Contents MISSION STATEMENT...............................................................................3 C2K INTRODUCTION ................................................................................4 CUSTOMIZING YOUR COMPETITION 2000 SERIES AMPLIFIER ..........5 MADE IN AMERICA....................................................................................6 OUR DEDICATION TO SONIC PURITY REQUIRES THE HIGHEST OF QUALITY IN INTERNAL COMPONENT PARTS .......................................
THE COMPETITION 2000 4 CHANNEL AMPS .......................................29 4 CHANNEL CONTROLS .........................................................................31 POWER ENDPLATE CONTROLS ...........................................................33 12V HOOKUP............................................................................................33 C2K 2.5X POWER VS. DISTORTION AND SPECIFICATIONS .............34 C2K 4.0X POWER VS. DISTORTION AND SPECIFICATIONS .............36 CUMULATIVE ERROR .
Mission Statement Committed to excellence ZAPCO is dedicated to the pursuit of audio fidelity. Our prime objectives are to design and manufacture audio products of unsurpassed quality, to provide unparalleled support and service for these products and to conduct business in a manner that will enhance the quality of life for all involved. Experience: Knowledge from doing There is absolutely no substitute for experience; that is a simple fact of life.
C2K Introduction The ZAPCO Competition 2000 Series Amplifiers Thank you for considering ZAPCO and congratulations on your purchase of our Competition 2000 series product. The ZAPCO competition series has long been considered the finest sound quality amplifier for competitive use. For the year 2000, we once again raise the bar and take the quest for sonic purity to its next level.
Customizing Your Competition 2000 Series Amplifier Our new Competition 2000 series amps provide the ultimate in sonic purity and audio performance. We felt they should also provide the ultimate in cosmetic integration. The four trim panels (two on top and one on each side) of the competition amps may be changed by your dealer to color match any car or to match any installation need.
Made In America Now just what does this mean and why does it matter? We ask this question because we believe it matters a great deal. We know others think it matters also, because it’s plastered on so many boxes. However, before we look at why it matters, let’s ask what it means.
Our Dedication to Sonic Purity Requires the Highest of Quality in Internal Component Parts • Resistors All resistors (other than power resistors) are 1% precision, low noise metal film. This is a key reason why ZAPCO products have the industries’ best noise specifications, and why you won’t see as much fluctuation in our test certificates as you will in others. Precision resistors also reduce distortion and improve channel matching. • Capacitors Capacitors are similar to batteries.
• Power Supplies Regulated or Un-regulated? For years amplifier designers have debated which type of power supply is best. What’s the truth about power supplies? They each have advantages and disadvantages and there is no, one, best type. Limiting yourself to one type of power supply limits your amplifier design components. ZAPCO uses both types of supplies depending on the intended use of each amp, as well as expected current demands and operating environment.
SymbiLink™ Balanced System The most natural configuration for an audio system in the automobile places the signal source in the dash with the amplifiers located some distance away, usually under the seat or in the trunk of the vehicle. The reality of this arrangement dictates the necessity to make long runs of low level signal cable usually from the front to the back of the car.
Specifications You Can Hear Our dedication to sonic purity, and to the concept of cumulative error demands that we design and build our amps and processors to be the cleanest in the industry. And we do! ZAPCO amps are the standard by which other amps are measured. However, it concerns us when one specification (THD) that can’t be heard in most modern, high end amps becomes the only meaningful specification manufacturers seem to publish.
• Stereo Separation: The ability of an amplifier to maintain the separation between the right and left channels is what allows an amp to reproduce an accurate sound stage. Music is recorded with each instrument in its own location in the sound stage. You should hear it the same way. • Results: To assure that no ZAPCO product ever fails to meet our standards, we must build them all to exceed these standards by comfortable margins.
Warnings ZAPCO highly recommends that a fuse or circuit breaker be placed within 18" of the battery. Although products have adequate internal protection, it is possible that a pinched power wire between the component and the battery may result in a fire. The protection device should be placed where it can be accessed easily and all wiring should be routed safely and correctly according to the following guidelines: Do not run wiring close to hot or spinning objects.
Installation Guidelines Mounting your Competition Amplifier is easy. Keep in mind the following guidelines: • The amplifier may be mounted in any direction, on wood, metal or carpet. • The metal case of the amplifier may be grounded or left isolated. • The amplifier requires adequate ventilation. Position the amplifier with sufficient surrounding area for proper cooling. • Keep fan and vent endplates clear for proper internal cooling.
Competition 2000 Key Features • SymbiLink Balanced Signal Technology • Low Distortion • Symmetrical, discrete Power Amplifier Circuitry • Short Circuit, High Temperature, Reverse, DC offset, and Overvoltage Protection • 25-Ampere Bipolar Amplifier Output Transistors • Precision 1% Resistors used throughout • 50-Ampere MOSFET Switching Devices • Very high Damping Factor • Low Global Feedback • Can drive highly Reactive Loads • Four Layer Circuit Board with 2 ounce Copper • Dual Color
The Competition 2000 Two Channel Amps ZAPCO has a reputation for sound reproduction and for quality that is unsurpassed. With all the new amps coming onto the market, not one was any threat to ZAPCO’s standing as the premium amp and processor line. So, why change now? Because we can! Because ZAPCO conceives, designs, and builds every product we sell ourselves, we and we alone determine our standards. Rather than chase the industry, we seek new ways to improve the finest products available…Our own.
2 Channel Controls 1. Channel Selector: Allows selection of either Rt. or Lt. channel input when used as a single channel mono amp. 2. Xover Range Select: Shows frequency ranges for internal range switch (13) and AUX range switch (6). 3. Amp Function Selector: Configures the input to the internal amp for single channel bridged, stereo, or L&R sum mono (bass amp). 4.
Power Endplate Controls 1. Power On / Protect indicator: Glows green when amplifier is on. Turns red when amp is in protection. 2. Turn On Delay: Since some decks take longer than others to turn on, we have included an adjustment on the C2K amps to lengthen their turn-on delay. This will eliminate any dangerous turn-on pops. 3. RSD Port: All C2K amps will support a remote mount status display to provide a visual check on amp functions. 4. Power connectors: See chart below for appropriate wire size.
C2K 1.0X Power VS.
Specifications for C2K 1.0X Power per channel - stereo T.H.D. +N @ 1 kHz <.025% 25 watts x 2 @ 4Ω Power - Mono <.02% 50 watts x 1 @ 8Ω Frequency Response 20Hz - 20kHz +0db -.28db S/N Ratio >95dB Transient Distortion <.009% Separation >60dB Damping Factor >875 @ 4Ω @1kh Input Sensitivity 1 - 4 volts or 4 - 16 volts Slew Rate 21 V/uS Idle Current 1.47 amperes Dimensions 2.375”H x 8.75”W x 13.
C2K 2.0X Power VS.
Specifications for C2K 2.0X Power per channel - stereo T.H.D. +N @ 1 kHz <.02% 50 watts x 2 @ 4Ω Power - Mono 100 watts x 1 @ 8Ω <.017% Frequency Response 20Hz - 20kHz +0db -.35db S/N Ratio >100dB Transient Distortion <.01% Separation >60dB Damping Factor >900 @ 4Ω @1kh Input Sensitivity 1 - 4 volts or 4 - 16 volts Slew Rate 26 V/uS Idle Current 1.75 amperes Dimensions 2.375”H x 8.75”W x 13.
C2K 3.0X Power VS.
Specifications for C2K 3.0X Power per channel - stereo T.H.D. +N @ 1 kHz <.009% 75 watts x 2 @ 4Ω Power - Mono <.007% 150 watts x 1 @ 8Ω Frequency Response 20Hz - 20kHz +0db -.35db S/N Ratio >100dB Transient Distortion <.008% Separation >65dB Damping Factor >1000 @ 4Ω @1kh Input Sensitivity 1 - 4 volts or 4 - 16 volts Slew Rate 28 V/uS Idle Current 1.67 amperes Dimensions 2.375”H x 8.75”W x 17.
C2K 6.0X Power VS.
Specifications for C2K 6.0X Power per channel - stereo T.H.D. +N @ 1 kHz <.014% 150 watts x 2 @ 4Ω Power - Mono <.007% 300 watts x 1 @ 8Ω Frequency Response 20Hz - 20kHz +0db -.32db S/N Ratio >100dB Transient Distortion <.007% Separation >60dB Damping Factor >1000 @ 4Ω @1kh Input Sensitivity 1 - 4 volts or 4 - 16 volts Slew Rate 32 V/uS Idle Current 1.77 amperes Dimensions 2.375”H x 8.75”W x 17.
C2K Crossover Response 28
The Competition 2000 4 Channel Amps To accompany the new two channel C2K amps, we offer the 4 channel versions, the C2K 2.5X and the 4.0X. In addition to all the standard C2K features, we have made some changes to greatly increase the value of our four channel amps. First, with the C2K series, all ZAPCO 4 channel amps have independent, fully variable crossovers for front and rear amps.
4 Channel Controls 1. Source Select: Sets amp function to 4 channel or 2 channel, stereo. In 2 channel, stereo mode, the two front channels are bridged to a single left channel and the rears are bridged to a single right channel, and only the front input and crossover are used. 2. Xover Range Select: Shows frequency ranges for front range switch (15) and rear range switch (7). 3. Front Function Selector: Configures the input to the front amp for left channel bridged, stereo, or L&R sum mono (bass amp). 4.
Power Endplate Controls 1. Power On / Protect indicator: Glows green when amplifier is on. Turns red when amp is in protection. 2. Turn On Delay: Since some decks take longer than others to turn on, we have included an adjustment on the C2K amps to lengthen their turn-on delay. This will eliminate any dangerous turn-on pops. 3. RSD Port: All C2K amps will support a remote mount status display to provide a visual check on amp functions. 4. Power connectors: See chart below for appropriate wire size.
C2K 2.5X Power VS.
Specifications for C2K 2.5X Power per channel - stereo T.H.D. +N @ 1 kHz <.015% 50 watts x 4 @ 4Ω Power - Mono <.01% 100 watts x 2 @ 8Ω Frequency Response 20Hz - 20kHz +0db -.33db S/N Ratio >85dB Transient Distortion <.02% Separation >60dB Damping Factor >700 @ 4Ω @1kh Input Sensitivity Slew Rate .5 – 2.17 volts or 2.6 – 10.5 volts 34 V/uS Idle Current 2.6 amperes Dimensions 2.375”H x 8.75”W x 17.
C2K 4.0X Power VS.
Specifications for C2K 4.0X Power per channel - stereo T.H.D. +N @ 1 kHz <.035% 100 watts x 4 @ 4Ω Power - Mono <.017% 200 watts x 2 @ 8Ω Frequency Response 20Hz - 20kHz +0db -.23db S/N Ratio >90dB Transient Distortion <.025% Separation >60dB Damping Factor >1000 @ 4Ω @1kh Input Sensitivity 1 - 4 volts or 4 - 16 volts Slew Rate 30 V/uS Idle Current 3.95 amperes Dimensions 2.375”H x 8.75”W x 19.
Cumulative Error An issue that often is debated is at what level does distortion become detectable to the human ear? Is there truly an audible difference between a unit that measures .05% THD and one that measures .1% THD? There are many that contend, with good cause, that distortion does not become audible until the magnitude approaches 1-% or more.
Class D for the Audiophile We saw our first Class D amp in 1975. Numerous companies have been trying since then to design and build a full range Class D, with very little success. Class D amps have had so much noise and distortion that they destroy mids and highs. Even when used strictly as bass amps they’ve been dangerous. Competitors who use class D amps in SPL cars invariably blow out all their woofers when they hit those high numbers.
Class D Amplifier Warnings WARNING!! THIS AMPLIFIER IS AN EXTREMELY HIGH CURRENT DEVICE AND MUST BE PROPERLY FUSED. ZAPCO Recommends a 175 amp fuse at the amp, and, a 200 amp fuse at the battery. To avoid putting yourself and your vehicle at risk, this product should be installed by a qualified professional only. WARNING!! The speaker outputs of this amplifier can generate very high voltages! At full power, each terminal will have 60 Volts of EMF.
Manual for Safe Sound Hopefully you’re reading this manual carefully, front to back, every word. If so you’re probably wondering why you see so many warnings and cautions. Is the C2K 9.0XD dangerous? Only in the wrong hands! Read this manual and follow the instructions and you will have many years of outstanding performance. Why all the warnings? The C2K 9.0XD can develop over 2,000 watts RMS and can draw as much as 175 amps.
CONTROL PLATE FEATURES 1. Mode select: Assigns the function of the adjustment knob as needed. 2. Adjust Knob: Multi- function knob for set-up adjustments on 9.0XD. 3. LED bank: LEDs indicate function of adjustment knob and the levels within each function. 4. Program/Display port and IR Remote port: Allows use of remote control and remote display as well as PC interface. 5. Bridge in Select: Configures amp as single channel R. or L. amp. 6. Bass crossover controls.
Power Endplate Hookups 1. 12 volt Negative, or Ground, Connection 2. 12 volt Positive, Power Connection 3. Switched Power plug Power Connection: The main power wire for this amplifier should be a 2gauge wire from the car battery as a minimum. For long runs we highly recommend a 0-gauge wire. While the amp may draw more current than many alternators can deliver, we recommend a 175-amp ANL fuse at the amp as fail-safe protection. Failure to properly fuse the amp will void the warrantee.
Start Up and Adjustments 1. Please Note! When you turn on the C2K 9.0XD, the adjustment LED’s will light up to display the last adjustment made, regardless of the position of the selector switch. Therefore, when making or verifying settings you must make a minor adjustment to each setting so the microprocessor will set the LED’s to display that particular setting. 2. If this amp is being moved from one car, or system, to another, please perform the “reset” function (at # 4.) before proceeding further. 3.
• • Slowly turn the ADJUST knob clockwise until you hear that the speakers have reached their limit of travel, then, turn the control back counter clockwise to a safe level. If the speakers do not bottom out at max deck power, you can bring up their level with the VOLUME setting of the amp. As soon as any bottoming out is heard, stop increasing VOLUME and switch over to Pre Clip to set the pre clip level. 5. Reset procedure: • With amp off, push in and hold the MODE SELECT button.
C2K 9.0XD Power VS.
Specifications for C2K 9.0XD Power per channel - stereo T.H.D. +N @ 1 kHz 300 watts x 2 @ 4Ω 1000 watts x 2 @ 2Ω Power - Mono <.05% <.2% 600 watts x 1 @ 8Ω <.07% Frequency Response 20Hz - 20kHz +0db -.23db S/N Ratio >85dB Separation >70dB Damping Factor >225 @ 4Ω @1kh Input Sensitivity 250mV - 8 volts Slew Rate >20 V/uS Idle Current 3.8 amperes Dimensions 2.375”H x 8.75”W x 19.5”L Please Note: The 9.
Display and Control Options To go with the most advanced amp around, ZAPCO has developed the most advanced display around. The XD-VFD is an in-dash mountable, vacuum florescent display, which allows you to monitor temperature, battery voltage, amplifier rail voltage, and power output. It also gives you a readout of your volume, preclip, and turn-on delay settings, plus, adding a “soft mute” switch to automatically roll back any clipped signals.
System Diagrams For Two Channel Amps: 1. Basic Full Range System 2. Two Amp System with Sub 3. Two Way System with Sub Amp and Processor 4. Three Amp three way with Bandpass 5. Three Amp with Processor (Crossovers at 12 and 18 dB) 6. Single Channel Right / Single Left and Mono Sub 7. Three Amp System with Full Competition Processing For Four Channel Amps: 1. Basic Four Channel Non-Fading 2. Four Channel Front & Rear with Mono Sub 3. Two Way System with Fader 4. Two Channel with Mono Sub 5.
Technical Assistance Should you experience a problem with your Competition 2000 Amplifier, please contact the dealer that sold you this product. If your dealer is unable to solve your problem, you may contact the factory service department directly. Phone: (209) 577-4268 Monday - Friday, 8AM - 5PM Pacific Time FAX: (209) 577-8548 Also, check our web page, www.zapco.com, for tips. You can also e-mail technical help directly from our web page or engineer@zapco.com.
