Upgrading from JL amp to Audison or Zapco?
10-17-2007, 08:01 AM
#32
Digital does not mean Class D. Class D is simply a switching amplifier (pure on/off circuit, as opposed to an AB class, which keeps partially open channels). The Zapco amps just happen to have digital processing on board for the DC line, and are often referred to as a "digital" amp.
Conveniently, the Zapco site and manuals do not list the class of the DC Reference line of amps, but judging by some of the specs and having heard a few, Class D is not out of the question. You can definitely hear the top end struggling. Bass is loud and clear.
Conveniently, the Zapco site and manuals do not list the class of the DC Reference line of amps, but judging by some of the specs and having heard a few, Class D is not out of the question. You can definitely hear the top end struggling. Bass is loud and clear.
Zapco DC650.6 Amplifier Review and Photos - Car Audio Magazine
what switching in a/b are we talking about?
i doubt they do a a/b 6 ch and get class d in the other amps in the line, mabe except for monoblocks. i haven't seen that mix around much.
Last edited by df.dima; 10-17-2007 at 08:08 AM.
10-17-2007, 08:06 AM
#33
If it was a full range class D, you can bet your *** off they would mention it. And it would be small...err smalller.
As for class D and digital, indeed they are not the same, class D is it's topology while ditigal means it has an unboard DAC and perhaps digital inputs.
As for class D and digital, indeed they are not the same, class D is it's topology while ditigal means it has an unboard DAC and perhaps digital inputs.
10-17-2007, 08:14 AM
#34
0 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 42
Focal BE's what Amp?
FYI Focal in France distributed Audison in France for many years before making their own amplifiers. The team that designed the infamous Focal active Studio Monitors was involved in the development of the Focal Amps. When the BE's were developed, an amplifier worthy of them needed to be designed. The Focal Dual Monitor is the amp made for these speakers. They were developed and voiced with the BE's. I have heard BE's on VRX, Thesis and the Focal Dual Monitor. The Focal Dual Monitor was more open, more detailed and dissapeared, (more transparent) better on the BE's than the others. This only makes sense since it was designed on these speakers. The designing was done in a car to boot. Audison has a room with speakers in a cabinet bolted to the floor, ( not even close to the BE's), to do their testing of amps. This gives a constant reference for listening tests, but does not compare to a car. I had the Zapco Digital Reference in my car and it is a great sounding amplifier. The flexability of the DSP is what i really liked. The Focal Dual Monitor provides the same great DSP funcionality with even better sound.
Just to throw a monkey wrench, Rob Rice, an old schooler who has more world finals trophies than you can shake a stick at, is all excited about the Steg Master Stroke amp he put on his BE's. Look out for him next year!
Just to throw a monkey wrench, Rob Rice, an old schooler who has more world finals trophies than you can shake a stick at, is all excited about the Steg Master Stroke amp he put on his BE's. Look out for him next year!
10-17-2007, 08:16 AM
#35
Heh, heh, heh........ I guess it's still up and running. Guess no one has been able to prove him wrong, although I've heard a lot of riff-raff on the internet claim otherwise.
I thought Rockford and Kicker were made in Europe........... by elves........ in black leather legger-hose-in
Just out of curiousity, as there's all this chit-chat about amps and these Be's your getting, what's the details on the rest of your install/system ?
I thought Rockford and Kicker were made in Europe........... by elves........ in black leather legger-hose-in
Just out of curiousity, as there's all this chit-chat about amps and these Be's your getting, what's the details on the rest of your install/system ?
Last edited by Junkinthetrunk; 10-17-2007 at 08:19 AM.
10-17-2007, 08:57 AM
#36
50 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: May 2007
Posts: 326
Yes 98 scort is right i have the dc reference in my caddy...... and yes he is very right on the fact that the power supply does not transfer enough current and the responce time is verry sluggish, also keeping that in mind the high end does go a bit flat as soon as there is any amount of volume.... i coulud go into more detale on this issue but im just going to say that there are better amps out there for thoes speakers, if your are after the fact that the amp is set compleatly off the computer and there there is a digital time alignment( with is very handy at times ) i would strongly suggenst the focal dual monitor. ( wich has the same programing as the zapco ) or use the audison, or even considor the steg product, which can deliver way more current than the audison, if you want more info on that you can pm me
have a great day
have a great day
10-18-2007, 08:56 PM
#37
Yankee
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 3,599
RC's test was not intended to prove "all amps sound the same" he very clearly stated the intent was to prove there wasn't any inherent SQ superiority from one amp to the next. He used EQ and heavy duty switches to perform the test so it was far from perfect or scientific. There were a number of other variables too but it was a good test.
-Do amps sound the same-no
-Is it a profound difference- no
-can the differences be reproduced- yes (Bob Carver proved that 1) amps do sound different, and 2)with adjustments to an amp it can be made to sound different, even like another amp (RC also proved #2 with this test)
Jeez- a small EQ in the amplifiers preamp circuit will make for a smoother output or a more aggressive HF or a more powerful mid-bass. This is primarilly LRC
As often as this horse gets flogged nobody listens
-Do amps sound the same-no
-Is it a profound difference- no
-can the differences be reproduced- yes (Bob Carver proved that 1) amps do sound different, and 2)with adjustments to an amp it can be made to sound different, even like another amp (RC also proved #2 with this test)
Jeez- a small EQ in the amplifiers preamp circuit will make for a smoother output or a more aggressive HF or a more powerful mid-bass. This is primarilly LRC
As often as this horse gets flogged nobody listens
10-21-2007, 02:40 AM
#38
50 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 228
ummm.....i resent that comment lol. i think my jl choice was a fine one. i dont have any gain at all on my top end and its un-Be-lievable.
10-21-2007, 02:46 AM
#39
50 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 228
i basically got jl amps for my top end cuz i had jl amps for the bottom end, and its nice to see 4 black jl beasts behind my seats.
but take if from me. cuz im running focal Be's on active crossover with JL amps.....its incredible, and more than likely u wont notice a difference from audison/jl as the tweeter doesnt require any gain what-so-ever and thats where it counts. but then again maybe my setup is special cuz of the head unit...
if u can compare. compare. but JL is NO slouch on Be's i'll tell u that
but take if from me. cuz im running focal Be's on active crossover with JL amps.....its incredible, and more than likely u wont notice a difference from audison/jl as the tweeter doesnt require any gain what-so-ever and thats where it counts. but then again maybe my setup is special cuz of the head unit...
if u can compare. compare. but JL is NO slouch on Be's i'll tell u that
