Why is Zed Audio so good?

[2critical 10+ year member]

I have been a huge fan of the series vi, vii, and viii Hifonics.

But basically I dont think you can go wrong with any of his designs.

X a million, me too

 

[its_bacon12 10+ year member]

i have 4 zed amps in disguise. lanzar opti 1000.1d, nakamichi pa-2004, coustic 510-dr, us acoustics 4085

 

[t22a80 10+ year member]

Zed has built amps for MANY different brands.

Here are a few,

Zed Audio, US Acoustics, Lanzar, Hifonics, Nakamichi, Boss, Planet Audio, Cliff designs, Coustic, and i'm sure many more.

 

[denim 5,000+ posts]

How would you compare a ZED to a tru? I own a low-end Tru and I have considered a Cu series, but I too have heard so many great things about Zed.

I have not owned TRU, but a few insiders have portrayed much of their product popularity is based upon assumed performance based on price. Not sure what you can take from that, but some companies use that practice.

 

[denim 5,000+ posts]

i have 4 zed amps in disguise. lanzar opti 1000.1d, nakamichi pa-2004, coustic 510-dr, us acoustics 4085

I love the US Acoustics USA series.

 

[dragnix 5,000+ posts]

I would love to own a Zed amp, but just don't have the money to. I did get a couple of amps repaired by him though. He's a very cool guy in person

 

[sonic purity 10+ year member]

The cliffs of that write up is the long extensive experience Stephen Mantz has with designing and building very solid, clean, reliable amplifiers. His product failure rate has to be one of the lowest period. Also, the recent ZED amps were giving the same level of clarity and performance of Brax/Audison/McIntosh amps are doing for much less. I am a long time ZED fan and was able to snatch up one of the last Gladius and Deuce Burr Brown models left.

dang denim, you beat me to it. Beside everything denim said, Steve truly loves what he does and he never quits learning. I have talked to him on several occasions and the guy lives and breaths audio circuit engineering. Plus he takes a great deal of pride in his work.

 

[denim 5,000+ posts]

The current ZED amps are heavy, seems to be a trait of the ZED built amps. All of his designs have a serious heat sink. Seems to always put function before form. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/smile.gif.1ebc41e1811405b213edfc4622c41e27.gif

 

There was an ESX 120.4 on ebay recently, just could not afford the $500 asking price. That would have been really nice for active daily.

 

[jmanpc 5,000+ posts]

Zed is owned by Tim Tebow, and he hand makes all the amps between plays. If you look closely, you can see him soldering on the field.

 

[Pl8er 5,000+ posts]

I have not owned TRU, but a few insiders have portrayed much of their product popularity is based upon assumed performance based on price. Not sure what you can take from that, but some companies use that practice.

Nod, I have read a few of the reviews. I have really loved this amp since I have had it. Once I upgrade this summer (if you like) I'll send it your way to demo and you could give a really unbiased opinion. You are well respected on a good number of forums.

I would honestly be interested in your opinion as well (perhaps what I consider to sound good is just ok).

 

[squeak9798 5,000+ posts]

i have 4 zed amps in disguise. lanzar opti 1000.1d, nakamichi pa-2004, coustic 510-dr, us acoustics 4085

The Coustic DR series were a Rich Coe design, not Zed.

 

[Pyro_By_Nature 5,000+ posts]

I love the US Acoustics USA series.

x2 Couldn't be any happier with my 4080.

 

[denim 5,000+ posts]

Nod, I have read a few of the reviews. I have really loved this amp since I have had it. Once I upgrade this summer (if you like) I'll send it your way to demo and you could give a really unbiased opinion. You are well respected on a good number of forums.
I would honestly be interested in your opinion as well (perhaps what I consider to sound good is just ok).

Thanks for the kind words and the offer, I would like that, but because I co-own an online shop and co-own a sub woofer company, people will always assume some bias on an any reviews I do. I am positive it is a soild performer for sure, I was just relaying some thoughts a few people have said in passing which can sometimes be taken with a grain of salt.

 

[denim 5,000+ posts]

x2 Couldn't be any happier with my 4080.

Trusty amp, I might be bringing my 2075 out of retirement here shortly.