Old school amp
06-05-2006, 06:37 PM
#33
I guess I might as well throw out a line or two.....
If we're talking rated power, the SX and XTR series Orion amps put it right in the model #s....my 2150SX amps are rated at 2 X 150rms @ 4ohms, double that into 2ohm stereo. The main difference between them?....the Xover and expanded equalization built into the XTR series. Neither one was ever designed to run below 2ohm stereo...I have met a few guys who tried and made some nice shiny black paperweights.....
The HCCA series....whole different situation.....created when the "cheater" amp era was kicking into gear....power output was pretty impressive when loaded down, but there was a price to be paid in terms of heat, current draw and subsequent life expectancy.
As for the Concept 97 3, it was a beefed up version of the 2250SX with a chrome cover...see my install pics for a peek at what they look like. They were rated at 1/2w per channel just to mess with the ***** at IASCA in 1996.....by simply giving them a manufacturer's rating that low, it made a mockery of the whole class system in place at the time, and the rules were revised soon after. I have been told various real power ratings for it at various times, ranging from 2 X 250 up to 2 X 375 @ 4ohm stereo, doubling that into 2ohm stereo. The 2 extremes, oddly enough, both came from people who work for Orion and were in a position to know.....
Getting back to the original question, at this point I think you'd be doing well to get $400 for one in mint condition.....even allowing for the "sentimental" valuation....
If we're talking rated power, the SX and XTR series Orion amps put it right in the model #s....my 2150SX amps are rated at 2 X 150rms @ 4ohms, double that into 2ohm stereo. The main difference between them?....the Xover and expanded equalization built into the XTR series. Neither one was ever designed to run below 2ohm stereo...I have met a few guys who tried and made some nice shiny black paperweights.....
The HCCA series....whole different situation.....created when the "cheater" amp era was kicking into gear....power output was pretty impressive when loaded down, but there was a price to be paid in terms of heat, current draw and subsequent life expectancy.
As for the Concept 97 3, it was a beefed up version of the 2250SX with a chrome cover...see my install pics for a peek at what they look like. They were rated at 1/2w per channel just to mess with the ***** at IASCA in 1996.....by simply giving them a manufacturer's rating that low, it made a mockery of the whole class system in place at the time, and the rules were revised soon after. I have been told various real power ratings for it at various times, ranging from 2 X 250 up to 2 X 375 @ 4ohm stereo, doubling that into 2ohm stereo. The 2 extremes, oddly enough, both came from people who work for Orion and were in a position to know.....
Getting back to the original question, at this point I think you'd be doing well to get $400 for one in mint condition.....even allowing for the "sentimental" valuation....
06-05-2006, 06:49 PM
#34
Wow, so weird I was just thinkin about posting that bit of info on the concept series. Also it was done to promote the HCCA subs once the rules changed, because back then when it came down to comp classes by amps+subs you were best off with HCCA series, IMO. haha. About the concept, it became the 150R way later, even then i couldn't quote you a real wattage estimate. I know my buddy kurt ran it in his 240SX (white, sliding panels outside of the body, been to world finals 3x) and then it was huge. Bigger than the 275. Probably more towards the length of the XTRpro2400.
BTW where did you aquire 2 of the beasts?
I don't think i'm ever gonna get rid of my orion gear... my whole late-teenage life was filled with dreams of Orion HCCA crap, and the first time I had my whole car HCCA, i sold it. Never again, today I finally found the last 12d I needed so I'm set
BTW where did you aquire 2 of the beasts?
I don't think i'm ever gonna get rid of my orion gear... my whole late-teenage life was filled with dreams of Orion HCCA crap, and the first time I had my whole car HCCA, i sold it. Never again, today I finally found the last 12d I needed so I'm set
06-05-2006, 06:53 PM
#35
Also, about the HCCA amp thing... I've found out all of that. I fried a stock alternator within 3 weeks of installing the first 275G4, and just like the old PPI PowerClass amps i've got they heat waaaay up. I've never blown my amps due to impedance issues (I ran the one 275@ .25ohm stereo) or heat problems, but obviously when the speaker wires rattle out of the box terminals and touch.... yeah.
06-05-2006, 07:10 PM
#36
500 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 649
While were takin a trip down memory road, does anyone remember the name of the guy that had the 89 civic with 2xHCCA 250's. He won o to 100 watt class a couple yrars in a row. he had a wall setup with the Streetwires logo in raised vinyl on the back wall. He was part of the orion team back in 91 and 92
Mike law was also on the team with his grand am. I heard his car at a comp in New york one year. It sounded amazing
Lets not forget the Orion van.I think it was owned by Linear marketing.( I may be wrong) Scott Pew was the rep at that time.
Mike law was also on the team with his grand am. I heard his car at a comp in New york one year. It sounded amazing
Lets not forget the Orion van.I think it was owned by Linear marketing.( I may be wrong) Scott Pew was the rep at that time.
06-05-2006, 08:07 PM
#37
HaHaHa, ignorant idiots...
Originally Posted by 92zed34
you guys are nuts haha orion was under rated sure, but how does 2x75 turn into 1600 lol i have a 225 hcca a punch 45hd and as there both old school neither are super heros c'mon...most of the amps back then were very good performers but keep it real.
Originally Posted by Newb
HCCA amps were underrated but I'd like to see a bench test verifying that...
Originally Posted by Dukk
I'd like to see a HCCA275G4 make over 1500 real watts, and not for a nanosecond. In fact I'd have to see it to believe it. Forget it on a first gen. Never going to happen.
Hey I just was re-looking at all the old orion pages... found this PROVING that the 275G4 will do 1600+ UNDER 14V, not to mention what upping the voltage does.
check it here, page 4 near the bottom:
http://www.orioncaraudio.com/alley/pdfs/hccabrief.pdf
Last edited by 03rejo; 06-05-2006 at 08:12 PM.
06-05-2006, 08:26 PM
#38
03rejo - Everyone's been quite civil in this thread. I would be very careful who I called "idiots" on this board as I'm sure you don't know everyone here.
The HCCA 150 was not brought out "way later" than it's Concept 97.1 introduction. In fact the 97.1 was introduced in 1996 with the HCCA 150 (completely identical except for the colour) introduced in the lineup for 1997.
Dimensions for the HCCA 150 are 22x8.5x2.25" by the way.
The HCCA 150 was not brought out "way later" than it's Concept 97.1 introduction. In fact the 97.1 was introduced in 1996 with the HCCA 150 (completely identical except for the colour) introduced in the lineup for 1997.
Dimensions for the HCCA 150 are 22x8.5x2.25" by the way.
06-05-2006, 08:31 PM
#39
yeah, my apologies. Just finally got a moment of exoneration, thought i'd be a bit of an *** myself. can you blame me? 
i'm sorry, maybe it's that attitude that keeps getting us into wars...
i'm sorry, maybe it's that attitude that keeps getting us into wars...
Last edited by 03rejo; 06-05-2006 at 09:36 PM.
06-06-2006, 10:09 AM
#40
0 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 34
Just an FYI for people that don't think the old school 75x2 can become 1600watts.
Back in the day I had a series of monoblock 1 watt amps that cost well in excess of $2000 a piece.
I know the newer kids are thinking B.S. but the 1 watt amps actually were 1 watt amps at 12v 4ohm loads but when 14.4 voltage was applied to them and the amps were loaded down they output more like 1000watts.
The reason they did this was because my shitty 5 watt system was placed in a 50watt or less catagory and kicked the cr@p out of everybody elses setup. Hence cheater amps.
Not only that but these days a 100watt rating (most amps rated with a 1kHz test pulse) can't even touch an old PPI / Sony Gold ES / Blade / Orion amps 50watt rating, damping factor, SN ratio or distortion specs. AB amplifiers are much cleaner than thier class D counterparts even though they are less efficient.
I run a couple Blade SE3's in my car which, back in the day, have BASH technology. This class AB amplifier is just as efficient as a class D amplifier. Rated at a true 175x2(rms) this amp is only 1" x 10" x 6" big. It's just hard to beat some old school technology and power.
Back in the day I had a series of monoblock 1 watt amps that cost well in excess of $2000 a piece.
I know the newer kids are thinking B.S. but the 1 watt amps actually were 1 watt amps at 12v 4ohm loads but when 14.4 voltage was applied to them and the amps were loaded down they output more like 1000watts.
The reason they did this was because my shitty 5 watt system was placed in a 50watt or less catagory and kicked the cr@p out of everybody elses setup. Hence cheater amps.
Not only that but these days a 100watt rating (most amps rated with a 1kHz test pulse) can't even touch an old PPI / Sony Gold ES / Blade / Orion amps 50watt rating, damping factor, SN ratio or distortion specs. AB amplifiers are much cleaner than thier class D counterparts even though they are less efficient.
I run a couple Blade SE3's in my car which, back in the day, have BASH technology. This class AB amplifier is just as efficient as a class D amplifier. Rated at a true 175x2(rms) this amp is only 1" x 10" x 6" big. It's just hard to beat some old school technology and power.
