Zapco C2K User Manual
Contents
MISSION STATEMENT...............................................................................3
C2K INTRODUCTION................................................................................4
CUSTOMIZING YOUR COMPETITION 2000 SERIES AMPLIFIER..........5
MADE IN AMERICA....................................................................................6
OUR DEDICATION TO SONIC PURITY REQUIRES THE HIGHEST OF
QUALITY IN INTERNAL COMPONENT PARTS .......................................7
SYMBILINK™ BALANCED SYSTEM........................................................9
SPECIFICATIONS YOU CAN HEAR........................................................10
A WORD ABOUT “WEIGHTED” SPECIFICATIONS ..............................11
WARNINGS...............................................................................................12
INSTALLATION GUIDELINES .................................................................13
COMPETITION 2000 KEY FEATURES....................................................14
THE COMPETITION 2000 TWO CHANNEL AMPS.................................15
2 CHANNEL CONTROLS.........................................................................17
POWER ENDPLATE CONTROLS ...........................................................19
12V HOOKUP............................................................................................19
C2K 1.0X POWER VS. DISTORTION AND SPECIFICATIONS .............20
C2K 2.0X POWER VS. DISTORTION AND SPECIFICATIONS .............22
C2K 3.0X POWER VS. DISTORTION AND SPECIFICATIONS .............24
C2K 6.0X POWER VS. DISTORTION AND SPECIFICATIONS .............26
C2K CROSSOVER RESPONSE..............................................................28
1
THE COMPETITION 2000 4 CHANNEL AMPS .......................................29
4 CHANNEL CONTROLS.........................................................................31
POWER ENDPLATE CONTROLS ...........................................................33
12V HOOKUP............................................................................................33
C2K 2.5X POWER VS. DISTORTION AND SPECIFICATIONS .............34
C2K 4.0X POWER VS. DISTORTION AND SPECIFICATIONS .............36
CUMULATIVE ERROR.............................................................................38
CLASS D FOR THE AUDIOPHILE...........................................................39
CLASS D AMPLIFIER WARNINGS .........................................................40
MANUAL FOR SAFE SOUND..................................................................41
CONTROL PLATE FEATURES................................................................43
POWER ENDPLATE HOOKUPS .............................................................45
START UP AND ADJUSTMENTS............................................................46
C2K 9.0XD POWER VS. DISTORTION AND SPECIFICATIONS...........48
DISPLAY AND CONTROL OPTIONS......................................................50
SYSTEM DIAGRAMS ...............................................................................52
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE......................................................................72
2
Mission Statement
Committed to excellence
ZAPCO is dedicated to the pursuit of audio fidelity. Our prime
objectives are to design and manufacture audio products of unsurpassed
quality, to provide unparalleled support and service for these products and
to conduct business in a manner that will enhance the quality of life for all
involved.
Experience:
Knowledge from doing
There is absolutely no substitute for experience; that is a simple fact of
life. Another simple fact is that ZAPCO has, for over twenty-five years,
been the leader in defining quality standards for the car audio industry.
These years of experience have led to a thorough understanding of the
challenges that are unique to the world of car audio. ZAPCO's relentless
quest for sonic purity consistently yields imaginative designs that utilize the
most innovative technologies. The resulting products set the criteria by
which all others in the industry are judged.
3
C2K Introduction
The ZAPCO Competition 2000 Series Amplifiers
Thank you for considering ZAPCO and congratulations on
your purchase of our Competition 2000 series product.
The ZAPCO competition series has long been considered the finest
sound quality amplifier for competitive use. For the year 2000, we once
again raise the bar and take the quest for sonic purity to its next level. Our
new Competition chassis and updated circuit design have not only brought
improved cosmetics and more features to the line, they have done what
many thought was impossible. They have actually improved the sonic
performance of the competition series.
In one of the many rave reviews of ZAPCO products last year, one
writer stated that ZAPCO’s circuit design and construction quality were
“head and shoulders” above the competition. We can only imagine what
they’ll be saying this year.
In developing this manual, we have tried to include all the technical
information needed to properly install and use the product. We have also
included a good deal of information which we hope will help you
understand what makes our Competition series different from all other
products, and why we at ZAPCO believe it’s worth the time, money, and
effort to design and build our amps and processors the way we do.
We hope you will read and enjoy the manual in its entirety, that you
will have many years of musical pleasure from the product. If you should
have any questions or comments, they will be both welcome and
appreciated. You can contact us on the net at www.zapco.com or by
phone at (209) 577-4268.
Thank you, from all of us at ZAPCO.
4
Customizing Your Competition 2000 Series
Amplifier
Our new Competition 2000 series amps provide the ultimate in sonic
purity and audio performance. We felt they should also provide the
ultimate in cosmetic integration. The four trim panels (two on top and one
on each side) of the competition amps may be changed by your dealer to
color match any car or to match any installation need. They can be
replaced with virtually any “Formica”, or laminate, or by any of a number of
custom metal finishes available from ZAPCO. Check with your dealer to
see the various finishes available from ZAPCO and any custom finishes he
might offer individually.
Since replacement of the panels requires some disassembly, we
highly recommend that it be performed only by an authorized dealer.
Improper re-assembly could result in voiding of the warranty.
5
Made In America
Now just what does this mean and why does it matter? We ask this
question because we believe it matters a great deal. We know others think
it matters also, because it’s plastered on so many boxes. However, before
we look at why it matters, let’s ask what it means.
If a product comes into this country complete except for a couple of
screws that hold on a cover plate, should it be called “Made in America”?
We don’t think so! If a company hides its origin of manufacture, you know
there’s a reason. Usually it’s that the quality is so poor that they need the
“Made in America” claim to make the sale.
Are foreign products inferior? Of course not! Most car audio
manufacturers have products built all over the world, and they are fine
products. However, if you look at the boxes they come in, each box will tell
you exactly where the product in that box was made. These companies let
their reputation stand or fall on the quality of what they produce. If you
make a quality product you don’t have to trick people into buying it with
dishonest labels.
Why do we want to protect the “Made in America” label? The concept
of “Made in America” speaks directly to our ability to control the quality and
performance of the products we sell. It means that we make our products
here, top to bottom, in Modesto, CA. We don’t just sell amps and
processors. We conceive, design, test, and manufacture every amp and
processor we sell, ourselves. We build up all our own circuit boards on our
own surface mount machines. We wind most of our power supply
transformers right here at the factory. We even have our own heat sink
extruded so our own machine shop can build the chassis and our screener
can then screen them. We use 5532 and Bur Brown op-amps in our
products and 1% metal film resisters throughout.
When Auto Sound and Security reviewed our amp, they felt these
better components played a major part in our superior sound quality. Why
don’t other companies use the same quality parts? As the reviewer put it
“You don’t see these used very often because they cost more”. At ZAPCO,
we will not sacrifice our sound quality or engineering integrity to save on
production cost. We fully intend to continue building the finest car audio
electronics money can buy. We can only do that by putting the finest
quality components we can find inside the product. How do we know these
components go into our products? We put them in ourselves. Because we
build it all ourselves we can guarantee the quality control of every product
ZAPCO sells.
6
Our Dedication to Sonic Purity Requires the
Highest of Quality in Internal Component Parts
• Resistors
All resistors (other than power resistors) are 1% precision, low noise
metal film. This is a key reason why ZAPCO products have the industries’
best noise specifications, and why you won’t see as much fluctuation in
our test certificates as you will in others. Precision resistors also reduce
distortion and improve channel matching.
• Capacitors
Capacitors are similar to batteries. Like a battery, they store energy
and have an electrolyte (internal fluid). Also like a battery, a capacitor can
have a very limited life. “Computer grade” capacitors for example, are
reliable only in cool environments with very little current applied to them.
Only the best high current and high temperature capacitors should be
used in an auto-sound application. Although these capacitors typically
cost five times as much as those used in our competitor’s products,
ZAPCO insists that no audio degradation will occur over time.
• Transistors
Two types of transistors are used in ZAPCO products, bi-polar and
MOSFET. MOSFET transistors are rugged, high current devices that are
suitably used as switches. They are the choice for switching power
supplies. They are however, very non-linear and are not suitable for use
as audio outputs. They cannot be matched and their inherent distortion
requires too much feedback to achieve reasonable distortion levels.
Bipolar transistors are used exclusively in our outputs. The audio
performance of a bipolar transistor heavily outweighs any minor
advantages a MOSFET might offer in durability. We solve the durability
question by simply using considerably more output devices than the amp
needs. This gives us a bulletproof amp with the sound we demand of a
ZAPCO product.
• Transformers
Most of the transformers used in our products are hand-wound in our
own facility to ensure maximum quality. This is the only way that current
capability, efficiency, and radiated noise can all be kept within our
demanding parameters. All transformers are securely mounted in their
respective chassis. Transformers are massive, and if not securely
mounted can cause failure among internal components due to vibration.
7
• Power Supplies
Regulated or Un-regulated? For years amplifier designers have
debated which type of power supply is best. What’s the truth about power
supplies? They each have advantages and disadvantages and there is no,
one, best type. Limiting yourself to one type of power supply limits your
amplifier design components. ZAPCO uses both types of supplies
depending on the intended use of each amp, as well as expected current
demands and operating environment.
8
SymbiLink™ Balanced System
The most natural configuration for an audio system in the automobile
places the signal source in the dash with the amplifiers located some
distance away, usually under the seat or in the trunk of the vehicle. The
reality of this arrangement dictates the necessity to make long runs of low
level signal cable usually from the front to the back of the car. The
electrical environment in an automobile is one that is inherently noisy and
filled with conditions that threaten to degrade signal fidelity at every turn.
Capacitive loading due to the long cable lengths, the potential for ground
loops, alternator charging currents or currents generated by the amplifiers
themselves are all factors that induce noise and distortion into the signal
cables. By no means is this an ideal situation. Thankfully, ZAPCO has
found the solution.
SymbiLink components convert a standard unbalanced audio signal
into the fully balanced domain usually reserved for expensive professional
audio equipment found in recording studios or at your local concert venue.
After this conversion is made, the audio cabling becomes virtually immune
to electrical interference in the surrounding environment and is much less
susceptible to signal degradation over long cable runs. It is for this reason
that balanced signal cables are common in professional or industrial
applications. ZAPCO has made this technology available for your car.
ZAPCO engineers also discovered that the pulsating D.C. current in the
automobile chassis and amplifier power wiring caused a significant amount
of low frequency distortion. ZAPCO's balanced SymbiLink technology
completely eliminates this distortion.
9
Specifications You Can Hear
Our dedication to sonic purity, and to the concept of cumulative error
demands that we design and build our amps and processors to be the
cleanest in the industry. And we do! ZAPCO amps are the standard by
which other amps are measured. However, it concerns us when one
specification (THD) that can’t be heard in most modern, high end amps
becomes the only meaningful specification manufacturers seem to publish.
THD is only one of a number of specs that make ZAPCO amps sound
better than the others, and, of the four prime specs, it is probably the least
obvious in normal use.
• Damping Factor:
The most common misconception about ZAPCO amps is that we
drastically under-rate our power output. Not true, it just sounds that way.
Today’s music, of all styles, has a great deal of bass content. Damping
describes an amps ability to control a woofer. An amp with poor damping
will leave bass notes sounding soft and undefined, regardless of its power.
In most amp lines, the largest units have damping factors between 200
and 400. In the ZAPCO Competition series, our smallest amp has
dampening of over 875. Since rock solid bass is perceived as a function of
power, our 100 watt amp sounds like other companies’ 300 watt amps.
• Slew Rate:
A similar situation exists in the higher frequencies. Ever turn up the
volume and hear cymbals sounding like finger-nails on a blackboard?
That’s because the amplifier simply wasn’t fast enough to accurately
reproduce the high frequency ring of the cymbals. A higher slew rate
means a faster amp, which means crystal clear highs. ZAPCO amps have
the highest slew rates in the industry. Once again, clear defined, sound is
perceived as a function of power.
• Signal to Noise Ratio:
Noise is an ever-present problem in auto-sound reproduction. ZAPCO
approaches this problem in two ways. First, is at the input source. Our
amps can all use the SymbiLink balance line inputs, which drastically
reduce the noise coming into the amp. Secondly, ZAPCO amps are built
with the highest quality, lowest noise components available. We have the
highest signal to noise ratios in the industry. The extra money we spend
on better components is directly rewarded with better sound.
10
• Stereo Separation:
The ability of an amplifier to maintain the separation between the right
and left channels is what allows an amp to reproduce an accurate sound
stage. Music is recorded with each instrument in its own location in the
sound stage. You should hear it the same way.
• Results:
To assure that no ZAPCO product ever fails to meet our standards, we
must build them all to exceed these standards by comfortable margins.
Our superior design and construction give our amps advantages that go
beyond power output and show a sound quality difference you will hear the
moment you turn on your system.
A WORD ABOUT “WEIGHTED” SPECIFICATIONS
Most of the time, when you see specifications, they will be preceded
by the term “A” weighted. “A” weighting is a way of coloring numbers to
make specifications look better. You assume the factor you’re measuring
is going to have a certain amount of bad stuff, so you pretend that much
isn’t there and only measure the rest.
About the only place you can find specs that aren’t “A” weighted is in
ZAPCO manuals and literature. We publish only “raw” specs at ZAPCO. If
we don’t like the specifications of one of our products we’ll make it better,
not try to make the numbers look better.
11
Warnings
ZAPCO highly recommends that a fuse or circuit breaker be placed
within 18" of the battery. Although products have adequate internal
protection, it is possible that a pinched power wire between the component
and the battery may result in a fire. The protection device should be
placed where it can be accessed easily and all wiring should be routed
safely and correctly according to the following guidelines:
Do not run wiring close to hot or spinning objects.
Always use wire grommets when routing wire through the firewall or
any other metal panels.
Make sure that the potential for pinched wiring is avoided by routing all
wires away from moving hinges and seats. This also includes brake, gas
and clutch pedals, hood and trunk hinges, etc.
Caution:
Continuous exposure to excessive sound pressure levels may cause
permanent hearing loss. ZAPCO strongly advises that you use common
sense when setting volume levels. If you experience ringing in the ears, it
could cause permanent hearing damage!
CAUTION!
When connecting our amplifiers to prewired stock speakers care must
be taken that there are no common connections in the speaker wires, i.e.
minus to minus or plus to plus connections, as this will cause the amplifier
to go into immediate protection or may cause damage to the amplifier.
Output connections are not common chassis ground. Please follow the
hookup instructions in this owner’s manual. Any questions should be
directed to your local Zapco dealer or call us at 209-577-4268.
12
Installation Guidelines
Mounting your Competition Amplifier is easy. Keep in mind the
following guidelines:
• The amplifier may be mounted in any direction, on wood, metal or
carpet.
• The metal case of the amplifier may be grounded or left isolated.
• The amplifier requires adequate ventilation. Position the amplifier with
sufficient surrounding area for proper cooling.
• Keep fan and vent endplates clear for proper internal cooling.
• Keep the amplifier out of the engine compartment and other locations
that may cause excessive heat or moisture.
• Do not mount the amplifier to a subwoofer enclosure or any other
place that may have excessive vibration!
13
Competition 2000 Key Features
• SymbiLink Balanced Signal Technology
• Low Distortion
• Symmetrical, discrete Power Amplifier Circuitry
• Short Circuit, High Temperature, Reverse, DC offset, and Overvoltage
Protection
• 25-Ampere Bipolar Amplifier Output Transistors
• Precision 1% Resistors used throughout
• 50-Ampere MOSFET Switching Devices
• Very high Damping Factor
• Low Global Feedback
• Can drive highly Reactive Loads
• Four Layer Circuit Board with 2 ounce Copper
• Dual Color LED for Power and Protection Indications
• Gate Drive Boost maximizes power supply efficiency and improves
overall performance
• Load stability to one ohm on two channel models set to stereo mode
• Quality ZAPCO construction
• Designed and manufactured in the USA
• Three year warranty (Dealer Installed)
14
The Competition 2000 Two Channel Amps
ZAPCO has a reputation for sound reproduction and for quality that is
unsurpassed. With all the new amps coming onto the market, not one was
any threat to ZAPCO’s standing as the premium amp and processor line.
So, why change now?
Because we can!
Because ZAPCO conceives, designs, and builds every product we sell
ourselves, we and we alone determine our standards. Rather than chase
the industry, we seek new ways to improve the finest products
available…Our own.
Our new chassis design, with changeable inserts, allows unparalleled
cosmetic integration. It also allowed us to incorporate a number of
performance enhancements into the new line along with the improved
features.
All the new amps have dual cooling fans, one intake, and one exhaust.
This gives optimum cooling for the power supply and the output devices
and increases the mounting possibilities.
The new chassis allows our circuit boards to be considerably wider,
allowing more space between components and more copper on the board.
The entire C2K line uses four layer boards with 2-Oz copper, instead
of the industry standard two-layer/1 Oz board. No other manufacturer does
this. It gives our amps improved specs in almost every area.
Our newly redesigned power supplies with custom wound torroids give
the C2K two channel amps up to 40% more power into one-ohm loads
than previously possible.
Since total value results from both performance and versatility, we
have included all the features you would want in the new comps. We have
even designed a few features you’ve probably never seen before. Please
take the time to study the next few pages and become familiar with all the
features and controls of your C2K amp.
Then, grab your favorite disk, hit the volume, and experience the result
of our passions for music and for sonic purity. We think you will agree that
they are passions well worth indulging.
15
16
2 Channel Controls
1. Channel Selector: Allows selection of either Rt. or Lt. channel input
when used as a single channel mono amp.
2. Xover Range Select: Shows frequency ranges for internal range
switch (13) and AUX range switch (6).
3. Amp Function Selector: Configures the input to the internal amp for
single channel bridged, stereo, or L&R sum mono (bass amp).
4. Left and Right clip indicators: If they flash more than occasionally,
there is too much gain on the amplifier, and the signal is being
distorted.
5. Speaker Connectors: Marked for two channels at 1-Ohm minimum or
one channel at 2 Ohms Minimum.
6. Aux Freq Range: Sets xover range for AUX out crossover [see range
select (2)].
7. Aux XO Freq: Sets crossover frequency within range setting (6).
8. Crossover Function: Sets Aux crossover function to Hi, Low, or Full
Range.
9. Aux Out: Auxiliary output to provide conditioned signal for another
amp.
10. Sub Filt: Subsonic filter to protect speakers and reduce distortion.
11. Input voltage selector: allows amp to be used with non-SimbiLink
systems if needed.
12. Amp Gain: This should always be in the full off position and is used
only to balance multi-amp systems. (Feel free to contact ZAPCO for
instructions).
13. Identical to 6, but for the amps internal crossover.
14. Identical to 7, but for the amps internal crossover.
15. Identical to 8, but for the amps internal crossover.
16. Pre Clip indicator: When this light flashes, it indicates that too much
signal is being given to the amp. Check for excess gain in preamp or
line driver or switch the voltage selector.
17. Input: Main SymbiLink input to amplifier.
18. Slave Output: True “passthrough” output to feed unaffected signal out
for next amp.
19. Unbalanced selector: Can be used w/voltage selector to run amp with
weaker RCA signals when SymbiLink balanced lines are not
available.
17
18
Power Endplate Controls
1. Power On / Protect indicator: Glows green when amplifier is on. Turns
red when amp is in protection.
2. Turn On Delay: Since some decks take longer than others to turn on,
we have included an adjustment on the C2K amps to lengthen their
turn-on delay. This will eliminate any dangerous turn-on pops.
3. RSD Port: All C2K amps will support a remote mount status display to
provide a visual check on amp functions.
4. Power connectors: See chart below for appropriate wire size. Use of
small gauge wire will greatly restrict amplifier performance. Always use
the same size wire for both Power (+12V) and Ground (-12V).
5. Main Power Fuses: Fuse sizes are listed on the I.D. plate above the
fuses. If the fuses should blow, always, replace with the fuse rating
on the I.D. plate.
• 1.0X: 5 amp fuses
• 2.0X: 10 amp fuses
• 3.0X: 20 amp fuses
• 6.0X: 30 amp fuses
12V Hookup
The use of small gauge wire will greatly reduce the power potential of
your C2K Amplifier. Please observe the following minimum wire gauges.
Since electricity works only when it travels in a full circle, please
remember that the ground connection must use the same size wire as the
power connection.
Amplifier Run less than 10 ft Run over 10 ft
1.0X or 2.0x 10 Gauge 8 Gauge
3.0X or 6.0X 8 Gauge 4 Gauge
When using multiple amps, use a 4 gauge Minimum to run to a
junction block, close to the amps. If possible, run 2 or 0 gauge to the
junction block, as any current loss will result in a loss of power.
19
C2K 1.0X Power VS. Distortion and
Specifications
20
Specifications for C2K 1.0X
Power per channel - stereo T.H.D. +N @ 1 kHz
25 watts x 2 @ 4Ω
Power - Mono
50 watts x 1 @ 8Ω
Frequency Response
S/N Ratio
Transient Distortion
Separation
Damping Factor
Input Sensitivity
Slew Rate
Idle Current
Dimensions
<.025%
<.02%
20Hz - 20kHz +0db -.28db
>95dB
<.009%
>60dB
>875 @ 4Ω @1kh
1 - 4 volts or 4 - 16 volts
21 V/uS
1.47 amperes
2.375”H x 8.75”W x 13.5”L
21
C2K 2.0X Power VS. Distortion and
Specifications
22
Loading...