zapco STUDIO 50 User manual

STUDIO
Owner’s Manual
Studio Series
Power Amplifier
A.R.P.A. OF AMERICA CORP.
MADE IN MODESTO, CA U.S.A.

Contents
Introduction What is the Studio 50? 2
Features Studio 50 Key Features 3
Unpacking Unpacking the Studio 50 4
Wiring Power Wiring 5
Signal Wiring 6
Warnings System Precautions 7
Specifications Power And Performance 8
Help Technical Assistance 9
Curves Power Vs. Distortion 10
Manufacturing How This Product Is Built 11
1

What is the Studio 50?
Thank you for purchasing a ZAPCO product! This product has
been hand-crafted in the USA with the attention to detail and
quality that has made ZAPCO a legend in the car audio
industry. You can be sure that you have purchased one of the
highest quality car stereo components available anywhere in
the world today.
The Studio 50 is a stereo/two-channel amplifier that is
conservatively rated at 50 watts. It can produce 25 watts per
channel into a four ohm load and 50 watts per channel into a 2
ohm load.
The power supply in the Studio 50 is a new design that
dramatically increases power and efficiency. New Gate Drive
Boost circuitry greatly improves the MOSFET switching
performance and allows for cooler operation.
2

Studio 50 Key Features
•Low T.I.M. & Harmonic distortion.
•Low global feedback.
•100% symmetrical, discrete power amplifier circuitry.
•Can drive highly reactive loads.
•Gold plated power, RCA and speaker connectors.
•Gate Drive Boost circuitry maximizes power supply
efficiency and improves overall performance.
•Separate LED’s for power and protection.
•Short circuit, high temperature, reverse voltage, DC offset
and over-voltage protection.
•Load stability down to two ohms.
•Four 25-ampere bipolar amplifier output transistors.
•Two 50-ampere MOSFET switching transistors.
•Precision 1% resistors used throughout.
•Low radiated noise for clean AM/FM reception.
•Quality ZAPCO construction.
•Designed and manufactured in the U.S.A.
3

Unpacking the Studio 50
Included in your Studio 50 packing box you will find the
warranty registration card. Please fill it out and return it to the
factory.
If for any reason your Studio 50 must be returned to the
factory, we suggest you retain the original packing box for safe
transportation. We also suggest that you record the serial
number of your Studio 50 in the space below for your
permanent records.
Serial number: _____________ Purchase date: ___________
Mounting Guidelines
Mounting the Studio 50 is easy. Keep in mind the following
guidelines:
•The amplifier may be mounted in any direction, on wood,
metal or carpet. The metal case of the amplifier may be
grounded or left isolated.
•The amplifier requires adequate ventilation. Position the
amplifier with sufficient surrounding area for proper cooling.
•Keep the amplifier out of the engine compartment and
other locations that may cause excessive heat or moisture.
•Do not mount the amplifier to a subwoofer enclosure or
any other place that may have excessive vibration.
4

Power Wiring Guidelines
Amplifier Power Endplate
1. Connect the 12V “POS” terminal (FUSED +12VDC) to the
battery with 10 gauge (or heavier) wire.
2. Fuse the wire within 18” of the battery with a 25 amp fuse
or circuit breaker. Although the amplifier is already fused,
a short between the amplifier and the battery could cause
a fire. See the section titled “Warnings”.
3. Connect the “NEG” terminal to the vehicle chassis with the
shortest possible 10 gauge wire. Do not make this
connection directly to the battery. Do not use seat or seat
belt bolts for grounding. Do not share this connection with
other equipment. A “single point” ground for high current
connections will degrade the system’s performance.
Inadequate power supply connections will result in
REDUCED POWER OUTPUT.
4. Connect the “TURN ON” terminal to the radio’s “amp turn
on” or in some cases “power antenna” lead. This
connection requires very little current and may be
connected with a light gauge wire such as #22. Applying
12 volts to this terminal turns the amplifier on.
5

Signal Wiring Guidelines
Control Endplate
Input Connection:
Connect the right and left input signals to the corresponding
RCA input jacks on the end of the Studio 50. Keep these
cables close to each other and far away from power and
speaker wires. When using in bridged mono mode, feed the
left and right inputs with a “y” adapter.
Input Sensitivity:
The input sensitivity or “gain” is user adjustable and can be set
anywhere between .230 volts (230 millivolts) and 2.3 volts. If
you are unsure of your head unit’s maximum undistorted output
level, set these controls to their minimum (quietest) position
and then turn the head unit’s volume knob up until you can
start to hear audible distortion and reduce the volume unit until
the distortion goes away. At this volume setting, gradually
increase the amplifier’s sensitivity until you can start to hear
distortion from the amplifier. Then reduce the sensitivity until it
goes away. Using this method, the head unit’s volume should
reach approximately 3/4 of its maximum or more before
distortion is heard in the system.
6

Warnings
ZAPCO highly recommends that a system protection device
(i.e., fuse or circuit breaker) be placed within 18” of the battery.
Although ZAPCO products have adequate internal protection, it
is possible that power wiring could become pinched between
the component and the battery - potentially resulting in a fire.
The system protection device should be placed where it can be
accessed easily and all wiring should be routed safely and
correctly according to the following guidelines:
•Do not run wiring close to hot or spinning objects.
•Always use wire grommets when routing wire through the
firewall or any other metal panels.
•Make sure that the potential for pinched wiring is avoided
by routing all wires away from moving hinges and seats.
This also includes brake, gas and clutch pedals, hood and
trunk hinges, etc.
Caution:
Continuous exposure to excessive sound pressure levels may
cause permanent hearing loss. ZAPCO strongly advises that
you use common sense when setting volume levels.
7

Specifications
Output Power 25 watts/ch @ 4Ω, 20Hz-20kHz
50 watts/ch @ 2Ω, 20Hz-20kHz
T.H.D. + Noise <.04%, 20Hz-20kHz @ 25 watts/ch, 4Ω
<.05%, 20Hz-20kHz @ 50 watts/ch, 2Ω
S/N Ratio >100dB
Dynamic Headroom 1.5dB @ 2 ohm load
Separation >65dB
Damping Factor >100 @ 4 ohms
Input Type Fully isolated RCA
Input Sensitivity 230mV - 2.3 Volts, variable
Maximum Input Level 2.3 Volts R.M.S.
Input Impedance 47K ohms
Power Requirements 15 Amperes max. @ 2 ohms
Fuse Rating Internal, 20 Amperes
Minimum Load 2 ohms stereo - 4 ohms mono
Idle Current .72 Amperes
Dimensions 8.5”L x 5-7/8”W x 2-1/4”H
8

Technical Assistance
Should you experience a problem with your Studio 50, please
contact the dealer that sold you this product. If your dealer is
unable to solve your problem, you may contact the factory
service department directly.
Phone: [phone] Monday-Friday 8am-5pm Pacific time
Fax: [phone]
If you need to return this product for repair, please call the
factory for a return authorization number. We will ask you for
information which will include your name, return shipping
address, daytime phone number, model and serial number,
and a detailed description of your problem. A photocopy of
your original purchase receipt is necessary to determine
warranty status and should also be included. Once we issue
you a return authorization number, please write it in a highly
visible area on the package. Zapco will not accept any
packages that do not have a valid return authorization number
clearly marked on the outside of the package.
Send all repairs to:
A.R.P.A. of America Corp.
Attn: Service Department
413 S. Riverside Drive, Suite D
Modesto, CA 95354
9

Power Vs. Distortion
10

Manufacturing
This product is designed and manufactured in the USA. The
following operations are ENTIRELY performed in our Modesto,
California plant.
1. PC board insertion
The components are inserted into American made
printed circuit boards.
2. PC soldering
The printed circuit board assembly is wave soldered.
3. Testing
The PC board is 100% tested to design specs.
4. Extrusion machining
American made aluminum extrusion is cut and
machined to precise tolerances.
5. Assembly
The product is assembled with skilled American labor.
6. Final Test
Every product is tested with the highest quality audio
test equipment to meet or exceed their published
specifications.
7. Inspection and final packaging.
*Many companies claim that their products are built in the
USA, but only a few of the above steps are actually performed
in America. Many of these companies only do the final
assembly, with steps 1 - 4 being done outside the USA.
11

A.R.P.A. of America Corp.
413 S. Riverside Drive, Suite D
Modesto, CA 95354
[phone]
Fax [phone]
Studio 50
Rev. E
02/97