ZAPCO Z-AP Owner’s Manual
Z-AP SERIES
Owner’s Manual
Before operating the unit, please read this manual throughly and retain it for future reference.
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Table of Contents
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 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.
The Z-Series AP of audiophile amplifiers .................................................................................................... 5
Highlights and technical specifications ........................................................................................... 6
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 / Z-150.6 AP Input Ends ...................................................................................................... 12
Z-1100.1 AP Input Ends ............................................................................................................................... 13
Speaker Wiring of the AP Amplifiers ............................................................................................................... 14
2-Ch. Amplifer - Stereo Mode ................................................................................................................... 14
2-Ch. Amplifier - Single Channel Mode ............................................................................................ 14
2-Ch. Amplifier - 3Ch Mode ...................................................................................................................... 15
4-Ch. Amplifier - Stereo Mode ............................................................................................................... 16
4-Ch. Amplifier - High Power 2-Ch. Mode ......................................................................................... 16
4-Ch. Amplifier - 5-Ch. Mode ................................................................................................................. 17
6-Ch. Amplifier - 5-Ch. Mode .................................................................................................................. 18
Technical Specifications .......................................................................................................................................... 19
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The Zapco Z-AP Series of Audiophile Ampliers
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.
Before you start your installation
ZAPCO highly recommends that a fuse or circuit breaker be placed within 18" of the
battery. Although you will add a fuse or fuse block near the amplifier it is still a possibility
that a pinched power wire between the component fuse and the battery could result in
a short, or even 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:
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 and 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)
Z-1100.1 AP > 190(W) x 62(H) x 482(L) - Overall 518(L)
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.
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!
When connecting our amplifiers to pre-wired stock speakers, care must be taken that
there are no common connections between left and right speaker wires, i.e. two or
more speakers using the same ground connection (very common in pre-85 cars), 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.
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