This is the best audio review video I have ever watched. You didn't just string a bunch of glowing adjectives together with a "trust me" at the end. You backed everything up with objective reasons. You have such a natural talent for this that you MUST do more.

@2ChannelListening

7 ай бұрын

Thank you for your very kind words! Glad you were able to find value in this review. I plan on keeping at it, be it at a slower pace than most. Cheers.

I appreciated this review and look forward to your observations on upgrades, such as the capacitor board.

@2ChannelListening

7 ай бұрын

Yes sir, thank you.

Glad to hear from you again, looking forward to the next review.

@2ChannelListening

6 ай бұрын

Much appreciated, thank you Sean.

I run this brand, the Starkrimson monos and by virtue of that alone I probably have the best sounding Ls50 Metas around.

@2ChannelListening

7 ай бұрын

There you go! Cheers

@Audfile

7 ай бұрын

@@2ChannelListening I opted for the Gan Power supplies as well, I imagine that upgrade was worth it. I want to get the mega amp next for my Magnepans.

Great review, and congrats on the new job

@2ChannelListening

7 ай бұрын

Thank you! Cheers!

Jason, thank you very much for your time and effort.

@2ChannelListening

7 ай бұрын

My pleasure! Thank you for the opportunity Leo. Class act 👍

Aaaand were back! Good to see ya as well a new video! youve been teasing the amp for a month, interested to watch and see your thoughts...here we go.

@2ChannelListening

7 ай бұрын

Thank you! 🙏

Thank you for another review!

@2ChannelListening

7 ай бұрын

Thank you for watching!

Subscribed. Like your style and no bs way of describing your observations.

@2ChannelListening

5 ай бұрын

Welcome aboard! Thank you sir!

Thank you for comparing this with the Peachtree, I was very curious about how that would sound! I have the tiny little Starkrimson 150w into 4 ohms monoblocks (with the upgraded power supply). I did not need the power of the big boys because I run an active discrete all analog crossover (SPL Audio), so they only handle from 120 hz up. I am also using studio monitors (Amphion Two18) which are ruthlessly revealing. In all my years I have never had a more truthful, revealing, yet easy on the ears amplifier. I can now listen all day long with pleasure, yet I am hearing more glorious detail (in well recorded or produced material). Ear fatigue be gone. By the way, watching the movie DUNE on HBO is a revelation. Beautiful sound design! If you want to upgrade, I personally recommend building a full dual mono kit. In all my testing over the years I found sonic benefits to using fully separate units that do not share a power cord. This even works with using stereo amps. I would just use one channel of each amp (when they are not able to run in bridged mode). Orchard Audio is highly recommended!

@2ChannelListening

6 ай бұрын

thank you for sharing your experiences DG. Appreciate your contribution.

@OrchardAudio

6 ай бұрын

Thank you for your support and kind words.

We need to get a shoot out going between this amp and the VTV Purifi. Preferably with the tube input stage. It would be great to hear how they compare. I built the Philharmonic BMR because of your review, and a great decision that turned out to be. Hoping that one of these Class D amps would pair well with them.

@2ChannelListening

7 ай бұрын

Didn’t know VTV is now offering a tube input stage, huh 🤔. Cool. Thank you for the feedback.

@kevinusta7534

7 ай бұрын

@@2ChannelListening Tube Buffer

Great review!

@2ChannelListening

7 ай бұрын

Thank you ☺️

Good to see you back!

@2ChannelListening

7 ай бұрын

Much appreciated 👍

Good to see you back. Interesting review. I almost had a taste of GaN technology in my system recently. Missed out on a reasonably priced local used pair of AGD monos! 😠 Keep ‘em coming!

@2ChannelListening

7 ай бұрын

I’ve heard nothing but glowing endorsements for AGD amps so far. Thanks for watching.

I just pre-ordered and received Leo's new modular Premium monoblocks. I heard them at an Orchard Audio Open house. Soooo clean and open sounding! And for just ovet 2k I have something awesome!

@2ChannelListening

16 күн бұрын

Congratulations 👍

Hi Jason glad to see you again!!!

@2ChannelListening

7 ай бұрын

Thank you 😊

What a wonderful video... Thank you.

@2ChannelListening

7 ай бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it! 😊🙏

gracias señor excelente evaluación .

Nice to have you back

Thank you for the insightful review! Do you think Leo will let you review the upgraded Monoblock Ultras in the future?

@2ChannelListening

7 ай бұрын

Time will tell. Thank you sir!

wow its been 6 months? great to see your content again.

@2ChannelListening

7 ай бұрын

Thank you 😊

Thank you for the thorough review. Hope you can compare this amp to the VTV Purifi Eigentakt Class D amp.

@2ChannelListening

4 ай бұрын

Thank you for watching.

Interesting and building it as a kit upgrading parts as you wish sounds like a no brainer

@2ChannelListening

7 ай бұрын

It is a great option for those seeking something different, yet do not have to fear for any performance anxiety.

@jedi-mic

7 ай бұрын

Yes and easy adaption I can't see why it should be so expensive just a circuit board with capacitors in parallel. Use bipolar capacitors would be better less noise or split film capacitors like dmn caps, what have EMI rejection@@2ChannelListening do you know what the standard capacitance is?

@2ChannelListening

7 ай бұрын

Have you priced out all the components and left room for a decent profit to the manufacturer? @@jedi-mic I see less powerful GaN mono's on the market without the robust power supply or feedback module for not a whole lot less.

@jedi-mic

7 ай бұрын

What I've seen is a unpopulated PCB x2 well if you had made for yourself would be about a $2 the PCB you can buy off the shelf, so if they're manufactured in bulk I'm assuming probably about 40 cents each, the capacitors used didn't look expensive something like Kemet caps be ideal, low ESR, this can vary from 50 cents each to 10 dollars or more, but a good bipolar electrolytic low ESR shouldn't be expensive under a 2$ each. Both these boards go on the amplifier stage not the power supply module, there is nothing for the power supply module, what would be good is to put a 1F 275 volt X2 film capacitor on the input to the power supply and one 0.1uF on the output from the power supply, I don't believe they have on the board couldn't see it, and a another benefit would be to reduce EMI noise radiating from the power supply ideally isolating it with a piece of Steel wrapped around the power supply or in its own Faraday change, and on the output from the power supply to the modules a green fahrenite bead two in line one with one turn on the bead and the other one straight through. Somebody reported noise from the power supplies not something you've noticed? Slight hum they said when up close but doesn't come through the speakers, So back to your question? No it shouldn't be expensive to have the two extra power supply storage units under a $10 for both if you acquired them off the shelf yourself, you said something about $400 what does seem well overpriced and that' DIY you have to put in yourself? I would say something under $60 would be a fair honest price.@@2ChannelListening

@zenfishbike

7 ай бұрын

@@jedi-mic Sounds like you know and have everything you need to start your own business, undercut Orchard Audio, and turn a great profit in the process. Can't wait to hear how your amp sounds.

Cables made a big difference in my system. They are not a lot of money for the improvements they give either. Amazing quality ones can be had for $150 and under and I'm super glad I've gone down this road. Grewt review Mr. Jason

@2ChannelListening

7 ай бұрын

Thank you Lat

Thanks for exposing us to a new and interesting brand

@2ChannelListening

7 ай бұрын

Completely my pleasure, thank you for watching.

Sorry for the rookie question. Is the GaN the future is it more leaning toward the Hypex Nilia style amplifiers? Great video can’t wait until part 2. Many thanks and Happy Holidays.

Welcome back!

@2ChannelListening

7 ай бұрын

I appreciate it! 😊

Good to see you

@2ChannelListening

7 ай бұрын

Thank you! 😁

I bought the philharmonic bmr v2 because of your review great speakers can this amp deliver that holographic sound stage ?? Great review

@2ChannelListening

7 ай бұрын

Where the source material allows, absolutely. The amp cannot make a silk purse out of a sows ear. Some older recordings are what they are, but the Starkrimson does a great job of making the experience interesting. The BMR are terrific and they would partner really well 👍

Welcome back Jason!!!!!

@2ChannelListening

7 ай бұрын

Thank you Vittorio! 👍

@vittoriomartinidonati65

7 ай бұрын

how about opera callas and mezza's sound signatures compared to Mozarts?@@2ChannelListening

@2ChannelListening

7 ай бұрын

At some point soon I will cover the Callas. More on par with the Harbeth being a medium sized stand mount versus the VA speakers. As always with the Italians, the build quality and finish is heads and shoulders above similarly priced speakers.

Man, you are so on target with this. Personally, a very warm amp in Florida is a no no. Also really happy to know this amp can near embarrass hyper high end offerings. Almost got some Ryan 610s! Ended up with some small Spendors. Wondering if the Starkrimson would pair well with them. Thank you 🙏🏼

@2ChannelListening

7 ай бұрын

Thank you sir. Folks not familiar with the Ryan speakers certainly wouldn't be aware of what a big hurdle they can be. My own love/hate relationship keeps them around. Given the performance of the Ultra 2.0 with my R610's, I am stymied by what potential speakers wouldn't pair well. I'm sure it would require an absurd pairing like Avantgarde speakers to flesh out any anomalies. Thanks for watching.

Great review. What are some of the better amps that play nice with your Ryans?

@2ChannelListening

7 ай бұрын

I'm hesitant to say because of their price...some expensive integrated amps. Unison Research Due, Soul Note A2, my Fezz Audio Titania KT88 amp. The Ryan's are some tough speakers to match correctly, but when you do, they are so insightful and impressive to listen to.

@HotSause

7 ай бұрын

@@2ChannelListening 👍Ryan's sound like a winner with the right pairing.

@2ChannelListening

7 ай бұрын

@@HotSause for the money, with very careful matching, yes, unbelievable performance for $2k.

seems to be lovely thing, ....I was very much about class AB but this is not first time I listen very good things about D amp, and being my preference to get kind of in out amp without adding any color, kind of characterless, which I belive it is, becomes shortlisted, thanks again for the review.......ps didnt know poem of the chinese drum, does sound nice also with naim :)

@2ChannelListening

6 ай бұрын

Yes sir, thank you for watching

hello... I took the time to listen carefully to your presentation and I would like to make a few comments, if you don't see any harm... first I would like to point out to you that you are contradicting yourself in several places, moreover, you tend to give too many insignificant details, which dilutes your point... on the other hand, when you express your emotions (as you do towards the end when talking about the Starkrimson), you are totally in it and we can feel it... music is a matter of emotions, and you would benefit from being more natural and less restrained in your words... I hope I haven't hurt you... if that's the case, I apologize, that was not my objective...

@2ChannelListening

7 ай бұрын

I’m happy to clarify where you feel I contradicted myself.

Good story telling 😂 Very entertaining

@2ChannelListening

3 ай бұрын

Thanks 😅

what's the tube buffer you mention? Brand/model?

@2ChannelListening

7 ай бұрын

ModWright Analogue Bridge 👍

@net_news

7 ай бұрын

@@2ChannelListening thanks! 🙌

How does it pair with the BMR Philharmonic v2? Or what the best amp for it?

@2ChannelListening

7 ай бұрын

The better question I cannot answer is what speakers does the Ultra 2.0 "not pair well with?" Couldn't tell you. BMR's are much easier to live with compared to Ryan R610's. Arguably, the BMR allows lazy component matching, the R610's are no such animal, yet reward you when a great match is achieved.

Well done sir. I have re-subscribed! BTW get the Pass XA25 amp. Doubles down. Same price as the First Watt model. Then compare it to the Leos.

@2ChannelListening

7 ай бұрын

Thanks for the sub! The XA25 isn’t balanced, prefer balanced when I can help it, otherwise yeah, I’d be all over that 👍. Thanks for coming back 🙏

Hi I just reviewed NAD M23, which has Purifi Eigentakt tech., in my system (Linn DSM/3, Classe CAM 350, B&W 802 D3). The old Classe CAM 350 relative to NAD M23 gave deeper and wider soundstage, sounded more natural for voices and instruments, and gave more involvement in the music. So I did not enjoy the M23. I wonder how the Starkrimson ultra compare to these two amplifiers above. Any comment? Thanks for the content. Regards Dag

@2ChannelListening

6 ай бұрын

Well I would hope those big CAM's still outperformed the M23. I have not yet listened to the M23 or C298 so I cannot share anything directly. Thanks for the post.

Hum I had a Spectron musical MK lll class D amp designed by John Ulrich output is 500watts@8ohm 650@4ohms and 1,200 watts@1ohm 55 amps and its weight was 54 lbs Well it dropped the right channel and I have been looking for a replacement I've been spoiled with lots of watts/current to bring my Maggie's to their knees 😅 Really interested in the Orchard Audio amp for a replacement and your review has me looking for my VISA card I'm driving my Maggie's now with my VAC PA PA 100 100 tube amp and ARC LS15 tube pre amp Sounds magical, but I do miss that unadulterated power Oh do you think my ARC pre amp be a good match for the Orchard Audio Amp?

I been interested in building a orchard diy . I want the most bang for the buck. For what I have heard about the amp I'm sold but what is a good pre amp for that without breaking the bank?

@2ChannelListening

7 ай бұрын

You can always give the Schiit Freya+ a try for around $850. Balanced outs.

@BostonMike68

7 ай бұрын

@2ChannelListening OK thanks that's something I was looking at that's a good suggestion. Thanks

@thespotlightkid1011

7 ай бұрын

@2ChannelListening I haven't got a class D amp yet, I most deff' intend to buy one (GaN only) soon or maybe this very review model amp later, when funds allow, it's sonic description is exactly what I want & very temptingly so, plus, modular kits are easy peasy for a person who can already solder, (or it's very easily learnt in I'm hoping my valved pre-amp (which happens to be the best sounding I've had regaurdlless of driver technology, will suit the GaN class 'D' amp when I get one, as many people I've read forum talk on, say a good tube / valve pre-amp suits class D amps the best. I've an 10'ish year old Ming-Da 22'kg pre-amp (old model that looks like a power amp with 2 huge inductors & typical central t/former) with 6SN7's output valves, just like the Schitt, I deff' prefer pre-amps made well but with 6SN7's, more than the much used ECCxx series/ **6922AT / AX (**not correct but similar) of double triode drivers ..so I reckon the Schitt will suit very well from the reviews of it ive heard. Good luck

@OrchardAudio

7 ай бұрын

@@2ChannelListening many of my customers use this with my amps, very happy.

@BostonMike68

7 ай бұрын

@thespotlightkid1011 I have been looking at some of the Marantz 7 Chinese clones on alli express and some of them look well built for the money. I am not rich that's another reason I am looking at the kits . I have designed built some really high quality speakers with multi layer cabinets that are incased with solid oak. I used some high quality components . I don't know any speaker manufacturers for any price that puts the detail I put into my design. They weight over 100 lbs and are full range you definitely don't need a subwoofer so if I can design them I'm sure I could follow directions to for the kit . I like to learn different things and I want to get the most out of my money so if I can knock $700 off the price and have to spend a Saturday building it that's fine because I been spending all my free time building speakers anyway and I think this class d is going to end up being the future but I think it needs a valve pre amp

Would be interesting to compare these to a decent Purifi amp; they supposedly should not have any differences that are hearable. Unless you use tubes with them I guess. The cost is a little more than Purifi but not by a lot it seems.

Did you mention how the Starkrimson was configured? The base model is $2,600 with no upgrade options. Those options can bring it up to $4K.

@2ChannelListening

7 ай бұрын

I mentioned I have the base model several times and that the review model is the $2600 version 👍

@OrchardAudio

7 ай бұрын

Jason used the base model, which is priced at $2650.

my misses' spec's = 110'db into ears at home, @ 1 to 10 metres & -3'db @ every 25 meters you can get away. GaN will deff' be the way I go into Class D. My class A amp's large'ish top panel is one you cannot hold your flat palm on anywhere, for longer than it takes to go "ouch" & it's internal heatsinks cause a slight wind of a rising & very warm air from it's 2 vent'rows. I dare not measure it's power consumption nor re-check the cringe I felt when i first looked at the max watt consumption figure plate next to the mains-in socket.. (it was 'up there' is all i recal) ..least not until I get a good GaN amp to swap to. This 1 would do very nicely i reckon

@2ChannelListening

7 ай бұрын

Ha ha, sounds like my J2, perfect for winter space heater.

@thespotlightkid1011

7 ай бұрын

@2ChannelListening yeah, it is gr8 for when you want that heat, i can turn our living room's gas fire well down in winter when the stereo's on, but that's just for 3'ish months or less per year where i live, in S.E.'ern U.K. Mine is a Jungson 99C & according to 1 tube reviewer, 2 years after I bought it, (cheaper, from a Chinese online hi-fi seller, a gamble that turned out well, tho not for all, i read on a forum) ...mine only does the 1'st 18'watts in A, tho anther tube guys said it only does 14 or 15' watts in pure class A (despite being spec'd by Jungson at 80'Watts in class A) It never bothered me & I'm sure i or we don't go beyond 5 or 10'watts with averagely efficient speakers in the room ...but boy does it get hot! so I'm guessing your J2 gets hotter than the fires of heck. It's going to be some model of a GaN job for me, GaN 'D' amps seem to be flooring the standard Silicon jobs in sound quality in many reviews & for some time now. The lack of harshness mentioned appeals to me, i have ribbon hybrids & various box speakers but haven't got Maggies which I'm guessing this GaN amp would suit well from the sound description & spec's (esp' doubling its output as speaker impedence halves, perfect in theory. Soon as i can save enough etc etc.

There will soon be lots of old school amps for sale or thrown in the trash.

not gonna lie, it's disturbing to hear all the bad news i've heard about Gan400 since the initial wave of praise

@2ChannelListening

7 ай бұрын

I try to run products for a good while to see if anything changes, just never know.

if they only offered a half size version,

@2ChannelListening

7 ай бұрын

Mono blocks are tiny. 🤷‍♂️

I had a chance to learn a LOT from the GaN chip manufacturers about who is designing which GaN amps. (Only a few guys for here in the USA) some of the "cheap" amps use VERY different circuits than the more developed, GaN brands like AGD. Of course there are 2 sets of buyers, with 2 sets of budgets. What I can say, is even though the cheap GaN amps may sound great to regular stereo buyers, only the more developed designs are beating out actual high end Single Ended Triode "Holy Grail" type tube amps. So while other cheap GaN amps may have something to fear from Orchard, brands like AGD are in a different strata. Just because the material the transistors are made from is the identical material, it has nothing to do with how good they sound comparitively. I think its a good point to make for the buyers out there. Not all GaN is created equal, and only one company at this point has GaN devices actually designed for Audio. The others are designed for power conversion/power supply duty and utilized for audio. The manufacturers have told me theres no reason to spend the millions it takes to ramp up and produce a new transistor to sell a measley ten thousand parts per year.. They wont recoup thier investment. Thier interests are in the EV and Computer power supply market for obvious reasons. Thanks for the vid !!

@OrchardAudio

7 ай бұрын

There are many GaN transistors out there and some of them suit audio applications better than others. But saying that a GaN transistor is designed specifically for audio, I have not seen such a thing? Do you have a part number you can provide? If you are at Capital Audiofest, please stop by one of the 3 rooms that will have my amps.

@2ChannelListening

7 ай бұрын

Hello Mikey, thank you for your thoughtful insights and contribution to the GaN discussion. Certainly you and Jay play in a much deep sandbox than I do and precision language is useful. Within budget restraints, I'm deeply impressed with Leo's design and performance in the under $10K category. I also have received nothing but glowing feedback about AGN from my clients as well. They are on my radar. GaN is a long ways away from those days of B&O ICE modules and early Hypex. In general, all budgets are benefitting from this modified technology. Certainly makes owning space heaters like my First Watt less rational. I appreciate you watching - Thank you Sir!

@OCDHIFiGuy

7 ай бұрын

@OrchardAudio Yes, you are correct. Alberto Guerra of AGD Productions bought every single part made. Ask your guys at GaN Systems... they know the story... if you are at CAF you can stop by my room 725 or the AGD room to see how your GaN stands .. I will be featuring premium level old technology in my room however. ;-) 😉

@davidhagerty8184

4 ай бұрын

You should disclose that you sell the AGD amps.

Great review but I just can't continue to set aside 35 minutes for this type of content. I downloaded this vid & ran it through a video editor & it is now 9:47 in length with zero pertinent info missing, and I could EASILY trim it to under 9 minutes. Thirty five minutes to review a two channel power amp is simply nuts. PLEASE consider editing out unnecessary details from your vids.

$2600? My Emotiva class a/b 150 wpc was $300. My 150 wpc class d amp was under $100. Does it sound 10x better? 2x better? 5% better? Inaudible difference? I have no idea.

@2ChannelListening

6 ай бұрын

Do you also go to Vitus and post if their amp is 234x better than your $300 Emotiva?

@YouSoundButtHurt

6 ай бұрын

Go back to ASR, clown. 🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡

You must be talking about the X350.5 $11k amp. Its junk

@2ChannelListening

3 ай бұрын

Hello Mark, thanks for watching. I am not referring to Pass Labs nor would I characterize their gear as junk, I’m fond of First Watt and .5 series amps. Cheers 🍻

2600 dollar piece of trash

@2ChannelListening

7 ай бұрын

What an exemplary display of how to post an unhelpful comment.

@jeffbower100

6 ай бұрын

@@2ChannelListening I can't help you sell garbage on KZread

@YouSoundButtHurt

6 ай бұрын

Have you heard one? They're very good but a clown like you probably can't afford one. 🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡

ModWrong.