zapco Z-150.2 AP, Z-150.4 AP, Z-400.2 AP, Z-150.6 AP Owner's Manual

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Z-AP SERIES
Owner’s Manual
Before operating the unit, please read this manual throughly and retain it for future reference.
MISSION STATEMENT
Committed to Excellence
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 forty 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.
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Table of Contents
The Z-Series AP of audiophile amplifiers .................................................................................................... 3
Highlights and technical specifications ...................................................................................................... 4
Before you start your installation ..................................................................................................................... 7
Planning your power connections ................................................................................................................. 8
Wire size ............................................................................................................................................................... 9
Mounting your Z-Series AP amplifier .............................................................................................................. 10
Inputs and Controls .................................................................................................................................................. 11
Z-150.2 AP / Z-400.2 AP Input Ends ...................................................................................................... 11
Z-150.4 AP Input Ends .................................................................................................................................. 12
Z-150.6 AP Input Ends .................................................................................................................................. 13
Speaker Wiring of the AP Amplifiers ............................................................................................................... 14
Z-150.2 AP / Z-400.2 AP Speaker Wiring ............................................................................................. 14
Z-150.4 AP Speaker Wiring ......................................................................................................................... 16
Z-150.6 AP Speaker Wiring ......................................................................................................................... 18
Notes ................................................................................................................................................................................. 20
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The Zapco Z-AP Series of Audiophile Ampliers
Audiophile: An audio fanatic whose sole passion is accurate sound reproduction that brings all the purity of a live performance to recorded music. It is a familiar term with high-end home gear like McIntosh or Bryston, but a term always considered unattainable in the automotive environment.
Zapco disagrees! In 1974 Zapco began a quest for perfect sonic reproduction. While perfection may be unattainable, the quest is no less worthy. In 2000 we introduced the C2K Competition amplifiers and by 2003 Zapco accounted for over 33% of ALL awards at the IASCA car Audio Finals. The closest competitor accounted for only 9%. In 2012 we introduced the new Z-Series amps with high end internal components matched for pure sound quality. This was our first line developed by listening rather that by measuring. That series was favorably compared to both McIntosh and Bryston home amps, and quickly went straight to the winner’s circle in Audio contests. They were called the best Zapco ever. How did we respond?
We said “thank you, but we think we can do even better”. And we did. We upgraded to the newest audiophile caps and op-amps, redesigned the power supply, and made board modifications to create the Z-Series LX amps. Not only did they top the car audio comparisons, but home speaker makers even brought their speakers to our CES suite to demonstrate what their speakers could do. The LX was beating their demo home amps in sound quality. How did Zapco respond?
We said “thank you, but we think we can do even better”. And we did! This year we built an amplifier to set new sound quality standards for both home and car sound reproduction. The Z-Series AP amplifiers. Home? Absolutely! In home or in car, the job of an amplifier is the same; pure, accurate sonic reproduction. The only difference is the power supply. If you really want to hear what your home speakers can do, get a AC~DC power supply and a Zapco Z-Series AP amplifier. Then you’ll know why your car system can sound better than your home system.
How did we do it? We took the best of the LX amp and we tweaked the circuitry. We used the same high-end audio quality electrolytic caps in the power supply that we used in the LX amplifiers. In the Signal path we replaced the electrolytics with the high-end WIMA poly caps. We used a new low noise, audio op-amp for the input stage and the smoothest audio op-amp we could find for the signal path (the right op-amp for the right job).
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We doubled the output drivers, and increased the operating voltage of the matched final output devices. To get heat off the output devices faster, and increase efficiency, we used a new insulator material developed for aerospace. At the differential input stage, we used 0.1% resistors... not 1% but 0.1%... to assure the lowest possible floor. We developed our own patented, multi ground RCA connectors with extra heavy gold plating for perfect signal transfer. We even improved the low noise gain pots had added detents to make watching levels a breeze. And what the heck! To top it all off, we gave it a new look, with a matt black finish and a solid copper plate with the logo and serial number engraved right in for posterity.
The Result: The ultimate SQ amplifier designed by listening with ears and much as by measuring. So we get the possible smoothest, purest overall sound quality and, at the same time, a signal to noise ratio of over 110dB, so you get all that pure sound quality in even the quietest of musical passages.
Z-Series AP Amplifier Highlights and Technical Specifications:
• Low distortion and low signal to noise of > 110dB
• Coupled the output drivers
• Highest HFE (Gain) Sanken selected output devices
• Deferentially balanced input stage
• 0.1% resistors for lowest possible noise floor
• TI LME49720 (BJT) op-amps on the inputs
• BB OP2604 (JFET ) op-amps in the signal path
• WIMA MKS2 series caps in the signal path
• Extremely low ESR caps throughout
• Proprietary patented RCA connectors
• New look to compliment the high performance
• THD @ Rated Power < 0.05%
• 150 watts/Ch. 4Ω (400 watts, Z-400.2 AP)
• 250 watts/Ch. 2Ω (670 watts, Z-400.2 AP)
• Frequency Response 15Hz to 30KHz ±1dB
• Dimensions in mm: Z-150.2 AP > 190(W) x 62(H) x 301(L) - Overall 328(L) Z-400.2 AP > 190(W) x 62(H) x 482(L) - Overall 518(L) Z-150.4 AP > 190(W) x 62(H) x 444(L) - Overall 479(L) Z-150.6 AP > 190(W) x 62(H) x 573(L) - Overall 614(L)
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High-end WIMA Poly Caps replace the usual electrolytics in the signal path.
For the most esigent audiophiles we provide a limited number of amplifiers in which is possible to change the Operationals according to the client's different sound quality’s tastes.
Special High-resolution pots for individual channel bias adjustment.
Zapco proprietary RCA connectors with extra heavy plating soldered directly on the PCB.
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