80’s, and continues today with the SX-SL, the EQ-30, and DAII, the combination that has set the standards for the 90’s and beyond. Where will Zapco go next? Only time will tell. But, here’s one thing you can count on…Zapco processing will continue to set the standards and challenge the industry, with innovative new designs and superior performance.
Table of Contents Zapco Signal Processors ............1 Zapco Signal Processing............4 SymbiLink™ Balanced System ..........5 Why Use The SymbiLink™ Balanced Signal System? ..6 Non-Linear Induced Distortions ..........7 Balanced or Unbalanced? ............8 Setting the Gains in Your System ..........9 Cumulative Error ..............10 DAII-SL ..................12...
±15 volts of clean, noise free power. Why 15 volts, instead of 12 volts? Well, with 15 volts to work with, a Zapco processor can put out as much as 16 volts RMS of signal. More than any other preamp/processor. More signal means less noise.
ZAPCO has made this technology available for your car. ZAPCO engineers also discovered that the pulsating D.C. current in the automobile chassis and amplifier power wiring caused a significant amount of low frequency distortion.
Why Use The SymbiLink Balanced Signal ™ System? RCA style unbalanced cables have the following disadvantages: 1. Magnetic & electrostatic pickup. Noise and audio distortion can be induced into the cable because the cable shield is also the audio (-) connection.
Balanced or Unbalanced? Advantages SymbiLink™ Balanced System Unbalanced System 1. High noise rejection. 1. Widely used and readily 2. Higher audio signal level (16V). available. 3. Higher S/N ratio. 2. The average customer 4. Improved stereo separation. and installer is more familiar 5.
Setting the Gains in Your System Proper gain setting is one of the most important factors in setting up a stereo system; at the same time, it is the setting most often done wrong. Turning up the gain of an amp is the very last thing you should ever do to a system.
From ZAPCO’s perspective, the idea that .1% THD, inaudible in and of itself, is good enough, is unthinkable! If .002% THD is possible it is the obligation of the manufacturer to do all that is feasible to attain that maximum level of performance.
300 mA Harmonic distortion < .001% De-Jitter Two stage, VXO PLL Dimensions 4.5”D x 6.9”W x 1”H *Note: The DAII-SL can produce 18 volts RMS, but it is calibrated to 8 volts RMS when the maximum digital waveform is applied.
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The D/A in a head unit, though, is barely passable, for two reasons. The first is size, the Zapco DAII circuit board is roughly the same size as the average CD player’s board’ there simply isn’t room in most decks for a converter of this caliber.
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You should expect to hear a more focused, yet broader image than you’ve ever heard before. In addition, expect to notice a silky smoothness in the upper high frequency range. First reports of listener’s experience with the DAII-SL also included added detail, never heard before in the recording. Key Features •...
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Switch Settings Z-Bit switch: The DAII-SL has an output that indicates when it detects no audio data on the CD. This output is useful to trigger external components such as a noise gate. This output coincides with the front panel “Zero bit” LED. The zero-bit out is an opto-isolated output.
EQ30-SL Specifications Maximum balanced output level 16 Volts RMS Maximum unbalanced output level 8 Volts RMS Input impedance 3k Ohms Minimum output impedance 600 Ohms Filter center frequencies EIA standard ±.25dB Frequency response, 5Hz — 20kHz S/N ratio “A” weighted, EQ in >...
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Din space allowing the user to tune the system from the listening position. A pair of EQ30-SL’s requires the use of the Zapco PSI-SL. This power supply can power up to five SymbiLink™ processors.
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Input, output, and internal filter clipping LED • Output level control • Transparent competition Lexan top cover • Left / right channel designation jumper block • Dash tuning capable • Small, sleek 1/2 din chassis • Quality Zapco construction • Designed and built in the USA...
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Tuning Proper tuning of the EQ30-SL should by done by a qualified and experienced professional, as tuning a car requires both the science of acoustics and the art of musical listening. Setting the 30 bands of a 1/3 octave equalizer can be very difficult, even with 1/3 octave Real Time Analyzers (RTA).
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Troubleshooting Symptom Possible cause Distorted output Check for flashing clipping, reduce input gain. Also attempt to use cut instead of boost whenever possible. Excessive noise Increase input gain, reduce the gain of other products in the system. Use cut mode instead of boost mode.
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Over 120 different modules are available from Zapco, or custom modules can be made to suit your particular requirements. The SX-SLII’s electronic crossover can be configured for a variety of different possible installation scenarios.
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Balanced or unbalanced input switch • Changeable red / green illumination color • Isolated power terminal for illumination • Optional PSI-HPSL external power supply • Quality Zapco construction • Precision 1% tolerance resistors used throughout • Designed and built in the USA...
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Front Panel Controls EQ Enable: Defeats or engages the five equalization filters. This switch does not affect the crossover functions. In = enable, Out = EQ bypassed. Volume: Adjusts the system’s total volume. This control may be left in one place while the source unit’s volume is used, or vice-versa.
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Back Panel Connections Input: Audio signal input from the head unit or other audio source. This can be a balanced SymbiLink™ input or a standard unbalanced RCA style input using the supplied adapter cable. Be sure to set the internal input selector switch to the applicable position.
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Into the Heart of the SX-SLII Remove the top cover of the SX-SLII and you will see the most advanced preamp ever designed for automotive use. It will surely look daunting at first view, but, after a little study and practice, we think you will be amazed at what you will be able to accomplish with this piece.
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Low pass Slope: Selects between 12 or 24dB per octave slopes for the low pass output. The 24dB position will automatically sum the signal to monaural. Low pass Boost: Selects between 0 or 10dB of signal gain for the low pass output. The 10dB-gain position is useful when using very low crossover frequencies and extra signal voltage is needed to drive the subwoofer amplifier to the preferred level.
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Sample Configurations On the following pages we present a number of sample systems and the switch settings involved. Switches not addressed in a diagram (i.e. gain, bass boost) are not related to the configuration settings, and will be set according to equipment requirements or personal preferences.
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Q that you want. Optional or custom modules may be ordered through an authorized Zapco dealer. Zapco also offers a computer program called Audio 5.0, which aids in the design of custom modules. This program may be downloaded from...
SP7-SL Specifications Maximum output level Balanced 16 volts, RMS Unbalanced 8 volts, RMS Maximum input level 8 volts, RMS Input Impedance 10k Ohms Minimum Output Impedance 600 Ohms Frequency Response + .3 dB 20 to 20 kHz S/N Ratio > 100dB Transient Distortion <...
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The SP7-SL can be powered by either a separate PSI power supply or by a Zapco SymbiLink™ balanced amplifier. The very best low noise components are used throughout for unmatched sound quality.
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Rear Panel Connections and Switches Output Connector: The output of the SP7-SL will connect directly to any Zapco amplifier or any down stream SymbiLink™ processor. A SymbiLink™ to RCA adapter may be used with an unbalanced RCA input amplifier. Input Connector: The SP7-SL can receive a fully balanced SymbiLink™...
SP4-SL Specifications Maximum output level 8 Volts, RMS Maximum input level 5 Volts, RMS Input Impedance 47k Ohms Output Impedance 100 Ohms Frequency Response + .3 dB 20 to 20 kHz S/N Ratio > 100dB Transient Distortion < .002% THD + N <...
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• Front to rear fader control • Overall system volume control • Input gain control switchable to 0, +6, or +12 dB • Front panel power and clipping indicators • User Selectable red or green illumination • Quality Zapco Construction...
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Front Panel Layout Volume: Controls over-all system volume. LED lights: Power LED indicates power on condition. Clip LED indicates signal clipping at any stage within the EQ. Frequency controls: Four rotary controls operate at 35Hz, 125Hz, 1kHZ, and 16Khz to allow custom equalization of your sound system.
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Power connections: The power plug is provided for +12V, ground, and, remote turn on. NOTE: if you are using Zapco amplifiers, you will not need these connections. The SP4-SL will power up directly from the SymbiLink™ connection to the amp. The last two connections on the power plug are +12V and —12V for illumination.
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SP4-SL Setup 1. Set the SP4-SL’s volume to fully counterclockwise. 2. Set all amplifier gains to minimum (Counterclockwise). 3. Set the SP4-SL’s gain to 0dB. 4. Set the head unit to ½ to ¾ volume while playing music with a heavy beat.
In 1977 Zapco created a signal processing legend with the full-scale production of the PEQ Preamp-Equalizer. The PEQ was the world’s first audiophile preamp for the car. The PEQ provided dual 9 band EQ’s with 18 slide pots for ease of operation. It was also the first 12-volt preamp to offer...
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Key Features • 18 dB boost / cut range on eq bands • Custom slide pot taper for smooth gain change and better resolution • Master volume control using high-quality conductive plastic potentiometers with superior L / R tracking and very low noise •...
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Installation Instructions The cable supplied with your SEQ is comprised of seven wires. These seven wires are terminated on one end in a connector designed to be inserted into the back of the SEQ. The other wire ends have been left unterminated.
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RCA Shields - Signal Ground from amplifier inputs (connect wire from RCA Shields @ amplifier input to case of source unit)* SEQ Case - Case Ground from SEQ (Connect wire from SEQ case to case of source unit)* * Four separate wires should terminate under the same screw at the case of the source unit.
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Operation and Calibration A. Input gain controls provide adjustable gain of 6dB to 26dB. B. Input clipping detector flashes whenever input signal is within +/- 1dB of clipping (super-bright LED). C. Volume control: high-quality conductive plastic potentiometer. D. Output clipping detector: indicates the onset of output clipping. E.
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Input Gain Control Calibration/Adjustment: The pre-amp circuit built into the SEQ is capable of 26dB of gain. Separate left and right channel input gain and adjustments are made via two access holes in the front cover. Adjustment to the input gain may be necessary to match the source (tape deck, tuner or CD) output level to the input sensitivity of the system amplifiers.
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Mounting Method Bracket Method Attach bracket to mounting surface placing no. 10 sheet metal or machine screws through the bracket slots. Attach the bracket to the equalizer using the enclosed 1/4” socket-head screws and nylon shoulder washers. Once the equalizer is swiveled to the desired angle (the SEQ may be mounted with the bracket either above or below it) tighten the socket- head screws using a 3/16”...
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SLX-4 Specifications T.H.D. + Noise <.002% S/N Ratio >105dB @ 1kHz Separation >80dB Input type Fully Balanced - SymbiLink™ Maximum Output Level 15V RMS balanced, 7.5V unbalanced Input Impedance 4.75K ohms Output Impedance 680 ohms Power Requirements 600mA @ +/- 15V Dimensions 7/8”H x 6 7/8W x 3 3/4”...
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If the SLX-4 that you have purchased is to be used in a system in which no Zapco SymbiLink™ amplifiers are to be used, a Zapco PSI-HPSL will need to be used to power the SLX-4.
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No external power wiring necessary when used with a SymbiLink™ amplifier • High signal voltage capability • LED clipping indicator • Dashboard or trunk mountable • Gold plated signal connectors • Available in white or black • Quality ZAPCO construction • Designed and manufactured in the U.S.A...
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This connection method eliminates any concern of ground looping problems associated with multiple power supplies throughout the vehicle. The fully balanced architecture used in all ZAPCO SymbiLink™ components reduces distortion and achieves the ultimate in noise rejection.
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Configuring the SLX-4 Input Selector Switches: Any of the four output sections can be fed by either the front or the rear input. If you are using a single input these switches should be set in the same position (i.e. front). A variety of configurations are possible using different combinations of these switch settings.
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Dual Frequency range for X1 - 50Hz - 1kHz or 500Hz - 10kHz • X2 frequency range - 50Hz - 1kHz • Output 2 can access X1’s highpass filter • Quality ZAPCO construction • Designed and manufactured in the U.S.A.
SLX-2 Functional Diagram Notes: • 24dB mode is only valid on X2’s output - lowpass mode only. X2’s output in this mode is automatically mono. • Frequency range switch only effects X1’s outputs - but can effect X2’s output when output switch is set to “X1-HI”. •...
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Controls Control Summary X1 Freq: Controls crossover point of X1. It is a variable control with a range of 50Hz to 1kHz. When the X1 Freq. range switch is in the x10 mode (button in the out position) the range shifts from 500Hz to 10kHz. When the Output 2 switch is in the “X1-HI”...
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Output 2 switch: Selects the function of the “X2 Output”. It can be X2’s highpass or lowpass, or it can tie into X1’s highpass in order to make use the X1 Freq range switch. This feature is especially useful when a high frequency crossover is needed for the midrange-tweeter transition or any time you want the convenience and simplicity of a single frequency control for both outputs (see X1 Freq.
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Special Configurations Creating a 24dB one-way filter: Use the X1 input and set the input mode switch to 4CH (out). With a short SymbiLink™ cable, connect the X1 Output to the X2 Input. The X2 Output will be your output. In this configuration, X1 and X2 must both be matching as highpass or lowpass.
The Zapco Processor Rack This is the perfect solution for mounting your Zapco processors. We have rack kits available for two, three, or four processor pieces, and we even have expansion kits available to add more pieces to your rack.
SymbiLink™ processors are being used with non- SymbiLink™ amplifiers. It is also used in systems in which Zapco EQ30-SL’s and/or a DAII-SL is used or in a system for which three or more SymbiLink™ processors are being used. A single power supply can power up to five SymbiLink™...
Manufacturing These processors are designed and manufactured in the USA. The following operations are ENTIRELY performed in our Modesto, California plant. All electronic, and mechanical, design and engineering. PC board insertion: The components are inserted into raw circuit boards obtained from local sources. PC soldering: The printed circuit board assembly is wave soldered.
Wire Size Most people understand the importance of a clean signal source for good sound reproduction. But, what about your 12 volt power source? It’s often surprising how many people (even professional car sound people) will obsess about signal wire but routinely provide the amp only a fraction of the current it needs to do its job.
Once we issue you an RMA, please write it in a highly visible area on the package. Zapco will not accept any packages that do not have a valid RMA number clearly marked on the outside of the package.
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