Sorry for the massive mult-quote but it's all related
Ah, awesome. Thanks for the explanation.
Then the Dark Terror actually shares more in common with the Thunder series of amps, I assume?
Yeah - exactly. In fact, the schematic I have for the Dark Terror is identical to the Thunder 30 Dirty channel except for one value in the shape circuit. Maybe I missed something but they are super similar.
For anyone else reading though, despite the similar names, the "Thunder" and "Thunderverb" are two completely different designs. I feel like they get mixed up a lot. Thunderverb has a lot less gain, different staging etc not much in common wtih the Thunder (or its relatives).
I agree. The OR series were my favorites from Orange. I liked also the OR30 and OR15, but even so I think there are just better amps out there for where Orange’s excel. Same story for the ‘70’s Orange OR120 I used to have
Yeah if you like Orange amps they may be worth trying. I think I may even prefer the OR30, but didn’t AB it to the other models. Just my opinion from trying it alone
I really wanted to try the OR30 when it came out. I've been patiently waiting for a used one to pop up - just missed one recently. I don't have a schematic but it seems like a great combination of everything I like out of the AD30 and the OR50 combined into one amp. Tube rectifier, EL84 "Class A," but a gainier preamp with the presence/punch control, plus a bright switch? Count me in!
The OR15 is actually another one of those copies similar the Dark/Thunder thing. The OR15, Dark Terror, Thunder, and Rockerverb dirty channels are all nearly the same. They all use 4 gain stages, they all have the same cap/coupling values, they all use dual-gang gain pots. The main differences are the EQ sections - the OR15 EQ has different values than the RV50 EQ, obviously the Thunder and Dark Terror use the shape control instead of a 3-band but the core topology is the same across all of them.
By extension, I don't have a Dual Dark schematic but I highly suspect it's the same basic design. I suppose I could trace mine out to know for sure.
The marketing copy for this reissue actually says that they tweaked channel A to be a bit more like an OR100, funny enough.
I don't have a schematic for this one either, but from what I've seen it's another of those very similar 4-stage dirty channel designs. For a short time, the OR100 and Rockerverb sold side by side, and the general consensus was that the gain "amount" was the same but the voicing was different, so knowing what I know about the others, I'd bet the OR100 dirty channel is another of that same basic type of design, with some kind of footswitchable boost (bypass cap or something? who knows, but maybe it's engaged all the time on the Dual Dark?).
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TLDR: There's basically one core design for all modern 4-gain stage Oranges that is copy-pasted into a bunch of different amp models with minor differences, if any. Obviously the power amps can be different too.
Thin PCBs, small transformers, split shaft knobs etc
the literal same things that are always mentioned when someone says it's not worth that much money
I disagree on this. PCB are plenty "thick," the transformers are high quality Demeter windings and have been huge for a long time. Orange is one of the few "non boutique" makers that still uses nice big transformers like this, UK made and all. My oldest Orange, 2007 Rocker has these giant transformers, my 2019 RV503 still has the same quality large transformers. That's commendable in my eyes, while other makers like Marshall moved to Malta in 2003-2004 and now to Vietnam in 2023, constantly cutting both size, quality, and cost. Maybe if we're comparing 70s Oranges to modern ones, sure, but that's not really relevant.
Split shaft knobs - does that really matter? Shoot, my Bogner Uber has plastic shaft pots lol and that's an amp that retailed for nearly double what this new Orange will cost.
But, the value prospect is always an individual preference. I don't *always* love the tone, I'm not a super Orange fanboy or anything, but I've never felt that any of the "big" Orange amps (i.e. not the lunchbox or MIC ones) were made cheaply.
Am I going to drop $2k on this new DD? No, because I already have one. Look at other amps near this $2k price mark though:
Peavey Invective, EVH 5150 100w, couple of ENGLs, Marshall 2203/2555/2245/etc, Friedman Runt.... there are 20 heads more expensive than this DD100 that are built worse, and very few (if any) built better. I can't find a Matamp for sale in the US under $2k, and brand new they are $2200 USD plus shipping. If anything, this new DD100 is a huge deal, they undercut the price of their own Rockerverb by 300 bucks and the prices of used DD's was up in the 2500+ range for a long time. They easily could've asked $2599 and still sold out the limited run I bet.
