Having just driven past an orange grove in Florida earlier this week, you will have to forgive my attempt to highlight one of the key features of the new Orchard Audio Valencia Balanced Headphone Amplifier that will be making its debut at CanJam NYC 2025 on February 22nd to 23rd. The Valencia will also be available for demonstration at AXPONA in late-April.
Orchard Audio is based in the Garden State (New Jersey for those who are not aware of the motto on its license plates) and we have explored its GaN power amplifier more than a few times over the years. It’s a boutique manufacturer that has developed a growing base of fans for the simple reason that its products are not overpriced and actually deliver rather impressive sound quality.
It also makes a number of bare bones streamer/DACs including the PecanPi+ so it would only make logical sense that it would develop its own headphone amplifier which is designed for desktop listening.
Freshly Squeezed?
The Class A/B balanced headphone amplifier outputs a maximum of 17 watts per channel (see below) and also doubles as a stereo amplifier with 7 watts of power available into 8 ohm loudspeaker loads — high-sensitivity loudspeakers only for those already thinking about something from Zu Audio or Omega.
The Orchard Audio Valencia also represents Orchard Audio’s first collaboration, joining forces with respected long-time audio commentator Z-Reviews — which is a rather curious development. Is this about to become a new trend where YouTube commentators are getting into bed with manufacturers? And can we expect unbiased reviews in that regard?
Features:
- Amplification Design: A fully balanced power amplifier from input to output, featuring independent linear power supplies for each channel.
- Design: A sleek, modern, sandblasted aluminum chassis and unique angled fascia blends in with other high-end desktop gear or the Orchard Audio PecanPi+ Streamers. Available in anodized black or natural aluminum finishes, to match your setup’s aesthetic.
- Gain: 14dB
- Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR): > 134dB (A-weighted)
- Output Power: 17W into 32 ohms
“We are incredibly excited to introduce Valencia to music lovers and enthusiasts.” said Orchard Audio owner, Leo Ayzenshtat. “This amplifier embodies our commitment to delivering superior audio experiences, and we believe it will set a new standard in the industry.”
The Valencia features a single set of Balanced XLR inputs on the rear and a single 4-pin XLR output on the front. Every unit includes a 4-pin XLR to 4.4mm Pentaconn adapter.
Single-ended headphone connections (e.g., 1/4″ / 6.35mm) are not supported by Valencia.
Additionally, a complete set of speaker-style banana taps is located on the rear of the unit. These can be used for high efficiency speakers (>=95db/w), as Valencia supports an 8 ohm load with a ~5-watt output.
These taps are active at the same time as the headphone jack so it is highly inadvisable to use both simultaneously.
The amplifier is 5 pounds and measures (L x W x H): 9.5″ (24.15cm) x 9.25″ (23.5cm) x 3″ (7.62cm) for those holding a measuring tape right now over their work desk.
Turn up the Juice?
So just how much power does the Valencia output?
- Power (RMS):
- 0.81W into 600 Ω
- 1.62W into 300 Ω
- 3.24W into 150 Ω
- 7.56W into 64 Ω
- 9.68W into 50 Ω
- 15.12W into 32 Ω
- 9.66W into 16 Ω
- 4.83W into 8 Ω
The Bottom Line
Orchard Audio has a solid track record of engineering excellent sounding amplifiers and streamers, but we are curious about the power output specifications and how that will play out in the real world with the types of demanding dynamic and planar magnetic headphones that the Head-Fi community enjoys.
You also won’t find a gain selector, secondary inputs, or volume control on Valencia. It is purely a power amp — compatibility with its own streamers is a given, but how will it play with smart phones connected to Dongle DACs, streamer/DACS, and DAPs which do not offer the same level of output.
We look forward to listening to this.
Price & Availability
Discounted preorder pricing is a $1,599.95 at OrchardAudio.com ($1,999.95 MSRP)
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ORT
February 16, 2025 at 4:48 am
Ummmmmm…This thing is fugly. Simpleton fugly. Stripped down Easy-Bake Pizza Oven fugly. Cheap fugly.
It’s as if someone at the company decided to strip down an Easy-Bake Pizza oven to nothing but the top, bottom and sides. W.T.I.?
What The Intercourse, indeed.For a buck shy of $2,000 this thing had better look the bidness! Instead? Instead it gives us the BIDNESS.
In the name of Gaius Petronius Arbiter, I dub this item horribiliter grotescus.
What a Leisure Suit of a headphone amp. Looks matter. Go look at John Wick’s Mustang to know that I am once again, correct-o-mundo.
Not even Maksymilian Faktorowicz could make this look worth it. This is industrialized laziness made metal.
Gaius petrORTicus Arbiter
Ian White
February 16, 2025 at 3:16 pm
Gaius petrORTicus Arbiter,
Thank you for the badly needed laugh on a dark Sunday. And I can’t say that I disagree.
If the Valencia sounds great (which I suspect it might based on their amplifiers), it might be a great option for some. I don’t like not having a volume pot/dial on the front for the simple reason that not every source HAS A VOLUME control — phono pre-amplifiers (or turntables with an internal pre-amp) generally don’t and neither do most CD players. At least none that I own do.
On the plus side, I did have some freshly squeezed OJ this morning.
Gov. DeSantis