2 thoughts on “Starkrimson Stereo Ultra 2.5”
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This blog post describes the changes to Rev 2.5 of the Starkrimson Stereo Ultra, which also includes the DMC model.
Rev 2.5 of the amplifier has a built-in RCA to XLR converter. The amplifier can now be used with both RCA and XLR sources.
The below image shows the rear panel of the rev 2.5 amplifier.
The image below shows how to use the amplifier with RCA sources. Plug the RCA cables into RCA R. In and RCA L. In. Then use an XLR cable from XLR R. Out to the right amplifier channel and from XLR L. Out to the left amplifier channel.
Note: XLR cables are not provided with purchase.
The gain of the amplifier from the XLR inputs is 19dB. The built-in RCA to XLR converter has a gain of 8dB. Using the amplifier with RCA sources yields a total gain of 27dB.
The image below shows how to use the amplifier with XLR sources. Plug the XLR cables directly into the amplifier inputs.
Do not plug anything into RCA R. In, RCA L. In, XLR R. Out, and XLR L. Out.
The gain of the amplifier from the XLR inputs is 19dB.
Comments are closed.
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Brian Byrne2024-09-07 Before I get to the way the mono’s sound in my system, let me say that Leo is wonderful to deal with. The amps are amazing. They are replacing a Naim Supernait 3 which I like very much but the Starkrimmson Mono Premium outperforms it in every way. Detail, bass, imaging and musicality. In my 45 years in this hobby these amps are the most dramatic upgrade I have experienced. Very highly recommended. stuart brady2024-08-01 I've just taken delivery of the Orchard Audio Starkrimson Ultra DMC 2.5 Power Amp. I was looking for a quality power amp to pair with my Trafomatic Evolution Line one tube pre-amplifier. I was expecting clean and dynamic power from the Starkrimson, and you certainly get that! However, the surprise for me was the finesse and control with which the sound is delivered. As mentioned by others, the control of the bass is truly exceptional. I have Tekton Perfect set speakers (12" driver version) which I have been using with low power tube amps. At 96 db efficiency these are easy to drive but still have 300 W power handling. You would expect the 250W into 8 ohms to be overkill, but it really isn't. It provides a level of control that my existing amps can't match. (Line magnetic 518IA and Enleum Amp 23r). Great as both of those amps are, they can't replicate the bass control that the Starkrimson showcases. However, that's not the whole story. The frequency response across the board is also exceptional. I've heard the "straight wire with gain" analogy and agree to a point. However, the surprise for me was that a number of older recordings I have, that can get into slightly sibilant territory, sound absolutely stellar on this amp. It doesn't round things off at all, but what I'm hearing just sounds more natural and pleasant. I'm not sure if it's just highlighting the virtues of my preamp. The Trafomatic evolution line one is the entry level pre-amp in their line, but it's a wonderfully simple and well-built amp. All I can say is that the match up with the Starkrimson is sublime. I was on the fence with class D amps, but after a fairly short listening session (that ended up being 6 hrs) I am sold! Service from Leo was exceptional, and he was really helpful getting the amp to New Zealand and helping to navigate our wonderful import controls. I can't recommend this amp highly enough. It's superb and a steal at the price. Drew Pflueger2024-06-10 I'm so impressed with the huge improvement that The Orchard Audio PecanPi + DAC/Music Streamer has made in my audio system. The detail in sound is immensely improved. I am hearing detail in music that I never realized before, wow. Also, getting support at Orchard Audio was no problem. Leo answered and walked me through a few set-up questions. 5 Stars!! Suwat T2024-05-17 Leo is always easy to work with, honest and straight forward. I've owned his Pecanpi DAC/Streamer in the past and currently demoing his monoblocks. If you want to support a stellar independent American audio company, Orchard Audio is the spot! Mike Hanson2024-05-09 Exceptionally impressive products and excellent support! Highly recommended!!!! E Lins2024-02-12 Friendly place, honest and knowledgeable guy. Direct and frank exchange, business-driven up-to-the-point purchases. Wing Ng2024-02-11 Leo was great to deal with and responsive in working with me to make sure I was satisfied with his amp. Robert Audet2023-07-18 If Leo was a DAC, he'd be top of the line for sure. Few years back when I first heard of Orchard Audio, checked their initial product which was right up their with this new trend of SBCs out of the UK which made robotic learning for kids the new hype, as well as low cost, high quality devices for men and their guilty pleasure, the SOUND. What made it very interesting is that in the world of RaspberryPi, HifiBerry and so many others, you had this company who's owner and creator was a rock star among us men. Everyone was talking about Leo this and Leo that. The product reviews, although always among the most recommended, still came after all the praise for Leo. Yesterday I got my Orchard-Audio PecanPi Streamer from a private vendor. The unit was 2nd hand, it arrived in a box with nothing else but a note: Enjoy the music. Of course nothing worked as I had hoped it would and I was left with no other choice but to contact the company for HELP! I got on a chat line with someone at the company and that person soon discovered that we were both talking different languages and where could not even described my new purchase correctly. Well lucky for me, that person did not give up on me, he tried one thing, and then another, and this went on until we hit a key word that brought us together on the same page, with a sudden clear understanding of what I had to do. 45min. that's all it took after that for me to get my new PecanPi Streamer connected, with a new SD card in and a fresh configuration. That was the moment when music started playing, not any kind of music, but for me at least, the MUSIC that I as a man have been evolving to. I have now reached plenitude and am now ready to die if I must, but before, please let me listen to that music a little while longer. Oh!, did I mention that the poor sole at the end of the chat, the one who walked me through Dante's Inferno, well, yeah it was indeed...Leo. Leo thanks for the MUSIC and for being you. Robert Audet Robert A Rust2023-07-01 Leo, after our discussion at the Florida International Audio Fest, I am so glad that you built a three channel amplifier, the Duo/Trio. Just having a single power cord to get your amplification over three mono amps with power supplies and power cords is a great help. More importantly, it goes extremely well with my tube amplifier used for my front speakers. I think the GanFet class D works well for the other three speakers because it matches closely to the power rating of the tube amp, adds clarity to the center channel, and balances the frequency in the rear speakers, without competing with the front speaker pair. I also think that the use of the RCA to XLR converters are important to use instead of XLR to RCA cables. The increase of 6 dB improves the sound and allows the Duo/Trio to work optimally. Why buy an amplifier and then not use it to its full capacity? Anyone who wants to purchase this three channel amp, or any other of your amps, should seriously consider adding these converters to their system. To this point, I like the converters so much that I am ordering a third for my tube amplifier to insure that I am getting a fully balanced performance. Great job all around, thank you for taking the plunge. I hope this amplifier helps all of those people looking to upgrade their amplifiers using an Audio Video Receiver or processor, including those with tube front channels. Ronald Hale2023-06-16 Leo is awesome! He is the owner. Very quick shipping! Great product! And great customer service. I have asked way too many questions. And he always answers the same day.
Excellent Leo! The 2.5 has it ALL! 😎
Even though much of the audiophile world is moving to XLR, there are many who still require RCAs. It’s nice to see this level of flexibility from your products!