---------------------------------------------------------- XDP4000X-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Tue 11/18/03: 2 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 08:14 PM - High end amplifiers? (Bobby Braun) 2. 11:39 PM - Re: High end amplifiers? (Roland M) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 08:14:02 PM PST US From: "Bobby Braun" Subject: XDP4000X-List: High end amplifiers? --> XDP4000X-List message posted by: "Bobby Braun" On numerous occasions I've heard of people on this forum that state that Zapco amps are some of the highest quality amps made. I've just been briefly looking on ebay at what is offered from Zapco, and I can't honestly say that I understand where this quality is coming from. Most of the amps listed sound like something you'd find at a local Radio Shack. I don't know all too much about the different brand names and differing quality of amplifiers on the market but would anyone care to take this any further? Any amp recommendations? ----- Original Message ----- From: "XDP4000X-List Digest Server" Subject: XDP4000X-List Digest: 0 Msgs - 11/17/03 > * > > ================================================== > Online Versions of Today's List Digest Archive > ================================================== > > Today's complete XDP4000X-List Digest can be also be found in either > of the two Web Links listed below. The .html file includes the Digest > formatted in HTML for viewing with a web browser and features Hyperlinked > Indexes and Message Navigation. The .txt file includes the plain ASCII > version of the XDP4000X-List Digest and can be viewed with a generic > text editor such as Notepad or with a web browser. > > HTML Version: > > http://www.matronics.com/digest/xdp4000x-list/Digest.XDP4000X-List.2003-11-17.html > > Text Version: > > http://www.matronics.com/digest/xdp4000x-list/Digest.XDP4000X-List.2003-11-17.txt > > > ================================================ > EMail Version of Today's List Digest Archive > ================================================ > > > XDP4000X-List Digest Archive > --- > Total Messages Posted Mon 11/17/03: 0 > > > Today's Message Index: > ---------------------- > > ________________________________ Message 2 _____________________________________ Time: 11:39:00 PM PST US From: "Roland M" Subject: Re: XDP4000X-List: High end amplifiers? --> XDP4000X-List message posted by: "Roland M" >--> XDP4000X-List message posted by: "Bobby Braun" > >On numerous occasions I've heard of people on this forum that state that >Zapco amps are some of the highest quality amps made. I've just been >briefly looking on ebay at what is offered from Zapco, and I can't honestly >say that I understand where this quality is coming from. Most of the amps >listed sound like something you'd find at a local Radio Shack. I don't >know >all too much about the different brand names and differing quality of >amplifiers on the market but would anyone care to take this any further? >Any >amp recommendations? > > Well how can you say that they "sound like something you'd find at Radio Shack" when you only say you were "looking on eBay"??? Last time I checked you couldn't audition an amp online :P Anyhow, seriously, I don't want to start an argument here but I've never thought Zapco amps were anything too special myself anyway... Zapco amps are very expensive, and IMO too expensive for what you get. They are very good amps but there are lots of amps out there as good or better that cost less if you ask me. The main thing Zapco has going for them is the Symbi-Link high voltage/balanced interconnect system. Still even with that, however, you have to convert the RCAs to Symbi-Link at some point in the game (preferrably before the cable(s) run any kind of distance). I've seen a few test reports on Zapco amps and they perform marvelously on the test bench but they aren't the greatest. For example on more than one test report I noticed some things not stated in the text but clearly shown in the performance numbers. For example I've seen Zapco amps with some strange phase numbers--the channels being a lot more that just a few degrees out. These kind of little things go unnoticed usually but when you compare them overall to other amps tested by the same publication you'll see other amps perform just as well and have no strange phase errors at all AND they cost much less than the equivalent Zapco amps. Just one example with the phase error, but really it points to something larger. Why do these amps cost so much if they can't positively outperform other amps that cost hundreds less? They are very well built and have high quality components, no doubt; but all I'm saying is the audio quality from them? Isn't really "better" than a lot of other amps out there, and this, proven by test numbers not subjectiveness. I don't want to start a big uproar here. Zapco makes great amps. I just think you can get stuff just as great for less money. Just my $0.02 Set yourself up for fun at home! Get tips on home entertainment equipment, video game reviews, and more here. http://special.msn.com/home/homeent.armx