Zapco DC-series User Manual

Owner's manual

DC-series

Sound Quality / Integration Amplifiers

With Full On-Board Processing and Zapco DPN

Before operating the unit, please read this manual throughly

and retain it for future reference.

Protect your Investment

Note your information below for reference:

Model # Serial #

Date Purchased

And: Register your Zapco product now

At: www.zapco.com

Mission Statement

ZAPCO IS DEDICATED TO THE PURSUIT OF AUDIO FIDELITY.
Our passion, our “Driving Force” is to design and manufacture car audio products of
unsurpassed quality,to provide unparalleled support and service for these products and
to conduct business in a manner thatwill enhance the quality of life for all involved.
There is absolutely no substitute for experience; that is asimple fact of life. Another simple
fact is that for over 30 years, ZAPCO has been the leader in definingquality standards for
the car audio industry. These years of experience have led to a thoroughunderstanding
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. Theresulting products set the criteria by which all others in the industry
are judged. Feel the passion, hear thequality, know the performance and reliability by
making ZAPCO the “Driving Force” in your car audiosystem.

Sonic Purity
Our dedication to sonic purity requires that the highest quality internal components are
used.

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 low noise specifications,
and why you won’t see as much fluctuation in our test certificates as you will with other
brands. Precision resistors also reduce distortion and improve channel matching.

Capacitors
Capacitors are similar to batteries. Like a battery, they store energy and have
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 commonly used in other brands, ZAPCO insists
that no audio degradation will occur over time.

Transistors
Two types of transistors are used in ZAPCO products, bipolar and MOSFET.
MOSFET transistors are rugged, high current output devices that are best suited 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 output transistors are used exclusively in the audio stage of all DC
Series amplifiers. The audio performance of a bipolar transistor heavily outweighs any
minor advantages a MOSFET might offer regarding durability. We solve the durability
concerns by simply using more output devices than the amplifier requires. This gives us
a bulletproof amp with the sound quality we demand of a ZAPCO product.

-3 -

Welcome to the World of Zapco Digital - 2012

For 2012: Zapco takes you to the next level with the new Zapco DC-Series amps, with
more control more features and speaker level inputs the make integration of the DC amps
with a factory stereo a breeze

What's New for 2012
First, of course, the DSP-Z8 has 2 more output channels than its predecessor. This allows
an active 4-way system to be set up, or an active 3-way main system with a rear fill.

The crossover of the DSP-Z8 has been improved by allowing up to 36dB/Octave slopes for
a sharper cut-off and better speaker protection.

The Signal delay function of the DSP-Z8 has more resolution, allowing adjustments down
to 3mm

Direct Muting has been added and can be used by individual channels or by channel pairs

The new DSP-Z8 accepts speaker level inputs through its balanced RCA input connectors.
You can just attach RCA connectors directly to the speaker outputs of a factory stereo
(up to 22 Volts) and plug them right into the DSP-Z8.

A voltage sensitive EQ filter lets you activate an EQ filter at a predetermined input level
to compensate for active factory equalization when integrating the processor and/or
amplifiers into your factory stereo system.

In this manual we will take you through the programming and control functions of the
Zapco DSP-Z8 and the on-board DSP in the Zapco DC Series of DSP controlled amplifiers
as well as the networking operations of Zapco's DPN system.

-4 -

Transformers

Most of the transformers used in our products are hand-wound to ensure
maximum quality. This provides a guarantee that current capability, efficiency, and
radiated noise are all kept within our demanding parameters. Another critical aspect of
the transformer is mounting; 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.
Power Supplies
Regulated or Unregulated? 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 flexibility. ZAPCO uses both types of
power supplies depending on the intended use of each amplifier, as well as expected
current demands and operating environment.

Zapco Digital

Who has the number one name in state of the art audio equipment?
Zapco!

But, when most people think of Zapco, they picture compact, powerful, great sounding
amplifiers. While this picture is true enough, it misses one big piece of the Zapco legend.

Signal Processing!

Zapco virtually created the concept of high sound quality processing in the late 70's
when we created the PEQ. This was a high voltage preamp/EQ with and audiophile input
stage and 9 bands of equalization for each channel. It brought a whole new level of
performance to car sound. In the 90's the name was changed to SEQ and the unit was still
in production until 2006. We still refurbish them to this day.

In the 80's we took processing to another new level with the PX. This was the first
audiophile quality preamp EQ with a multi-order crossover. In addition, all four EQ bands
were parametric, so now you could customize the EQ parameters to you car. The result:
By the late 80's even non-Zapco dealers had to have a source of PX's for all their
competition cars.

The next leap was in the 90's, when Zapco introduced the SX, (later to become the
SX-SL). This unit expanded the Parametric EQ to 5 bands, added dual high pass and three
way band pass crossovers, added variable crossover slopes, bass-to-highs balance, and
SymbiLink™ Balanced inputs.

In 2004 Zapco Introduced the DSP-6, stand-alone, PC controlled Digital Signal
Processor. We also introduced the DC Reference line of Amplifiers. These were the first
ever PC controlled amplifiers with on-board DSP's for each and every channel. The DC
Reference amps were controlled by the revolutionary Zapco DPN control network that
allowed a single PC screen to control each amplifier in the system separately and to

apply memory settings globally to the network.

-5 -

Welcome to the World of Zapco Digital - 2012

For 2012: Zapco takes you to the next level with the new Zapco DC-Series amps, with
more control more features and speaker level inputs the make integration of the DC amps
with a factory stereo a breeze

What's New for 2012

First, of course, the DSP-Z8 has 2 more output channels than its predecessor. This allows
an active 4-way system to be set up, or an active 3-way main system with a rear fill.

The crossover of the DSP-Z8 has been improved by allowing up to 36dB/Octave slopes
for a sharper cut-off and better speaker protection.

The Signal Delay function of the DSP-Z8 has more resolution, allowing adjustments down
to 3mm

Direct Muting has been added and can be used by individual channels or by channel pairs

The new DSP-Z8 accepts speaker level inputs through its balanced RCA input connectors.
You can just attach RCA connectors directly to the speaker outputs of a factory stereo
(up to 22 Volts) and plug them right into the DSP-Z8.

A voltage sensitive EQ filter lets you activate an EQ filter at a predetermined input level
to compensate for active factory equalization when integrating the processor and/or
amplifiers into your factory stereo system.

In this manual we will take you through the programming and control functions of the
Zapco DSP-Z8 and the on-board DSP in the Zapco DC Series of DSP controlled amplifiers
as well networking operations of Zapco's DPN system.

-6 -

Addressing Components on the DPN

The Digital Programming Network consists of 10 amplifier/DSP nodes numbered 0

through 9.
NOTE: Turn all amps off before setting address switches

Sw6 is not used, nor is Sw5

1

ON

65432

i

Sw1 to Sw4 are engaged to address the
network node of each device.

Settings for Each Node

1

ON

65432

1

ON

65432 1

ON

65432 1

ON

65432

10 2 3

1

ON

65432 1

ON

65432 1

ON

65432 1

ON

65432

5 6 74

1

ON

65432 1

ON

65432 1

ON

65432

9 108

Up to 10 devices can be addressed using the DIP switch. Only the first 4 pins are for
addressing the devices. Pin 5 is not used, and pin 6 is not used.

-7 -

The Zapco Digital Programming Network

All Zapco DC series amplifiers, and the ZAPCO DSP-Z8, stand-alone Digital Signal

Processor incorporate Zapco’s exclusive Digital Programming Network™ (DPN).
This network allows the user to program all amp functions using a PC
The amps DSP can then be programmed to control Gain, Volume, Crossover,
Equalization, and even Time Delay. More importantly, the system allows you to network
all amps in your system so you can control up to 10 amplifiers from a single PC
window.

To allow higher resolution graphics and to make the setting go much faster, we
have developed a program that lets you make all adjustments with a PC.
Each Digital Control product has a USB interface. This allows you to plug a PC into any
unit on the network and control the entire network.

USB input allows a PC to be hooked

The amp’s DIP Switch allows you to
address each amplifier to it’s own location
on the network. Then when you call up the
amp for programming, it will even identify
itself by its location and its model number.

directly to the amp with a standard
USB cable. The Z8-R also has a
USB port so the PC can be plugged
in at the dash, without disturbing the
installation.

ADDRESS

1 2 3 4 5 6

PC CONTROL

ON

I/O DATA

Both I/O Data ports are bi-directional.
One connects to the control direction,
while the other connects to the next
amp in the network.

To Control

Optional Zapco Z8-R in-Dash Remote

The PC can be be plugged into the network at any device on the network. It can also be
plugged into the USB recepticle of the Z8-R remote if that is being used.
NOTE: The Z8-R is designed for use primarilly for the DSP-Z8. It will not network. It will
only affect the amp it is attached to, so it does not provide global settings.

To Next Amplifer

-8 -

PC

Since the programming of the DSP-Z8 and the DC Series amplifiers are the same we will
begin with the DSP-Z8 and how the programming works.
Then we will review the DC Series amplifiers.

DSP-Z8 : Six In / Eight Out Channel Digital Signal Processor

Specifications

THD:
Analog < 0.0015 Digital < 0.0008 Sensitivity 0.5V to 22V

S/N Ratio:
Digital > 100dB Analog > 99dB Control Input Mini USB

Dimensions 220mm(L) x 55mm(H) x 180mm(W)

-9 -

DSP-Z8 Connection Panel

5 1 2 3 6 4 7

Front Panel Connections

1) RCA Inputs- Six channels of input are available through RCA connectors*.

2) RCA Outputs-4 sets of RCA Connectors provide eight channels of output.

3) DIP Switch-Six position DIP switch is used to address the unit and assign a
node on the Zapco Digital Programming Network.

4) USB Port- Like all Zapco DC products, the DSP-Z8 has a USB port to interface
with a PC for all DSP programming functions.

5) Auxiliary Input
Digital Input- Optical connector for SPDIF input
Analog- RCA connector for analog Aux-in

6) Data Connectors- Two RG connectors provide Data in/out for network cables
(and Z8-R control input)

7) Power Connector- Provides Power, Ground, Turn On, and Aux +12 volt out **

* Note: To use speaker level inputs from a factory stereo, simply attach RCA
connectors to the factory speaker wires(up to a 22v signal). Assure that the DSP or
amplifier is in High Level input mode and plug the speaker wires directly into the RCA
inputs.

** Note: The Zapco DC Series also has DC-offset sensing for automatic turn-on. If
you use speaker level inputs from a factory stereo the DC product will turn on
automatically and also provide +12v trigger output to turn on other components.

-1 0-