Which Zapco for components?

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=76932
Printed Date: July 06, 2025 at 7:50 PM

Topic: Which Zapco for components?

Posted By: zhalverson
Subject: Which Zapco for components?
Date Posted: April 28, 2006 at 2:31 AM

I am going to power a pair of Focal 165V3E three-way components with either a zapco 200.2 or 350.2. The components nominal power handling is 80 watts with 93 db sensitivity. The 200.2 and 350.2 are rated at 50x2 and 100x2 @ 4ohms respectively. Would the 50x2 do it or would it be a better idea to get the extra power and be very careful with the setup? I was leaning towards the 350.2 and just lowering the gain a bit after setting it.

Replies:

Posted By: zhalverson
Date Posted: April 28, 2006 at 2:34 AM

Another thing I forgot to ask. What is the deal with their symbilink balanced inputs? Are these worth purchasing or are regular rca's good enough?

Posted By: haemphyst
Date Posted: April 29, 2006 at 10:00 AM

I am a fan of using more power than is necessary, to a point. If you choose this route, careful level matching becomes important. If money is not an object, and you can afford the bigger amp, get the bigger amp. I won't be help responsible if you blow anything tho... posted_image

The Symbilink is Zapco's "proprietary" balanced topology. I like balanced audio in the car, but if you don't have Symbilink components ahead of the amp, you are still stuck with regular RCA connections, which is not ALL bad, just choose quality RCA cables. Don't buy the "Hyper" cables, you'll get nothing more from them than any other decent cable.

If you get the Zapco amp, you'll need their RCA adapter cables to get your signal into the amp. Being as this sounds like it's going to be a high-end install, the Symbilink adapter and cables might just be a worthwhile investment.

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It all reminds me of something that Molière once said to Guy de Maupassant at a café in Vienna: "That's nice. You should write it down."

Posted By: sexyvic1
Date Posted: May 26, 2006 at 1:18 PM

i have a z600c2 sl amp from zapco.

would u guys be able to tell me what ( symbilink )cables or adapters i need to make this work?

all i have is the amp.

model# on the symbilink stuff would be greatly appriciated.

thanks

Posted By: haemphyst
Date Posted: May 26, 2006 at 10:10 PM

Call Zapco, tell them the components in your system, and let them tell you the correct cables... That or get in contact with your local Zapco dealer, and let them order them for you...

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It all reminds me of something that Molière once said to Guy de Maupassant at a café in Vienna: "That's nice. You should write it down."