What is the difference between them and the Heavy-Duty line?
What are the innovations presented by the 4-ohm Z Series?
How about relative to your other competitors?

 

These are frequently asked questions within the marketplace. In order to answer them, first we will establish a comparison between the usual lines of amplifiers:

Main amplifier
classes:

A

AB

AB
Variable

H

Average consumption
as to the power:

HIGH

MEDIUM

LOW

LOW

Quality at
high frequencies:

HIGH

HIGH

HIGH

LOW

Quality at
low frequencies:

HIGH

MEDIUM

HIGH

LOW

Cost relative to
the power:

HIGH

MEDIUM

BAIXO

LOW

Size and weight
relative to the power:

LARGE

MEDIUM

SMALL

SMALL

 

Main differences and resemblances between the 2- Ohm Z Series and the Heavy-Duty:

 

Features:

Z Series

Heavy-Duty

Operating
class:

AB variable

AB

Opto-Limiter and
Opto-Compressor:

Yes 

Yes

MOSFET
Switchover:
Yes
**

Tolerance to
reactive loads: 

Yes 

Yes

Maximum power
in up to 1.5 Ohm: 

Yes 

Yes

Adjustable processing
modules: 

No 

Yes

Peak and power
factor control:

No 

Yes

Adjustable
filters: 

No 

Yes

EI Transformer
(above 2000w):

Yes 

Yes

Warranty: 

3 years***

5 years***

(*) According to the selected module (**) AB-Class amplifiers do not use switchover.
.

Main resources and advantages of the 4-ohm Z Series, which unquestionably make for the most complete in the category:

Features:

4-ohm Z Series

Operation
class:

AB

Electronic, integrated, and
adjustable crossover:

Yes (exclusiveness)

Opto-Limiter and
Opto-Compressor:

Yes

High-Pass
Filters: 

Yes

Silent or progressive
ventilation:

Yes

Bi-Volt
Operation:

Yes

Cabinet with only two
units rack in all models:

Yes

Complete protection
system:

Yes

Balanced inputs and
XLR and P10 connections:

Yes

Printed circuit boards
in fiberglass:

Yes

Warranty: 

3 years***
(***Valid for Brazil. Check with your dealer for local warranty)


We will clarify now the functionalities of some of these characteristics highlighted in previous tables:

Variable AB Class with MOSFET transistors:

The 2-ohm Z Series amplifiers uses the variable AB-class technology, that is, they are amplifiers with the similar quality and power of a conventional AB, however, on a much more economical way both in terms of consumptions and sizing. This is possible thanks to a very high performance of the newest MOSFET transistors used on their construction, coupled with an innovative operating principle, based on the control of the output stage requirement as per the frequency sent to the transducers.

Opto-Limiters:

The Z Series and Heavy-Duty limiters use optical couplers and ensure a much more precise and incomparably more silent operation of the limiter.

In addition, these limiters present a controlled action according to the power line variations, maintaining their performance accuracy relative to the amplifier maximum power, even if this is higher or lower than the usual one, through AC voltage variations, which unfortunately occur frequently on some Country's deficient power line system.

Transformers of EI core into powers higher than 2000 Watts RMS:

In the 1970s, our designs were pioneer in Brazil and were some of the first in the world to use toroidal transformers on high power audio amplifiers. For many years, exactly due to this reason, we were able to perform a precise assessment of the advantages and disadvantages this type of transformer can offer in relation to the EI core transformers, as summarized in the below table:

Comparison between toroidal and EI core transformers on conventional power supplies:

   

EI Core

Toroidal


Advantages:

More resistant, durable, and reliable/
Do not generate noises, interferences nor fluctuations, even when used in assembly or racks (as well as the toroidal).
Indicated for any power.

Lower price/
Lower size and lower weight /
Do not generate noises, interferences nor fluctuations, even when used in assembly or racks (as well as the EI)/
Format more appropriate for small physical space projects.


Disadvantages:

Higher price/
Greater weight and size/
Unpractical format .

Fragile to vibrations and impacts/
Less reliable on movable applications, particularly above 2000 Watts RMS.
.

Although the toroidal transformer presents the same efficiency as the GO, EI, and UI core transformers, with external mount, it presents numerous advantages in certain applications, such as: lower weight, lower price, offering interesting formats for compact designs or few units rack, in addition to providing an interesting look.

The toroidal transformer unfortunately shows a great disadvantage:
An early ageing in great power designs for movable use.

As the industry seeks to build toroidal transformers with a greater power, the weight of its internal core gains unfavorable proportions for an effective attachment and sustenance. These transformers are fitted with an iron core inside an external copper winding. Hence, same are self-supported and fastened inside the equipment by what is its most fragile part, the enameled copper winding, a "soft" metal with a varnish which, when hot, loses its mechanical strength. Its vulnerability keeps increasing, and its durability decreasing, therefore, according to the increase of its core weight, which acts as a hammer on the fragile copper winding sensitive to any vibration.

Such premature ageing process is further worsened by the ground movable use of the high-power amplifiers, especially on trios-elétricos, PA lease shops or during the mere transportation of racks. The high operating and room temperatures also existing in most of the applications and regions of our Country contribute a great deal to this.

And it was by using and testing transformers as time went by that, within more than ten years during the 1970s and 1980s, we managed to survey statistical data about technical assistance here in Brazil, in such a way to build a new ratio curve between weight, power, performance, and durability of same, what showed a clear limit on the toroidal transformer structures in professional audio applications such as those previously described. Such limit takes place around 2000 watts RMS.

The Studio R Warranty:

It is provided by the thorough selection of components and exhaustive tests such as the Burn-In in a Studio R plant, which submits every apparatus to three 3-hour cycles under full load in high-temperature ovens, with cooling intervals followed by a new heating cycle.

This process is the only internationally proven way of detecting faults or early deterioration of electronic components on such application type. Our current fault level is just 2 equipment at every 1,000 produced units.

2-ohm Z Series "versus" Heavy-Duty Line
Details and considerations:

The Heavy-Duty line amplifiers have always been fitted with unique features and many advances in comparison with their main competitors. They are the only ones within the market capable of operating under full power with up to 4 speakers per channel (4x4 System - 1.5 Ohm), and the only ones in Brazil compatible with frequency processing modules (Plug & Play), with crossover, and adjustable filters for each function. In addition, they work on the AB class, thereby offering more accuracy and much less distortion than their H-class competitors.

In spite of all this, the Heavy-Duty line has always had a similar price to its main H-class competitor. The question thus far should have been the same: Why is the Heavy-Duty price comparatively so attractive? H-class amplifiers, in particular, should be much cheaper due to their more economical construction. In fact, this would be the only commercial appeal that would justify its purchase, despite the distortion. Otherwise, what would its advantage be?

Then, can you imagine if we would remove from the Heavy-Duty line the compatibility with the processing modules, replace the adjustable opto-limiters with conventional opto-limiters, restrict their operation to a minimum 2 Ohm among other in order to, eventually, fit them with the same array of features as their national competitors? They would become very, very cheap and would continue to be the most reliable and, what's more, from the AB class! That would be an excellent alternative at a very low cost.

However, Studio R went beyond this. We never intended to manufacture an amplifier exactly the same as the others. As the Heavy-Duty line itself shows, we have always pursued more than this! We imagined an amplifier that could have an AB-class quality, with a saving better than an H class, and keet the higher quality of the opto-limiters, and the great advantage of the 4x4 system, in terms of power. But how would this be possible?

The answer was simple to us: Technology.
So the new Studio R 2-ohm Z Series was created.

The Z Series amplifiers use the variable AB-class technology, that is, they are amplifiers with the same power and similar quality as a conventional AB, however, on a much more economical way both in consumption and sizing. This is possible thanks to the very high yield and performance of the latest and advanced MOSFET transistors used on their construction, coupled with a breakthrough power supply and an innovative operating principle, which is based on the output stage requirement control according to the frequency sent to the transducers.

Their operation is basically assisted by a no-loss, ultrafast MOSFET switching source (unlike the bipolar technology, used on the G and H-class amplifiers), and two dedicated AB stages. The high frequencies are thereby always amplified on a single AB output stage, while the bass sounds are amplified on two stages via the previously described process, without any distortion or loss on this range. Hence, the sound quality is precisely the same as an AB, but the consumption is much lower and the amplifier is by far more effective, allowing it to have a much "leaner" and economical construction.

Does this mean that the 2-ohm Z Series and the Heavy-Duty line is fitted with equal features? Actually, no. There are some differences:

The 2-ohm Z Series came to life also committed to meeting the market main needs such as higher quality and fair price. The Plug & Play modules were excluded from its design for being amplifiers dedicated to the user who employs an external active crossover or passive splitters. It is worth pointing out that no other national amplifier is fitted with a resource not

The 2-ohm Z Series is also fitted with all protection circuits available on the Heavy-Duty line, the only difference being relative to the frequency filters and the limiter. These filters on all of the Heavy-Duty line are adjustable to any frequency as well as their limiter, which is also adjustable to any power (a Studio R exclusiveness worldwide).

The filters, in the 2-ohm Z Series, are in-factory set to predetermined frequencies (as well as on the other amplifiers available in the market), and the limiter is set relative to the amplifier maximum power (as used on the other amplifiers in the market as well). But it is worth reminding that the 2-ohm Z Series limiters continue to employ the same optical coupling (opto-limiter) as the Heavy-Duty line, feature this only to be found on the latest preamplifiers of the international marketplace.

Another great advantage provided by the 2-ohm Z Series limiters is that, despite being preset as the conventional amplifiers, their action is controlled according to the power line variations, keeping their accuracy relative to the amplifier maximum power, even if this is higher or lower than the usual through the AC voltage. No other amplifier (other than the Heavy-Duty line) is fitted with a more complete and more accurate limiter.

The 2-ohm Z Series also keeps the 4x4 system as a series feature. With this, its amplifier is prepared and ensured for an optimum operation within up to 1.5 Ohm (4 speakers on each channel), developing the maximum specified power to its fullest extent. The Studio R continue to be the only amplifiers worldwide to offer such a possibility.

The reliability on the Z Series is also a differential. We use the same production line, the same stringent selection of components and the same tests as the Heavy-Duty line, currently with a fault level of 2 equipment only out of every 1,000 units produced.

The Z Series construction presents some simplifications comparing with the Heavy-Duty line, with a lower number of LEDs, lack of lugs on the front panel, operation on one voltage only (but capable of withstanding great voltage variations in this voltage, as well as on the Heavy-Duty), operation on the stereo or parallel mode only.

Amid so many who are always seeking to make something simply worse and, apparently, cheaper for people, Studio R has always been a pioneer in technological development of allproof touring-class amplifiers and never feared innovation. Today, Studio R relies on the products with the Country's longest in-factory warranty, such as the Z Series, which provides a total 3-year warranty up from a 2-year warranty provided by its main competitor, and the Heavy-Duty line with a 5-year warranty!. This is more than double the warranty provided by any other national manufacturer, and the same and maximum warranty provided only by top-of-the-line products from a few renowned manufacturers around the world.