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Making Connections to your ZAMP
Refer to Drawing on Page 3
When making connections, make sure there is no strain or tension on input leads or speaker wires that could
cause them to pull loose.
AC Line Connection
Before you attach the AC cord, make sure the ZAMP power switch is in its off position. The ZAMP includes
a detachable audiophile-grade AC cord. We recommend that you use only this cord and try to make direct
connection to the AC wall outlet.
Input Connections
Use the right and left channel RCA jacks for stereo operation. For bridged mono operation, use only the right
channel input jack and leave the left channel jack disconnected.
Speaker Connections — General Recommendations
You may use 4
Ω
- 8
Ω
rated speakers for stereo operation. We do not recommend lower impedance loads,
because they may cause overheating and activate one of the protection circuits. The speaker terminals of the
ZAMP will accept 1/4" spade lugs, dual or single-banana plugs or bare wire up to 12 AWG. For best results
you should never use speaker wire thinner than 16 AWG. If you use bare wire without plugs, make sure you
strip off only enough insulation so the bared wire fits through the hole that runs sideways through the
terminal’s metal shaft. Before inserting the wire, twist all its strands tightly to prevent strays that could cause
a short circuit b and - terminals. You may want to “tin” the stripped wire with solder to prevent
it from fraying.
Polarity
It is important to observe correct speaker polarity. One side of the speaker wire will have some sort of mark
such as printing, a raised ridge on the insulation or a different color conductor. This lets you know which wire
to connect to the + and which to the - speaker terminals so you can make the same connections to the 5 way
binding posts on the Zamp.
Mono Bridge Switch
Set the bridge switch to normal Stereo (up) or Mono Bridged (down) operation as marked on the rear panel.
Make sure the power is off to the ZAMP before changing this switch position. If you accidentally leave the
Mono Bridge switch in the Mono position for normal stereo listening, you will find stereo output will be very
weak and distorted.
Bridged Mono Operation
When mono bridging your Zamp, do not connect a speaker with an impedance lower than 8
Ω
because in the
bridged mode, each channel effectively “sees” only half of the speaker’s actual impedance. With an 8
Ω
speaker means that the load for each channel is 4
Ω
. For a 4
Ω
speaker, the impedance would be 2
Ω
per channel
which is too demanding on the amplifier.
In the bridged mode, connect your speaker to the left red + terminal and the right red + terminal. In the bridged
mode the right channel’s red terminal becomes positive and the left channel’s red terminal becomes negative.
Do not use either of the black terminals in the bridged mode.
