Old School 1990's 50 Watt Cheater Amps Tested

This post will be a work in progress until I complete my round of tests on the 25x2 Watt "cheater amps" from the 90's. I'll include a spreadsheet showing the results and links to the videos I create for each amplifier. Thus far, the test will include:

1) Rockford Fosgate Punch 45HD - from approx. 1991, not a true high-current amp like many of the other's, but well known to be underrated and able to handle almost any speaker load

2) Orion 225 HCCA - from the early 90's, test will include the "Digital Reference" and maybe the "Competition Amp/X-over" models. One of the most feared cheater amps of the early through mid 90's.

3) Precision Power ProMOS 25 - also an early 90's cheater amp rated to handle 1 ohm loads and promises the warm, smooth SQ of an early PPI amp

4) Phoenix Gold MPS-2240 - part of Phoenix Gold's "Mobile Professional Series" the MPS-2240 is identical in size to the MS-275 and is a high-current amp rated at 24x2 and designed to handle loads down to 1 ohm

5) Phoenix Gold M25 - the "M" series from Phoenix Gold were known for superb SQ and are very popular among collectors and those building old school systems as well.

6) US Amps 50HCA - an early version of a 25x2 cheater from US Amps. No crossovers, no terminal strips, just raw power and old school flair

7) US Amps USA-50 - a late 90's 25x2 amp designed to handle loads down to 1 ohm

8) Zapco Z50C2 - mid-90's amp, small in footprint, big in SQ



Bookmark this page as it will be continually updated with more information on each of these amps!



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1990 MTX Terminator MTA 250 Amplifier - PPI Built Cheater

MTX Terminator MTA 250 100 Watt Car Audio Amplifier

Following the theme of the recent posting of the Dragster DH 1804, I guess I have a thing for bright red amplifiers. The MTX Terminator MTA 250 is the most recent addition to the OldSchoolStereo.com collection and an impressive one indeed. The MTA 250 is one of MTX's first car audio amplifiers and was actually made by PPI (Precision Power). The MTA 250 closely resembles the PPI ProMOS 2050 and even uses the hated and nearly impossible to find replacement PPI speaker harness.

The MTA series of amps from MTX included two models; the MTA 225 and the MTA 250. Both models were stable down to 1 ohm and followed suit to the Orion HCCA's as "cheater" amplifiers for competition use. The 225 retailed for $500 US while the 250 was going for $650. In addition to the stunning red heat sink, MTX offered both models in white.

MTX MTA 250 Gain, Inputs, Max Thump, and LED's for Power and R/L clip

During the late 80's and early 90's, having a cheater amp was very important for competition purposes. There were several classes including under 50, 100, 150 and 250 watts. The higher wattage classes were ultra competitive, so those new to the scene and/or those on a budget would steer to the lower wattage classes. Cheater amps like the Orion HCCA's, PPI ProMOS, Phoenix Gold MPS and others were popular among competitors. The cheater amps could produce four times (or more) their rated 4 ohm power into lower ohm loads.

At the time MTX released the MTA series amps, they also introduced a Terminator line of subwoofers. They had a red cone and touted "2 ohm" resistance for maximum power output from your amp. A perfect match to the MTA series amps and their high-current, low-ohm output rating....marketing genius!

Here are the specs of the MTA 250 from MTX:

RMS Output:

• 4ohms Stereo: 50 W per channel
• 2ohms Stereo: 100 W per channel
• 1ohm Stereo: 200 W per channel
• 4ohms Mono: 200 W
• 2ohms Stereo: 400 W

Total Harmonic Distortion (THD): 0.02%
Frequency Response (+/- 1dB): 15-40kHz
Signal to Noise Ratio: 102dB A weighted
Slew Rate: 15V/us
Damping Factor @ 100Hz 4ohm load: >500
Damping Factor @ 100Hz 2ohm load: >250
Stereo Separation: 72dB
Input Sensitivity: 100mv - 2V
Input Impedance: 10k Ohms
Supply Voltage: 10.5-16V
Fuse Rating: 30 Amp
Shipping Weight: 12 Pounds
Dimensions: 14" L x 8.5" W x 2.3" H


Internal Bridging for Mono or Mixed-Mono Applications
MOSFET Power Supply and complementary discrete output circuitry
Two-layer glass epoxy computer grade circuit board
Low-Noise, sealed conductive plastic potentiometer
Designed and built in the USA

MTX MTA 250 "Gut" shot - Circuit Board

See video demo below!


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Watch the video on YouTube in 1080P HD or embedded below:

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