Semiconductors have more tolerance in their specifications than any capacitor or
resistor.
A well known fact is that different types of capacitors work better at certain jobs than
others.
Example, disc ceramic capacitors are better in high frequency compensation circuits
than film types. Film types work better in audio frequency selective circuits than ceramics.
So we at Zed choose our components to suit the application.
Our quality control (QC) program and testing procedures work well for us. Over the
years we have refined these processes to what we have today.
Our philosophy is to design around potential or real problems. If we feel that a particular
item could cause a problem now or in the future, we either change the design or
improve upon it. The goal is ZERO defects.
QC begins with the initial design. The electronic design goes through as many prototype
iterations as is necessary to make sure it is working the way we want.
These prototypes are bench tested, put in to vehicles, listened to both in the vehicle
and at home then retested on the bench. We bake them in ovens and retest again.
Heat is the enemy and we want to make sure that it will not hurt our products.
Mechanicals of course do not have to be put in an oven (we do anyway).
Fit and finish must be to our standard. Samples are minutely inspected for fit and finish.
Once we approve them only then can the hard tooling be done.
Each and every product manufactured at Zed is tested using Audio Precision test
equipment. Software is written for each type of amplifier and then on final test the amplifier
must pass these rigorous tests. If not it is rejected and returned to the production line
for repair. Samples are pulled from the line for further testing.
Mechanical inspection is done throughout the manufacturing process. Before each
amplifier is packed it is fully inspected again for any cosmetic flaws. Any damaged or
any part which is out of specification is replaced.
Zed takes pride in what we design and manufacture and we trust that this shows in the
final product.
Stephen Mantz
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