KSR Amps Orion 45 All-Tube 4.2 Channel 45W Lunchbox Guitar Amplifier Head – Flat Slate Gray Face & Sides – Flat Black Hood – Black Plastic Knobs – 6L6GC Tubes

Honey, I shrunk my KSR!

Orion is the answer to the many requests KSR received to create the ultimate “lunchbox” guitar amp. You wont find a weak power section here this amp can easily produce 45W of clean punch-you-in-the-gut power via a pair of 6L6GCs. Further, you can load with just about any octal tube, thanks to the stout transformers.

The preamp section is all-tube via 5x 12AX7s.

4.2 channels give you flexibility not found in any other lunchbox amp. 4.2 channels whats that all about? Well, since day 1 KSR has stood by the notion that a ‘channel’ must have an unshared EQ section. Thats why they refer to the Ares as a ‘single channel, dual master’ amp. In the case of the Orion, KSR builds it around two channels and added second Gain and Level controls to each channel. By all intents and purposes you have 4 channels, but KSR can’t go against their established nomenclature hence 4.2 = 4 channels, 2 EQs.

The KSR lit logo is standard on this beast. The 12-position DIP switch on back allows you to set the RGB color for each of the 4.2 channels. You can also turn it off, if you prefer.

A transparent, yet fully bypassable, tube buffered effects loop seamlessly couples the preamp to the power section. The loop is assignable to any/all/none of the channels. In order to achieve this, there are 4 toggle switches, one for each channel.

A built-in auto-switching dummy load allows for silent operation. With the included line-out and level control you can feed your DAW, effects, other amps, etc., easily. While this is not compensated for direct PA use without a speaker emulator, it is tapped off the speaker output, so you get all that power tube goodness youve come to expect from KSR amps, such as the PA50.

Biasing is quick and easy given the built-in test points and external bias control. Just remove the back cover to gain access to the tubes and control.

It weighs in at just 18.5 lbs perhaps more than your little 15W amp with one channel, but that is very light relative to a typical ~50W head.

This standard config is Flat Slate Gray for the chassis and the sides, and Flat Black for the hood (lid). This is a Duotone config with matching sides and chassis.

In summary, this little guy is packed to the gills with features, tones, and good looks you will be pleasantly surprised once you lay your hands, and ears, on it!

FEATURES

Packed into the Orion amplifier are 4.2 channels Clean, Crunch, Lead 1, and Lead 2. Clean / Crunch share and EQ, as do Lead 1 and Lead 2. Since the shared channels are voiced similarly, this shared EQ design doesnt leave one of the channels useless in order to dial in the other.

Clean Channel

The Orion Clean channel may be a misnomer. With the Hi/Lo switch you can go from Clean to a cranked M style amp. Its fantastic with a Strat, but works just as well with modern pickups. The Bright switch allows you to dial in the right attack and twang as well.

Crunch Channel

The Orion Crunch channel takes the Clean channel Hi mode and adds gain and saturation. While this is technically a 3 gain stage Crunch channel, it can do full-on high gain tones just as well as bluesy rock stuff. Boost it with your Hera for even more options!

Lead 1 Channel

Based on the same DNA in which KSR started their company, naturally Lead 1 is based on their signature sound. It will be your go-to rhythm sound for sure. The Bright switch allows you to adjust your attack, though most keep it on.

Lead 2 Channel

Lead 2 takes Lead 1 and adds harmonic content, saturation, and changes the voicing slightly. If you cant get a singing violin-like lead tone, or a punishing rhythm sledgehammer riff with this channel, the issue is not the amp.

Master Section

A single Master Volume control drives the phase-inverter and power section. The typical Top (presence) and Bottom (resonance) controls are included, but now for the first time on our guitar heads, we have added an NFB (Negative Feedback) control. This allows precise control over the response of the power amp, and youll find it to be extremely powerful. Crank it for the most dampening in the power amp the Top/Bottom controls will allow you to dial these frequencies back into the sound. Lower the NFB and the amp becomes more open and raw, just like an old M style amp on 11. Top/Bot still allow you to sculpt the overall sound, giving you extreme control of the overall character of the amplifier.

Power Section

The power section consists of a pair of TAD 6L6GC or EL34 tubes, standard. However, just about any octal power tube can be installed KT66, KT88, 6550, etc. Each tube is individually fused in order to protect the amplifier in the event of a tube failure. A Fault LED lights to indicate a fuse has blown and the tube is no longer functioning.

A built-in auto-switching dummy load allows for speaker-less operation of the Orion. With the included line-out and level control on the back of the amp you can feed your DAW, effects, other amps, etc., easily. This is not compensated for direct PA use without a speaker emulator, it is tapped off the speaker output.

A custom wound USA made output transformer is a top performer and one of the highlights of this amplifier. Parallel speaker outputs allow one to easily drive two cabinets with a total impedance of 4/8/16 ohms. Included are 5 output jacks for various combinations of loads. For multiple cabs these jacks should only be used in pairs e.g. 2x 16 ohm cabs into the 2x 8 ohm jacks. Or, 2x 8 ohm cabs into the 2x 4 ohm jacks.

Mains Power

115/230V 50/60Hz operation allow for easy international use of this amp. Note be sure to replace the fuse with the proper rating for your countrys voltage. The mains fuse is located within the power IEC inlet. Inside the amp are several more fuses please refer to a qualified service technician if any of these internal fuses blow.

Foot Switch

A matching custom 2-button foot switch is included. This allows for switching of the 4.2 channels. KSR is also working on a 4-button version to make switching more intuitive. The foot switch defeats the rear panel toggle switches when it’s plugged in.

MIDI Switching

In lieu of a foot switch, the Orion is fully compatible with KSR’s EX5 MIDI contact closure switcher.

SPECIFICATIONS

• All-tube, 4.2 channel, 45W lunchbox amplifier with super tweakable power section.
• Expansive Tonal Range, Extremely Versatile, Extensive Controls as Described Above
• Standard Flat Slate Gray and Black Color Scheme
• Dimensions: 15.25in. 7in. 7.25in.
• Weight: 18.5 lb.

Any questions, please ask!

Bananas does not warranty tubes in transit. We offer tube removal and individual bubble wrap service for $45 per customer request (for standard amps, more complex amps that take more time may be a higher fee). Customers buying any tube product and having it shipped should understand and realize that Bananas cannot be responsible for damaged tubes from transit.