Author Topic: 500W (4ohm) GaN Class D Modules - Starkrimson Ultra  (Read 11742 times)

Offline orchardaudio

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500W (4ohm) GaN Class D Modules - Starkrimson Ultra
« on: December 22, 2020, 01:47:02 PM »
The purpose of this thread is to gauge interest in these modules, please see the link below for full info.

Full info here.
https://www.diyaudio.com/forums/vendor-s-bazaar/364831-500w-4ohm-gan-class-modules-starkrimson-ultra.html


Offline HAL

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Re: 500W (4ohm) GaN Class D Modules - Starkrimson Ultra
« Reply #1 on: December 22, 2020, 05:16:49 PM »
The webpage link is not working.

Offline orchardaudio

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Re: 500W (4ohm) GaN Class D Modules - Starkrimson Ultra
« Reply #2 on: December 22, 2020, 05:27:50 PM »
The webpage link is not working.

Fixed. Thanks for heads up.

Offline mdconnelly

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Re: 500W (4ohm) GaN Class D Modules - Starkrimson Ultra
« Reply #3 on: December 23, 2020, 05:22:03 PM »
Leo, as you know, I've got a pair of your BOSC amps (now known as Starkrimson I believe).   They sound amazing.

How will this new design differ from the amps I currently have?

Offline orchardaudio

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Re: 500W (4ohm) GaN Class D Modules - Starkrimson Ultra
« Reply #4 on: December 25, 2020, 11:54:15 AM »
Leo, as you know, I've got a pair of your BOSC amps (now known as Starkrimson I believe).   They sound amazing.

How will this new design differ from the amps I currently have?

The sound will be very similar as it uses the same modulator as the existing amps. The difference is that the GaN power stage will be completely different. The power supply will also be different.

I am expecting objective performance to be slightly improved.

The big difference is the power output as you know the current amp is only good for 150W. The new ones will do 250W into 8 ohm and 500W into 4 ohms.

Offline tmazz

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Re: 500W (4ohm) GaN Class D Modules - Starkrimson Ultra
« Reply #5 on: December 27, 2020, 11:34:45 PM »
Leo I have heard you previous amps and have no doubt that this will be a great sounding piece. However while a 500W amp would have done a great job pushing my big Theils , it is just way to much power for the small monitors I am using now. So for that reason alone, I would have to say that something like this would not interest me.
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Offline orchardaudio

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Re: 500W (4ohm) GaN Class D Modules - Starkrimson Ultra
« Reply #6 on: December 28, 2020, 12:52:18 PM »
Leo I have heard you previous amps and have no doubt that this will be a great sounding piece. However while a 500W amp would have done a great job pushing my big Theils , it is just way to much power for the small monitors I am using now. So for that reason alone, I would have to say that something like this would not interest me.

Hi,

I still selling the 150W amps. Let me know if you have any questions.

Regards;
Leo

Offline orchardaudio

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Re: 500W (4ohm) GaN Class D Modules - Starkrimson Ultra
« Reply #7 on: December 29, 2020, 06:09:08 PM »
Update 12/29/2020:
The layout is finished...

I had to make the board 4.85 by 3.75 inches to add some additional circuity, due to feedback that I received for the other board.
Added LED to indicate over current
Added LED to indicate overvoltage
Added LED to indicate that board is powered up

Still need to do final checks before manufacturing the boards. However, the layout is at a good point to start getting quotes. So please let me know if you would be interested in getting one or two of these.

The board will need the following power supplies:
+/-36 to 42.5V for power stages
+9 to +15V for Driver (referenced to -36V)
+/- 12 to 22V for analog sections

A single Hypex / SMPS1200A100 provides all of the required power supplies. and can power two modules to make a stereo system.

In simulations, this amplifier achieves over 98.5% efficiency at 500W.

Offline orchardaudio

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Re: 500W (4ohm) GaN Class D Modules - Starkrimson Ultra
« Reply #8 on: January 02, 2021, 07:29:26 AM »
Update 01/02/2021
Some specifications are finalized:
Gain (balanced input): 19.3dB
Gain (single-ended input): 25.3dB
Power output into 8Ω/4Ω: 250W/500W
Input Impedance balanced/single-ended: 44k/22k

Offline orchardaudio

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Re: 500W (4ohm) GaN Class D Modules - Starkrimson Ultra
« Reply #9 on: January 06, 2021, 01:16:22 PM »
Final pricing is as follows:
2 x Starkrimson Ultra assembled and tested board --> $849.95 USD
2 x Starkrimson Ultra bare board w/BOM --> $99.95 USD (NDA Required)

To place your orders go here:
https://orchardaudio.com/shop/ols/products/strk-ltr-mdl

The discounted pricing will end on January 31st.

Delivery will take place in March/April 2021.

If you have any questions please contact me through this link:
Contact Us | Orchard Audio

If you would like to see the preliminary BOM I have that available now, you will just need to sign NDA.

Offline orchardaudio

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Re: 500W (4ohm) GaN Class D Modules - Starkrimson Ultra
« Reply #10 on: January 08, 2021, 05:05:57 AM »
The completed modules require no soldering. All connections are on terminal blocks/headers.

J1, J2, J3 are all for different power supplies.
X1, X3 – Amplifier output
J6 – balanced input
J4 – Single-ended input

Offline orchardaudio

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Re: 500W (4ohm) GaN Class D Modules - Starkrimson Ultra
« Reply #11 on: January 20, 2021, 04:42:19 AM »
I have created a wiring document on how to connect the SMPS1200 power supply to the amp module(s).
https://drive.google.com/file/d/15WSmoonjk5Gu6yQutwwNLtkNgqelcvpL/view?usp=sharing

Offline orchardaudio

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Re: 500W (4ohm) GaN Class D Modules - Starkrimson Ultra
« Reply #12 on: January 23, 2021, 11:21:59 AM »
For those of you that like op-amp rolling and are purchasing the bare board option, op-amps U1 and U2 can be changed to something else that you may prefer. They are just used as buffer stages for the XLR and RCA inputs. So changing these op-amps to something else is low risk.

However, since the amplifier is DC coupled make sure your op-amp has a very low input offset voltage (Vos)

The package is SOIC-8 with a thermal pad. However, the thermal pad is not needed for all op-amps and can be left unconnected.

Offline HAL

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Re: 500W (4ohm) GaN Class D Modules - Starkrimson Ultra
« Reply #13 on: January 23, 2021, 11:56:20 AM »
Leo,
You might want to list opamps with low DC offset for audio that have been tested with the amp. 

Just a thought.

Offline orchardaudio

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Re: 500W (4ohm) GaN Class D Modules - Starkrimson Ultra
« Reply #14 on: January 24, 2021, 03:30:56 PM »
Leo,
You might want to list opamps with low DC offset for audio that have been tested with the amp. 

Just a thought.

I will only test the opamps that the board comes with. I unfortunately don't have time or equipment to be changing SMT op-amp.

I can help with op-amp selection if somebody needs it.