The Valencia™ stands out as a groundbreaking innovation from Orchard Audio, designed in collaboration with renowned audio commentator Z Reviews. The Valencia was conceived with three clear objectives: to be the world’s first dedicated balanced headphone power amplifier, to achieve unrivaled measurement clarity among headphone amplifiers, and to offer exceptional power capabilities for headphone users.
A Leap in Headphone Amplifier Technology
The Valencia represents a significant leap forward in headphone amplification technology. With its refined Class AB design, it provides an impressive ability to drive any modern headphone, ranging from 16Ω to 600Ω, all while maintaining an incredibly low noise profile. This meticulous engineering minimizes components and eliminates unnecessary complexities in the signal path. Valencia is designed to be a pure power amplifier—free from gain selectors, secondary inputs, or volume controls—to deliver a seamless audio experience.
Unmatched Performance
Valencia’s performance speaks for itself, boasting a Signal-to-Noise and Distortion (SINAD) measurement of 118 dB, making it one of the cleanest measuring headphone amplifiers available today. Audiophiles often inquire whether an amplifier adds warmth, sibilance, or depth to the sound. With Valencia, the answer is unequivocally no; it adds nothing—no noise, no distortion, and no limitations. This level of transparency allows listeners to experience their music as it was intended, without interference.
The Power of Control
Using a power amplifier for headphones introduces a new paradigm for audio enthusiasts. Since volume control is managed via a pre-amplifier or other means, users must be mindful of the equipment they pair with Valencia. The choice of digital-to-analog converter (DAC) and pre-amplifier—whether solid-state Class-A or tube—significantly influences the sound quality. With an output of 15 watts at 32Ω, the responsibility falls on the listener to manage input voltage carefully to avoid potential damage to both headphones and hearing. However, when used with compatible source gear that maintains a near-zero noise floor, Valencia can effortlessly power even the most sensitive in-ear monitors (IEMs) without compromising audio quality.
Connectivity and Compatibility
Valencia is equipped with a single set of balanced XLR inputs on the rear and a corresponding 4-pin XLR output on the front, ensuring versatility in connectivity. Each unit comes with a 4-pin XLR to 4.4mm Pentaconn adapter for added convenience. For those with RCA outputs, adapters can be used with the rear inputs, albeit at a reduced output power, which may be beneficial for more sensitive headphones. For users wishing to harness the full power of Valencia while utilizing RCA sources, Orchard Audio offers an active RCA to XLR converter.
It is important to note that Valencia does not support single-ended headphone connections, such as 1/4″ (6.35mm) plugs. However, the rear of the unit also features a complete set of speaker-style banana taps for high-efficiency speakers (≥95 dB/W), supporting an 8Ω load with approximately 7 watts of output while maintaining the same pitch-black background listeners expect from headphone use. Caution is advised, as these taps are active simultaneously with the headphone jack, making concurrent use inadvisable.
A Thoughtful Design
The design of Valencia is not only functional but also user-friendly. A soft off-white LED power button on the angled front fascia provides a modern touch, while a hard-off power supply switch located above the AC input on the rear ensures worldwide compliance right out of the box.
