Thanks for the support guys. The amplifier should be going back out on tour mid-next week. A big thanks to @RonN5 and @snuffleupagus for doing all the work on the shipping damage insurance claim. P.S. I made some major updates to my demo playlist after the Florida show as I discovered lots of great new music. Open Qobuz For those without Qobuz, see here: Demo - Orchard Audio.xlsm
This program you’ve put together is a lot of fun and I’d like to see it continue. is there a way to put a fancy “hasn’t been tampered with” sticker over the chassis to know when it’s been popped open? New recipient can confirm with previous recipient.
That's a great idea. Maybe one bad apple ruined it for everyone. I guess that's how it goes in this world now.
Let me just add for those remaining on the tour...or who may join a future tour...or who are just interested in shipping in general, there is another SHF thread that is worth checking out...you will note that I've posted a bunch of information/warnings about shipping/packing/insurance/claims with links for two companies...Shippo and Pirate Ship..... Both companies can save you a lot of money but understanding and following all of their packing and documentation requirements prior to using them and ending up with a problem is strongly advised. If you don't follow their rules to a tee...and Pirate Ship has the most restrictions...there is a good chance that if you have a problem, you won't be covered...in other words, your insurance coverage won't be honored. My audio buddies tell me the only 100% way to be covered is to take the products you want to ship to UPS or FEDEX and pay them to pack, ship and insure which will cost about double the retail rate or about triple the Pirate Ship/Shippo rates...which makes shipping loudspeakers ultra expensive. Shipping Costs Has Gotten Out of Control
So sorry someone pirated the capacitors and the amp suffered shipping damage. This amp has already been through a lot. Glad Leo is repairing it and resuming the tour. The tour offers a great chance for people to experience new technology and hear a great amp. I know the amp is modular. Never occurred to me that parts could be removed and it would still play. What an amazing design. Thanks to Leo for a great tour and amp, barondla
No you cannot trust them to pack for you. I've tried it, resulted in major damage to some speakers. If you want it done right you pack it yourself.
And since they packed the speakers and I'm assuming the speakers were insured, did they (UPS/FEDEX?) pay for the damage or did they find a "hidden clause" that allowed them not to be responsible?
They paid for what I had them insured for. No different than if I'd packed them myself except if I had packed them this wouldn't have happened.
For sale post: I have a Starkrimson Stereo Ultra DMC 2.0 that I used at the Florida audio show about a week ago for sale. $3400 (15% off) and free shipping to the USA. Comes with a full 1-year warranty. It's in very good condition. If you are interested please contact me through the website here.
Finally, the amp arrived safely with @snuffleupagus. It took the post service almost 2 weeks to get it to him.
Steve Hoffman -- Fully Loaded Rev 2.0 unit review. Future Audiophile Review (November 2023) - Rev 2.0 Hi-Fi Trends Review (October 2023) - Rev 2.0 DMC 2 Channel Listening Review (September 2023) - Rev 2.0 Home Theather Hi-Fi Review (July 2022) - Rev 1.0 Reviews with rev 1.0 $2900 MSPR unit (single power supply and cap upgrade): @Ted Torres Jr -- here and here @james -- the review is at this link (post #7) @Oliver Meyer -- the review is at this link (post #37) @Jaytor -- the review is at this link (post #66) @gguy -- the review is at this link (post #111) @naru1980 -- the review is at this link (post #147) @okc_craft -- the review is at this link (post #165) @ejk1 -- the review is at this link (post #171) -- purchased amplifier @RonN5 -- the review is at this link (post #192) @barondla -- the review is at this link (post #214) -- purchased amplifier @DennyCrane -- the review is at this link (post #224) -- purchased Starkrimson Ultra DIY amplifier kit @nymarty -- the review is at this link (post #278) -- has agreed to purchase the current tour unit once the tour is complete @MValentiner --the review is at this link (post #287) -- purchased ultra monoblock amps @jimbones -- the review is at this link (post #360) @thomaskong -- the review is at this link (post #425) -- purchased 150W monoblock amps @Paul_In_WA -- the review is at this link (post #440) @Nick BZ -- the review is at this link (post #502) -- purchased amplifier Reviews with rev 1.0 $3500 MSRP unit (dual power supplies, with capacitor upgrade): @Ted Torres Jr -- the review is at this link (post # 89) -- purchased amplifier @rhing -- the review is at this link (post # 507) @jcn3 -- the review is at this link (post # 515) @CarmineRed -- the review is at this link (post #574) @panhead -- the review is at this link (post #584) @Barry_NJ -- the review is at this link (post #639) @rhale64 -- the review is at this link (post #661) and here and here -- purchased 6 x Starkrimson Ultra amp modules @barryso -- the review is at this link (post #668) @NEXTLEVEL5 -- the review is at this link (post #678) @avanti1960 -- the review is at this link (post #706) @Gibsonian -- the review is at this link (post #713) @Chris Adams -- the review is at this link (post # 720) @TubeGuy76 -- the review is at this link (post #730) @markl -- the review is at this link (post #748) @Johnu -- the review is at this link (post # 758) @thegage -- the review is at this link (post # 825) @dflee -- the review is at this link (post # 831) -- Purchaed the touring Rev 1.0 unit. @David Hagerty -- the review is at this link (post #866) @Lemon Curry -- the review is in the works @Cwatters0 -- the review is in the works Reviews with Starkrimson Stereo Ultra DMC Rev 2.0 $4000 MSRP unit @TPMorrison64 -- the review is at this link (post # 887) @Marc.etc -- the review is at this link (post # 890) @Mike Doolittle -- the review is at this link (post # 893) @RonN5 -- the review is at this link (post #930) @kengler13 -- this review is in the works Upcoming Individuals: @snuffleupagus -- The amplifier has been received by this individual @David Downs -- This individual is confirmed as the next person. @Schmitt53 -- in line Joining the Tour: For anybody else who is looking to join the tour please send me a message through the contact us form on the website. The tour amplifier is the rev 1.0 "middle" configuration (single power supply with caps) at a $2900 MSRP. Starting with @rhing the tour amplifier is the rev 1.0 "fully loaded" configuration (dual power supplies with caps) at a $3500 MSRP. Starting with @TPMorrison64 the tour amplifier is the Rev 2.0 Starkrimson Stereo Ultra DMC. Tour Rules: Participants are responsible for the cost of shipping to the next person. After trying out the amp, participants have to write their thoughts in this forum thread. Participants get to try the amplifier for 7-day
Future Audiophile has a new review of Orchard Audio mono block amps. It is very, very positive. Excellent design Leo.Orchard Audio Starkrimson Mono Block Amplifier Reviewed - Future Audiophile Magazine Thanks, barondla
Both my Ultra amp and PecanPi+ Streamer made it to the 2024 Recommended Gear list by The Secrets of Home Theather and High Fidelity. Recommended Gear List 2024 - HomeTheaterHifi.com Looks like Orchard Audio is the only electronics company with products in two different categories.
Steve Hoffman -- Fully Loaded Rev 2.0 unit review. Future Audiophile Review (November 2023) - Rev 2.0 Hi-Fi Trends Review (October 2023) - Rev 2.0 DMC 2 Channel Listening Review (September 2023) - Rev 2.0 Home Theather Hi-Fi Review (July 2022) - Rev 1.0 Reviews with rev 1.0 $2900 MSPR unit (single power supply and cap upgrade): @Ted Torres Jr -- here and here @james -- the review is at this link (post #7) @Oliver Meyer -- the review is at this link (post #37) @Jaytor -- the review is at this link (post #66) @gguy -- the review is at this link (post #111) @naru1980 -- the review is at this link (post #147) @okc_craft -- the review is at this link (post #165) @ejk1 -- the review is at this link (post #171) -- purchased amplifier @RonN5 -- the review is at this link (post #192) @barondla -- the review is at this link (post #214) -- purchased amplifier @DennyCrane -- the review is at this link (post #224) -- purchased Starkrimson Ultra DIY amplifier kit @nymarty -- the review is at this link (post #278) -- has agreed to purchase the current tour unit once the tour is complete @MValentiner --the review is at this link (post #287) -- purchased ultra monoblock amps @jimbones -- the review is at this link (post #360) @thomaskong -- the review is at this link (post #425) -- purchased 150W monoblock amps @Paul_In_WA -- the review is at this link (post #440) @Nick BZ -- the review is at this link (post #502) -- purchased amplifier Reviews with rev 1.0 $3500 MSRP unit (dual power supplies, with capacitor upgrade): @Ted Torres Jr -- the review is at this link (post # 89) -- purchased amplifier @rhing -- the review is at this link (post # 507) @jcn3 -- the review is at this link (post # 515) @CarmineRed -- the review is at this link (post #574) @panhead -- the review is at this link (post #584) @Barry_NJ -- the review is at this link (post #639) @rhale64 -- the review is at this link (post #661) and here and here -- purchased 6 x Starkrimson Ultra amp modules @barryso -- the review is at this link (post #668) @NEXTLEVEL5 -- the review is at this link (post #678) @avanti1960 -- the review is at this link (post #706) @Gibsonian -- the review is at this link (post #713) @Chris Adams -- the review is at this link (post # 720) @TubeGuy76 -- the review is at this link (post #730) @markl -- the review is at this link (post #748) @Johnu -- the review is at this link (post # 758) @thegage -- the review is at this link (post # 825) @dflee -- the review is at this link (post # 831) -- Purchaed the touring Rev 1.0 unit. @David Hagerty -- the review is at this link (post #866) @Lemon Curry -- the review is in the works @Cwatters0 -- the review is in the works Reviews with Starkrimson Stereo Ultra DMC Rev 2.0 $4000 MSRP unit @TPMorrison64 -- the review is at this link (post # 887) @Marc.etc -- the review is at this link (post # 890) @Mike Doolittle -- the review is at this link (post # 893) @RonN5 -- the review is at this link (post #930) @kengler13 -- this review is in the works @snuffleupagus -- this review is in the works Upcoming Individuals: @David Downs -- The amplifier is on the way to this individual. @Schmitt53 -- in line Joining the Tour: For anybody else who is looking to join the tour please send me a message through the contact us form on the website. The tour amplifier is the rev 1.0 "middle" configuration (single power supply with caps) at a $2900 MSRP. Starting with @rhing the tour amplifier is the rev 1.0 "fully loaded" configuration (dual power supplies with caps) at a $3500 MSRP. Starting with @TPMorrison64 the tour amplifier is the Rev 2.0 Starkrimson Stereo Ultra DMC. Tour Rules: Participants are responsible for the cost of shipping to the next person. After trying out the amp, participants have to write their thoughts in this forum thread. Participants get to try the amplifier for 7-day
This was a really interesting video to watch and I appreciate all of the comparisons and descriptions. As Jay noted, when compared with a couple of other highly thought of amplifiers (the AGD Tempo and the Burson Timekeeper 3XGT monoblocks), the Ultra not only held its own, but would probably be the preferred amp by a lot of listeners for a variety of reason including the deep bass and the top end. The very slight nuanced differences that he pointed out between amplifiers were exactly what I heard when comparing the Ultra with the Pass XA-25 in my system....which to me translates to great sound at a more affordable price...albeit without the flight case of the Tempo or the "cool factor" of the Burson's with their vertical stands. Jay ends the video noting that the case of the Ultra vibrated. I noticed the same thing (although unlike Jay, I can't say that I heard a difference). I also tried four iso acoustic pucks under the amplifier which reduced the vibrations about 50%. (I did not try adding weight to the top of the amplifier as Jay did) Then, I put the amplifier on the pucks and the pucks on 1" thick styrofoam blocks and the vibrations were gone...even when I positioned the amplifier on top of my 15" sealed subwoofer. Yes, maybe this positioning seems a little crazy but the black amplifier on top of the black subwoofer just looked really good so I wanted to see how it sounded....and it sounded great. Congratulations Leo...seems like more and more reviewers are hearing about and loving your amplifiers!
I made a you-tube comment yesterday (@TT-eo2is) to Jay, noting my Starkrimson experiences! Leo, looks like I'll need to get on the "Loaded Starkrimson DMC 2.0" reviewer list...that is if your previous upgrade offer is still in place!?! Ted
Steve Hoffman -- Fully Loaded Rev 2.0 unit review. Future Audiophile Review (November 2023) - Rev 2.0 Hi-Fi Trends Review (October 2023) - Rev 2.0 DMC 2 Channel Listening Review (September 2023) - Rev 2.0 Home Theather Hi-Fi Review (July 2022) - Rev 1.0 Reviews with rev 1.0 $2900 MSPR unit (single power supply and cap upgrade): @Ted Torres Jr -- here and here @james -- the review is at this link (post #7) @Oliver Meyer -- the review is at this link (post #37) @Jaytor -- the review is at this link (post #66) @gguy -- the review is at this link (post #111) @naru1980 -- the review is at this link (post #147) @okc_craft -- the review is at this link (post #165) @ejk1 -- the review is at this link (post #171) -- purchased amplifier @RonN5 -- the review is at this link (post #192) @barondla -- the review is at this link (post #214) -- purchased amplifier @DennyCrane -- the review is at this link (post #224) -- purchased Starkrimson Ultra DIY amplifier kit @nymarty -- the review is at this link (post #278) -- has agreed to purchase the current tour unit once the tour is complete @MValentiner --the review is at this link (post #287) -- purchased ultra monoblock amps @jimbones -- the review is at this link (post #360) @thomaskong -- the review is at this link (post #425) -- purchased 150W monoblock amps @Paul_In_WA -- the review is at this link (post #440) @Nick BZ -- the review is at this link (post #502) -- purchased amplifier Reviews with rev 1.0 $3500 MSRP unit (dual power supplies, with capacitor upgrade): @Ted Torres Jr -- the review is at this link (post # 89) -- purchased amplifier @rhing -- the review is at this link (post # 507) @jcn3 -- the review is at this link (post # 515) @CarmineRed -- the review is at this link (post #574) @panhead -- the review is at this link (post #584) @Barry_NJ -- the review is at this link (post #639) @rhale64 -- the review is at this link (post #661) and here and here -- purchased 6 x Starkrimson Ultra amp modules @barryso -- the review is at this link (post #668) @NEXTLEVEL5 -- the review is at this link (post #678) @avanti1960 -- the review is at this link (post #706) @Gibsonian -- the review is at this link (post #713) @Chris Adams -- the review is at this link (post # 720) @TubeGuy76 -- the review is at this link (post #730) @markl -- the review is at this link (post #748) @Johnu -- the review is at this link (post # 758) @thegage -- the review is at this link (post # 825) @dflee -- the review is at this link (post # 831) -- Purchaed the touring Rev 1.0 unit. @David Hagerty -- the review is at this link (post #866) @Lemon Curry -- the review is in the works @Cwatters0 -- the review is in the works Reviews with Starkrimson Stereo Ultra DMC Rev 2.0 $4000 MSRP unit @TPMorrison64 -- the review is at this link (post # 887) @Marc.etc -- the review is at this link (post # 890) @Mike Doolittle -- the review is at this link (post # 893) @RonN5 -- the review is at this link (post #930) @kengler13 -- this review is in the works @snuffleupagus -- this review is in the works Upcoming Individuals: @David Downs -- The amplifier was received by this individual. @Schmitt53 -- in line @Ted Torres Jr -- in line Joining the Tour: For anybody else who is looking to join the tour please send me a message through the contact us form on the website. The tour amplifier is the rev 1.0 "middle" configuration (single power supply with caps) at a $2900 MSRP. Starting with @rhing the tour amplifier is the rev 1.0 "fully loaded" configuration (dual power supplies with caps) at a $3500 MSRP. Starting with @TPMorrison64 the tour amplifier is the Rev 2.0 Starkrimson Stereo Ultra DMC. Tour Rules: Participants are responsible for the cost of shipping to the next person. After trying out the amp, participants have to write their thoughts in this forum thread. Participants get to try the amplifier for 7-day
