Phoenix Gold ZPA 0.5

ShockTherapy · Post by **ShockTherapy** » Thu Dec 31, 2009 6:18 am

Hi everyone! I haven't had the opportunity to post on here so I figured I'd give it a shot. I just purchased a Minty ZPA 0.5 and would like some opinions on the amp. I've heard that it's a fantastic amp and is one of the best that PG has produced. I'm running 2 JL 10w3v2 subs in a sealed spec enclosure. Will the ZPA be too much for them? I also have the TBA-T line transmitter/driver.

Here is my setup for reference:

Eclipse AVN-7000 DVD/CD/MP3/NAV
Arc Audio 4150 CXLR
Phoenix Gold ZPA 0.5
Alumapro 15f Capacitor
MbQuart QSD-216 (Frontstage)
MbQuart QSD-210(Rear fill)
(2) JL Audio 10w3v2

I'm upgrading because I've noticed that ever since I have moved to a Class D sub amp I feel that the SQ has suffered. I am a SQ nut and will do what it takes to bring my setup to audiophile standards.

Post by **Rold Gold** » Thu Dec 31, 2009 9:04 am

Welcome!!!

The ZPA's are really nice amps. I take it that the 0.5 will be on sub duty then...... How much signal power does the deck provide? 3v-4v doesn't cut it with that amp so a line driver will make it sound much better. Ya might find yerslf a 0.3 for the front stage and replace the ARC amp. I'm a big fan of matching amps in an install.

ShockTherapy · Post by **ShockTherapy** » Thu Dec 31, 2009 9:10 am

FuzzyHoNutz wrote:Welcome!!!

The ZPA's are really nice amps. I take it that the 0.5 will be on sub duty then...... How much signal power does the deck provide? 3v-4v doesn't cut it with that amp so a line driver will make it sound much better. Ya might find yerslf a 0.3 for the front stage and replace the ARC amp. I'm a big fan of matching amps in an install.

I will never get rid of the Arc. I've owned McIntosh. Zapco, Audison, Tru... and the 4150 is the best amp I've owned. As for the 0.5 I purchsed it with the TBA-T balanced Transmitter/Line driver. It's overkill for my 2 10w3v2 subs but the SQ should be on the money! I will also be using an alumapro 15 farad Carbon Cap.

Pillow · Post by **Pillow** » Thu Dec 31, 2009 9:50 am

I will never get rid of the Arc. I've owned McIntosh. Zapco, Audison, Tru... and the 4150 is the best amp I've owned.

Now that is saying something! All nice amps.

The ZPAs are in theory the best of the best from PG. It should treat you right... Some will argue the little M25 for pure reference SQ.

If you are not already aware of it, check out www.diymobileaudio.com there are some EXTREME SQ guys over there... In fact they might not let you join for having matched MB components

It is a fun place to read, but a different level for most folks.

Welcome to the Phorum!

Post by **smgreen20** » Thu Dec 31, 2009 10:48 am

AllenAudio,

http://www.carstereo.com/forum/profile.cfm?userid=16037

I knew I knew you. You're on my friends list over at carstereo.com
Welcome to the phorum. This is where I ran off to. I was starting to have issues logging on over there plus the people here are better.

I've had a 0.3 on my fronts, but sold it and now have a 0.5 for my subs too. The Eclipse deck you have is 5v correct? With the amount of power you need and that that amp can produce you should be OK. I'd still use the TBA to that amp to up the signal. Besides in SQ isn't it better to have more power then needed?

So Welcome to the site. You can see most of my install > www.carstereo.com/smgreen20 ,I had issues logging in so I can't update my profile anymore. I'll soon be making a log here, which what you can't find there, you can find here. Nice truck BTW. What year is it? Mines a Y2K.

El-Akeem · Post by **El-Akeem** » Fri Jan 01, 2010 8:05 am

ShockTherapy wrote: I will never get rid of the Arc. I've owned McIntosh. Zapco, Audison, Tru... and the 4150 is the best amp I've owned.

Without any doubt, the 4150 is one of the best Robert Zeff amps ever. It is definitely the best amp out of the CXL/XXK series.

evo9 · Post by **evo9** » Sat Jan 02, 2010 9:23 pm

ShockTherapy wrote:

I will never get rid of the Arc. I've owned McIntosh. Zapco, Audison, Tru... and the 4150 is the best amp I've owned. As for the 0.5 I purchsed it with the TBA-T balanced Transmitter/Line driver. It's overkill for my 2 10w3v2 subs but the SQ should be on the money! I will also be using an alumapro 15 farad Carbon Cap.

Very wise! I have the xxk series & can't say enough about them. My 6 ZPA amps has been sitting in the closet over 10 years now.

.

ShockTherapy · Post by **ShockTherapy** » Tue Jan 05, 2010 6:32 am

El-Akeem wrote:
ShockTherapy wrote: I will never get rid of the Arc. I've owned McIntosh. Zapco, Audison, Tru... and the 4150 is the best amp I've owned.

Without any doubt, the 4150 is one of the best Robert Zeff amps ever. It is definitely the best amp out of the CXL/XXK series.

I purchased the 4150CXLR a few years ago replacing 2 PPI Art Series amps. I had an A600.2 running my front components and an A200.2 on the rear fill. I know what you're thinking... replace the Art Series??? I wanted to save some space and I heard so many great things about this amp. I bought it for $350 used and have been in love ever since. I have this running 2 QSD component sets and I've been urged by the local dealers to enter SQ contests. I've used it all! I even had 2 Zapco Z300C2-SLX amps running my components and the Arc was by far my choice. I don't think I will EVER replace this amp unless mine blows up! And don't get me wrong, I'm an Electrical Contractor who makes over $250k a year, I can buy what I want. The ARC cxlr is my choice at any price.
Now I just hope the ZPA0.5 can keep up! I will be running it at 2ohm at 500x1. I know, It'll do 1000 but I don't need that much power. I will be using it on 2 Peerless XXLS 4ohm subs which should sound outstanding.

Anyone have any opinions on the Peerless XXLS 10" subs? I've heard that for the price it's hard to beat the pure SQ these things provide.

Tamerz · Post by **Tamerz** » Mon Feb 01, 2010 12:10 pm

I used to have two ZPA0.5's. One powered my fronts and one powered the subs. Awesome amps but super fragile. Both of them ended up at the shop once. The second time it took out my $400 Focals.

They sound great and looked awesome but just weren't the most reliable.

Bertje · Post by **Bertje** » Fri Feb 12, 2010 6:47 am

Can somebody tell me what amount of idle current the ZPA 0.5 is doing? I read in the manual 8A, but I think thats a lot of A...
Thanks!
Rob.

Post by **ttocs** » Fri Feb 12, 2010 6:54 am

that sounds about right. They were not know to improve your milage much, just means your heater will not need to be on as high.

GX3 · Post by **GX3** » Fri Feb 12, 2010 10:46 am

Can't believe no one has brought this up yet. You will want to have the caps looked at in the 0.5 before they fail and starts the amp on fire.

http://phoenixphorum.com/help-me-with-z ... eplacement

Bertje · Post by **Bertje** » Fri Feb 12, 2010 1:00 pm

I just recapped it, and was searching on specs of this little beast. Now upgrade it to 4x 10000uF instead of the 2x 10000uF + 2 x 4700uF original rail caps.

So 8 amps idle current is normal?

Rob.

NewOldStock · Post by **NewOldStock** » Fri Feb 12, 2010 1:19 pm

smgreen20 wrote:www.carstereo.com/smgreen20

I dont mean to threadjack but I just saw this pic http://www.carstereo.com/images/install ... %2D1%2Ejpg and have to ask - what is that fuse/ground block combo and where did you get it? I love it!

freshkryp69 · Post by **freshkryp69** » Fri Feb 12, 2010 1:24 pm

NewOldStock wrote:
smgreen20 wrote:www.carstereo.com/smgreen20
I dont mean to threadjack but I just saw this pic http://www.carstereo.com/images/install ... %2D1%2Ejpg and have to ask - what is that fuse/ground block combo and where did you get it? I love it!

that there looks like one of those old skool streetwires distro blocks..

Post by **Eric D** » Fri Feb 12, 2010 5:35 pm

8A idle current seems a bit steep, but really is not that unreasonable. They are biased to keep them in Class A mode a bit longer, and that would account for higher idle current.

Bertje · Post by **Bertje** » Sat Feb 13, 2010 1:57 am

Ok thanks, Eric. I will also measure the bias and do some adjustments to get both channels at the same level.
Only a Genesis class A (DM-A) and Audison Sedici/Trenta are at the same level of (high) bias of 2-3A per channel.
Rob.

natthai · Post by **natthai** » Fri Apr 13, 2012 8:21 pm

Dear Mr. ShockTherapy

My name’s Nat, from Thailand. I’m a new comer for car audio.
Recently, I’ve just bought 2nd hand a power amp “ARC 4150 CXLR”
and now I’m seeking an owner’s manual.
I try to ask somebody in Thailand, nobody seems to have it.

I spent my time to seek it from internet until met you post subject on
Phonix Gold ZPA 0.5 on 31 Dec,2009. On this topic, made me know
You have “The Best ARC 4150 CXLR”

So, I would appreciate it, if you sent me the manual by email.

My email address is nat_kittiwat@yahoo.com

Thanks in advance.

Nat

If you have a free time, welcome to Thailand.

Phoenix Gold ZPA 0.5

Phoenix Gold ZPA 0.5

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