USED - Parasound Zamp v.3 Stereo Zone Amplifier

"Product of the Year" 2009 - Positive Feedback Online

"A Way Overachieving Amp"

Parasound has introduced a more powerful version of its ultra-compact Zamp zone amplifier for use in custom installations and compact audio systems. The Parasound Zamp v.3 is a stereo power amplifier capable of 45 watts per channel into an 8-ohm load, making it 50% more powerful and much cooler running than its popular predecessor, the Zamp v.2.

"I'm taken with its size, its sound, and that the closest product to its size I could find was a (much wider) $1,700 Bryston amp," notes Max Dudious in his April 17, 2009 review for Positive Feedback. "It is a way overachieving amp at a ridiculously attractive price. That ranks it about an A in my rating scheme."

"It Sounds No Different from $9,000 Amplifiers"

"The Parasound Zamp v.3 is one helluva 45-watt amplifier, regardless of price tag and chassis size," reports the May 8, 2005 review in The Audio Critic. "Just because it's small and cute and cuddly, just because it costs only $299, it sounds no different from $9,000 amplifiers that have comparable power outputs… That the price and the size are remarkably small is an aspect of comparison shopping, not of audio performance."

Perfect for Compact Systems

"Designed to slip nicely in your custom equipment rack, Parasound's Zamp v.3 stereo amplifier is only 1-3/4" tall, taking up just one rack space," reports the October 2004 issue of Sound & Vision magazine.

Like all Parasound Z-series components, Zamp uses a standardized "half-width" rack-mount chassis that is just 1 rack space (1-3/4 inches) tall and 9-1/2 inches wide, half the width of a conventional audio component. This size is perfect for a compact bookshelf audio system or two-abreast in a standard 19-inch professional equipment rack.

The amplifier's small size also makes it ideal for unconventional and space-limited applications, including multi-room / multi-zone installations, PC and desktop audio, and bedroom or den stereo systems. This product is truly a custom installation problem solver.

Fully Discrete, Audiophile-Quality Circuitry

Unlike other compact amplifiers, which typically employ low-cost single-chip IC amplifier modules, the Zamp v.3 uses fully discrete, direct-coupled DC servo circuitry, high speed bipolar output transistors, and a massive, high quality toroid power transformer. In addition to its 2 x 45 watts, 8-ohm rating (20 Hz - 20 kHz, both channels driven), Zamp v.3 delivers 60 watts per channel with 4-ohm loads, or can be bridged to provide over 90 watts mono into 8 ohms.

Custom Installation Features, Too

Parasound designed the Zamp v.3 with custom installation in mind, including features like a removable IEC power cord, and rear-panel 12 Volt trigger input and output. Its rear panel auto turn-on switch can also be set so it will power up automatically when an audio signal is present, with adjustable sensitivity, or for manual turn on and off from the front panel. The unit's attractive faceplate includes a headphone jack, and individual indicators for protection or high temperature fault as well as left and right channel status.

The Zamp v.3 features gold-plated five-way binding posts for speaker connections, and line-level inputs and outputs for integration with other equipment. Rear panel level controls can be independently adjusted for each channel to ensure ideal gain staging with a variety of preamplifiers or multi-room controllers. The Zamp also features no-mar isolation feet.

Product Features

Compact power amplifier with multiroom features
45 watts per channel into 8 ohms
60 watts per channel into 4 ohms
90 watts bridged into 8 ohms mono
Fully discrete circuitry with Toroid power transformer
Low heat design
Headphone jack
Indicators for AC present and channel operating status
Automatic on / off by 9 - 12 V trigger
Automatic on / off by audio signal with adjustable sensitivity
Level controls for each channel
Ground lift switch
Gold-plated RCA input jacks and looping line output jacks
5-way speaker terminals
Unique half-rack width chassis; 1 rack space high
Fastening hardware available for rack mounting

Product Specs

Continuous power output: 45 watts RMS x 2, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 8 ohm, both channels driven; 60 watts RMS x 2, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 4 ohm, both channels driven; 90 watts RMS x 1, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, 8 ohm, minimum impedance
Current capacity: 12 amperes peak per channel
Frequency response: 5 Hz - 100 kHz, +0/-3 dB
Total harmonic distortion: < 0.07 % full power; < 0.02 % typical levels
IM distortion: < 0.05 %
Dynamic headroom: 1.5 dB
Inter-channel crosstalk: 80 dB at 1 kHz; 60 dB at 20 kHz
Input impedance: 33 k ohms
Input sensitivity: 600 mV; 1.5 V for full output
S/N ratio: 116 dB, input shorted, IHF A weighted
Dimensions: 9.5" wide, 1.75" tall (2" tall with feet), 10" deep
Net weight: 7 lbs.
Manufacturer's limited warranty: 10 year parts, 5 years labor

Audio Advisor “Used” Product Warranty

What This Warranty Covers

This warranty covers defects in material and workmanship for used products purchased from Audio Advisor Inc. In the event your product fails, your sole remedy under this limited warranty shall be to return the product to Audio Advisor Inc. At the option of Audio Advisor Inc. the product will be repaired without charge for parts/labor or replaced.

Scope of Duration

The warranty period for "Used" condition units sold by Audio Advisor Inc. The warranty period for "Used” is one (1) year from date of purchase. These units have all been previously used and are specifically warrantied only for sales from Audio Advisor.

Shipping

You are responsible to pay for the safe and proper shipment of the warrantied product to Audio Advisor. Under this limited warranty, Audio Advisor will pay the cost of returning the repaired or replacement product to you.

What This Warranty Does Not Cover

This warranty does not cover damage due to: Failures arising from accident, catastrophe, misuse, neglect, or failure to properly connect and operate the Product in accordance with the accompanying instructions or specifications; Failures of any kind in Products which evidence any tampering, alteration, defacement of their serial numbers; Attempted servicing by anyone other than Audio Advisor; Failures arising from improper installation of the Product or incompatibility of other components in the system of which the Product is a part; Lack of routine maintenance; Connection to an improper voltage supply; Alterations or modification to the unit; Batteries or failure of or damage to Products caused by batteries; Fire, lightning, flood, "Acts of God", or other contingencies beyond the control of Audio Advisor Inc. Audio Advisor shall have no liability or obligation of any kind with respect to any of the foregoing types of failures.

Limitations on Persons and Products Covered

This warranty, and all rights provided hereunder, are limited to the original owner. In the event that the original owner transfers ownership of the Product prior to expiration of the applicable term stated in "Scope of Duration" above, this Warranty shall terminate in its entirety upon the date of such transfer. In no event will liability to you exceed the original purchase price of your unit. This warranty does not cover the cost of custom installation, customer instruction, setup adjustments, or signal reception problems. Consequential and incidental damages are not covered under this warranty. However, some states do not allow the exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages, so this limitation or exclusion may not apply to you. In the event that your warrantied product cannot be repaired, Audio Advisor will either replace or refund the cost of the unit. We reserve the right to replace any out-of-stock, discontinued, or limited edition products with a comparable product. Discontinued products may not be available for warranty replacement.

Warranty Service Within North America

If you have a problem with your “Used” product purchase, Contact Audio Advisor at 1-800-942-0220. To receive warranty service, you must first obtain a Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number prior to returning any item. The RMA number must be on all returned items. If it is not clearly marked, Audio Advisor will return the package back to you, freight collect.

Packaging and Shipping

The original packaging should be used for the safe transit of your “Used” unit to the warranty repair center. You are responsible for the cost of shipping the product to the RMA designated repair center. You should insure the product for its full retail value in the event it gets lost or damaged in transit. Audio Advisor is not responsible for damage incurred during the transit of products sent to us. Shipping your product in non-factory packaging may void this warranty.

State Law

This warranty gives you specific legal rights. You may also have other rights, which vary from state to state.

Product Manual

	Parasound Zamp v.3 Owner's Guide (PDF Format)

	2019 Parasound Product Line Brochure (PDF Format)

"I'm taken with its size, its sound, and that the closest product to its size I could find was a (much wider) $1,700 Bryston amp."

"It is the handiwork of the Parasound design team, with final evaluation and critique by John Curl. Curl doesn't like his name to be on a design he wasn't involved with at every level, but he did sneak a peek at this one a few times along the way, and C.E.O. Richard Schram says, 'his remarkable insights amounted to very helpful suggestions,' ice-cream on the rhubarb pie."

"What we have here, then, is an amplifier that out-performs its original design goals, that has many of the characteristics of the Parasound 'house sound,' but with 10% of the power rating of a pair of 400W JC-1 amps, at about 5% of the price."

"It has very wide bandwidth, low noise, high S/N ratio, and a fast slew rate, which usually adds up to great sound. It's dynamic, yet refined; punchy, yet transparent; powerful, yet delicate; transient-friendly, yet with great resolution of details down in the mix. It's on the sweet and warm side of the menu, with great bass. Perhaps the Zamp is most like Parasound's JC-1 in its ease of presentation."

"It is a way overachieving amp at a ridiculously attractive price. That ranks it about an A in my rating scheme."

- Max Dudious, Positive Feedback, April 17, 2009

Parasound

USED - Parasound Zamp v.3 Stereo Zone Amplifier, Black