Orchard Audio Starkrimson 25

The North American brand, a product of Leo Ayzenshtat's genius, allows us to discover its renewed amplifiers with GaNM technology.

This review has been in the pipeline for quite some time, but it had not been possible to materialize it due to the export tariff mess generated by the United States government. It has been necessary to wait a long time since the initial contact with Orchard Audio to take advantage and secure a small spot on a listening tour that the brand has sponsored across Europe.

Fortunately, Leo was kind enough to open up a small slot in the event for Et Sona and, thanks to that, we have been able to enjoy the Starkrimson 25 Mono Premium, the latest iteration of the house's famous amplifiers.

After a week of waiting, a prudent time for the amplifiers to arrive at the room, we were surprised by a small box that contained a pair of the amplifiers inside. Their dimensions, relatively reduced (even compared to my new Audiophonics MPA-S250NCX), did not allow us to anticipate what was coming once they were connected to the system.

Yes, yes... I have said it several times, we cannot rely on the size of the equipment to evaluate it but, of course, it is always appreciated that they can occupy a relatively reduced space on the Artesanía Audio Prestige 4 which, I must admit, even with the 5 levels it currently has, is quickly running out of space for me.

Construction

Since these are monoblock power amplifiers, I will focus on explaining what a single chassis contains. Take note, because for stereo sound, you will need two of them.

A black chassis, with a beautiful finish and the engraving of the brand's logo on the top part, gives the appearance of a solid, quality piece of equipment with good performance. The detail of the angled front gives them a visual appeal that escapes the traditional "flat" finish of most high-fidelity equipment. Discreet, elegant, and with a good presence, you can tell we are looking at equipment of careful construction and attention to detail.

There are no controls on the front part, nor any type of LED or indicator that the amplifier is operational. Perhaps, if Leo allows me, I would like a small, discreet LED to indicate it. I don't know, I am just like that and I like visual indicators.

On the back part, of course, we find the connections and the power switch. A simple, functional topology, without major adornment but highlighting the quality of the binding posts for the speaker cable. Good feel, solidity, and an excellent finish. Once again, let's not forget that behind the minimalist and seemingly simple aesthetics, we are dealing with a premium quality product.

From left to right, two posts for the connection to speakers, solid, excellent finish and look, a pleasure to operate them and connect my Nordost Frey 2 cable to them. Next, an XLR connector for the signal. Here I had to "cheat" because my system is RCA and I used two XLR adapters from the brand LAiV XTR. It only remains for us to mention the receptacle to connect the power cable, accompanied by a switch that allows turning the amplifier in question on and off. Once again, excellent quality in all components.

On the bottom part, rubber feet to absorb vibrations and that is it, we do not need or want anything else. The two amplifiers, connected and installed in the Artesanía Audio rack, and we are ready to listen to some music. Let's get to it.

The Sound

Let's review the equipment setup:

• Speakers: Axxess L1 / Viablue HS Spikes

• Speaker cables: Nordost Frey 2

• Preamplifier: Elektor Audio The Preamplifier 90's

• Streamer: Raspberry Pi5 + Ian Canada Ultra Capacitor 2025 + Ropieee

• Streaming Source: Qobuz + ROON

• Network Cable: BAZCO Audio

• USB Cable: David Laboga Emerald

• DAC: Lampizator Atlantic 5 TRP + PSVANE Horizon (274B-AT & KT88)

• RCA Cables: Final Touch Audio Thebe

• Turntable: Pro-Ject Xpression Carbon 1 + Acrly-it Platter

• Cartridge: Sumiko Blue No.3 Low

• Phono: iFi Zen Phono 3

• RCA Cables: Wires 4 Music Initio Custom

• Power Treatment: Lampizator Silk / Gutwire Grounding Cable

• Power Cables: BAZCO Audio & GutWire B10 Power Cable

• Rack: Artesanía Audio Prestige 4 + Turntable Platform + Damper

Well, knowing that the amplifiers had made several previous stops prior to their visit to my system, the first thing I did was hit play on a playlist to "warm up the engines." Knowing that the dual-mono configuration would provide me with an excellent soundstage and channel separation, I used tracks that stand out for their soundstage:

1. Beck - Say Goodbye: A well-known track among the world of high-fidelity fans, as the great quality of its recording allows a transparent window into the quality of the components in the reproduction chain. The Orchard Audio set demonstrates excellent extension in handling the details contained in the highest range of the auditory spectrum, projecting a controlled and extended brightness with very good presence and air through the Axxess ribbon tweeters. The bass track of the song, for its part, presents itself with good body and definition, without losing detail and with a deep extension. Beck's voice is presented with good depth and texture, just like the rest of the midrange frequencies (such as the guitar). The sound, I would say, stands out for its coherence and good presentation.

   
   

2. Chac Mool - Un Mundo Feliz (Cintas en Directo): An underground gem of Mexican proto-psych rock. It won't be to everyone's taste, but the intro to the track is very well executed and provides a precision tool to demonstrate the advantages of a dual-mono system. The channel separation is exceptional (as it should be), showing, furthermore, the ability to project depth in the soundstage. The variations between the acoustic details that follow during the first minutes of the recording are resolved with ease by the set of amplifiers, once again, with surprising results in terms of presentation, texture, and realism. The response speed of the GaN circuit does not allow the notes to "hang around" past the necessary time in the room.

   
   

3. Joe Henderson - Bwaata: An hypnotizing mix of saxophone and percussions with African inspiration. The layers of the music are perfectly delineated and detailed through the L1, with the Kapton tweeters and the woofer under strict control and dynamics provided by the Starkrimsons, whose speed seems to have no limits.

   
   

4. Santa Sabina - Noche: Now then, noting the excellent synergy between my speakers and these amplifiers, as well as the control they demonstrated over the woofers, I decided to play this track, with a bit more bass. Once again, without effort, the Starkrimsons have demonstrated the ability to make the Axxess L1 sound like never before (which is no easy feat). This is not only due to their great power, which is more than enough for these monitors, but to the combination of power, control, and a totally silent circuit. To say that I am not impressed would be a lie.

Technical Data

• 150 W into 8 Ω / 200 W into 4 Ω: ample power for most high-fidelity loudspeakers.

• Fully balanced signal path from input to output for low-noise, super-clean amplification.

• GaN transistor technology for high switching speed and detailed transient response.

• User-selectable gain (21.5 dB or 16.8 dB) via internal jumpers for system matching.

• 2-ohm capable operation for demanding loads.

• Universal AC input (90–264 VAC): ready for global use.

• Compact footprint (11ʺ × 6.1ʺ × 3.1ʺ) and lightweight (5.5 lbs) construction make placement and installation easy.

Conclusions

Recently, I parked my vintage McIntosh set in favor of the Audiophonics MPA-S250NCX and, I must say, I am very happy with the synergy that the Hypex module has demonstrated with my Axxess L1 speakers. However, the qualitative leap that music reproduction takes with the Orchard Audio set is, by far, superior in terms of quality and control.

Not only is there even greater channel separation, but also the control they have demonstrated with the extension of the tweeter and the speed and precision of the bass. What's more, the balanced circuit, even with my adapters, made the Kapton tweeters totally silent (something difficult to achieve). I must recognize, furthermore, that I used a second configuration to test the amplifiers. I connected them directly to the new iFi Zen DAC 2 through a 4.4mm to XLR cable of the same brand. Using a computer as a streamer and the small €139 DAC, the sound was equally impressive. Deep and total silence between notes and songs. Clarity and depth in the sound. An extremely simple configuration with excellent results, thanks to the great performance of the Starkrimsons.

I can imagine, without any fear of being wrong, that these amplifiers are an excellent starting point for building a sound system of excellent performance and, the best part? They do not require thousands of dollars in equipment to shine, because they do so with their own light, thanks to the careful design and development by Orchard Audio. Congratulations Leo, they are impressive amplifiers.

The Starkrimson 25 Mono Premium from Orchard Audio are available through their website, carrying a RRP of $1,249.95 per unit at the time of the review, although I know that the brand's prices will undergo an upward adjustment (which must have already occurred at the time of this review's publication).

This small audition, personally, poses a problem for me. Admittedly, one with an easy solution. I think, almost with certainty, that I know what my next amplifiers will be.

Many thanks to Leo from Orchard Audio and to the rest of the participants in this European Tour of these amplifiers. The collection of reviews are all positive and highlight the quality and good performance of the amplifiers. Let's hope Orchard Audio soon has a distributor on the old continent, as this is only one of the multiple products the brand offers, all with excellent reviews and comments.

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