The Orchard Audio Starkrimson 25 Mono Premium might set a standard for all Class D amplifiers!
High-end audio has had a lot of new movements and technologies in the past 10 or so years, from streaming music coming into its own and being as close to physical media as it ever has. There are new products that are small, light, and offer much more power and sound quality than anything even close to their size 20 years ago. If you had said to me 20 to 25 years ago that there were amplifiers out there that put out several hundred watts but weighed only 5 pounds or so, I would have told you that you were out of your mind!
But now we have amplifiers in both the pro sound arena and home audio that are that very thing—weighing almost nothing and putting out enough power to satisfy nearly every speaker out there. The product I am going to discuss today is a new product from a company that specializes in such products.
Orchard Audio started its journey making high-end but affordable audio products in 2017. LEONID (LEO) AYZENSHTAT, the owner and engineer behind Orchard Audio designs, got his start in a cool way. Leo, an engineer in his day job, designed and built the components for his new sound system instead of purchasing them. Leo has been at the forefront of designing custom streamer preamps that are all-in-one streamers with high-quality preamps and high-quality class D amplifiers. He has also just introduced one of the first separate headphone power amplifiers, the Valencia (maybe someday I will get one for review, as it is crazy powerful at up to 17 watts into 32 ohms!).
That’s enough to easily power the Modhouse Tungsten headphone, which is notoriously hard to drive. But I’ll leave that for another day. Today, we will be talking about a new version of one of Leo’s most popular Mono amplifiers, the Starkrimson 25s. See the press release here of the Starkrimson ultra premium monoblocks.
One of the unique features of Leo’s amplifiers is that they utilize the now-popular GaN FET transistors in the output section. Compared to traditional Class D amplifiers from makers like Hypex and ICE, Orchard Audio utilizes these transistors because Gallium Nitride enables the transistor to operate at a higher frequency. This allows them to switch on and off more than 10 times quicker than a traditional MOSFET transistor.
For Class D, this means that the switching occurs at such a high frequency that all artifacts and switching noise are well outside the audio band. Until GaN, traditional transistors were used in class D amplifiers, which was an issue because they are too slow and would introduce noise or need really high-quality, sharp filters to keep distortions out of the treble frequencies (this is precisely why class D amplifiers with traditional transistors seem to have an edgy and unnatural treble). GaN, due to its significantly faster speed, renders this a non-issue and allows for a more natural treble response (which I will discuss in my sound evaluation).
The new Starkrimson 25 is an upgrade to the original Starkrimson mono amplifier. Some of the upgrades that Leo has performed on the new 25s.They are distinct and worthwhile in to sound quality. You will see an even faster 1100kHz switching frequency. To put that in perspective, the best young humans can only hear about 20kHz. This eliminates all switching noise and distortion at high frequencies, allowing them to have no effect on the treble response and thereby improving efficiency.
Even with such a high switching frequency, Leo improved the filter components, which also enhanced the phase shift at 20kHz. And letting the cat a little out of the bag, the Starkrimson 25’s have some of the most transparent treble I have ever heard from class D, and most other classes of amplifiers, for that matter. Just like the Starkrimson Ultra DMC 2.0 .
While most Class D amplifiers are designed with a proprietary input section and power supply, featuring an output module from companies like Pascal, Hypex, or ICE, Orchard Audio utilizes its own custom-designed power supply, input section, and output section. This means Leo has complete control over the parts used throughout the design, which allows him complete control over every aspect of the design. This freedom from having to use a predesigned amplifier output module will enable Leo to make all the decisions on the quality of parts used throughout the amplifier. From my evaluations, it’s clear that the quality of both the build and the sonics is evident.
One of the other aspects of Orchard Audio’s designs that I appreciate is that while they are very aesthetically pleasing with simple but great-looking black case work, there is a neat Orchard Audio trademark engraving on the top panel. This gives the amplifier a boutique look while keeping the build simple, which probably helps keep the overall price down. The front panel is a blank, black plate that slants slightly backward, with the only other visible aspect being the vents on the top panel for cooling.
The back panel is also a simple affair, featuring a standard power cable input, a rocker power switch, an XLR input (for users needing RCA connectors, Orchard Audio sells a high-quality RCA to XLR adapter), and two WBT high-quality speaker binding posts. I have reviewed numerous amplifiers that utilize these binding posts, and they consistently perform excellently.
With the 25, the setup is as easy as taking the 5.5-pound amplifier out of its box and setting it in its desired location. With a size of 11″ (26.9cm) x 6.1″ (15.5cm) x 3.1″ (7.9cm) – including binding posts. For users needing to adjust the gain of the 25s, there are jumpers inside the amplifiers that will allow users to switch between 21.5 dB and 16.8 dB. This will ensure compatibility with a broader range of preamplifiers. These amplifiers are some of the easiest to install that I’ve ever worked with. It still amazes me to this day that Class D amplifiers can produce such a high level of power while being so compact and lightweight.
I installed my custom-made power cables, the Iconoclast speaker, and XLR cables, as well as the high-level connections for my REL subwoofer. After hooking up these amplifiers, I let them run for a few weeks, playing background music to ensure they settled into the system and were entirely burned in (for those who believe in such a thing).
With a power output capability of 150 watts into 8 ohms and 200 watts into 4 ohms, the 25s will have sufficient power for most speakers on the market, excluding some panel speakers and large, insensitive flagship floor-standing speakers that are unlikely to be paired with the 25s anyway. However, for the rest of us who use standard-size box speakers, open-baffle designs, or smaller rooms with stand-mount speakers, these should be more than enough. And for those who need more power, Orchard Audio also offers the Starkrimson Mono Ultra Premium, which delivers 500 watts into 4 ohms and features a 1200W power supply with 43,600uF of additional capacitance. However, they are a premium-priced amplifier compared to the 25s, priced at $2,599.95 each, versus $1,249.95 each for the 25s. But in my opinion, those prices are great to hear in a world of $150,000 DACs and $1,000,000 speakers. In my opinion, if you can afford to get the Ultra Premiums, go for it! But for the rest of us, the 25s are rather impressive for their price.
Now for the fun part, LISTENING!
Although my system’s placement limitations prevent me from using this setup due to the current amplifier’s size, the 25s offer enough flexibility in placement that a person could utilize the lightweight and small size of the amplifiers to their advantage, placing them as close to each speaker as possible. Then, I would run long XLR to each amplifier and the shortest speaker cable you could get away with. This has the potential to save you money on cabling and improve sound quality due to shorter speaker cable runs.
A couple of things about the operation of these amplifiers that I will mention are that they run super cool, like you can’t even hardly tell they’re on. At no point during their operation did they get any warmer than lukewarm to the touch. Also, with the benefit of class D amplification, the 25s are very efficient. My reference amplifier pulls 200 watts just sitting there, while these pull a tiny fraction of that. Another benefit of the cool-running nature of these amplifiers is that the components within the 25s will generally have a longer lifespan due to this cool-running nature.
It is well known that electronics last longer when they are in a cooler environment, with capacitors and resistors being especially susceptible to heat-related failure. These amps should last a long time due to their cool-running nature. And if you have any issues, the 3-year warranty should assist, with Leo just a phone call or email away.
Fink’s 2019 album, “Bloom Innocent,” is a prime example of an album that combines exceptional studio work with the soulful folk voice that Fink presents. This album touches my soul, and having heard it so many times over the years, I know how it is meant to be presented. The 25s allowed my custom open baffle speakers to present this music as it should be. The bass was tight but detailed and hit with the kind of authority that makes me smile. The midrange was neutral and detailed without losing the emotion of the music! I am all for neutrality when it keeps the foundation of the music’s emotion and the 25s delivered. But the treble was something special!
The 25s presented treble in a way that reveals all the detail going on, but with a smoothness and musicality that impresses. There are amplifiers on the market that are warm and inviting, but miss details like the leading edges of cymbals and snares. Conversely, some amplifiers capture all the detail, but present it in a way that can be harsh. The 25s feed you all of the details, but its uncanny smoothness allows you to digest it without heartburn! You can literally ‘have your cake and eat it’!
Nothing was missing in the treble, and the transient speed of the 25s keeps you engaged while showing you that it knows what a crash or ride cymbal is supposed to sound like. In this regard alone, it bested my reference and many other amplifiers I have heard at any price!
John Taylor’s 2015 album “2081“ is an excellent example of modern jazz and was a family affair. John’s sons are also musicians and lent their talents to this album, contributing their skills as well. Leo’s drum work is fantastic, and Alex’s vocals were right on in my book! And interestingly, instead of the standard stand-up bass, they chose Oren Marshall to play the Tuba in its place. This made for an enjoyable listen, and it also gave the music an added depth that only a well-recorded Tuba can bring.
The combination of the fast transient speed of my open baffles with the excellent neutral presentation of the 25s allowed the depth of this music to reveal itself. The soundstage was impressive and right on par with my reference, the Pass Labs X150.5; imaging and instrument placement were spot on. Giving me the chills with realism. Unfortunately, John Taylor passed away just a few years after this release, as he was a force in the British jazz scene. However, his music lives on in our systems, and that is a blessing, indeed!
The Tuba in this album was presented with the depth and tone that was just right, without being bloated, as some overly warm amplifiers can sound. And again, the treble let Leo’s drum work show just how good he is! I am a sucker for great musicians, as I am a player myself and will honor a master of the craft when I hear it.
CONCLUSION and RECOMMENDATION:
The Starkrimson 25 Monos were an awe-inspiring set of amplifiers that demonstrated to me how far we have come in the last few years of amplifier design. They were fantastically dynamic when needed, offering a wealth of neutrality that let the instruments speak for themselves, and allowed my reference OB speakers to work their magic to the best of their ability. At $2,500 per pair, I can’t think of a better set of amplifiers at that price. They perform well enough that you have to ask yourself if spending more will really yield you any better enjoyment of the music you love, and that is the point, isn’t it! To enjoy the music we love.
If you are looking for honest-sounding amplifiers that let the rest of your gear shine without imposing their own sound signature, yielding the kind of soundstage, imaging, and instrument separation that makes music live in your room. The Starkrimson 25 Monos are definitely one of the most solid options I have heard in quite some time!! Highly Recommended!!
Review System: Speakers: Highly Modified Spatial Audio M3 Turbo S open baffle, with custom Horns/ REL T9x subwoofer/ Digital: Denafrips Venus II, / PS Audio Airlens Network Streamer Analog: Pro Ject X2 B Turntable, Darlington labs MP-7, and SU-7 phono preamp, Audio Technica AT33 PTG/ii cartridge Amplification: Hegel P20 preamp. Pass Labs X150.5 power amp. Conditioner: PS Audio Quintet. Headphone Gear: IFI HIP DAC, Schiit Audio Magni Unity, HiFiMan Arya Stealth. Cables: Iconoclast Series 2 SPTPC speaker cables, Iconoclast Generation 2 ETPC XLR cables and Gotham 4/1 RCA interconnects, and Iconoclast BAV REL subwoofer cable
Price $2,500 per pair
Specs:
Orchard Audio Starkrimson 25 Mono Spec Sheet
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