After a lot of research I opted for the Orchard Audio Starkrimson Ultra 2.5 Stereo 500W amplifier. Paired with a tube DAC (Doge 7) and Tekton Design Double Impact speakers. Spectacular performance. Had high expectations but they were dwarfed in reality. For me this is end game. In my opinion the value is unbeatable, compared to high end systems that are many multiples higher cost. This amp will drive your speakers like they are nothing, grab them by the scruff of their neck and shake them ruthlessly with an iron grip, wrapped in the proverbial velvet glove. Unreal dynamics. Front row concert experience thanks to the scale and depth of the sound stage, and the sustain that never ends. Absolute precision, with the ever present potential to deliver just as much fury as prescribed. You will cry.
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Adrian McDermott
I managed rather clumsily to short the speaker terminals of the Starkrimson 25 Premium when something fell across them - note to self, it's very easy to turn the amps off! Leo sent the replacement board (available from the DIY part of the site and excellent value) really fast. It was very simple to replace (two wires to solder, and swap the XLR input to the terminals on the new board) and it is working really well. I was really impressed with the board - the neat layout and clean work.
I had the Fosi V3 mono amps and swapped them in while the Starkrimson was out of action, and switching between them made it clear how superior the sound from the Starkrimson is in terms of finesse, solidity, spatial definition and an overall organic sound. Not entirely unexpected because of the difference in price but the Fosi's have had rave reviews and people asking how close budget amps are now getting to high end designs. My view is "not very", even though I think the Starkrimson amp is exceptional and extremely good value at its price point. And, as is clear in my case, backed by excellent customer service.
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Glenn Kramer
After an email discussion with Leo, regarding driving my Dali Epicon 6's in bi-amp mode, I went with his suggestion to use a pair of Starkrimson Mono Ultra Premium LPS for the lows, and Starkrimson 25's for the highs. They just arrived. My only problem is that my new home in Europe is still under construction, and I am in a temporary apartment while all my gear is in a storage warehouse.
I wound up buying an inexpensive DAC and cheap tube preamp just to have something to listen to. The speakers I am using are Dali Oberon wall-mounts, which I purchased to use as rear surrounds for a HT system. They are not set up optimally. At only 4 inches deep, they are as far from deep bass powerhouses as you can possibly get. They are not bi-amp capable, so I have been swapping the two amp pairs.
Nonetheless, I am completely floored by the sound that I am getting out of these. First using the Starkrimson 25's, the system sounded smooth and pure, with a sweet high end and incredible detail. The imaging was detailed, and there was an amazing soundstage for such small speakers.
I next tried the LPS's... Oh. My. God. All the attributes of the 25's, but the added bass control somehow translates into even more presence and an even deeper soundstage (although the 25's have a slightly sweeter high-end extension and a little more air). I can't believe these tiny speakers with miniscule drivers are producing this kind of sound. I'm transfixed.
I really can't wait until I get the rest of my equipment out of storage and into the new home. If these pint-sized surround speakers, pressed into temporary duty as ersatz mains, can sound this good, I can't wait to hear my regular setup with this amplification. I will update this review once I can give Leo's hardware the proper pairing it deserves. Kudos to Orchard Audio for such an awesome product.
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Gordon Davis
I had a perfect consumer experience with Orchard Audio: the order (pair of Ultra Monos) was in my hands exactly one week after I’d placed it, and in December, no less. The hardware itself delivers on all the promises made in its site listing. The Ultras are my first class D amplifiers after a lifetime of listening exclusively to AB amps and I’m delighted by their precision and refinement. They give up nothing to the Rotel RB 1552 MKII that they replace, and they make me want to audition very challenging loudspeakers. I highly recommend Orchard Audio for their service and for the quality of their products.
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Ian Magrisso
Orchard Audio’s PecanPi streamer, DAC and headphone amp is at the core of my audio set up. I am not an audiophile but this streamer has elevated my game. It's a great value and allows me to stream high res audio via volumio and get the most out of my Sequerra Pyramid MET 7 speakers and planar headphones. Leo has been super helpful and great to work with.
This PecanPI has brought me a lot of enjoyment.
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Bill Chang
Great sound - Love my new Valencia, And Leo is awesome!
Just waiting for my Tungsten to arrive - Can't wait.
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Allan Thornton
Starkrimson Stereo Ultra 2.5-- This amp was purchased to attempt to get the maximum quality out a recently purchase set of Martin Logan ELS (electrostatic) speakers. I had a low end (but powerful) set of class D mono blocks that was supposed to be a short term, temporary solution but . . . I was not satisfied. I finally broke down and spent much more than I had originally planned for a replacement This amp is fantastic (absolutely fantastic) and worth every penny . . . The combination of the ELS and the Starkrimson amp sounds amazingly good. I will be hooking this amp up to a variety speakers around the house and I expect that to be a lot of fun!!!!
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I am
It's actually amazing.... it's also very surprising... I really didn't expect this...I mean... it's so good...I realized immediately that this amp reveals a few layers of ever present micro details that were never heard before... I can start listening to my lifetime music collection all over again...😉 So thank you Leo...my sense for the pleasure reached a new level of plateau I would say...
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Sorin M. Ghisoiu
The Music, Not the Gear: A review of the Orchard Audio Ultra Premium Monoblocks.
After 35 years of listening to music, you develop a deep connection to sound, a language only your ears understand. Over the years, countless systems and pieces of equipment have come and gone, but every so often, something truly special comes along. The Orchard Audio Ultra Premium Monoblocks gave me a feeling that something was profoundly right, and they have reignited my passion for my music collection.
The first thing you notice is a profound sense of clarity. The music doesn’t just play; it emerges from a vault of silence with a purity that is truly remarkable. The subtle details—a quiet breath, the decay of a cymbal, the very texture of a violin's strings—are presented with an astonishing level of detail. The experience moves beyond simple listening and becomes an exploration, a chance to hear the artistry you've always known, but with a new level of intimacy.
This clarity extends to the soundstage and imaging. The amps don't just present sound; they create a holographic space. The stage is expansive, and every instrument has a specific, tangible place within that space. It’s like stepping into the recording studio and being able to walk among the musicians, with their presence perfectly rendered in three dimensions.
And don't let their elegant simplicity fool you. These amps handle demanding speakers with effortless authority. I used them with two pairs known to be a little difficult to drive, and they stayed cool and composed, as if they weren't even working hard. It's a testament to their powerful and stable design.
Perhaps their most unique quality is their neutrality. They don’t impose their own character on the music. Instead, what you feed them is exactly what you get. I’ve paired them with both tube preamps and very precise solid-state DACs, and they always show the true personality of the upstream equipment, like a blank canvas waiting for you to paint the sound you love. For anyone who loves music and wants to hear the most honest, beautiful version of it, these amps are an amazing experience. They simply let the music flow. I honestly couldn’t recommend them enough.