Leo's Blog – Orchard Audio

Starkrimson Stereo Ultra Goes On US Tour

December 14, 2022 No Comments

A Starkrimson Stereo Ultra ($2900 configuration) amplifier is currently touring the US. Everybody is welcome…

Orchard Audio to Present at Speakerfest 2022

July 7, 2022 No Comments

I am proud to announce that we will present at the 2022 Speakerfest in Phoenix,…

Amplifier Placement

May 8, 2022 No Comments

Many people talk about speaker placement, and I agree this is very important. However, amplifier…

How To Calculate Audio System Noise

April 17, 2022 2 Comments

Product specifications often list the signal-to-noise ratio, sometimes written as “SNR” or “S/N,” but what…

PecanPi DAC/Streamer FAQ

March 25, 2022 No Comments

Streamer Questions: 1. Can an external DAC be used with the PecanPi Streamer?Yes. An external…

How Much Amplifier Power Do I Need?

March 22, 2022 No Comments

I cannot tell you the number of times I have heard a conversation about amplifier…

Michael Valentiner

2022-12-29

Orchard Audio Starkrimson Stereo Ultra Review Michael Valentiner A big thanks to Leo for the opportunity to evaluate the Orchard Audio Starkrimson Stereo Ultra amp. It is hard to add anything that hasn't been already said about this amp. It is detailed, dynamic, lively, has well defined bass, etc. Superlative in many aspects. Detailed, smooth, and bright. Musical notes are very articulate and distinct from one another. Great separation of musical instruments. Percussion instruments are rendered in great detail. I was hearing things I hadn't heard in the mix before.

Riley Leclerc

2022-11-26

These little monoblocks paired with the streamer as a pre-amp is the smallest footprint endgame stereo set up out there.

stuart cadman

2022-10-08

I bought a PecanPi 18 months ago yet Leo didn't hesitate to advise on solving a technical issue I ran into today. Top Man!

Arnold Panganiban

2022-09-22

I recently acquired the Pecanpi Streamer Ultra with the PiCorePlayer pre-installed. Since I have more experience using Volumio, I flashed a new micro SD card with the latest version of Volumio. I had a few questions and needed some guidance so I got on the phone and called Orchard Audio and got no answer, but almost immediately I received a text from Leo stating that he was not available to talk at that moment. So I texted my issue to him and he was more than willing to help me out. He was able to guide me with the IS2 driver to use and additional config tips to successfully configure Volumio. So thank you Leo for your awesome customer service. So a quick personal review on the Pecan Pi Streamer Ultra performance. By no means I am a pro, but will give you my honest opinion on how the Streamer Ultra fared with my system. Let me start with the audio setup - Rogue Audio Cronus Magnum tube integrated amplifier, Magnepan LRS speakers, Zu Audio Speaker Cables, Schiit Audio Bifrost 2 Multibit DAC, Music Hall MMF 5.0 turntable with Denon DL103R MC cartridge and Blue Jean Cable interconnects. When I asked Leo on which connection method would be better, the PecanPi DAC or through my Bifrost 2 DAC. He told me that the PecanPi should sound better. I listened to him and connected it via the RCA outs to my Cronus Magnum. I must admit, it sounds really good! I have tried different DACs over time - the Schiit Modius, the Bifrost 2, even the Yggdrasil, Topping D90... -- All of them sounded great with good soundstage and imaging, but I felt that there is a very ever so slightly lacking clarity on the upper mid highs, i.e. when the drumstick hits the cymbals... The PecanPi Streamer Ultra delivered. Do not get me wrong but the Bifrost 2 is an awesome DAC and will continue to use it. But the Ultra gave me what I have been wanting. Just want to say, PecanPi Streamer Ultra earned my respect and will stay in my system. The Bifrost 2 and my DIY Raspberry Pi streamer with HifiBerry Digi+ Pro will go in my second system. Keep up the great work and awesome customer service, Leo! Wish List for the Streamer Ultra - a power button.

G W

2022-09-20

Starkrimson Stero Ultra- I’ve had this for almost a year now. It’s an excellent addition to my system”klipsch Heresy, Moon Mind II streamer. Musician Pegasus Dac. I love it . Natural, open, dynamic sound. It replaces wyred 4 sound and PS Audio.

Dameon Jamie

I am a very proud owner of 3 devices from Orchard Audio. I have a a PecanPi Streamer connected to a pair of Starkrimson Monoblock Amplifiers from OA driving a pair of KEF LS50's. The sound is detailed, organic, clear, emotiv and live. I also have a PecanPi streamer between a ROON NUC and a Yamaha RX-V60 Receiver driving a pair of Australian made Orpheus Aurora loudspeakers. That setup again feels like the artist is in the room. I have looked at many other streaming devices and all in one solutions. I find that Orchard Audio devices are just better delivering high quality audio that is true to life.

Sepand Shahab

2022-08-22

I have a pair of starkrimson monoblocks and they are just stunning. Suuuuuper transparent with none, nada, and zero of the annoyingness of older class d amps. Acoustic music sounds phenomenal through these and I love the added bonus of no heat buildup! My $4000 class A amp is now up for sale. Thanks, Leo!!!!

Keith Peterson

2022-07-24

Orchard Audio is - amazing! My product, the PecanPi hits way above its weight in terms of simplicity and sound. Actually, to my ears, it sounds better than streamers costing 4 times its price. Best of all, Leo provides better support to owners than any competitor. He responds immediately to questions and has provided invaluable guidance on the operation of my PecanPi. In short, if you want someone actually standing behind your product who built it, Orchard Audio is it. Bravo!

Brendan O'Malley

2022-07-07

I purchased two PecanPi streamers to use as Roon endpoints for my whole-house system. Totally blown away by the value. Listening is subjective, obviously, but to my ears these far exceed the Sonos Ports they are replacing, not to mention that the PecanPi supports HiRes formats that Sonos does not. Orchard's customer service is also excellent and responded quickly to my questions. Highly recommended.

koray pars

2022-07-04

On June 25th, we had a big test planned for "PecanPi + Raspberry 3B" vs "AudioNote Dac 2 Signature + DigiOne Raspberry +3B" vs "Lenco 75 Turntable". The amplifier is Extremely modified Jolida 502B with Tannoy DC speakers. I first heard PecanPi in an audition in Hamburg and were really impressed by it so I adviced it to my friend and somehow he got his hands on one (before me!!!) During set up we had one problem which we thought we could overcome with some easy connections, my amp did not have any XLR but I knew that Pecan comes with RCA bindings so we checked internet (rather than PEcanPi site) and did the connections. AND it did not work!!! After reading a lot we found out that typical XLR to RCA does not work for PecanPi. During this struggle we have received incredible support via Whatsapp chat, I mean really incredbile. I dont know how to describe it but our very specific problems (including some hum due to wireless issues) were solved by the admin. So... results: PecanPi combo won hands down over AudioNote DAC 2.0 Signature combo. At some tracks it was super difficult to distinguish the differences but 3D soundstage, resolution + detail, presentation, PRAT was better or at least the same level as 10 times expensive (and huge) setup. Maybe the bottle neck at AN DAC 2,0 side was the bridge, I dont know.... There is definetely a room for improvement there but this little gem is a killer. Definetely give a big challange to 10 times over priced competition and mostly wins. With Turntable (Lenco 75 with Ortofon 2M Bronze and super modified phonostage, arm cables etc) it was more emotional.... We like Turntable sound... somehow more addictive, a little wider and deeper soundsage and more flowing presentation... I dont announce any winner there because as said, it is relatively emotional. But big big respect and appreciation to Orchard Audio... it is magical