the Eclipse speakers, the amplifier allows for 2 analogue inputs and has banana plug inputs for connecting your speakers, also sporting two headphone jacks at the front of the unit as well as a volume dial, gain setting and power button completes this cute but potent amplifier. The build quality as usual from Chord Electronics is exceptional with some good weight and stunning finish in the black but it is also available in silver, depending on what suits your system and partnering equipment.
Chord Electronics Qutest DAC
The Qutest DAC is based around the multi award winning Hugo2 DAC which I currently use in my main system and has some serious number crunching power, this standalone DAC has a multitude of inputs on the rear of the unit, allowing for optical, coax and USB with sampling rates from 44.1kHz to 768kHz PCM and DSD64 up to DSD512 playback. As with all Chord Electronics DACs you have a clear magnified window into the DACs inner workings and with LED illumination changes colour to show what sampling rate is currently playing, a great feature which gives the DACs a unique and high end look and feel to the product, the buttons on the front of the unit also change colours depending on input selection and what filter is being used, the build quality just like the Anni is stunning and exudes high end quality with the Qutest logo embossed into the unit and the chrome Chord label.
Cables connecting all of this up is from the Chord Company and I am using my Alienware laptop to stream music from my NAS drives using Audirvana player and also music from Quobuz and Spotify.
Performance and Sound Quality
I am listening to a variety of music on this system and first off with the Eclipse TD307MK3 Speakers, these are very revealing speakers and let you hear everything on the recording with incredible accuracy and in this instance used as a desktop speaker the nearfield monitoring of music gives stunning results allowing you to have an almost enveloped sound field but with great imaging of vocals and instruments in front of you, closing your eyes and these speakers really do disappear it's almost like having a pair of really good high-end open backed headphones on experience. Listening to Patricia Barber Clique album in high resolution 24bit 96kHz Track 3 Mashup sounds every bit as good as it has done on my my main system, with instruments having an immediate yet tangible sound, double bass is a prime example with every chord plucked, meanwhile you can't help but tap your feet to the musical enjoyment of the music, piano notes have a crispness to them and the percussion has real snap with the drums. Track 6 The In Crowd is an acoustic delight with the double bass twang sounding so tight and beautifully played, Patricia Barbers voice sounds silky smooth with the Eclipse speakers and Chord Electronics combination, the imaging from these speakers really is on another level and when sitting so close to them in this near field monitor scenario you cannot help but be impressed by the performance, allowing you to hear deep into the recording, piano strikes are powerful and yet in some parts as delicate sounding as they should be with notes starting and stopping with great definition.
Stepping up a gear with the album Naked by Talking Heads in 24bit 44.1kHz and track 1 Blind the trumpets rasp is powerful and David Byrnes voice sounds every bit hypnotic in between the low notes of the Saxophone, considering the drivers on the Eclipse speakers are relatively small they manage to reproduce the lower notes with relative conviction, yes it will never be defying the laws of physics but with enough rhythmic drive to make the musical experience enjoyable and to such a high standard, the Chord Electronics Anni amplifier is certainly a potent little amp allowing music to flow and after hearing the full complement of the Ultima range Preamp and Monoblocks driving a pair of Magico speakers recently at the UK HiFi Live Show 2023 it certainly has the same sonic signature of the full size components with a very dynamic and engaging sound, the resolving power of the Chord Electronics Qutest DAC certainly helps with this digging every fine detail out of the music allowing the amplifier and speakers to perform at their best. Track 9 Big Daddy demonstrates their performance perfectly with a great rendition of this excellent piece of music, the bass guitar line throughout the track underpins the rhythm of the music and the harmonica sounds sublime, I can certainly understand why so many recording engineers use Eclipse speakers in the mixing rooms.
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For my final album I am listening to the brilliant Small Talk album by Soda Blonde in 24bit 48kHz, I absolutely love this group and the music that they make, released in 2021 and their first album I really hope that they continue with great success as they are so talented and am totally smitten by Faye O'Rourke's vocals. Track 1 Tiny Darkness starts off with a melodic piano playing before O'Rourkes vocals kick in and the Eclipse speakers rendering them perfectly with an airiness to the sound and the kick drum at the back of the soundstage with each drum beat rendered with good effect. Track 5 is another favourite on this album and constantly on repeat, Terrible Hands is a brilliantly engineered mix with precise instrument placement within the soundstage and this system allows this to shine through, the Chord Electronics Anni amplifier and Qutest DAC really dig every last bit of detail out of the recording allowing you to hear it all. Track 9 Small Talk is a testament to this as the impact and detail of the drumming is tremendous and I don't think my foot has ever tapped so much as it has done sitting here typing this review, OK it will never rattle your bones with deep bass but the rhythmic tone and musicality of the Anni amplifier is never in doubt.
Conclusions and Final Thoughts
This review has been a blast and I have loved every minute of listening to this setup, I have now found the Ultimate desktop system with the Eclipse TD307MK3 Speakers and Chord Electronics Anni Amplifier with Qutest DAC. That old saying that you get what you pay for is certainly true and yes it is pricey with it costing just over £3000 but what you do get is a truly high end sound which is musically engaging and lots of fun playing all types of music, as near field monitors the Eclipse speakers exceed my expectations with a sound that is captivating and this is helped by the sheer quality of the partnering components from Chord Electronics, the Anni Amplifer is multitalented and can also be used as a high end headphone amplifier but in this test used as the main amplification for the speakers and then you have the Qutest DAC allowing every tiny detail to be extracted from the music and rendering it perfectly.
The Speaker Shack awards this system with a coveted Editors Choice award which is thoroughly deserved!
Price at time of review:
Eclipse TD307MK3 Speakers £599.00
Chord Electronics Anni Amplifier £1,300
Chord Electronics Qutest DAC £1,195
https://www.eclipse-td.com/uk/index.html
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