How to DIY a HiFi Amp and save THOUSANDS - Orchard Audio Starkrimson Ultra

#HiFi #Amplifier #DIYHiFiAmplifier
Have you ever wanted to build a DIY HiFi amp? Well today you can. Thanks to Orchard Audio now you can build your very own DIY HiFi amp for considerably less than what it would cost you already built.

DIY HiFi Amp Parts Used:

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Disclosure: This channel is viewer-supported. When you buy through links on my site, I may earn an affiliate commission. I only recommend products I would use myself and all opinions expressed here are my own. . These Orchard Audio amplifier modules were given to me by Orchard Audio. The thoughts and opinions are mine alone.

[Scrufboy]

Hey man... I'm the guy that wrote that huge 3 paragraph response to the Facebook group about shutting it down in favor of a website. I'm subbing now in support. I enjoyed the video. Looking forward to more content. Remodeling the kitchen a little, but I am ready for more DIY Audio goodness.

[TheTrueVoiceOfReason]

That does look really nice, and ultimately really easy to put together.
A big thanks to Leo for bringing Orchard Audio and all of its GAN technology to us regular folk.

[tomkocur]

5:30 not sure what safety norms are around the world, but here in central europe, connecting ground pin to the chassis is actually a must and should include a securing washer.
You want to have the chassis grounded as close to the plug as possible.

[MikeHammer]

This is a class D stereo amplifier. The kit only includes the two monobloc amp boards and costs over $1, 000 (About $1, 200 with tax and shipping. The heatsinks are a joke and badly oriented in the case. The case adds over $200 and apparently doesn't even include a power button or the correct standoffs. The capacitor banks (a necessity IMHO) look like they are designed with quality Japanese capacitors, but I could not tell from the video. No price is given (Guessing ~$150 for the pair, if the capacitors are high end). The power amp pricing also is not given, but at 1, 200 watts (it looks well constructed, but I prefer a separate supply for each channel with toroidal transformers) it will surely exceed $150. BTW, screw terminals are not a great choice for a high-end amplifier due to oxidation over time, . I would need to see some third party audio output data before spending a dime on this. Overall the unit seems severely overpriced for a DIY at a likely total cost of over $1, 800.

[AshyLarryTM]

That’s awesome! So easy to change out a board and be back in business if something goes awry. It don’t get much better than that.

[EasyFold]

Really nice video the only complaint is: "Save a thousand plus dollars"...when it is already $2499.95 out of the box with NO EXTRAS added. Might be DIY but it is way too expensive for the "average" person out there. By the time you add an extra you ARE closer to $3500. Then when you buy the other "aux" stuff....it will be closer to $4000.

[MrGivmedew]

This is a review of Orchard Audios 150w monoblocks and the Purifi Eval1

The gist is that these amplifiers are transparent. They don’t exist if they meet your wattage needs. My next amp will be for near field listening and will replace a monster 50LB amp B&Ks best 2ch which is just a toned down version of their monoblocks. I’ll build a dual mono Orchard setup (costs an extra $350) and at this point after reading these reviews I’m not worried about the transformer. Or I’ll build the EVAL1. I haven’t decided yet. For simplicity’s sake I’d choose the Orchard. I’m a huge fan of GaN but it’s obvious that the EVAL1 get on just fine without it.

These amps aren’t cheap at all. They have to compete with Emotiva and in that sense I don’t think you save much. The Emotiva XPA-DR2 is $1800 for Monoblocks it’s $2800 for (2) XPA-DR1 or the XPA-HC1 is around $2000 for (2) of them plus a chassis to hold 2 of them together.

I’d rather build my own but for most people I don’t think you are going to see a huge difference in savings or sound quality between those offerings.

[OrchardAudio]

Thank you for your time and creating the video.

[jdlech]

There are complete schematics in repair manuals for thousands of amps - some of them famous and classic amps - online, complete with parts lists. For a couple hundred bucks and some effort, you could duplicate an amp that used to go for many thousands of dollars. And if you're familiar with electronics, you could even swap out parts and get even better results than the original.
These days, it's reasonably cheap and easy to get boards made however you want. And repair manuals usually include board layouts.

[ctscantechnologist]

I've been looking for something like this for years. And for good hifi tube amps too.

[jimpeek]

Is the wire solid or stranded would silver plated Teflon work well

[rikardekvall]

Great video, as usual. Please type what parts from Orchard you purchased! The kit of course but the other parts. How many? It’s a bit difficult to choose the right parts and amount. Keep up your great work.

[PeculiarParadigm]

Make sure whatever you have the amplifier resting in doesn’t vibrate or use some dampening pads underneath because those screw terminals can loosen up and cause a fire. You could also use hot glue in order to keep the wires held in place to the posts which actually is a much safer solution now that I think about it. Not saying this isn’t safe but you can never be too careful when you’re messing around with mains wires or terminals providing power to potentially expensive speakers. The glue would help to stop the screws from turning and also keep the wires held in place if the screws did come loose.

[mikesgarage]

I'll save thousands more by avoiding an overpriced "kit".

[PhillioDoede]

Nice video but you are missing some pretty basic key info about the amp. Who is Orchard Audio, I never heard of them. What chips are they using, what are the power specs, how does this differ from amp kits direct from ICE Power or Hypex, how much does it cost?
Speaking of that last point (I looked it up) yeah... kinda blew me away. This kit is by a fair bit more than Ive ever spent on a piece of audio gear and for a DIY kit that seems like a lot. I'd really like to know what makes this stand out vs. the other class D kits out there and and waht makes it worth the money but this video didn't really do any of that.

[Luke-qscg]

I still think hypex nc400 is the best amp you can feasibly diy as a newbie. Dead simple to build and NUTS measurements for the cost. Class ab be damned

[oscarmarfori]

Is there a Pre Amplifier kit? Please DIY it also thanks 👍

[flashhog]

Terrific video! Great build and great explanation.

[Edwardi]

I'd really like to see a diy 5 or 7 channel amp, that's what I really need.

[boardbuslife]

You mentioned choosing 120V for your use. Could this unit be powered by 12V power only?