[D-e93]

Hi guys, planning on buying this amp for the mids and highs and im not sure if my alternator and/or battery will have problems from the new load:

This is the amp i want to get and im wondering why this amp at this price point havent seen more installs on this forum.
https://www.zapco.com/st-6x-dsp


My current setup is on a 2009 E93 328i:

Speakers
Highs: SEAS Prestige 27TFFNC | 80Watts RMS
Mids: Morel MSW 114 Shallow Classic | 150Watts RMS
MidBass: Morel MSW 265 Shallow Classic | 180Watts RMS
Sub: FIQ 12" | 1000Watts RMS

Amps
Crescendo 1500RMS | gains on 50%
JL Audio 600/6 | gains on 35% Highs/Mids and 50%Midbass

Im no experts but would say im pulling around 1000 watts. Sofar I havent had any issues with electrical.

You guys think the new amp being class AB and less efficient will have problems with the alternator?

Any info is appreciated.. Thanks!

[Ethan Skinner]

Dunno but impressive audio setup

[ctuna]

The pro's with shops that use to hang out here say you could
go up to 2000 watts without problems.

Zapco's used to be one VP Electricity favorite choices.
I thought they varried the Supply voltages to make them
more efficient. which is actually class G.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=324214

They take a lot of space though.

Why not a Helix DSP 6 or V8.

I was skeptical of Class D amps as you know if you have a xd 600/6
they are fine.

[D-e93]

ctuna always comes through!

Thanks for the info ctuna. Great link provided, multiple zapcos installed!. Seems like VP Electricity likes the zapco brand which is very reassuring. Interesting info on the Class-G amps update so i think this will be efficient enough. Ill prob be hitting just under the 2k watt threshold. The Helix does looks amazing but its like twice the price. The DSP seems on another level but I think the zapco dsp will suffice. I have the space ready for this amp. The zapco amp build looks very solid, class G amps ftw, lol.

The JL 600/6 xd is a good amp and has served its purpose but it is starting to "crackle" when adjust its levels and sometimes while just plain driving. I think its the dust getting into the components. Not sure but it will be up for sale at a good price soon.

[ctuna]

You could always take the case off and blow it off.
I had an old Kenwood Home stereo receiver that was
30 years old . My first stereo it had totally died took it
apart blew out the dust and it came right back to life.

The Helix dsp/amps I thought run in a similar price range as
the Zapco which which has long been considered a upper level
boutique brand.

Might be the 2k max level but your normal running wattage
will be less unless you like to slam it.

[D-e93]

So i bought this amp thinking the connection to our BMWs will be no problem but it seems like this amp does not take a "Differential Balanced" signal.

How do we convert our signal into regular RCA connections???

[ctuna]

As I recall Zapco had some kind of pods for that.
I would call them or maybe call MusicarNW.com

[D-e93]

Thanks for the info!..

I just contacted MusicarNW and talked with Nick!, he was so

Really informative person and very willing to help. He is referring me to Technic here in Florida. He also mentions that I will be able to connect it to the amps high-level input and see if it works.

I will be posting back with the results..

[ctuna]

I think I vaguely remember something called a symbolink pod that
Zapco sold with there amps. You could try to call them to.

[D-e93]

Im happy to report that the amp is working after connecting my radios HiFi outputs into the High-Level inputs of the amp.

I have had push the levels all the way up to get my speakers fulfilled. I wonder if the signal coming in now is too weak for the high-level inputs or my if my amp is just new and needs some breaking in.

Anyhow, its sounding decent now and Im still tuning.

[ctuna]

If you have high Fi option 676 you are suppose to use the low
level INputs. Don't know if Zapco is set up for that with the differential
signals from the Head Unit but that is the correct way.

[D-e93]

Yes, I first tried to use the regular RCA inputs on the amp and no sound came out. I thought I had come across a defective model. Then I hooked up my phone (1/8th inch to RCA) and sound started generating. I then tried hooking up a LOC in between and still same problem, no sound.

At the moment its only working connecting to HiLevel Inputs.

Regards

[ctuna]

Call Zapco.

[biz77]

JL Audio CL-RLC should work for you.

[D-e93]

That is exactly what im looking for. But is there a 4-channel version?? Or some other module.?

[biz77]

Originally Posted by D-e93

That is exactly what im looking for. But is there a 4-channel version?? Or some other module.?

If you want front and rear, you would need two of them. Rockford used to have something similar called a BLD (Balanced Line Driver), but they are no longer produced. It was also only 2-channels.

[D-e93]

Originally Posted by ctuna

Call Zapco.

I called one of their International Distributors, AURIGIN. Talked to one of their representatives who confirmed the amp does not take DBI.

[D-e93]

Originally Posted by biz77

If you want front and rear, you would need two of them. Rockford used to have something similar called a BLD (Balanced Line Driver), but they are no longer produced. It was also only 2-channels.

At the price rate of the 2 Jl Audio modules, would something like this make sense?:

FEATURES

• High signal voltage capability: 13 volts peak output
• 24dB of gain
• Six channels of input and output
• Balanced differential inputs
• Low-impedance outputs
• Optional Remote Level Control (ACR-1)
• PFM Subsonic filter
• Output level controls
• Ultra-low distortion, ultra-quiet operation
• Selectable ground isolation
• Optimum voltage indicator LED’s

https://www.amazon.com/AudioControl-...s%2C316&sr=8-1

[ctuna]

I believe Zapco has Line out converters but you would need two of them.

[ctuna]

I believe Zapco has Line out converters but you would need two of them.
This is why you should always check to see if your amp accepts the inputs
your head unit outputs.

[biz77]

Originally Posted by D-e93

At the price rate of the 2 Jl Audio modules, would something like this make sense?:

FEATURES

• High signal voltage capability: 13 volts peak output
• 24dB of gain
• Six channels of input and output
• Balanced differential inputs
• Low-impedance outputs
• Optional Remote Level Control (ACR-1)
• PFM Subsonic filter
• Output level controls
• Ultra-low distortion, ultra-quiet operation
• Selectable ground isolation
• Optimum voltage indicator LED’s

https://www.amazon.com/AudioControl-...s%2C316&sr=8-1

Yes, the Audio Control products should do the same.