- Thread Starter
- #21
headroom is always good!Do you think the non-ultra version is better or the ultra version if power is not a concern? Similar?
Do you think the non-ultra version is better or the ultra version if power is not a concern? Similar?
I agree, however too much headroom not good, you can make sure by using a calculator like this:headroom is always good!
@orchardaudio
Wondering, would you say these sound/are better than your previous model, the standard Starkrimson?
I'm slightly confused by the specs in some areas seeming better than the prior (in the 20hz-20khz THD), but in others appearing slightly lesser (the 1kHz THD and notably SINAD 97 vs. 105). Should both be within the range of inaudible - but at the same time people round here do seem to make a point of those numbers...
I've often seen examples where a more powerful amp from the same company/range sacrifices fidelity, in the pursuit of power - which can of course be worth it if you need the power, to avoid clipping or the like.
Headroom can be very good to have, but I just wonder, if you don't strictly need the higher power, which would yield the best sound?
I know this might be a somewhat tough question to ask a maker - like picking your favorite child.
Interesting! based on the calculations you mention, even my inefficient (low 80s, which is about as inefficient as it gets) speakers would reach about 96db with 150watts... so at that point I wonder if the trade off would be worth it to get closer to 100dB potential, considering even loud listening would usually only be about 85db...Both amplifiers use my proprietary dual feedback modulator, the modulator is what mostly gives the amps the sound signature. So both amps will sound very much alike. I decided not to modify the modulator for the more powerful amps because the 150W ones got such rave reviews and now also received their second award.
In my opinion, you have to select the correct amp for the application and in the world of digital volume controls, you don't want to have too much headroom because you are then reducing your dynamic range by never using the amp's full power.
The 150W amps have a lower noise floor and lower gain so they fit much better with high sensitivity speakers of 92dB+ sensitivity in most applications.
I have a blog post on my website to help you choose the correct amp:
https://orchardaudio.com/blog/f/how-much-amplifier-power-do-i-need
Both amplifiers use my proprietary dual feedback modulator, the modulator is what mostly gives the amps the sound signature. So both amps will sound very much alike. I decided not to modify the modulator for the more powerful amps because the 150W ones got such rave reviews and now also received their second award.
In my opinion, you have to select the correct amp for the application and in the world of digital volume controls, you don't want to have too much headroom because you are then reducing your dynamic range by never using the amp's full power.
The 150W amps have a lower noise floor and lower gain so they fit much better with high sensitivity speakers of 92dB+ sensitivity in most applications.
I have a blog post on my website to help you choose the correct amp:
https://orchardaudio.com/blog/f/how-much-amplifier-power-do-i-need
Good to know, that is about what I suspected... in that case since even 150 watts, with its ability to handle 300w peaks, should be enough to blow my head off, even with an 88dB or lower efficiency speakers, I should just go for the less powerful one for the highest sound quality with these. If additional “headroom” above my listening level isn’t really a relevant thing.
I’d realistically mostly listen at 80dB assuming my phones calibrated measurements are completely off, so being able to play back at 100dB+ probably isn’t really relevant for the most part. Having that extra power might more so just be for “security” if one were to crank it some day I guess.
Do you know why the Ultra Modules in the 20-20khz THD measurement specs appear to be slightly better, even at low power, than the lower power ones by the way? Seems counter-intuitive to me when the over all noise floor and sinad etc. are better on the lower power one, how this occurs? Seems almost like the Ultra's are better in some ways, but not in others, in terms of sheer cleanliness - wondering if your experience building the first ones have just lead to even better execution here, in spite of the higher power somehow, or if its something more simple?Both amplifiers use my proprietary dual feedback modulator, the modulator is what mostly gives the amps the sound signature. So both amps will sound very much alike. I decided not to modify the modulator for the more powerful amps because the 150W ones got such rave reviews and now also received their second award.
In my opinion, you have to select the correct amp for the application and in the world of digital volume controls, you don't want to have too much headroom because you are then reducing your dynamic range by never using the amp's full power.
The 150W amps have a lower noise floor and lower gain so they fit much better with high sensitivity speakers of 92dB+ sensitivity in most applications.
I have a blog post on my website to help you choose the correct amp:
https://orchardaudio.com/blog/f/how-much-amplifier-power-do-i-need
Do you know why the Ultra Modules in the 20-20khz THD measurement specs appear to be slightly better, even at low power, than the lower power ones by the way? Seems counter-intuitive to me when the over all noise floor and sinad etc. are better on the lower power one, how this occurs? Seems almost like the Ultra's are better in some ways, but not in others, in terms of sheer cleanliness - wondering if your experience building the first ones have just lead to even better execution here, in spite of the higher power somehow, or if its something more simple?