🔥AND YOU SAID CLASS D AMPLIFIERS SUCKED!!! 😂😂😂

👉 ULTRA PREMIUM CLASS D AMPLIFIER?!?! - ORCHARD AUDIO
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My Systems ---------------
Main Two Channel -
La Dolce Audio UA2.5v2 SEP integrated.
ABX/LDA (Dan Design)-Baffles
Lumin U1 mini streamer
PS Audio DirectStream MKI
VPI Scout w/ Dynavector 20x2
PS Audio Gain Cell phono stage
AfAudio Bodhi Speaker wires
AFaudio interconnects
Pine Tree Iso Braid Power cables
Studio -
Atoll SDA200 All-in-one Integrated
KEF R500 towers
AfAudio speaker wires and interconnects
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Audial A21 integrated
Eversolo DMP-A6 with LPS upgrade
Klipsch Forte II modded
Dual ABX DIY subs
Crown 2502 Class D for subs
Xbox Series X
75" UHD 4K 60hz tv
WBC Mogami 2549 XLR interconnects
Audioquest Ocean Optic cables
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Custom PC 3060ti
Schiit Bifrost 32 bit
Schiit Valhalla 2
ETA Audio Mini SC headphones
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[@abxaudiophiles]

👉 ULTRA PREMIUM CLASS D ?!?! - ORCHARD AUDIO Come check out the consistently excellent Orchard Audio amps. Their new Ultra Premium Mono Blocks are GREAT!! Old Guy HiFi Review - www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WjpM... BUY HERE - Orchard Audio - orchardaudio.com/abx-audiophi... THE WORLDS ONLY NON-PROFIT CHARITY REVIEWER!! 100% OF PROCEEDS GO TO YOUTH MUSICAL PROGRAMS OVER $8,500 DONATED TO CHARITY 🔥😍💪 www.lineartubeaudio.com/produ... #hifi #audiophile #amplifier NEW WEBSITE - abxaudiophiles.org/ DISCORD - discord.gg/U8tkTczn2m PATREON - www.patreon.com/user?u=81133993 INSTAGRAM - instagram.com/abxaudiophile/ KZbin - kzbin.info/door/SHz... FACEBOOK- facebook.com/profile.php?... ABX-Audiophiles Playlist on all your streaming services - sdz.sh/eBTib5

[@OldGuyHifi]

James, Thank you so much for the shout out. I really did think that the Starkrimson Ultra DMC 2.5 was one of the best amps I have ever heard at less then $20K. Amazing stuff.

[@abxaudiophiles]

Heck yea!! We gotta support each other. And you are always a touchstone for truth in perspective. Cheers. 🍻

[@OldGuyHifi]

@@abxaudiophiles You are too kind. I am very glad to be a part of the ABX community. Thanks so much.

[@andrewfoster4514]

I have the $2000 500 ultra, love it that much I’ve ordered the extra power supply and two capacitor boards for the bargain price of $800. Can’t wait.

[@abxaudiophiles]

Let’s go!!! 👌👌

[@garysarlo2135]

That's what I did. You won't regret it!

[@riccitone]

James, great as always! Thank you for getting us into what the monos would bring in comparo with the other offerings. Can’t wait - and honored- to try your duo on the tour 🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@abxaudiophiles]

@@riccitone heck yea. 👌👌😊😊

[@GavinMurrill]

The price being asked for those custom cables is insane. You can get 25' of that cable for $30 and the ends can be found for $8 a pair. Love the channel and want those monoblocks.

[@abxaudiophiles]

@@GavinMurrill DIY is a powerful space. 👌👌

[@JC.LC.]

Please do interior shots of the gear. It's good to know the internal build of components.

[@abxaudiophiles]

@@JC.LC. all available on his website.

[@mikehuntington4440]

I just picked up a Ncx500 2-chan amp from Buckeye, and been comparing to my Kinki class a/b integrated. Very impressive! New Class D is fantastic.

[@abxaudiophiles]

Rock on! 🤘🏼. Heck yea. 😊👌👌

[@DavidSusiloUnscripted]

I hate talking about price but 2x 150W class D for US$1800 is insane when the price of a stereo pair of Hypex Ncore is only US$200 in small quantities (much less at large quantities).

[@abxaudiophiles]

I think we can be far to "generally speaking" in this case. Have you compared the OA GaN amps to Hypex? Sometimes we place things in a bin together based on generalities without considering the full scope. Also, in my experience, it is all about the entire network and unit as a whole and how it all interacts. These OA amp modules are not some off the shelf, they are a fully custom design by Leo. I have heard some Hypex stuff, its great... But there is something super special about this stuff Leo is doing. Just my 2 cents based on my experiences.. It's the best I can do. :)

[@OrchardAudio]

Thank you very much for your time and effort.

[@abxaudiophiles]

Leo, the pleasure is always ours.. Thank you sir.

[@Fidelity_Sound]

I want to order these but appears we can’t get them until September. Great review sir!!!

[@abxaudiophiles]

I beleive "Pre-Order" is live?

[@OrchardAudio]

Hello. currently the amplifer are avaialble for pre-order. You can place the order any time before we start shipping to take advantage of the discounted price.

[@christophericeman7597]

How about them apples! 🍎 Nice review as always. 🎉 14:42

[@abxaudiophiles]

Thank you, Brother... ;) Much love

[@Rocker6969]

Great review as always, Rock on !!

[@abxaudiophiles]

Thank you kindly!

[@seanb3303]

I want a Class D amp that sounds like First Watt. That would be a unicorn. Neutral amps don’t work for me 😉

[@abxaudiophiles]

Ah, I feel ya! although, this leaves lots of room to taste with a pre amp, streamer, DAC, and source.. ;)

[@clarencehoover6748]

Constructive feedback for next time: What I would like to have seen added to your video is a view inside the nice casework. And also a comparison for how this product technically differs from the circuitry and approaches of the sister monoblocks on offer by Leo. That would have added value for those of us familiar with his prior offerings. Thank you.

[@abxaudiophiles]

@@clarencehoover6748 Good points. All that is on his website. The cheaper amps just have cheaper capacitors and parts. All great. Check out his website for a major deep dive!! To much to keep video in the 15min KZbin happy place. 😊🤣🤣👌👌

[@bengleason508]

Thanks James

[@abxaudiophiles]

👌👌

[@mindhead1]

Great reviews. Why should I get the Ultra Premium over the Premium Mono Blocks? Do the more powerful amps sound better or should I decide based on room size or types of speakers? Is there a discernible difference in sound quality or is it a psychological thing? Same question for the Ultra 2.0 vs the DMC 2.0.

[@abxaudiophiles]

I found that tonally they are all REALLY close. The higher power and better parts in the amp modules as you move up the line lead to better refinement and detail in the sound stage and a more resolving sound overall. Basically the micro details are better presented which leads to a sense of a bit more air and space in the soundstage.. All great tho, just depends on what your budget is really. You can never have too much power, head room, and capacitance.. Personally, I am totally happy with my Duo, but when I drop the premium and ultra premiums in, you can tell. Hope that helps.

[@ascubapro]

Just one word… “Wow” just awesome. Another great review.

[@abxaudiophiles]

thank you ;)

[@babupranav]

It may be the future but the one year warranty is really concerning considering the price of the amps....

[@abxaudiophiles]

Ah, Leo is a great dude. I’ve heard many cases where that’s irrelevant and as long as you didn’t damage it intentionally, he will help out. Awesome guy, awesome company. 😊😊👌👌

[@garth56]

GAN's are def convincing me. Believe me a SE triode monos using GM70's are just incredible but in summer they suck way too hot. GAN's actually get really close to that valve sound..It's almost there and they run cold..I'm looking at my GM70 amps and thinking I hate using my AC when they're on because that's noise in a quiet room.. AGT's look good to??

[@abxaudiophiles]

We’ve had folks who ran AGT and preferred the OA amps. But yea, I runs tubes and some single ended pentode stuff. I feel ya. 😊😊👌👌👌

[@jaysullivan9545]

Less rules. More fun. Absolutely. Nice review. Wuf. 🐻

[@abxaudiophiles]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@StrangeBrewReviews]

TEAC HypexNcore and the NAD purifi, the new primare amp....all fantastic amps.

[@abxaudiophiles]

All great for sure! Wasn’t in love with the NAD stuff. OA is so far my favorite. 😍

[@carminedesanto6746]

GM ☕️🌧️☂️from Toronto. I’m hoping to actually get to hear the Orchard Audio gear ⚙️ at the upcoming Toronto Audiofest 👍 Have a good week 🍻

[@abxaudiophiles]

@@carminedesanto6746 Awesome stuff!! Tell Leo the ABX Audiophiles said hello. 👋🏼

[@OrchardAudio]

Hello. We will not be present in Toronto. The next show we will be at is Capital Audio Fest.

[@carminedesanto6746]

@@OrchardAudio Will there be anyone showing off your gear ?

[@OrchardAudio]

@@carminedesanto6746 at Toronto Audiofest, I don't believe so. You may however check out my amplifiers at Le studio du Son 2391 Guenette St, Montreal, Quebec H4R 2E9, Canada

[@alext.8844]

Time to save up!

[@abxaudiophiles]

Not a bad plan. Also make sure to jump in the discord and get on the OA tour list.

[@michaelsegel8758]

Hi, Not sure which model you're reviewing. The 500W monos are not going to be shipping until Oct? There's the 150W I think are out now.

[@abxaudiophiles]

@@michaelsegel8758 100% Correct. As said in the review these are the ultra premium mono blocks. And should be able to order but it’s pre order I believe. Hope that helps. We’ve had the standard mono blocks and they’re awesome too!! And if you want just one box then look into the DUO or DMC

[@OrchardAudio]

This review is of the 500W Starkrimson Mono Ultra Premium. They will start shipping in septemeber however I do have a few units that I am sending around to reviewers.

[@scottzahn3298]

Wish Orchard Audio would bring back their an all-in-one dac/streamer/amp

[@abxaudiophiles]

Me too!! Although we could buy all the modules DIY and a case. 😊😊

[@soundman2604]

Beer O'Clock!

[@abxaudiophiles]

@@soundman2604 let’s go. 😊😊

[@svtcontour]

Honestly I'd just go for a pair of the benchmark amps

[@abxaudiophiles]

@@svtcontour Interesting, What about your listening to the Orchard Audio Ultra Premium, and your listening to the Benchmark that leads you to that conclusion and recommendation for my viewers?

[@svtcontour]

@@abxaudiophiles Well my reasoning would be based on me having heard the benchmark amps (incredibly clean and fast) and also having them be a known entity that has been fully tested for example at Audiosciencereview - to validate specs. So for me, given I could not find any actual tests for the amps to validate measurements, it would be a pass.

[@OrchardAudio]

@@svtcontour Third party verification has been performed on my amplifiers. If you would like full details feel free to reach out. I also have all the measurements posted on the website.

[@svtcontour]

@@OrchardAudio Oh that would make things better for sure. Let me check out the site first. I was scouring the web for any measurements and didnt come up with much

[@whocares0503]

I only have the standard premium ones and that's good enough for me!

[@abxaudiophiles]

@@whocares0503 me too. 👌👌. They’re amazing. 🤩

[@whocares0503]

@@abxaudiophiles It was a stretch for me to get those. Sure I would like bigger, but do I NEED bigger. My speakers are 90db efficient, 150watts takes them to the limit!

[@abxaudiophiles]

@@whocares0503 100%!! My Starkrimson Duo gives a heck of a good dose to my speakers. That being said, if I had the disposable income, I would take the jump to the Ultra Premium. It’s a pretty good jump up overall.

[@mrpmj00]

My Class D NAD C298 sounds as great as $3k Arcam Pa240. My Class D Parasound Zonemaster 2 sounds great like my Parsound 2125v2. sourc=Apple Music lossless

[@abxaudiophiles]

@@mrpmj00 sweet.

[@user-td1lo9eo2p]

Is the AGD better? And does AGD use something that no else can get ? That’s what I keep hearing

[@abxaudiophiles]

Well. I heard AGD at the shows and it was great. We have members in our community who have compared the two and prefer the OA amps. That’s all I can report. Cheers. 🍻

[@user-td1lo9eo2p]

@@abxaudiophilesAGD claims that they use Gans that are specifically designed for audio, and that’s what makes them better, I currently own the pecan pi plus streamer so I was waiting for someone to review these before I pulled the plug on them. Thanks for responding

[@clarencehoover6748]

AGD makes highly respectable gear by a great designer, but currently their pricing is unapproachable for many of us.

[@user-td1lo9eo2p]

@@clarencehoover6748yes I agree but is it a better technology in his amps ?

[@mrpmj00]

Using a cable adapter from XLR to RCA is not good because of impedence, XLR 4v versus RCA 2v, noise. Better to use XLR to XLR, RCA to RCA.

[@abxaudiophiles]

@@mrpmj00 - Check out Leo’s converter. Good stuff. 👌

[@mrt6349]

Only thing that sux is not being available in Europe, importing is a hassel and expensive.

[@abxaudiophiles]

@@mrt6349 Bummer. 😒😒. That sucks, although I know someone in the UK that just got the DMC and seems happy. 😊

[@OrchardAudio]

Hello. I am not sure what you mean. I ship world wide.

[@pedrocols]

Not a doubt these are great amps but man that's a lot of money for an amp especially when Class D amps are still evolving.

[@abxaudiophiles]

I totally get it. Up until a couple years ago I was a BIG NO on Class D!! I believe tho that it has been evolving since the 40’s? I could be 10 or so years off. But yea so many killer class D offerings from AXXESS, NAD, PS Audio, Orchard Audio, and more. Still, OA is the best I’ve heard so far. But I totally agree with ya 100%.

[@welderfixer]

When I finally grow up I hope to be to afford gear like this. I'm 58 and guess It's not going to happen. F it all!

[@abxaudiophiles]

@@welderfixer Man, I feel ya! Some of this stuff gets expensive quickly. I will say, I’m super happy with my Duo and it’s much more affordable, and as long as you don’t have super hard to drive speakers, it’s all a guy would ever need for the most part…. But damn the Ultra Premium lineup sounds great. 👌👌

[@welderfixer]

@@abxaudiophiles Oh yes Ultra Premium gear is so nice, but..... is unobtainium to the majority of folks. The set-up you have is a dream to me and I'm glad you are having fun with it and your YT channel. It's really nice to see that Orchard Audio has designed his own boards and not using off the shelf amp modules. That seems to make his prices a more realistic value. The "mom and pop" gear has my vote. I just wish I could afford it. I am extremely lucky(undeserving really) to own the gear I have. I've bought everything used, scratch and dent or broken. I have been able to repair most of it and have 3 amps that I still have to repair to 100% usable. I found my 70" Sharp Aquos 1080p TV at the recycle center and fixed in a couple of hours. Love that TV. If the opportunity ever presents itself I would jump at chance to get a couple hours listening to a good high dollar system. I have had the blessing of being invited to the home of a retired McIntosh engineer to listen to his great system of, believe it or not, a very budget hybrid tube amp and affordable DIY kit floor standing speakers with his own crossover design. Awesome is an understatement to what I heard that day. All the very best, Kevin

[@CraciunAlexandruGh]

Nice equipment, happy to see class D is improving at a good rate. But I think you need to learn a tad more about class D amps and ganFet modules before attempting an explanation. A increase in gain is actually a digital amplifier typology, not class D.

[@abxaudiophiles]

I didn't say anything about an increase in gain. I just mentioned the quick switching capability and lowering distortion. ;) Cheers, and thank you

[@adsph]

Well done James. I do like the narration while showing the goods. OA builds are really well done. People speak very highly of them.

[@TheCharlesAtoz]

There are an awful lot of amps in the world.

[@abxaudiophiles]

Endless. 👌👌. And most are great in their own way.

[@davidcross890]

Class D done well definitely does not suck, it's just not currently in the realm of the truly highest performance options available for ultra high end performance discernment requirements.

[@abxaudiophiles]

Have you heard these amps?

[@bilguana11]

But Leo's amps are at the top.

[@abxaudiophiles]

@@bilguana11 From all the high end class D I’ve heard, I’d agree. 👍🏼

[@davidcross890]

@@bilguana11 in your opinion are you commenting that they can not be improved to yield a higher performance experience for a discerning listener?

[@davidcross890]

@@abxaudiophiles heard them in a show environment which many might say or would say it is not an optimal listening venue or environment as it was not amplifying in my own systems or my environment. Respectfully, my required standards are likely quite different than many audio enthusiasts as that of nothing less than all stones turned ensuring the finest of what is possible in the ultra high end level or above is the domain for me.

[@marcgoldin8937]

I can't see why anyone running medium or easy to drive speakers would ever need that much power? I heard some Klipsch Cornwalls on a 12 watt tube amp reach volume levels that could make your ears bleed.

[@abxaudiophiles]

The list is long really. Dampening factor, headroom, capacitance, it’s almost endless really. But yea, I run my baffles and Forte II on a 3 watt single ended pentode amp. Glorious. But there is a HUGE difference in performance and sound between the two. 😊😊👌👌

[@marcgoldin8937]

@@abxaudiophiles Wouldn't that much power overdrive or blow the Fortes? BTW thanks for your quick response to to my prior question.

[@abxaudiophiles]

@@marcgoldin8937 That’s a big misconception. Your speaker is only going to draw what it needs. I had the 500 watt OA amps hooked up to my Forte and was pushing 90db+ spl and they were only using about 12 watts. There is all kinds of videos on KZbin explaining the benefits of high power amplifiers. Less to worry about than most think. Hope that helps.

[@marcgoldin8937]

@@abxaudiophiles Yes it does. The manual for my vintage speakers recommends amps from 20 - 80 watts. I was always afraid that any amp pushing more than 80 watts per channel could damage them. Does this also apply to continuous power amps as well? I hope that I'm not bugging you with my questions.

[@abxaudiophiles]

@@marcgoldin8937 Nah, you’re good. Yea regardless of class A , AB, or D really. For instance. I run a PS Audio P600 regenerator with the MultiWave II board in it. One thing it does in real time is tell me how many watts my system is drawing. Right now on my class AB 300 watt amp, at idle it draws 51 watts, and my system playing at 75db with 80db peaks it’s drawing 72 watts for a drawn from the speakers of 21 watts. That would be the same if I had a 40 watt amp or a 1000 watt amp. Now if I run a class A amp as its not switching on and off and is basically just ON, my P600 Will show a much higher drawn on the power side, but my speaker side will still only read 20 ish watts being drawn by the speakers.

[@amgineacoustic]

So tells us of the Sonic Quality using mediocre Loudspeakers

[@abxaudiophiles]

The OA amps just deliver what you send them from the front end. The "Sonic Quality" is determined mainly by that. In my experience, speakers scale pretty well with higher-end gear. But it all depends on what you consider "mediocre".

[@davidcross890]

Straight wire with gain amplifiers...not even close. In the most honest picture...likely good or better sound but best of best....not even close

[@abxaudiophiles]

First of, nobody said “best of the best”. Secondly, as close as we have heard to it in our community as we’ve had about 30 people get ears on these amps. So yea, if ya haven’t actually heard one, it’s all speculation with zero experience or context. Check em out, fun stuff. Cheers. 🍻

[@dannyfannyfoodle]

Damping, not dampening. It’s not making them wet.

[@abxaudiophiles]

Yea, I know, I get to talking fast.. HA But thank you for the comment.

[@carminedesanto6746]

2:50 Straight Wire with gain ..ah,takes me back to my OG Krell days 🥹

[@abxaudiophiles]

@@carminedesanto6746 😊😊👌👌