orchardaudio
Regular
How do you like them apples?
Posts: 146
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Post by orchardaudio on Aug 16, 2019 10:14:31 GMT
My name is Leo, I am the owner and lead designer at Orchard Audio (www.orchardaudio.com)
I have seen some of my products discussed here.
Outside of the company I have interests in Auto-X, racquetball and photography.
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Post by antonio on Aug 16, 2019 14:18:04 GMT
Welcome Leo, you forgot to mention a big fan of The Simpson's.
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orchardaudio
Regular
How do you like them apples?
Posts: 146
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Post by orchardaudio on Aug 16, 2019 15:16:37 GMT
Welcome Leo, you forgot to mention a big fan of The Simpson's LOL |
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Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 16,063
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Post by Bigman80 on Aug 16, 2019 15:52:00 GMT
Hi Leo. Nice to see you here. A year ago, I’d have been holding up a cross and sprinkling holy water at the very mention of Class D amplification. Luckily I heard one (a real cheapie) that put away some decent integrateds.
Your amps look compact enough to almost disappear as long as someone can route cabling invisibly. I can see lots of people finding that element attractive. It was a driver for buying active speakers, but then you were limited to the handful of speakers available.
For anyone not wanting to hide your amps away, I like the logo a lot. Any thought on different colours for black-haters?
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Post by antonio on Aug 16, 2019 16:10:19 GMT
We'll be holding up a cross and sprinkling holy water at the mention of you Westie - "black haters" I was going to say we don't want racism on this forum but preferred my comment above.  |
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orchardaudio
Regular
How do you like them apples?
Posts: 146
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Post by orchardaudio on Aug 16, 2019 16:40:34 GMT
Sorry only available color will be black...
With the compact size the Amps can be put behind the speaker, essentially giving the effect of a powered one.
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Post by dsjr on Aug 16, 2019 16:44:19 GMT
How are they powered?
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orchardaudio
Regular
How do you like them apples?
Posts: 146
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Post by orchardaudio on Aug 16, 2019 16:51:49 GMT
External AC/DC power supply. Look at my websites picture gallery. Also see Oli's post on AOS. |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Aug 16, 2019 17:12:18 GMT
Welcome to Audio Additcs, Leo.
Have you considered making a compact (single input) integrated amp?
S.
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Post by dsjr on Aug 16, 2019 18:27:10 GMT
External AC/DC power supply. Look at my websites picture gallery. Also see Oli's post on AOS. FFS Leo
If I so much as blink at AOS I see a dozen threads I feel I should post on. I did just now and had to come away long before reading Oli's posts, of which there are many indeed last I looked, as the threads about stuff I feel I could contribute to with real knowledge are too many and in the past I gave them thousands of posts I remember. I prefer it here, as most posters here have been round the block a little as have I.
So forgive me if I ask questions already answered elsewhere. I'm very much enjoying lurking on ASR and despite sometimes wanting to scream at the bloody laptop with mostly subjective crap that people there have come out with, I deeply respect Amir and what he's trying to do - I've learned a lot and it's rejuvenated my tired and almost jaded view of this godamned industry The patience some of these subjectivists are given there astounds me at times, although their inability to take that extra step as regards blind 'unsighted' listening also astounds me too - and I had it chucked my way some time back courtesy of Harbeth and underneath the words, nothing like as politely either.
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orchardaudio
Regular
How do you like them apples?
Posts: 146
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Post by orchardaudio on Aug 16, 2019 18:43:42 GMT
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Post by dsjr on Aug 16, 2019 18:45:58 GMT
Ta muchly. I think Oli posted this pic and I missed the supply boxes.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 19, 2019 13:38:48 GMT
We'll be holding up a cross and sprinkling holy water at the mention of you Westie - "black haters" I was going to say we don't want racism on this forum but preferred my comment above. Hahaha, FFS brutal. I did wince when I read it. Lol |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 19, 2019 13:41:08 GMT
Ta muchly. I think Oli posted this pic and I missed the supply boxes. I'll get some nice pics put on for the full review which will be in the forums review section, Dave. |
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Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 16,063
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Post by Bigman80 on Aug 19, 2019 14:56:27 GMT
We'll be holding up a cross and sprinkling holy water at the mention of you Westie - "black haters" I was going to say we don't want racism on this forum but preferred my comment above. Hahaha, FFS brutal. I did wince when I read it. Lol I’m only colour prejudiced when it comes to hifi lol. I just cannot abide black kit. I remember seeing people upgrading from silver in the 80s and thinking they were crazy. Black ash speakers are generally less desirable too. Spraying lovely wood grain with black paint is vandalism. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 19, 2019 15:04:18 GMT
Hahaha, FFS brutal. I did wince when I read it. Lol I’m only colour prejudiced when it comes to hifi lol. I just cannot abide black kit. I remember seeing people upgrading from silver in the 80s and thinking they were crazy. Black ash speakers are generally less desirable too. Spraying lovely wood grain with black paint is vandalism. Hahaha, I know mate but when I read it I thought "oh oh, that doesn't read well" lol |
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Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 16,063
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Post by Bigman80 on Aug 19, 2019 15:59:21 GMT
I’m only colour prejudiced when it comes to hifi lol. I just cannot abide black kit. I remember seeing people upgrading from silver in the 80s and thinking they were crazy. Black ash speakers are generally less desirable too. Spraying lovely wood grain with black paint is vandalism. Hahaha, I know mate but when I read it I thought "oh oh, that doesn't read well" lol When do my posts ever read well lol. More unfortunate typos than anything. |
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Post by macca on Aug 19, 2019 16:58:03 GMT
They're tiny, they are designed to sit behind the speakers, would it matter if they were pink with blue polka dots?
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Bigman80
Grandmaster
AA Founding Member & Bigbottle Audio Creator
Posts: 16,063
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Post by Bigman80 on Aug 19, 2019 17:02:30 GMT
They're tiny, they are designed to sit behind the speakers, would it matter if they were pink with blue polka dots? Would to me. Black is cack imo. |
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Post by dsjr on Aug 19, 2019 17:20:42 GMT
Black Ash was more likely teak or cherry with blemishes. To save scrapping the boxes, the blemishes were filled and sprayed black!
You think I'm joking?
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Post by macca on Aug 19, 2019 17:56:22 GMT
No but in fairness black ash was always the cheapest finish retail too.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 19, 2019 18:00:13 GMT
I try to always get Hi-Fi in black. I don't like gleaming silver gear staring me in the face. My listening room furniture is black too.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 19, 2019 19:00:57 GMT
Charcoal grey looks better than black, going by a Technics SL-P1200 cd and Leak TL25+ power amp, I'd say.
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Post by dsjr on Aug 20, 2019 8:59:05 GMT
As long as the gear does the job properly, I couldn't care less what colour it is. In this case, black may be the best cost-effective option from the case maker bearing in mind the small quantities made (I'm assuming these cases aren't produced in thousands).
After years of stagnation, I honestly think the bar is finally being raised where amps are concerned, as long as ultra high frequency 'stuff' can be controlled and as long as smps supplies stay clean back into the mains as well as into the gear they supply, then fair do's..
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orchardaudio
Regular
How do you like them apples?
Posts: 146
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Post by orchardaudio on May 24, 2020 23:24:42 GMT
Another great customer review... Much more impressive than a sub-$500 unit has the right to be!Wow! As an owner of three digital to analog music systems - the SOtM Ultra Trio, Allo's Kantana with two TeraDak LPSs, and now Orchard's PecanPi, it is amazing to me just how good the all in one end point units have become. Summary - The PecanPi is a no-brainer purchase for anyone looking to stream hi-resolution music to their stereo system. The Allo Kantana, the unit my PecanPi will now replace, was no slouch and an excellent unit in its own right...but, there are a number of things I like better about the PecanPi. But before I go into a comparison between the similarly priced Allo Kantana and the PP, I have to disclaim the advantages the Allo Kantana had during this comparison (to an off the shelf PecanPi). a) The Kantana was powered with two TeraDak LPS (which added about $300 to the base cost). The PecanPi was set-up in its base form, which is what Leo recommends. When I bought my Kantana a year ago, purchase of external LPS was highly recommended and I can state 1st hand that the Kantana improved vastly with the addition of each of the two LPS units. The standalone Kantana was lifeless and blurred without LPSs. b) The Kantana was connected with a Kimber KCAG RCA interconnect during the comparison versus the PP equipped with a much less expensive/reviewed LFD RCA interconnect. NOTE: I can hardly wait to hear the PP with its native balanced XLR outputs. My subjective, comparative impressions (and why I believe the PP is an incredible value): 1) Soundstage - the sound stage thrown by the PP is incredible. Immediately noticeable and quite a benefit if you speakers cannot have optimal placement. With this, the depth of the stage and instrument separation seem to be more precisely placed. The Kantana had what I thought at the time was a great soundstage, but the PP was exceptionally better at this. 2) Ease of listening and midrange delight - the vocals produced by the PP are easy, emotional, and delightful. While the Kantana has its own unique way of producing great sound and range, the PP is just more pleasurable to listen to over extended periods. 3) Ease of set-up and support - this clearly goes to the PP without question. Set-up was simple, well-explained and for the single question that I had for Leo, my answer came within minutes. Allo support was coming from India and whilst it was not bad, it is a world of difference with Orchard Audio. My pontification on this subject is as follows - when one gets into the sub-$500 USD price range, the support for a complex digital component is not set-up to deal with individuals that lack a basic computer skill knowledge and ability to search forums and follow detailed instructions...a point my 26 YO continually reminds me of  . The PP is a unit that I could easily set-up and run. The Allo on the other hand, required considerably different skills and knowledge...that of a 26 YO CS Major. 4) Build Quality - The PP comes in a self-contained steel enclosure that while quite light, is study and substantial when compared to the Allo Kantana's plastic assembly. The Kantana feels fragile, exposed and flimsy by comparison to the PP. The Kantana is quite easily moved around by the weight of the wires and has exposed electronic parts. Both structurally and aesthetically the PP is an 9/10 and the Allo is a 4/10. 5) Accessories - the PP is built with balanced XLR outputs and Orchard provides a pair of his proprietary RCA adapters for those requiring single ended inputs. Balanced is a big plus for me although all my listening to date has been single-ended RCA. Orchard provides a 3.5mm headphone jack for a very modest charge, allowing those who wish to use headphones to connect in. I am really blown away with the quality, versatility, and sound of Orchard's PP. It is a magnificent leap forward for digital audio and without question a steal at its price. Please note: I paid for my unit, just like everyone else. My review here was just to provide my personal insights into affordable hi-end audio. System used to evaluate (because this always comes up) - Roon Nucleaus Server streaming to PP with LFD Spiroflex single-ended interconnects + Allo Kantanta (w/2 TeraDak LPS). The units are connected to an LFD Mk IV SE integrated amplifier connected with LFD Grainless speaker wires to Meadowlark Kestral Hot Rod speakers. www.orchardaudio.com/pecanpi-streamer |
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. The PP is a unit that I could easily set-up and run. The Allo on the other hand, required considerably different skills and knowledge...that of a 26 YO CS Major.