Phoenix Gold RSd vs. Zapco DC Reference Amps

[LoneStarWings 10+ year member]

I'm going to be running two IDMAX 12's and Bi-amping an ID XS65 6.5" component set. I'm going to either be buying:

PG 1200.1 (1200 x 1 @ 2 ohms) & PG 500.4 (85 x 4 @ 4 ohms)

OR

Zapco DC Reference 1100.1 (1100 x 1 @ 2 ohms) & DC Reference 360.4 (50 x 4 @ 4 ohms)

With the PG amps I will run a premier DEH-p800r for crossovers and processing.

With the Zapco I will run a more basic head unit and use the zapco amps/DSP6-SL for crossovers and processing.

The Zapco setup will cost me about $2000 includng the HU and processor.

The PG setup will cost about $1200 including the HU.

Do you think the $800 more expensive dollar zapco amp setp would produce audibly better results, even though they are rated for less power? I will be using the symbalink system if I go zapco.

I am a big believer in double blind type tests and I do listen to a lot of MP3's that I have persoanlly encoded at high quality. If I couldn't tell the difference between these two setups with a blindfold I'd like to save my money, but if there is a measurable improvement in your opinions, I'd like to spend the money. I will admit I am skeptical than the zapcos are a better option with less power, but I'm interested in opinions.

Thanks.

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[Horsemanwill 10+ year member]

that is by far no comparison the DC ref amps will give you better sound control and cleaner power.

 

[lyttleviet 10+ year member]

Zapco. Easy call.

 

[Macklessdaddy 10+ year member]

that is by far no comparison the DC ref amps will give you better sound control and cleaner power.

he asked would it make an 800 dollar audible difference.the answer is nope

 

[LoneStarWings 10+ year member]

Thanks horsemanwill. You are becoming my primary car audio consultant with all your help //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif (I'm rollsdownwindowsmanually from the id boards too).

 

[lyttleviet 10+ year member]

The build quality and options that come with the zapco package are much more enticing than the PG deal.

 

[LoneStarWings 10+ year member]

What about the class D efficiency of the PG 1200.1 vs. the AB Zapco 1100.1?

I will be using a stock 145 amp alternator on my tahoe, I will upgrade the battery and alternator wiring to 0 gauge though. I'm guessing the zapco could draw 110 amps or so on a sine wave at full volume. Do you think that kind of current draw would create some problems?

 

[dragnix 5,000+ posts]

the zapco are pretty efficient for a class AB design. But I say go with the PG amp since you're only running components

 

[lyttleviet 10+ year member]

What about the class D efficiency of the PG 1200.1 vs. the AB Zapco 1100.1?
I will be using a stock 145 amp alternator on my tahoe, I will upgrade the battery and alternator wiring to 0 gauge though. I'm guessing the zapco could draw 110 amps or so on a sine wave at full volume. Do you think that kind of current draw would create some problems?

You'll be fine with that alternator and the big 3 0 gauge upgrade.

 

[LoneStarWings 10+ year member]

Anyone know where the zapco dc reference amps are manufactured? China? Korea? Taiwan?

 

[Towncar 10+ year member]

To be honest, it would be a waste using those amps for what you are using them for. If you were going to run a high end active setup, I would say sure get the zapco amps, but this is not the case here, and more than likely it would be very hard to tell the difference between the amps. So I say save your money, and get the pgs, it would be a complete waste using the zapcos for what you are trying to accomplish. Use the left over money for deadning, and ect..

 

[gentlejax 10+ year member]

dont get caught up in the $$$ cost of the amps.....like he said...your not likely to hear the difference and $800 is a lot of money these days...

too many people get wrapped up in the hype and then buy expensive stuff only to learn that cheap stuff works as well sometimes....I know...did it myself

I am going to run my Xenon...despite the fact I like the Onx black ones and not the silver ones...just because they cant be beat for the sound and quality...

I suggest you look at Ampguts and comare some of the Zapco to the PG......before deciding that the Zapco is so much better...

...cause for the dollar they are not....

If I were going to spend good money and wanted power and efficiency..I would get the ARC AUDIO KS300.4 ....class X ....about 70% efficient and sounds great....

I had one and loved it...small and powerful....I sold it only cause I didnt need a $400 amp when a $175 amp would do the same thing...

like I have told you......buy a couple of my Xenon 200.2 amps

here is a bit from the manual

Sound Quality:

During the electrical design process, some of the

finest parts were chosen to achieve the finest sound

quality customers expect from a Phoenix Gold amplifier.

Multiple small capacitors are located throughout the

PCB layout. By using multiple smaller capacitors in

parallel, this lowers the effective ESR of the circuit,

(This is the same concept as if you were to parallel

multiple subwoofers to achieve a lower impedance.)

Since multiple small caps will have a lower ESR this

will make them able to deliver energy much quicker

than a few large caps. The end result is tighter, more

accurate, and dynamic bass. The output stage

on the two and four channel models are loaded

with audiophile 150 Volt 15 amp Sanken output

transistors. Sanken output transistors are used due to

their high level of specification and amazing bandwidth

of 60MHz. Each model of the amplifier design is

critically listened to and evaluated by Phoenix Gold

Engineering and Product staff for hours to ensure the

sound quality is as close as possible to our in house

master reference audio system

 

[denim 5,000+ posts]

If you are not going to use the DC portion of the Zapco's to their fullest, get the PG's.

 

[Hoodlum007 10+ year member]

PG has really lost the compitative edge on car audio in the past few years. The quality of the products they make are really dissapointing to say the least. PG was solid quality back in the days of the TI and ZX series. The RSD amps are no way even close to the SQ of the Zapco DC line. The Zapco amps will not only give you much more control on sound, they will in fact sound better and are much more durable. Another good amp i can suggest are the ARC Audio.

 

[LoneStarWings 10+ year member]

Okay, sorry to get off track, but what about the JBL GTO series amps?

My dealer carries a lot of these and they are actually rated for more power than both the zapcos and PG's, and the cost is pretty low. I'd be looking at the GTO14001 (1500x1) and the GTO 1004 (100x4), CEMA certified.

For some reason I can't find many reviews out there of the GTO's.