It’s time to take a look at an exceptional audio upstart company, Orchard Audio led by Leo Ayzenshtat. The amplifier product line revolves around class D amplification but unlike Chi-fi class D, Leo designs his equipment from scratch, in the last few years he developed quite a dedicated following.
Having done several class D reviews, and hearing the growth from the flat, cold, sterile sound of nearly 20 years ago to what is now, a mainstream amplification option, I felt it was important to get my ears on an Orchard Audio amplifier. Therefore, after an introduction by Ed Holmwood of Old Guy HiFi, I emailed Leo and received a very timely response. In it, he asked which of his amplifiers I’d be interested in. I requested one of stereo amplifiers and approximately 10 days later Starkrimson Ultra arrived at my very rural home.
The Starkrimson Ultra’s faceplate is pretty unique in that it is etched with the Orchard Audio tree logo on the left and the amplifier title on the bottom right. Otherwise it is very straightforward, utilitarian cabinet. Dead center is a white LED power light, that’s it. Around back on the left side are the right speaker binding posts in its white outlined section, with the balanced input next. In the middle third of the panel is the left binding post and the left balanced input. In the left third section there is the RCA right input, the XLR right output, RCA left input, XLR left output, and finally the power receptacle and master power rocker switch. Through some sort of optical illusion, the overall width of the amplifier appears wider than it actually is at 17 3/4 W x 14 1/4D x 4H, finally, the 4 feet that Leo uses are of high-quality and designed actually to absorb vibrations. A very nice touch.
The Starkrimson Ultra is rated at 250wpc into 8 Ohms and 500wpc into 4 Ohms using GaN-fet technology. The impressive thing about GaNfet for those who aren’t aware is that the switching mode takes place 10 times faster than traditional class D. In doing so it eliminates some of the transient noise. What you get is akin to a moonless, cloud-free night int the middle of nowhere blackness to the sound. Now, I’ve had the Peachtree GaN 400 around for a couple years, so I consider myself quite comfortable with the GaN-fet sound. When paired with the correct preamplifier and speakers GaN-fet can be outrageously wonderful.
What’s the difference between the Starkrimson Ultra and the GaN 400? Well, under casual listening while you’re preoccupied doing something else, the answer is not much if anything at all. But when you sit down and are focusing on the listening, that’s where the differences come out. Specification-wise, the biggest one is that while the GaN 400 is 400 W per channel into both four and eight ohms, the Starkrimson Ultra doubles from 250 to 500 at four ohms. When you listen to dynamic passages, especially with hard to drive speakers such as those under 86DB and 4 Ohms which includes both my Buchardt S400 mkII’s, as well as Magnepan .7’s, that’s when you hear the difference. The Starkrimson Ultra is able to deliver power and torque that the GaN 400 just can’t match. This is no slam regarding the GaN 400. It’s a fine amplifier and under most normal circumstances, especially like I said, with many speakers it will do just fine. It’s just that when you need the extra grunt the Starkrimson Ultra pulls ahead.
Peeking under the hood, you’ll see that there is plenty of unused space. That’s the beauty of Class D amplification. The largest board on the front left of the photo, is the power supply with quality components throughout. Along the back left are the XLR outs, as well as the RCA inputs. The two boards on the back right are dual mono amplification channels. Two things to keep in mind, Leo offers the DMC version of the Starkrimson Ultra at $4299, that includes a second power supply board for a true dual mono design in one chassis, as well as upgraded power rail capacitance. The second consideration, is that the Starkrimson Ultra can be purchased in a kit form for you DIYer’s out there.
Gear Pairing
Let’s talk about equipment matching. On first hook up the Starkrimson Ultra, I was using the Peachtree PreDAC as the pre-amplifier. Then shifting to the WiiM Ultra, and FiiO K9 in preamp mode while I patiently waited for an opportunity to connect to a tube preamplifier I was hoping to get in for review, but didn’t make it. To stay consistent, I made sure to use my Denafripps Ares II DAC with matching Iris DDC. Near the end of the review, I even took the opportunity to use the Peachtree Carina X in preamp mode. With all of those combinations, Starkrimson Ultra exhibited exactly what Leo said, it is an amplifier that didn’t impart its own sound at all, but reflected the qualities of the preamplifier and source. With the PreDAC it was very analytical and for me personally not a great match. The WiiM Ultra definitely revealed some weight in its output with the Aries/Iris because of the R2R ladder DAC design. This was by whisker the most enjoyable of DAC units. Coming in close second was the FiiO K9. The two-chip AKM DAC design really creates a detailed, but still slightly warm presentation. The Carina X in preamp mode was also a worthy match, but of course, why would someone have that combination?
On a grin, I hooked up the Douk Audio P1+ preamplifier. Now this little bit of Chifi has an onboard DAC, but I put the Ares II/Iris combo into the chain. The result convinced me I had to locate a tube preamp. A social media reach out followed by a couple of phone calls and I was able to borrow a vintage Conrad Johnson PV5 preamplifier. Within two minutes I knew that from my listening preferences, the combination of the Starkrimson Ultra and a tube front end is the brass ring to my ears. Now, some of you will want to go with solid state and I fully appreciate that that is your listing style. Leo himself told me that about half of his owners use a tube preamplifier to meet their personal Nirvana. The harmonic warmth in combination with the clarity and the fast transience and dynamic capability is something that needs to be heard.
I realize that for some the idea of vacuum tubes is a bridge too far the impeccable measurements that Starkrimson Ultra provides. But if you watch my friend Ed Holmwood, of Old Guy Hi-Fi discuss specifications in a recent video of his then I hope you’ll understand where I’m coming from, because as I’ve stated before when I was young back in the early 80’s, I was all about measurements. I was consumed by them. I read up on Matt Otala and his work regarding negative feedback and such, but somewhere in the last 18 years, I shifted into focusing on the soul touching that can happen with equipment. That synergy is more important than absolute measurements. Specifications disappear in what you’re left with is how well you are engaged with the music. For me that has become my Northstar when it comes to equipment, “Am I getting lost in the music?”
Therefore, when properly paired with the pre-amplifier that you find best suits your personal synergy bull’s-eye, the Starkrimson Ultra is a real sweetheart. Listening to Kenny Loggins “Celebrate Me Home”, with the beautiful quiet middle passage with the upper keys of the piano being lightly tickled while in the deep background, while a chorus sings was an emotional connection for me that I can’t deny.
Pulling up any number of tracks by the Piano Guys with their insanely recording clarity and an equal amount of sound stage, is not only fun but seriously exciting to hear. The detail and richness with that special speed class D delivers. Harry Chapin‘s classic “Segue”, with his narrative vocals, the Starkrimson Ultra captures the subtle nuances of his voice while v-arious background instrumentation has space and air. There were subleties in the song I never really noticed before that the Starkrimson Ultra was able to deliver in combination with the Buchardt S400 mkII’s.
I have felt that class D and Magnepan are a terrific match with the caveat that it has to be a class D that can deliver the current necessary. With the GaN-fet modules the noise that I detect with solid state amps in my .7 is all but banished. There’s a definite next level of clarity to this combination yes even with the vintage PV5 now I will not deny that the absolute last level of trouble detail has been slightly sanded and smooth. But there is still such a terrific amount of detail present. With the Magnepan .7’s in my 11 x 10 room, there’s a sense of scale that makes this planar speaker special in my space. The Starkrimson Ultra is able to deliver the necessary dynamic power to not only bring these speakers alive, but at the same time, it’s one that fills the entire room and allows me to move around instead of being stuck in a pinpoint position. The Dire Straits track “Where Do You Think You’re Going”, the shimmering symbol to open the song reviews the beauty of class D, while Knopfler’s wonderful guitar is surrounded by the drum thump, with it kicks in and the absolute clarity of the base tom is stunning. This track in many ways epitomizes so much of what the Starkrimson Ultra can do for a system impaired with the right equipment.
Caveats
Class D, much like tube amplifiers does require far more awareness of speaker matching than solid state models. Thus, speakers with a very open top end, such as Paradigm, Totem, Focal, and B&W to name a few, should be audition carefully due to the outstanding clarity that the Starkrimson Ultra provides. I brought in a pair of budget Focal’s that I use in my garage/shop just for a short test. Even with the PV5, it wasn’t a pleasant experience.
The Starkrimson Ultra with the Magnepan .7’s left me slightly wanting was female vocals. I noticed with Karen Carpenter, Billie Eilish, and Diana Krall, that there is still a slight flatness that the PV five couldn’t quite expand compared my reference amplifier, the solid state Galion TSA 75. I detected much less difference with the Buchardt S400 mkII’s. Once again showing how important synergy is and the importance of spending many hours listening before making a decision, rather than 10 or 15 minutes before pulling the trigger to purchase.
Final thoughts
Experiencing the Orchard Audio Starkrimson Ultra at $2799 once again makes me feel that the class D community of fans is in good hands for the future. I had worried when we lost Tommy O’Brien to COVID, and his terrific class D engineering mind, that it would take many years to find a new champion. Leo’s almost fanatical pursuit is a welcome addition. The fact that he even designed this in kit form as well as various upgrade options so that the buyer can tailor what they want is something special for the solder jockeys out there.
Therefore, if you’re looking for terrific clarity, top notch, resolution, point point wiring, in high power, especially for speakers, such as Magnepans, I cannot encourage you enough if you’re in the market get in touch with Leo at Orchard Audio and give yourself some time with the Starkrimson Ultra or another one of his amplifiers, they are the real deal. My highest recommendation.
Link to Specifications
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