The combined computer and guitar amp introduced by Orange Amps last year - and which subsequently found itself being used in a successful Guinness World Record attempt by fingerboard speed king Tiago Della Vega - has just had some of its internals upgraded, and been given a bit a price cut, too. The Windows 7 OPC is now available with up to Core i7 processing power and 8GB of DDR3 RAM, USB 3.0 port connectivity and hundred of dollars worth of bundled music-related software.
The revamped Orange OPC now comes in second generation Intel Core i3/i5/i7 processor variants (the latter having eight virtual cores), with support from up to 8GB of supplied 1333MHz dual channel system memory - which can be expanded up to 16GB. The 32 x 35 x 24 cm (12.59 x 13.77 x 9.44-inch) amp computer also gets a 7200 RPM 500GB hard drive, Intel HD Graphics, a slot loading Samsung DVD-RW optical drive and benefits from a 400W ultra-quiet worldwide voltage PSU.
Connectivity comes in the shape of two HDMI and one VGA connectors, five USB 2.0 ports, two USB 3.0 ports, an eSATA port and Gigabit Ethernet LAN. Wirelessly getting online is catered for by 802.11 b/g/n High Gain Wi-Fi. A keyboard and mouse are also included, but you'll have to buy your own monitor.
Within the wood/tolex/basketweave cabinet sit two full range 6.5-inch stereo JBL speakers for studio quality tone. Orange has included its own 24-bit 0.25-inch instrument interface, there's optical SPDIF in and coaxial SPDIF out, a direct-to-amplifier line-in for MP3/iPod/music player connections (doesn't require the user to boot up the PC) and 7.1 Surround Sound outputs.
The OPC is now available direct from Orange amps. The model featuring a Core i3 2100 processor and 4GB RAM is priced at US$1,125, the Core i5 2400/6GB version is $1,395, and the one with an unlocked Core i7 2600k and 8GB of RAM is $1,579.
All versions come bundled with over $700 worth of music-related software, such as IK Multimedia AmpliTube 3 (with additional Orange amps), PreSonus Studio One Orange Edition, Mixcraft 5.1, Toontrack EZdrummer Lite and LickLibrary Guitar Lesson Center.
