Ok last time I promise... ZPA or MS!?!

STROKD · Post by **STROKD** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 8:34 am

ok, so the last thread steered me towards the MS amps, but as luck would have it, I've stumbled upon 2 BNIB .5s (already have one in my room), working deal on the other one...

Would 2 ZPA .5s sound better than 2 MS2250s sound wise? I've NEVER compared these two style amps, but I know the ZPAs in my dad's car rock the hell out, so I wanted to ask the pros on here what their opinions were.

I'd either run front and sub only(.5 each), or I may run a MS2250 for either bass or rear fill as it's similarly powered to the .5s...

So the MS2250 set aside, MS1K for front and bass or 2 .5s? I for some reason thought the zeropoints were the best sounding amp that PG ever made... Is this true? If so, its an easy decision!

Thanks PP!

trl2112 · Post by **trl2112** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 9:15 am

Good question. I am hoping to grab a BNIB .5. I am wondering should I use it as a sub amp or for running front 6.5 comps. My other gear so far is a zx475ti and a zx600.2ti. I will be going active BTW.

Post by **bdubs767** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 9:31 am

there all the same in a car. I am willing to bet 20k that you cant hear the difference between the two amp going down the road @ 30 mph.

Also both amps are a waste on subs.

FYI though ZPA is like MS on steroids, but also has the side affects of steroids, such as being very needy.

mmmadog · Post by **mmmadog** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 9:32 am

I think the zpa where made to run louder longer and cleaner. If you can find all the crossovers and cables and tba that goes with them and use a denford hu that uses the same cables you would have a smokin setup.

GX3 · Post by **GX3** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 10:03 am

Also keep in mind that the .3/.5 need an input voltage of 10-15.5 to reach full power and have RDDP. Also have a balanced input NO TBAr required.

STROKD · Post by **STROKD** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 10:29 am

GX3 wrote:Also keep in mind that the .3/.5 need an input voltage of 10-15.5 to reach full power and have RDDP. Also have a balanced input NO TBAr required.

So... that being said, I have 4 volts...

Will they sound terrible?

My dad's car does have 8 volts going to em, they sound nice... what will 4 volt input sound like?

Post by **stipud** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 10:33 am

Errr... you would need 10-15.5 DC volts input... but that is less important than the amount of current. You will need a good alternator and battery to feed them, because they are hungry amps. Same goes for your MS or Ti of course.

The ZPA requires an 8 volt preamp linedriver to reach full output. Unlike your MS amps which you can just turn up the gains on, your ZPA expects the maximum input voltage directly into the amp. At 4 volts, you will only get half of the amp's power.

Post by **mhyde71** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 10:40 am

yeah, I concur with tom... with the ZPA's 8 volts is what you would want to throw in there to input stage.. (like i know what I am talking about

) but going by manual 1-8 v input
http://download.phoenixphorum.com/Manua ... a2chan.pdf

Thumper88 · Post by **Thumper88** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 10:46 am

indeed, as described in a previous topic...i think? that spec is for DC volts input...15.5 volt preamp input...lol, wow...that's unheard of I think? Well...except for Eclipse balanced preouts @ 16V...

Post by **mhyde71** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 10:53 am

think it was referring to voltage for power, i.e. (B+) 12.5, 13.9, 14.4, etc... not signal though...ooops! yeah and remember amps X voltage = watts... like tom said... current is important..
Which I have always had a hard time understanding these people that optimizers that put out 16volts.. if you dont have the current it's like no meaning... the ZPA's are no exception...

My question to throw into the mix, relating to possibly your decision,.. is do/are the zpa's more power hungry than MS?? i.e. 180a x 14.4v for ms... would that be suitable just the same for ZPA???

Thumper88 · Post by **Thumper88** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 11:03 am

V = IR

As long as it's staying at 16V, it's got enough current.

STROKD · Post by **STROKD** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 11:17 am

stipud wrote:Errr... you would need 10-15.5 DC volts input... but that is less important than the amount of current. You will need a good alternator and battery to feed them, because they are hungry amps. Same goes for your MS or Ti of course.

The ZPA requires an 8 volt preamp linedriver to reach full output. Unlike your MS amps which you can just turn up the gains on, your ZPA expects the maximum input voltage directly into the amp. At 4 volts, you will only get half of the amp's power.

Great to know... now, if I have a EQ232, it has voltage matching inputs on it... If I crank them all the way up, will this give me 8 volts? I was pretty certain that the older 30 band EQs have line drivers in them... I know I cranked my Frank'd 30 up all the way into the FAS and it sounded absolutely terrible. I had to turn them down so they didn't sound 90% distorted. I feel this is because my FAS only has a 2 Volt input on the gain and I was sending the amp more than it wanted... If I take my 4 volt deck into the EQ, can I bump the voltage to 8 V so the ZPAs are happy?

Post by **fuzzysnuggleduck** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 11:28 am

The EQ232 has a maximum output voltage of 8VRMS.

STROKD · Post by **STROKD** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 11:35 am

fuzzysnuggleduck wrote:The EQ232 has a maximum output voltage of 8VRMS.

perfect! Thats what i thought... so I dont mess with the input gains then, I crank the output gains all the way up right?