Review: Zed Audio “Deuce” 2 channel amplifier (with Burr Brown)

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Manufacturer: Zed Audio Corporation, Simi Valley Callifornia.

Class A/B 2 channel amp rated 200X2 at 4 ohms.

Price 389$ (plus 48$ for Burr Brown op amp upgrade optional)

More pictures here: http://ampguts.realmofexcursion.com/Zed_Audio_Deuce/

All I can say is this was the best 450$ I’ve spent in my life. First of all, this amp is beautifully built and solid as a rock. Very clean looking/no frills cosmetically which I like. It’s also very large. The pictures don’t really do it justice, this is a big rugged piece.

Install was very easy, hookups were solid and simple, and the controlls were easy to manage. Some people don’t like the looks of the mounting “feet”, but they’re really growing on me, and I do like the way they cover up the mounting screws.

This amp has all the built in crossovers you’ll need and they’re all top quality and user friendly.

I purchased this to run my fronts (Boston Pro series 6.53) and what I was looking for was something very powerful, clean, and made in the USA. I’ve used, sold, installed, and played with most of the brands out there over the last 18 years, and I can tell you the last time I was this impressed was the first time I hooked up a Zed amp arount 91 (old hifonics). The new Zed is in the same league as the big name audiophile amps out there that retail for many times the price.

I actually was in the market for some old school Zed amps, and called to see if they had any lines on used or refurbished ones. Mr. Mantz told me on the phone that the new line is his best stuff yet, and that is not an understatement. He sais it actually bench tests stronger than the original Hifonics Zeus (which still eBay for 400$ or so used!) This amp is very powerful and super clear. I did get the “burr brown” upgrade, so I’m not sure what the standard pre-amp model will do, but if you’re running some high end fronts, the BB is probably helpful.

This amp was purchased to replace an old school Zed amp (the USX 1000F) and it is noticably more powerful and much clearer. That’s a tough act to follow! My fronts have been run by Orion 2100hcca (gen 1), Xtant (200X2, not sure the model # but first gen), Aura RS4150Q, then USX 1000F most recently. So this is up against some pretty stiff competition.

The Deuce has a regulated power supply which means it will deliver rated power (most likely well over) at real world input voltages. This amp will do closer to 250X2 at 4 ohms and close to 1000W bridged to 4 ohms. Any way you slice it, you’ll have no shortage of good clean power.

I really am blown away, this amp is so transparent I don’t want to listen to MP3’s anymore, the difference in sound quality is that noticable now. I also had to bypass my EQ (which wasn’t cheap either) since it seemed to add noise).

I’ll also mention again. The customer service from these guys is stellar. They go way above and beyond the call of duty if you need support, or just want to ask questions.

Here’s the deal, if you’re looking for the absolute best amps out there and customer service to match, check out the new Zed stuff. The old stuff allready blows away almost anything else in production today, and the new stuff is noticably better than that. You’ll need to spend double the money to get what this will deliver.

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