zapco amps (kinda)

**brendan** · 09-21-2007, 11:56 PM

i want to run a m-audio 1010 with the balanced lines straight into the zapco amps, and somehow use balanced inputs, i was thinking of creating my own cables to go from the balanced m-audio to the s-video type symbilink input.

anyway i have sent zapco an email but maybe somebody here has an answer?

**RedGTiVR6** · 09-22-2007, 01:05 PM

Are you just wanting to go from 1/4" to RCA?

If that's the case: http://www.vandenhul.com/artpap/wiring7.htm

Do the Zapco amps require a special input for signal?

**boomintrac** · 09-22-2007, 01:15 PM

I know Robert usualy will give the pinout diagram for the symbilink din connector. You would have to do the same from M audio. Who did you send your email to at Zapco? If it was Robert he normaly gets back to people very quickly. You could also do the method Red mentioned and use the symbilink transmitters, Im not sure what the voltage you get out of the M Audio piece is but you do get up to 12volts with the transmitter.

Originally Posted by RedGTiVR6

Do the Zapco amps require a special input for signal?

On the Refrence amps you can run RCA or balanced in on all but the 500.1 and 1100.1 mono amps, they have to use the symbilink transmitter and go balanced in. Zapco sends a transmitter with all their amps to go from RCA to the balanced symbilink though so the customer has an easy integration option.
Aron

**Dennis5587** · 09-22-2007, 01:17 PM

zapco has some interesting inputs...

**scott_fx** · 09-22-2007, 01:30 PM

zapco uses mini din 6 with balanced in. since he is using a card with balanced out's he is in the right state of mind retaining the balanced signal.

here is the pin out:

if you're looking for an zapco active x-over let me know, i just happen to have an slx-4 laying around that i'm looking to unload

**boomintrac** · 09-22-2007, 02:08 PM

hey I forgot that image was in the manual. Thanks Scott
Aron

**brendan** · 09-23-2007, 02:28 AM

hmmmm now that i see the symbilink wires my grand plan my just grind to a hault, where am i supposed to get the +/- 15 volt and ground from? i thought the symbilink was just +/- ground left/right not the 15 volt thing. hmmmmmm

**scott_fx** · 09-23-2007, 01:27 PM

ignore the +/- 15 volt. that is just there to power stuff like crossovers, eq's, dacs, etc... you can still wire it like you have planned (that's how i have mine wired). if you were going to add; say the slx-4 that i'm selling

, you would make a special cable to go from your soundcard to the crossover then a symblink cable from the xover to the amp. the power from the amp will power the crossover via the 15v lines on the symblink cable (btw if you want to save money...symblink = p/s2 extension cable)

**OldOneEye** · 09-23-2007, 10:49 PM

Originally Posted by scott_fx

(btw if you want to save money...symblink = p/s2 extension cable)

Not entirely true. The Zapco Symbilink cables have a latch that keeps them locked in unless you push on the top (PS/2 doesn't have this, the Rockford Fosgate and Soundstream models that had balanced back in the day didn't have this cool feature either).

Probably in most cases it doesn't matter, but there are advantages to going with the real cables.

Juan

**scott_fx** · 09-23-2007, 11:53 PM

Originally Posted by OldOneEye

Not entirely true. The Zapco Symbilink cables have a latch that keeps them locked in unless you push on the top (PS/2 doesn't have this, the Rockford Fosgate and Soundstream models that had balanced back in the day didn't have this cool feature either).

Probably in most cases it doesn't matter, but there are advantages to going with the real cables.

Juan

well... to be honest, zapco's are also gold plated too... but a mini din 6 is a ps/2 cable... and they'll fit into the zapco input. I'm not saying if one is better then the other, just giving him options :P