Official Old School Collectors Thread

[bigdwiz 10+ year member]

On to a recent CL score...two PG amps from the mid-1990's. I always wanted an MS-275 or MPS series amp, but was never able to afford them. I recently came across a CL ad for "2 Phoenix Gold amps - 500w and 1000w". No model numbers and no pictures. I quickly replied to the ad asking for model numbers and pictures. "One is a ZX500 and the black one has no markings at all, not sure about that one". I called the guy selling them and he sounded genuine. He's had these since new and just remembers they were "very expensive" when new. Unfortunately, he didn't have any of the paperwork or boxes and the black amp had some damage to the plexi. He was asking $550 for both and I was able to get him down to 4 Benji's. I posted these same pictures in the PG forum and I was told I scored!

After some research, I found the black amp to be a ZeroPoint ZPA0.3, which back in the day retailed for $999 US. It is one HEAVY sucka!

I've bench tested both amps and they work flawlessly. The ZX500 is 8.5 cosmetically, while I'd give the ZPA0.3 a solid 7.5. I've found a replacement plexi for the ZPA0.3, but $75 is just more than I want to invest...

 

[Suicide Bobb 5,000+ posts]

On to a recent CL score...two PG amps from the mid-1990's. I always wanted an MS-275 or MPS series amp, but was never able to afford them. I recently came across a CL ad for "2 Phoenix Gold amps - 500w and 1000w". No model numbers and no pictures. I quickly replied to the ad asking for model numbers and pictures. "One is a ZX500 and the black one has no markings at all, not sure about that one". I called the guy selling them and he sounded genuine. He's had these since new and just remembers they were "very expensive" when new. Unfortunately, he didn't have any of the paperwork or boxes and the black amp had some damage to the plexi. He was asking $550 for both and I was able to get him down to 4 Benji's. I posted these same pictures in the PG forum and I was told I scored!
After some research, I found the black amp to be a ZeroPoint ZPA0.3, which back in the day retailed for $999 US. It is one HEAVY sucka!

I've bench tested both amps and they work flawlessly. The ZX500 is 8.5 cosmetically, while I'd give the ZPA0.3 a solid 7.5. I've found a replacement plexi for the ZPA0.3, but $75 is just more than I want to invest...

That ZPA is a serious amp, man.

The ZX is VERY nice as well. A super nice sounding amp!

I managed to pick up an MS-275 for $30 //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif It's a 5/10, and one channel isn't working, but I can get it fixed so that's no issue to me!

 

[bigdwiz 10+ year member]

I managed to pick up an MS-275 for $30 //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif It's a 5/10, and one channel isn't working, but I can get it fixed so that's no issue to me!

Wow, that was a STEAL! I have a RF Punch 150HD in 9.5 condition, which has static from both channels. I call Landis Technology in Denver, NC and they charge $159 to completely go through the amp and restore it to "new" condition (sonically, not physically). I have the manual and birthsheet for this amp as well, but Landis Tech said they would recertify the amp when it's complete and provide a new birthsheet....pretty cool.

I'm sure you may know about the caps on those PG amps? The PG experts HIGHLY recommend they are changed, especially in the MS series amps. Speaking of PG amps, I don't think it gets much prettier than a MS or MPS series PG amp "bottoms up" with plexi...

 

[Suicide Bobb 5,000+ posts]

Wow, that was a STEAL! I have a RF Punch 150HD in 9.5 condition, which has static from both channels. I call Landis Technology in Denver, NC and they charge $159 to completely go through the amp and restore it to "new" condition (sonically, not physically). I have the manual and birthsheet for this amp as well, but Landis Tech said they would recertify the amp when it's complete and provide a new birthsheet....pretty cool.
I'm sure you may know about the caps on those PG amps? The PG experts HIGHLY recommend they are changed, especially in the MS series amps. Speaking of PG amps, I don't think it gets much prettier than a MS or MPS series PG amp "bottoms up" with plexi...

I know! I used to have an MS250, but it was blown. I didn't know how to fix amps back then, so I got rid of it //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif I LOVED the amp though, and promised myself I would get another someday.

That's not a bad deal for all that work! What does the original birthsheet tell? (RMS at what resistance and voltage)

I do know about those caps. Likely the issue with the channel, we will see.

 

[bigdwiz 10+ year member]

Now on to some old school Sony....the XM series. This one in particular is the XM-C2000, which is a rare, 6 x 30 amp from Sony. I got this from a buddy of mine back in the mid-1990's. He had it powering a system in his Corolla GTS and I couldn't believe it when he told me they used a Sony amp until I got in his car to hear the system. WOW, Sony made amps that ROCKED? Yessiree, they did back in the early to mid-1990's. I can tell you the two rear 30 watt channels powering (2) 10" subs in a bandpass box nearly blew me away. Not only was it LOUD, but sounded VERY clean. He had 5.25 separates in the doors and 5.25 coaxes in the rear, each powered by their own 30x2 channels.

I used the amp in my Ford Ranger for a few years powering (2) 10" MTX Blue Thunder subs and 5x7 coaxes in the doors (yeah, I know, 5x7's, call me lazy). I took the XM-C2000 out about a year ago when I thought I was going to sell my truck....well, I still have the truck and I still have the amp (no 10" Blue Thunder's though, sold them). Maybe I'll put this amp back to use one day soon....if not, I won't be getting rid of it anytime soon.

 

[bigdwiz 10+ year member]

That's not a bad deal for all that work! What does the original birthsheet tell? (RMS at what resistance and voltage)

I scanned the birthsheet and manual a few weeks ago. Below I've embedded the birthsheet minus the serial #.

 

[Rich B 5,000+ posts]

Still in the original display bag.

 

[Ge_off_me 5,000+ posts]

On to a recent CL score...two PG amps from the mid-1990's. I always wanted an MS-275 or MPS series amp, but was never able to afford them. I recently came across a CL ad for "2 Phoenix Gold amps - 500w and 1000w". No model numbers and no pictures. I quickly replied to the ad asking for model numbers and pictures. "One is a ZX500 and the black one has no markings at all, not sure about that one". I called the guy selling them and he sounded genuine. He's had these since new and just remembers they were "very expensive" when new. Unfortunately, he didn't have any of the paperwork or boxes and the black amp had some damage to the plexi. He was asking $550 for both and I was able to get him down to 4 Benji's. I posted these same pictures in the PG forum and I was told I scored!
After some research, I found the black amp to be a ZeroPoint ZPA0.3, which back in the day retailed for $999 US. It is one HEAVY sucka!

I've bench tested both amps and they work flawlessly. The ZX500 is 8.5 cosmetically, while I'd give the ZPA0.3 a solid 7.5. I've found a replacement plexi for the ZPA0.3, but $75 is just more than I want to invest...

Would you take any trades on the zpa?

 

[bigdwiz 10+ year member]

Would you take any trades on the zpa?

I would consider trades....PM me if U want.

 

[Shinju 10+ year member]

Nice ZX500, I might be interested in that //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[Suicide Bobb 5,000+ posts]

Now on to some old school Sony....the XM series. This one in particular is the XM-C2000, which is a rare, 6 x 30 amp from Sony. I got this from a buddy of mine back in the mid-1990's. He had it powering a system in his Corolla GTS and I couldn't believe it when he told me they used a Sony amp until I got in his car to hear the system. WOW, Sony made amps that ROCKED? Yessiree, they did back in the early to mid-1990's. I can tell you the two rear 30 watt channels powering (2) 10" subs in a bandpass box nearly blew me away. Not only was it LOUD, but sounded VERY clean. He had 5.25 separates in the doors and 5.25 coaxes in the rear, each powered by their own 30x2 channels.
I used the amp in my Ford Ranger for a few years powering (2) 10" MTX Blue Thunder subs and 5x7 coaxes in the doors (yeah, I know, 5x7's, call me lazy). I took the XM-C2000 out about a year ago when I thought I was going to sell my truck....well, I still have the truck and I still have the amp (no 10" Blue Thunder's though, sold them). Maybe I'll put this amp back to use one day soon....if not, I won't be getting rid of it anytime soon.

Sorry buddy, you got scammed into that amp. Send it over to me and I'll scold the guy who scammed you //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

Seriously though, I REALLY BADLY want this amp!!! I collect o/s Sony. I have a few matching mid-late 80s amps, one from the 90s, and for home audio...a pair of 1976 SSU-1800s //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif All of those but the 90s amp are super rare, and all sound amazing.

 

[Ge_off_me 5,000+ posts]

Nice ZX500, I might be interested in that //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

There is one local in seattle for hella cheap man Iirc like 175

 

[stangman67 10+ year member]

Lookie here Phoenix Gold Amplifier! Titanium!

 

[Shinju 10+ year member]

There is one local in seattle for hella cheap man Iirc like 175

Def not there anymore if it was.

Yeah Zack I saw that ZX400 //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

[misfit138 5,000+ posts]

I got this the other day.

I sure do like these little old school ZED amps. I REALLY like them when they look pretty much new.