Monoblock Madness: Orchard Audio Starkrimson Mono Premium Amps
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- Опубліковано 27 вер 2024
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Previous Orchard Audio videos:
Starkrimson Ultra 2.0: • The Orchard Audio Star...
Pecan Pi+ Streaming DAC: • Streamers: Orchard Aud...
I bought and built the Starkrimson ultra 2.0 kit a couple years ago. It was an interesting experience, but very different from other kits that I have built because the Starkrimson kit has assembled modules that you build a chassis for, then install and wire the modules. Rather than installing a pile of components on to a printed circuit board or hard wiring the components in.
But In the end I had a nice sounding amp that worked well in my setup. The cool part of this approach is that sometime later I decided that I would like to go dual mono with the amp. I built the amp originally with one power supply. To go dual mono, all I had to do was order the second power supply and some wiring and install it. Done! Dual mono amplifier. It did change the sound somewhat. But it was essentially the same amplifier. A little more space. A tighter more authoritative bass. Some other things, but not night and day. But my system is not very demanding and I don’t listen at high volume levels. So In a more demanding setup, a bigger difference would probably be obvious. The amplifier runs so cool too the touch, it takes getting used to.
This was VERY helpful, very telling. Synergy in pairing is always the final determination. Looking forward to how they sound with those Galleons!
Glad you enjoyed it!
I own these ... They are amazing. A lot of my videos feature them with a few different speakers.
I really appreciate what OA is doing .... I'd like to upgrade to the Ultra models. =)
Thanks for the support.
I’m not knocking these little black boxes for sound quality. They’re probably great. Sometimes beauty is in the eye of the listener. My preamp and 45 mono combination have a total of 28 tubes. They are wrapped in half inch thick hand rubbed walnut and have a brass top plate. They not only produce gorgeous sound, but they make me happy just looking at them.
The more tube stages in anything the worse the sound. They look nice though. FYI. I can't listen to solid state but it worked great in the discos
That might be true sometimes. If you’re curious about my 18 tube preamp, do a google search ( Emotive Audio Sira Preamp Scot Markwell. It’s a comprehensive four page look at how it sounds and works published when it was new in 2004 retail $7995.
Just bought a pair from Leo and they’re very good. Very dynamic and faster more controlled bass than other amps I have. They’re a little cleaner at the top end than my Schiit Aegir monoblocks and are a step up in sound quality. I find them to be very good with soundstage depth but I also adjusted my speakers slightly for the different amp/power.
$2,200 is rather pricey but I appreciate your skilled video
Link fixed.
Nicely done 😎👍
4:27 Yea! Bryston!!
I’m running the BHA-1 as my headphone amp ..and it’s freak’n AWESOME 🤩
Dude, you looked seriously 420 in this video. 🐲
It sounds like they would sound great with tape.Tape is the perfect medium for sound quality. It's the most analog sounding of all formats; No ticks or pops. Enough music time on each reel side to avoid getting up in the middle of the recording. Best bass definition of any format. Smoother and "bigger" sound than any format IMO. Factory prerecorded reel tapes are usually more dynamic than their lp counterparts. Really the only format that you can sit back and truly hear nothing but what you are supposed to hear; the accurate sound of the instruments. No noise as with lps, and no slight artificiality at times as with cd. It's all so natural sounding. Have you ever heard anyone complain of a bad factory reel tape? Beautiful consistency and quality control, compared to lps and their "all over the place" pressing quality. As I improve my playback equipment I also think the electromagnetic storage on tape has subtle nuances that you don't hear with cd or lp. Or don't hear nearlynas well.
Tape sometimes does have its problems; sometimes tape can stretch too much or snap. But when it's working right, it is THE most perfect reproduction. Everything else sounds lesser and with obvious problems. If like me, you like older music, try tape. An odd coincidence that the two Class D amp companies that most easily come to mind, both have to do with trees. Peachtree Audio & Orchard Audio.
Good review.
Mr. Pete------->
aging hippie
FYI, the view of the inside you show @ 3:57 is for the Starkrimson Mono “Ultra” Premium, $2,500 each, not the Starkrimson Mono Premium that you are reviewing.
Well done! But a little above my budget! Just out of curiosity? Using cheap (under a $1000 a pair) mono blocks, improved the sound of vintage amps of 40-75 watts per channel at all in your opinion? I understand the pre outs in vintage Amps? I think? But can an ADC Equalizer, then mono blocks into vintage speakers really improve the sound? Or just tuner? turntable? Into a clean vintage amp then speakers using the treble, mid & Bass adjustments be the best bang for the buck sound using vintage equipment? Pioneer & Sansui Amps. ??? Like the Channel a lot, you do a very good job of explaining in detail to the unsophisticated audiophiles to understand the sound vs value aspect of purchasing equipment!
I've had my eye on the Orchard monoblocks for a while, so this review is of particular interest. This confirms both their attributes and their relative inadequacies. Musicality, tonality, the palpable in the room quality and soundstage are what for me separates the very good from the outstanding. I wonder whether a quality tube preamp might go far toward manifesting those qualities when connected to the Orchard monoblocks?
About 50% of my customers use my amplifiers with tube preamps, it comes does to what you are looking for. Bascially the amplifiers take on the sound of the source you plug into them.
@@geoffreydebrito7934 I just bought these and run them with a Supratek Chardonnay tube preamp. It gives me the musicality plus detail and punch that I wanted. Great combo!
I like mono blocks but it’s just too many extra boxes. I don’t like busy set ups. That is just me.
Also I’m not a fan of class D, I prefer class A/B
Would go for the Topping models.
Every class D amp I’ve ever heard sounds dry with no toe tapability.
Review sounded a bit rehearsed and wooden (not spontaneous). Q: How do we know the equipment isn't owned by the host? A: There are no pics of the interior guts, save for some marketing chip glossys (wow!). Please don't be disheartened, as the critique is meant in only the most positive intent.
I am thrilled he is not speeding thru like some others, as I can understand him
I did write a script. The amps are on loan from OA for review. I don’t often open up devices. Thanks.
@@MODAC Sir, you sound like a nice, friendly, unpretentious and natural presenter to me, and very far from wooden. What's more, your content features real-world experiences of real-world gear. Thank you for your work.
I’m finding these off the cuff guys unscripted are as good as you think they are - you a real Millennialism ( a vile mental disorder that transcends age groups ).. style over substance.,
I always like that you talk about out of the ordinary stereo equipment. I bought a used Orchard Pecan plus streamer. I have been very happy with it using Roon & Tidal. Keep up the good work!
Ive yet to enter the monoblock society myself and extremely curious. The starkrimson particularly piques my curiosity, would love to hear FR speaker demos! I still have my tri-amped active towers from the 80's im restoring as well. What makes this interesting for me is that I also have an identical passive set I currently use. Once i have the active set working, ill truly be able to get an accurate idea of the performance difference between the two.
Won't power 20.7s 😮
Please correct me if I’m wrong but it appears from the link you posted that these are $2,500 each, not per pair, although they appear to be on sale for about $2,200 each at the moment.
He linked to the wrong amplifier by mistake. He's going to fix it. The amplifiers in this video are $1250 each..
Link fixed. Thanks
I'm with you. I am thinking about unloading my boat anchor amps and receivers (a Fisher 400 even) due to their weight. I switch stuff out all the time and I'm getting too old. I'm thinking of getting a 47 Labs Arare. Look it up. What do you think? lol.
Thanks for the video,
One would probably need a nice tube preamp for them.
I have many of my customers doing exactly this, it really depends on your preferences.
class D will forever be class D. another aging hippie.
Everyone ages out.. Soon .. there won't be stubborn old school audiophiles to deny the facts of changing technology.
Enjoy your time nay-saying .. it's limited.
@@psyphonyxaudio ..and then we all pass away - thanks