Orion GS300

[Clipped]

i have an oppurtunity to scoop up an Orion GS300, yes the gold one

are there any parts in these amps that will be hard to find replacement parts for such as special opamps? or funky chips?

i know the transistors were matched from the factory...but i know how to match them so it wont be a problem if i need to replace them.

basicly what made the GS300 so special other than the gold color?

[Clipped]

... someone talk me out of it.

http://www.thaisecondhand.com/_board...CA7117588.html

you can see in the pics the transistor securing rails have been removed.

[amc32]

If you can get for the,buy it.Its worth the investment.

Special Topology? Not really,sorry.


GS is BS Marketing.


I personally love Orion and perfer them over Linear Power
2150 SX in an Red Dress

[tomtomjr]

Originally posted by amc32
If you can get for the,buy it.Its worth the investment.
Special Topology? Not really,sorry.
GS is BS Marketing.
I personally love Orion and perfer them over Linear Power
2150 SX in an Red Dress

I owned several of the GS over the years. Even had a few new in the box. I would have to agree. Pretty, rare, but sounds the same to me. Kind of like the Pink-Floyd edition Orion I have. Rare, great investment, but sounds the same as a regular Orion. I doubt Pink Floyd would sound any better being played through a Pink Floyd edition. Should be an easy fix though.

In my repair tech days, Orion's were good for about 4 burns. (seems that way anyway) Also, Orion amps ALWAYS burn due to low voltage. One of the hottest running amps too. Ever wonder why the red cases turn pink? Heat. Overall a super amp when properly run. Just don't push it too hard. It will burn again. Then 2N6488 will be a number you will not forget...

[tsmith1315]

... someone talk me out of it.

What are you, crazy or something?

I just don't know what's gotten into you, wanting to buy the gold Orion!

Think of the kids. They need clothes, shoes, it's Christmas for crying out loud! Just where are your priorities?

A gold plated car amp, now I've seen it all!

I can't even talk about this anymore.

[tsmith1315]

are there any parts in these amps that will be hard to find replacement parts for such as special opamps? or funky chips?

The early versions (GX-based) quoted slightly higher power, impressively lower distortion, and stratospheric damping (>2000). Gains were supposedly achieved through hand matching components to lower tolerance and attention to tuning, IIRC.

I'd love to have one, but always wondered whether the plated heatsink would remove enough heat from an already hot design.

[tomtomjr]

The drawback to the gold on these is that it flakes off easily. The last one I sold (last year), had the flaking by the screw holes, edges, and on the bottom. Don't know if heat does it, or just everyone fingering it. One of the amps you can't have sit around because everyone picks it up.

[Clipped]

Originally posted by tsmith1315


What are you, crazy or something?

I just don't know what's gotten into you, wanting to buy the gold Orion!

Think of the kids. They need clothes, shoes, it's Christmas for crying out loud! Just where are your priorities?

A gold plated car amp, now I've seen it all!

I can't even talk about this anymore.

...but....but.............but..............sniff.. ....ok (*looks down at ground*)




















(but if another 2150sx comes up, its's on....)

[Clipped]

Originally posted by tomtomjr


I owned several of the GS over the years. Even had a few new in the box. I would have to agree. Pretty, rare, but sounds the same to me. Kind of like the Pink-Floyd edition Orion I have. Rare, great investment, but sounds the same as a regular Orion. I doubt Pink Floyd would sound any better being played through a Pink Floyd edition. Should be an easy fix though.

In my repair tech days, Orion's were good for about 4 burns. (seems that way anyway) Also, Orion amps ALWAYS burn due to low voltage. One of the hottest running amps too. Ever wonder why the red cases turn pink? Heat. Overall a super amp when properly run. Just don't push it too hard. It will burn again. Then 2N6488 will be a number you will not forget...

oh, i've cut my teeth on a few orions myself.

the first one i fixed had

1. dead drive/predrive stage
2. dead PS fet bank
3. fried outputs
4. dead tantulums
5. opamp negative supply problem
6. voltage regulation circuit dead.
7. stripped screw holes

and this was my first major repair... jesus, talk about being depressed...i think i was making Perry depressed too

but for some reason, after everything was fixed, this one is louder than the 4 others.

the first one i fixed was a total basket case, almost everything that could be wrong with it...was.

i know this amp inside and out now...and it doesnt make me flinch anymore....i dont even test them before i buy them, cuz i know there will be something wrong with them.

but i think i will wait for another 2150sx to come up so i dont have any oddball colors....just need one more heh.

[tomtomjr]

Originally posted by Clipped

.i dont even test them before i buy them, cuz i know there will be something wrong with them.

Great piece of advice. I assume the same with the Zapco's, Fosgate, and Orions I buy for my collection.

The Fosgate's (pre-Rockford 73-80) always have something wrong with them. 70% of the time.

The Rockford Fosgate's (1980-93) have something wrong with them about 30% of the time

The 1st gen Orion are about a 50% . 2nd are 30%

The pre-1990 Zapco's are about 50% (but always the easiest to fix). Actually rebuilding a few 4-band PX eq's, and some AEX crossovers tonight. (ebay purchases of "worked when we pulled it out of the car") ... Doing come conversions to them since it is the early style without the RJ cable. Just in case you know what the heck I am talking about.

But if the GS is cheap, buy it, throw a GX/SX board in it or fix it. Sell it, and buy 2 or 3 of the GX/SX amps. Make $$$. Some people out there will pay $$$ for a GS. I would, just to sell it and make more $$$. I was just giving you crap tonight about the GS. Good investment if its cheap. But as for telling a difference between the GS and GX/SX amps by ear, I can't...

LAST THING... ANyone here have some extra knobs that fit over the sliders on an Orion 3100 SVF ? (giant crossover-filter looking thing with sliders all over it) . Just need the caps that fit over the sliders. Anyone??? Just bought a brand new old stock one. Missing box and caps/knobs... HELP!!!