what happened to zapco
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Car Audio
Forum Discription: Car Stereos, Amplifiers, Crossovers, Processors, Speakers, Subwoofers, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=42254
Printed Date: April 30, 2024 at 12:47 PM
Topic: what happened to zapco
Posted By: trollman200
Subject: what happened to zapco
Date Posted: November 04, 2004 at 7:44 PM
how come nobody uses Zapco amps nemore. i never see nething about them on the forums, and never see them in peoples cars at all.
Replies:
Posted By: Alpine Guy
Date Posted: November 04, 2004 at 8:00 PM
i saw one for the first time ever the other day, , tiny lil 2 channel amp pounded 2 alpine type-s 12's like they had 1000 watts going through them. i would love one of there amps.
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2003 Chevy Avalanche,Eclipse CD7000,Morel Elate 5,Adire Extremis,Alpine PDX-4.150, 15" TC-3000, 2 Alpine PDX-1.1000, 470Amp HO Alt.
Posted By: jeffchilcott
Date Posted: November 04, 2004 at 8:20 PM
well I think the major issue is the price tag, I would love to have a zapco 4kw for myself but with a price tage as high as it is, along with the c2k 2.0-9.0 series amps I can get as much power for alot less
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2009 0-1000 Trunk WR 154.0DB 2009 1001+ Trunk WR
2007 USACI World Champion
2007 World Record
2006 USACI Finals 2nd Place
Posted By: audiobass10
Date Posted: November 04, 2004 at 10:35 PM
I've seen a few of there amps from pics at comps..but yea you don't see much of them b/c of their high prices.
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Dave
Pioneer Premier DEH-P660
15" Kicker CVR
Profile AP1000M
It's Loud
Posted By: Velocity Motors
Date Posted: November 04, 2004 at 10:50 PM
You get what you pay for. I'm looking to get a 4KW for the company Integra next year. Can't wait.  ------------- Jeff
Velocity Custom Home Theater
Mobile Audio/Video Specialist
Morden, Manitoba CANADA
Posted By: drsnoze
Date Posted: November 04, 2004 at 10:55 PM
Ive got a reference amp and couldnt be more happier with it
Posted By: chevyman26
Date Posted: November 05, 2004 at 12:27 AM
If price were no issue, Zapco is what I would buy (err, maybe McIntosh), but price is an issue. As Velocity said though - you get what you pay for. As I've never heard (or seen in person) a McIntosh, Zapco is the best I've ever heard. I think that they are one of the few (very few) companies who's quality has not slipped over the years. ------------- You'd better get me out of this lord... or else you'll have me to deal with. -- Hunter S. Thompson "F.A.L.I.L.V."
Posted By: quick4321
Date Posted: November 05, 2004 at 1:13 AM
I was told that all the local shows are giving trophies to guys that have the best looks, not the best equipment/sound. He said that someone with a chromed out autobahun system is getting a lot more attention than a guy who rolls in with 20k worth of equipment because most of the local people have no clue what Dynaudio, synphoni, Mcintosh, etc are. I would think this has a lot to do with the fact not many people are familiar with the big names.
Posted By: DYohn
Date Posted: November 05, 2004 at 9:54 AM
quick4321 wrote:
I was told that all the local shows are giving trophies to guys that have the best looks, not the best equipment/sound. He said that someone with a chromed out autobahun system is getting a lot more attention than a guy who rolls in with 20k worth of equipment because most of the local people have no clue what Dynaudio, synphoni, Mcintosh, etc are. I would think this has a lot to do with the fact not many people are familiar with the big names.
This is very sad, but not surprising. Lots of people also seem to be very impressed by a 3-foot high wing on the back of a Kia. A gold (or chrome) plated dog turd is still a turd... ------------- Support the12volt.com
Posted By: chucksnee
Date Posted: November 05, 2004 at 11:45 AM
Speaking of ZAPCO, Just put a bid in on an old school AG650, 6 channel amp. DAMN i hope i get it!!
Posted By: kfr01
Date Posted: November 05, 2004 at 1:16 PM
DYohn] wrote:
his is very sad, but not surprising. Lots of people also seem to be very impressed by a 3-foot high wing on the back of a Kia. A gold (or chrome) plated dog turd is still a turd...
lol! I love when the otherwise calm and pc DYohn weighs in w/ a comment like this ;-) I couldn't agree more. ------------- New Project: 2003 Pathfinder
Posted By: dr. righteous
Date Posted: November 07, 2004 at 7:24 PM
quick4321 wrote:
I was told that all the local shows are giving trophies to guys that have the best looks, not the best equipment/sound. He said that someone with a chromed out autobahun system is getting a lot more attention than a guy who rolls in with 20k worth of equipment because most of the local people have no clue what Dynaudio, synphoni, Mcintosh, etc are. I would think this has a lot to do with the fact not many people are familiar with the big names.
Last time I went to a show I wanted to throw up. It isn't who did their homework and built a well designed system with real sonic accuracy. It is about who can put together the most jacked up, and strange (cartoonish) looking rig. When I was into car audio heavy in the early '90 the thing was who can build a system that is just about invisible, or stock looking but still have breath taking sound quality. Those days are gone. Funny thing is I stumbled across this board because I wanted to buy a CD head unit for my Grand Cherokee and maybe a few other goodies, but I have been out of the car audio scene for so long I was kind of rusty. ------------- Real High Fidelity........
or forget it.
Posted By: nc5er
Date Posted: November 07, 2004 at 8:09 PM
I'm not sure on this, but I believe Zapco changed hand's within the past several years. If you take a look at the specs on their old-school vs the new, something went wrong. While we're here, it is also my understanding that everyone's favorite- (better be siting down for this) MB QUART is pure Chinese now. I wonder how long befor they get ahold of McIntosh too...
Posted By: stevdart
Date Posted: November 07, 2004 at 10:15 PM
The way I understand it...MBQuart is still the same manufacturer with the top lines, but now has an entry-level line farmed out to Asian production. Can't really blame a maker for doing what is necessary to keep a bottom line. The historian DYohn wrote of this, I believe, not too long ago....and I'm just relying on memory.
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Build the box so that it performs well in the worst case scenario and, in return, it will reward you at all times.
Posted By: quick4321
Date Posted: November 07, 2004 at 10:35 PM
Just got two Monitor 1 amps in. The 70w x 4 and the 120w x 2. It says made in america by ARPA of america. I was told that the guy who made these is the same guy that designed the original Zapcos (thats y I bought them). These amps are pretty big and look kind of like the zapcos. (the way the heatsink is designed is very similiar to the old school studio series zapcos). Has any1 run these before? Its raw power only, no X-overs no frills no thrills. Im hoping it CLEAN raw power. :) On a side note maybe I can go get my semetry and dynaudios Powder coated and chromed so I can keep up with the new styles. I dont think Ill win the next SQ show unless I chrome up my 3-way Dynaudio setups. Maybe Ill buy some autobaun stickers and cover up the dynaudio tags LOL. Ok enough bashing now. I knew something was bad when a guy I met back in 1994 who had jsut opened a shop then, sold his current shop to someone a few months ago. He said things jsut arent like they used to be back in the late 90's and its not much fun anymore. Sad Sad. I still have the 1800w Hifonics he sold me back then.
Posted By: DYohn
Date Posted: November 08, 2004 at 8:30 AM
stevdart, your memory is correct about MBQ (their aisan electronics and low end stuff is from their new owner, Rockford and comes from Korea, etc.) and nc5er, McIntosh was owned by Clarion from 1990 till 2003 when they were purchased by DMC (Denon/Marantz.) So even though their amps are still hand made in the USA at the old McIntosh Lab in NY, the money has been going to Japan since 1990. McIntosh head units (and other electronics) are all pure Clarion.... their new line expected in 2005 or so will be Denon made. As far as I know, Zapco is still the same company. They have been through financial ups and downs and have been refinanced a few times, but they are still largely the same company started by Robert Zeff. ------------- Support the12volt.com
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