ARC and Zapco -- what's their story?

[BodegaBay 10+ year member]

I keep reading references to Rob Zech (sp?) and how much ARC and Zapco have similiar amplifier products. Did a founder or designer of one company move to the other? Who has the upper hand in sales and designs currently? Give me the juicy details guys!

Click to read more...

 

[80INCHES 5,000+ posts]

http://forums.caraudio.com/vb/showthread.php?t=120839

there u go.

80

 

[BodegaBay 10+ year member]

Thanks 80in. By the way, I the custom door panels. I'll send you a PM about custom boxes..

 

[80INCHES 5,000+ posts]

sounds good 2 me

80

i only design i dont build....well until i get some tools it will be a different story

 

[3.5Max6spd 10+ year member]

I keep reading references to Rob Zech (sp?) and how much ARC and Zapco have similiar amplifier products. Did a founder or designer of one company move to the other? Who has the upper hand in sales and designs currently? Give me the juicy details guys!

ZAPCO stands for Zeff Advanced Products Co

Rob Zeff was the founder, creator, originator 25+yrs ago...the head designer/engineer- he put the word Zapco on the map, and what it stands for today. He NO LONGER DESIGNS FOR ZAPCO OR IS AFFILIATED WITH THE COMPANY.

Zeff sold ZAPCO to ARPA of America not long ago.

Zeff then created Nikola Engineering Inc., a design company of not just amplifiers(bigger picture) He currently designs all Arc Audio amplifiers and for UBUY (Diamond D3's...)

Arc is a fairly new company, 1999 or so i believe.

Sales? They both do fairly well considering the niche market share is small.

 

[BodegaBay 10+ year member]

It's always interesting to read stories behind the scenes. Thanks for the info Max.

 

[3.5Max6spd 10+ year member]

It's always interesting to read stories behind the scences. Thanks for the info Max.

Heres an interview or 4 of the industries pioneers(dunno of u read it already)....has some inside info of some interesting powerful gentlemen..

http://www.caraudiomag.com/specialfeatures/0309cae_industry/

 

[BodegaBay 10+ year member]

I did read it from your link in the thread. It would be interesting to meet Zeff and pick his brains. He seems to be a no nonsense man and one helluva audio engineer.

 

[SPANKYSPL 10+ year member]

QUIZ TIME FOLKS!!!!!!

Where did the name Nikola come from for the new company?

That is the name of Robert Zeff's bird. You can still find remnants from the bird throughout the wharehouse........

 

[bass_lover1 10+ year member]

QUIZ TIME FOLKS!!!!!!
Where did the name Nikola come from for the new company?

That is the name of Robert Zeff's bird. You can still find remnants from the bird throughout the wharehouse........

Sorry to bring this one back up, but since no one answered...

Probably from Nikola Tesla who basically mainstreamed AC current and stole the market from Edison who was in love with DC current.

Just my .02

 

[DBfan187 5,000+ posts]

I thought he said it was his birds name?

 

[Flipx99 5,000+ posts]

Sorry to bring this one back up, but since no one answered...
Probably from Nikola Tesla who basically mainstreamed AC current and stole the market from Edison who was in love with DC current.

Just my .02

I always thought westinghouse brought it to the masses

 

[bass_lover1 10+ year member]

I always thought westinghouse brought it to the masses

Westinghouse bought the rights to it...it was Tesla that did all the experimenting and testing to prove that DC was inferior in terms of mass transcontinental electrical supply to houses.

 

[bass_lover1 10+ year member]

I thought he said it was his birds name?

I wouldn't doubt if it was his birds name...but where do you think he got the name for the bird //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

 

[OldOneEye 10+ year member]

Heck, more trivia time. Who designed some of Clarion's most popular amps (so popular in fact that the Clarion USA design was used in other parts of the world which is pretty unusual)? Robert Zeff.

Juan