AudioNervosa

The Market => Manufacturer News => Topic started by: HAL on September 25, 2019, 10:17:07 AM

Title: Orchard Audio BOSC amps here to demo with The Monoliths Speaker System.
Post by: HAL on September 25, 2019, 10:17:07 AM
The Orchard Audio BOSC amps have arrived to demo with The Monoliths speaker system.  These will be the BG NEO10 driver amp in the system for trials.
 
Made a custom set of 2' speaker cables for direct connection to the driver terminals.

Balanced inputs on the amps, so easy connection to the dspMusik 2x8 digital crossover. 

A slight change in Parasound A23 tweeter amp levels to match the BOSC amp gain.  Very simple change to the crossover.
Title: Re: Orchard Audio BOSC amps here to demo with The Monoliths Speaker System.
Post by: mdconnelly on September 25, 2019, 10:53:35 AM
Looking forward to hearing what you think of them!     Leo's Kickstarter campaign will expire on Oct 6th and I really hope it succeeds.    :thumb:
Title: Re: Orchard Audio BOSC amps here to demo with The Monoliths Speaker System.
Post by: HAL on September 25, 2019, 06:04:05 PM
Will keep everyone posted as I get listening time.

Everything is connected.  Here is one BOSC amp directly connected to the BG NEO10 planar driver.   Next is updating the gain settings in the dspMusik 2x8 crossover block diagram.
Title: Re: Orchard Audio BOSC amps here to demo with The Monoliths Speaker System.
Post by: orchardaudio on September 25, 2019, 06:26:25 PM
Looking forward to your findings.
Title: Orchard Audio BOSC amps here to demo with The Monoliths Speaker System.
Post by: Guy 13 on September 25, 2019, 06:33:34 PM
Hi all.
I am curious to know how they sound,
those units are so little...
In size of course.

Guy 13
Title: Re: Orchard Audio BOSC amps here to demo with The Monoliths Speaker System.
Post by: tmazz on September 25, 2019, 11:29:40 PM
Leo was the featured guest at an AudioSyndrome meeting at my house about 18 months ago where he demonstrated his first generation amp, DAC and streamer (the Apple series) for the club. Very nice sounding gear. His streamer/DAC combo impressed even our most die hard vinyl guy, who said he thought was "engaging." While this might sound like somewhat faint praise the background story to this is that this was the first time I had ever heard him say something nice about any piece of digital equipment.

And from everything I have heard, the new series of gear sounds even better.

Definitely worth consideration on sound alone, but even more so if space is a consideration for you, as Leo gets great sound out of gear that has a very small footprint.
Title: Re: Orchard Audio BOSC amps here to demo with The Monoliths Speaker System.
Post by: orchardaudio on September 26, 2019, 05:03:11 AM
Leo was the featured guest at an AudioSyndrome meeting at my house about 18 months ago where he demonstrated his first generation amp, DAC and streamer (the Apple series) for the club. Very nice sounding gear. His streamer/DAC combo impressed even our most die hard vinyl guy, who said he thought was "engaging." While this might sound like somewhat faint praise the background story to this is that this was the first time I had ever heard him say something nice about any piece of digital equipment.

And from everything I have heard, the new series of gear sounds even better.

Definitely worth consideration on sound alone, but even more so if space is a consideration for you, as Leo gets great sound out of gear that has a very small footprint.

Wow I can't believe it's been that long...
Title: Re: Orchard Audio BOSC amps here to demo with The Monoliths Speaker System.
Post by: HAL on September 28, 2019, 12:56:32 PM
The BOSC amps are up and running in The Monoliths system.  The are powering the BG NEO10 mids, so a very sensitive frequency range of 200Hz to 2.6KHz. 

Checked DC offset since both the BOSC amps and dspMusik 2x8 are DC coupled.  Highest channel DC offset was 24mVDC, very similar to other amps here.  Very good for fully DC coupled!

First listening with everything from start is that they are very good.  The rest of system will be coming up to temperature and more listening once it is stabilized.  Class A/B amps take awhile here as usual. 

More as listening continues.
Title: Re: Orchard Audio BOSC amps here to demo with The Monoliths Speaker System.
Post by: HAL on September 28, 2019, 07:10:42 PM
From the first listening, the BOSC amps are much quieter than the A23's.   Background noise level is below hearing from the mids where before there was a background noise level.  The BG NEO10 is 92dB/1w/m sensitivity, so most amps have a residual noise level.  Not with these.

The lower gain of the amps helps to use more of the DAC's output voltage range compared to the higher gain amps.   Gives better overall SNR for the system.

Nothing stands out as wrong.  Everything is clean and distinct without being analytical.  Very nice with big orchestral pieces or complex rock music.  Acoustic instruments sound very realistic.  There is an immediacy that having direct connection with very short speaker cables makes possible.  Transient edges have excellent attack and nice decay. 

Very happy with the amps in the system so far and lots of listening to do.
Title: Re: Orchard Audio BOSC amps here to demo with The Monoliths Speaker System.
Post by: orchardaudio on September 29, 2019, 04:54:11 AM
Background noise level is below hearing from the mids where before there was a background noise level.

The residual noise of the amp itself is only 32uV, then whatever noise your DAC makes will be added to the 32uV multiplied by the Amp's gain. Since the gain of the amp is low relative to others the overall output noise will also be very low and should be completely inaudible.
Title: Re: Orchard Audio BOSC amps here to demo with The Monoliths Speaker System.
Post by: Guy 13 on September 29, 2019, 05:17:54 AM
Background noise level is below hearing from the mids where before there was a background noise level.

The residual noise of the amp itself is only 32uV, then whatever noise your DAC makes will be added to the 32uV multiplied by the Amp's gain. Since the gain of the amp is low relative to others the overall output noise will also be very low and should be completely inaudible.

Hi.
Some amplifier manufacturers rate their s-n ratio in db,
I saw -90db on a tube amplifier, how does that compare to your 32uV ?
I know db doesn't mean much if you don't state other parameters.

Guy 13
Title: Re: Orchard Audio BOSC amps here to demo with The Monoliths Speaker System.
Post by: HAL on September 29, 2019, 06:00:24 AM
Background noise level is below hearing from the mids where before there was a background noise level.

The residual noise of the amp itself is only 32uV, then whatever noise your DAC makes will be added to the 32uV multiplied by the Amp's gain. Since the gain of the amp is low relative to others the overall output noise will also be very low and should be completely inaudible.

Hi.
Some amplifier manufacturers rate their s-n ratio in db,
I saw -90db on a tube amplifier, how does that compare to your 32uV ?
I know db doesn't mean much if you don't state other parameters.

Guy 13

If my math is correct the noise floor is -132dBV in a 1Hz bandwidth (corrected for 20KHz bandwidth measurement) from a 32uVrms noise floor.  That is not SNR as stated. 

If I spotted it correctly the SNR is 120dB.
Title: Re: Orchard Audio BOSC amps here to demo with The Monoliths Speaker System.
Post by: orchardaudio on September 29, 2019, 06:12:25 AM
SNR is 121dB (a-weighted) or 118dB with no weighting. The 32uV number is based on the 121dB measurement.

dB is just a ratio between two numbers. The amp's nominal output voltage is 34.6Vrms, since the noise is 32uV. The SNR is 121dB.

Every 20 dB is equivalent to a factor of 10. So 120dB is 1,000,000:1.

With 121dB it is a little better than a million to 1.
Title: Re: Orchard Audio BOSC amps here to demo with The Monoliths Speaker System.
Post by: Guy 13 on September 29, 2019, 01:16:00 PM
SNR is 121dB (a-weighted) or 118dB with no weighting. The 32uV number is based on the 121dB measurement.

dB is just a ratio between two numbers. The amp's nominal output voltage is 34.6Vrms, since the noise is 32uV. The SNR is 121dB.

Every 20 dB is equivalent to a factor of 10. So 120dB is 1,000,000:1.

With 121dB it is a little better than a million to 1.

Thanks for the information.

Guy 13
Title: Re: Orchard Audio BOSC amps here to demo with The Monoliths Speaker System.
Post by: HAL on October 01, 2019, 08:15:29 PM
Hope people go and support Leo's Kickstarter campaign.  Only a few more days left to sign up.

Very happy with the BOSC amp listening trials and have put in for two pairs. 

Have a demo for some friends on Thursday and then they go back to Leo.  Hope the next person enjoys them as much as I do.
Title: Orchard Audio BOSC amps here to demo with The Monoliths Speaker System.
Post by: Guy 13 on October 01, 2019, 09:38:20 PM
Hope people go and support Leo's Kickstarter campaign.  Only a few more days left to sign up.

Very happy with the BOSC amp listening trials and have put in for two pairs. 

Have a demo for some friends on Thursday and then they go back to Leo.  Hope the next person enjoys them as much as I do.

Hi all.
I would sure like to help Leo with his Kickstarter,
but unfortunately I am not ready financially,
my moving back to Canada will be expensive.
However,
since I will be moving into a small one bedroom apartment,
the BOSC mini size would be ideal,
plus the fact that according to some, the sound is hawsome.
I am sure that middle of next year Leo will still be around,
with such a good product, I don't see why not.

Guy 13

Title: Re: Orchard Audio BOSC amps here to demo with The Monoliths Speaker System.
Post by: HAL on October 02, 2019, 05:18:10 AM
Since these are monoblocks, having a 2' speaker cable directly from the amp output to the driver terminals.    Now the driver is in the amp feedback loop for best diaphragm control.  With a damping factor of 550, you get to keep as much of that as possible with short cables. 
Title: Re: Orchard Audio BOSC amps here to demo with The Monoliths Speaker System.
Post by: Guy 13 on October 02, 2019, 06:31:36 AM
Since these are monoblocks, having a 2' speaker cable directly from the amp output to the driver terminals.    Now the driver is in the amp feedback loop for best diaphragm control.  With a damping factor of 550, you get to keep as much of that as possible with short cables.

Hi.
I understand what you are saying about the advantage of short speaker wires,
however what's best short speaker cables or short interconnects ?
Interconnect in my case will have to be 6 to 8 feet long
and everybody talk about inductance, capacitance and resistance
and interconnect should be as short as possible.
Sooooo ? ? ? ? ?

Guy 13

I sure don't want to be a pain in the neck,
only understand since your are the reliable person.
Title: Re: Orchard Audio BOSC amps here to demo with The Monoliths Speaker System.
Post by: HAL on October 02, 2019, 07:47:33 AM
To me short speaker cable and 15' balanced interconnects works very well.  That is what I am using with the BOSC amps.
Title: Re: Orchard Audio BOSC amps here to demo with The Monoliths Speaker System.
Post by: mdconnelly on October 02, 2019, 12:09:42 PM
I really hope Leo's Kickstarter on these BOSC amps succeeds (cuz I really want a pair ;-).   If you're on the fence, jump soon.  The Kickstarter expires this coming Sunday, Oct 6th.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/orchardaudio/bosctm-hifi-monoblock-audio-amplifier?ref=c7srx9 (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/orchardaudio/bosctm-hifi-monoblock-audio-amplifier?ref=c7srx9)
Title: Re: Orchard Audio BOSC amps here to demo with The Monoliths Speaker System.
Post by: HAL on October 02, 2019, 12:59:52 PM
Same here.  Put in for two pairs in the Kickstarter.
Title: Re: Orchard Audio BOSC amps here to demo with The Monoliths Speaker System.
Post by: orchardaudio on October 06, 2019, 02:50:35 PM
I was, unfortunately, unable to reach the BOSC Kickstarter goal.
 
The good news is that there is another chance to get your hands on the BOSC amplifiers!  I hope that you will support Orchard Audio and preorder BOSC directly through the website, here:
https://orchardaudio.com/shop?olsPage=products%2Fbsc-mplfr

The preorders are available at $999 (33% off MSRP), for a pair of amps.

Once 40 preorders are placed, I will start manufacturing the BOSC amplifiers, and shipments will start 8-12 weeks after that.

Pricing is as follows:
$999 for the first 40 preorders
$1099 for orders 41 through 60
$1199 for orders 61 and up
Title: Re: Orchard Audio BOSC amps here to demo with The Monoliths Speaker System.
Post by: HAL on October 06, 2019, 03:01:11 PM
Ok. I have ordered two pairs of BOSC amps.  Hope to be in the first 40 orders.

Looking forward to them.
Title: Re: Orchard Audio BOSC amps here to demo with The Monoliths Speaker System.
Post by: orchardaudio on October 06, 2019, 03:05:31 PM
Ok. I have ordered two pairs of BOSC amps.  Hope to be in the first 40 orders.

Looking forward to them.

You are the first two out of the 40.
Title: Re: Orchard Audio BOSC amps here to demo with The Monoliths Speaker System.
Post by: mdconnelly on October 07, 2019, 11:20:54 AM
I'm placing my order for a pair of BOSC now.    Glad to see that the future of these tiny little awesome amps is still alive.
Title: Re: Orchard Audio BOSC amps here to demo with The Monoliths Speaker System.
Post by: Nick B on October 07, 2019, 01:02:55 PM
I'm placing my order for a pair of BOSC now.    Glad to see that the future of these tiny little awesome amps is still alive.

Hi Mike,
Iirc, you have a Devialet amp. Will the BOSC become the main amps or you’ll be using them in a second system?
Nick
Title: Re: Orchard Audio BOSC amps here to demo with The Monoliths Speaker System.
Post by: mdconnelly on October 07, 2019, 01:22:20 PM
Nick, still have the Devialet and still loving it in the big rig.    When I tested the BOSC amps a few months ago, I tried them on a secondary system with a pair of B&W bookshelf speakers that I had been driving with a cheap class D amp.   This system is primarily for background music in our kitchen & dining room.   What totally surprised me is just how much better this system sounded with the BOSC amps.   So that's where the BOSC will reside.

I did try them in place of my Devialet just for a comparison and was quite surprised how good they sounded.  But no, they're not going to replace the Devialet nor would I expect them to.   But these amps are small, light, run cool and punch well above their price tag IMHO (particularly at Leo's intro pricing).   I gotta think there's a ton of viable applications for these in whole-house audio and HT systems as well.
Title: Re: Orchard Audio BOSC amps here to demo with The Monoliths Speaker System.
Post by: orchardaudio on October 08, 2019, 10:47:18 AM
Only 26 pairs left at the $999 price.

If you are short on space these are a great way to go.

While they can perform very well in any situation, I think these amps are great for secondary systems, bedrooms, lobbies, guest rooms, kitchens etc. These are places that typically have more constrained spaces.

While these are not meant to compete with the likes of Devialet, which cost 10x more. I do believe they will easy beat amps at 2-4x the price.

Additionally there is something to be said... Almost every single person that tries them gets a pair.
Title: Re: Orchard Audio BOSC amps here to demo with The Monoliths Speaker System.
Post by: Nick B on October 08, 2019, 01:42:52 PM
Nick, still have the Devialet and still loving it in the big rig.    When I tested the BOSC amps a few months ago, I tried them on a secondary system with a pair of B&W bookshelf speakers that I had been driving with a cheap class D amp.   This system is primarily for background music in our kitchen & dining room.   What totally surprised me is just how much better this system sounded with the BOSC amps.   So that's where the BOSC will reside.

I did try them in place of my Devialet just for a comparison and was quite surprised how good they sounded.  But no, they're not going to replace the Devialet nor would I expect them to.   But these amps are small, light, run cool and punch well above their price tag IMHO (particularly at Leo's intro pricing).   I gotta think there's a ton of viable applications for these in whole-house audio and HT systems as well.

Thanks, Mike
Title: Re: Orchard Audio BOSC amps here to demo with The Monoliths Speaker System.
Post by: orchardaudio on October 27, 2019, 05:53:32 PM
BOSC has reached 40 orders. The $999 price is available until November 5th. After that, the price will go to $1249.

Order here:
https://orchardaudio.com/shop?olsPage=products%2Fbsc-mplfr


This is the last chance to get these amazing amplifiers at this price.

Manufacturing of the BOSC amps will kick off on November 6th. Deliveries will start taking place 8-12 weeks after that.
Title: Re: Orchard Audio BOSC amps here to demo with The Monoliths Speaker System.
Post by: orchardaudio on October 28, 2019, 09:38:23 AM
Fully assembled boards are also available at $250 each. If you are interested please let me know. I would need payment before November 6th.
Title: Re: Orchard Audio BOSC amps here to demo with The Monoliths Speaker System.
Post by: mdconnelly on October 28, 2019, 10:48:14 AM
Fully assembled boards are also available at $250 each. If you are interested please let me know. I would need payment before November 6th.

Leo, can you expand on that?   I know a DIYer that could be interested.    What's included/excluded?
Title: Re: Orchard Audio BOSC amps here to demo with The Monoliths Speaker System.
Post by: orchardaudio on October 28, 2019, 01:00:16 PM
Fully assembled boards are also available at $250 each. If you are interested please let me know. I would need payment before November 6th.

Leo, can you expand on that?   I know a DIYer that could be interested.    What's included/excluded?

This is just the board that is used inside the BOSC amplifier. No case and no power supply. Pictured here:
Title: Re: Orchard Audio BOSC amps here to demo with The Monoliths Speaker System.
Post by: HAL on December 06, 2019, 05:58:33 AM
Looks like the production BOSC amps will be here mid January for listening.
Title: Re: Orchard Audio BOSC amps here to demo with The Monoliths Speaker System.
Post by: orchardaudio on December 06, 2019, 06:08:02 AM
Looks like the production BOSC amps will be here mid January for listening.

Yep and I still have 10 pairs left for mid-January delivery at a discounted price ($1249), for anybody else who want to order.
Title: Re: Orchard Audio BOSC amps here to demo with The Monoliths Speaker System.
Post by: tmazz on December 09, 2019, 04:08:26 PM
Looks like the production BOSC amps will be here mid January for listening.

 :yay2:
Title: Re: Orchard Audio BOSC amps here to demo with The Monoliths Speaker System.
Post by: HAL on December 10, 2019, 09:53:21 AM
tmazz,
Did I say something about a amp?    :thumb:
Title: Re: Orchard Audio BOSC amps here to demo with The Monoliths Speaker System.
Post by: orchardaudio on January 10, 2020, 05:05:06 PM
Looks like the production BOSC amps will be here mid January for listening.
Your amps are going to the post office tomorrow morning.
Title: Re: Orchard Audio BOSC amps here to demo with The Monoliths Speaker System.
Post by: HAL on January 10, 2020, 11:10:15 PM
Leo,
Thanks!  Looking forward to the amps!   :thumb:
Title: Re: Orchard Audio BOSC amps here to demo with The Monoliths Speaker System.
Post by: HAL on January 12, 2020, 07:43:51 AM
The BOSC amps arrive tomorrow.  It is going to be a musical day!  :D

I have the test data from Leo now.  I suggested for each amp to add a voltage gain measurement and Leo added it to the test data.
Title: Re: Orchard Audio BOSC amps here to demo with The Monoliths Speaker System.
Post by: HAL on January 13, 2020, 02:28:41 PM
The Orchard Audio BOSC GaN amps have arrived.

Will be setting them up the Magnetar open baffle planar speaker for listening trials.
Title: Re: Orchard Audio BOSC amps here to demo with The Monoliths Speaker System.
Post by: mdconnelly on January 13, 2020, 03:34:44 PM
Ditto here!   Da BOSC are in da house!   It'll take a few more days before I've got time to get them setup.  I'll post what I hear when I hear it. 
Title: Re: Orchard Audio BOSC amps here to demo with The Monoliths Speaker System.
Post by: mdconnelly on January 15, 2020, 08:37:27 AM
My BOSC are up and singing ever so sweetly via Roon --> PecanPi Streamer --> BOSC amps!

They sound every bit as good as I remember... detail and clarity galore with a tight and well defined bass.   And all this in a secondary system overlooking my dining room and kitchen.   I'm using an old pair of B&W bookshelf speakers that never sounded so good.    My justification is that I told my wife i'd spend more time in the kitchen cooking.   Hey, it could happen.

And I couldn't resist... I've also ordered a short pair of speaker cables from Pete @ Triode Wire Labs since the BOSC are sitting right next to the speakers.    :thumb:

Thank you Leo!
Title: Re: Orchard Audio BOSC amps here to demo with The Monoliths Speaker System.
Post by: orchardaudio on January 15, 2020, 08:46:17 AM
My BOSC are up and singing ever so sweetly via Roon --> PecanPi Streamer --> BOSC amps!

They sound every bit as good as I remember... detail and clarity galore with a tight and well defined bass.   And all this in a secondary system overlooking my dining room and kitchen.   I'm using an old pair of B&W bookshelf speakers that never sounded so good.    My justification is that I told my wife i'd spend more time in the kitchen cooking.   Hey, it could happen.

And I couldn't resist... I've also ordered a short pair of speaker cables from Pete @ Triode Wire Labs since the BOSC are sitting right next to the speakers.    :thumb:

Thank you Leo!

Glad you are enjoying them...
Title: Re: Orchard Audio BOSC amps here to demo with The Monoliths Speaker System.
Post by: HAL on January 15, 2020, 03:39:55 PM
The BOSC amps are up and running with my new planar speakers the Magnear planar magnetic OB speakers.  Spunds really good and still tweaking the dspMusik crossover. 
Title: Re: Orchard Audio BOSC amps here to demo with The Monoliths Speaker System.
Post by: orchardaudio on January 15, 2020, 04:27:18 PM
The BOSC amps are up and running with my new planar speakers the Magnear planar magnetic OB speakers.  Spunds really good and still tweaking the dspMusik crossover.

Are you tri-amping the speakers? I ask cause you got 6 amps... Can you show pic?
Title: Re: Orchard Audio BOSC amps here to demo with The Monoliths Speaker System.
Post by: HAL on January 15, 2020, 04:49:21 PM
I am using one pair with the new speakers since it is a single planar driver with servo sub per side.

Will be trying all 3 pairs with the line arrays.

Pictures when I have production baffles with the driver. 
Title: Re: Orchard Audio BOSC amps here to demo with The Monoliths Speaker System.
Post by: mdconnelly on January 16, 2020, 06:30:42 AM
I am using one pair with the new speakers since it is a single planar driver with servo sub per side.

Will be trying all 3 pairs with the line arrays.

Pictures when I have production baffles with the driver.

Woohoo!  Now that should be interesting!
Title: Re: Orchard Audio BOSC amps here to demo with The Monoliths Speaker System.
Post by: orchardaudio on January 18, 2020, 06:00:31 PM
I will be doing a demo in Stamford, CT on February 1st. Let me know if you would be interested in coming. There are only 5 spots left.