I have a customer’s Orchid here with some 30 hours on it post surgery. It also has the SR Orange fuse. I have been comparing it to my Amber 3 with SR Orange fuse and Mullard 12au7. I can easily live with both. Don’t miss the other when one is playing.
The Orchid is warmer. The Amber slightly more open and resolving. The Orchid sounds right on more recordings while the Amber is more fussy with its slightly better resolution sometimes hurting enjoyment of lesser quality recordings.
The Amber = impressive sonic feats of strength with good to great recordings.
The upgraded Orchid = smile and enjoyment of most recordings without Aphile anxiety.
The tube rolling upgrade options would take the Orchid up another level making it an undeniable top contender. The resolution and soundstage gap may be closed with tube socket and tube varieties mentioned above.
The Orchid is still some $1000 less than the Amber with all upgrades.
I am happy with my decision to keep the Amber 3. I have many DSD recordings and really enjoy the Amber’s sound and nuance. DSD recordings do sound better than non-DSD in my system.
The Orchid is warmer. The Amber slightly more open and resolving. The Orchid sounds right on more recordings while the Amber is more fussy with its slightly better resolution sometimes hurting enjoyment of lesser quality recordings.
The Amber = impressive sonic feats of strength with good to great recordings.
The upgraded Orchid = smile and enjoyment of most recordings without Aphile anxiety.
The tube rolling upgrade options would take the Orchid up another level making it an undeniable top contender. The resolution and soundstage gap may be closed with tube socket and tube varieties mentioned above.
The Orchid is still some $1000 less than the Amber with all upgrades.
I am happy with my decision to keep the Amber 3. I have many DSD recordings and really enjoy the Amber’s sound and nuance. DSD recordings do sound better than non-DSD in my system.