Amplier Test

Ground Zero GZUA 2.250SQ + GZUA 4.150SQ

GZUA 2.250SQ and GZUA 4.150SQ High-End Amplifers from Ground Zero

New Class

Reference ampliers than the preceding Uranium series, and they come in a silver anodized nish that certainly also has its own appeal. Even the front sides are not made vile sheet metal, but of thick, brushed aluminum. What is missing in the SQ series, is the bias control of the Reference amps. The Uranium SQs work like all other amps with standard xed-bias settings with class A/B topology, and continues with good ol analog technology for still-terric sound quality, as compared to the growing popularity of fullrange class D switching ampliers. Although the SQs are very compact and fancy, they are exactly what a modern amp should be. The 43mm height makes them very smooth and supple. Inside, their recipe is familiar: only use the best components, which has always been their motto. Only noble high-grade resistors and expensive lm caps are used. We also noticed that they used MOX resistors throughout the PC boards to succumb extremely clean board designs. The SQs are simply great ampliers! The two-channel and four-channel ampliers are the same size, but the two-channel is not empty inside as the power supply section is engineered larger than the four-channel. This is why we expect that the two-channel will yield much more power than its four-channel partner. Actually, the GZUA 2.250SQ is even 1-ohm stable. Not surprising its the Ground Zero way The features of the SQs are focused on welldesigned, versatile lters. All channels are bandpass capable and the frequency adjustments can be expanded by a x10 switch. The dual-channel is better equipped for bass with adjustable bass boost, adjustable phase and a forward-mounted bass gain remote.

Most SQ ampliers go through periodic cosmetic changes with minimal to no modications or upgrades to the interior core components. However, Ground Zero engineered these amps from the ground up for an improved all-new design.

Granted, the former Uranium SQ ampliers have already been in the portfolio of Ground Zero for quite awhile. In the same way, other manufacturers allow their top models to remain untouched for several years. In the past, Ground Zero focused on their expensive Reference ampliers which are very well-known for their copper colored nish.
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The Reference models were later joined by the smaller Reference XS, and recently the high-end hybrid amplier Reference 2T with tube preamp section. Based on these collected experiences in high-end sector, Ground Zero started the development of the new Uranium series, and now has the add-on SQ after a fairly long time. Thats why you see Pure SQ Amplier written on the heatsink, which now looks more similar to the

The board of GZUA 4.150SQ (below) appears to have less components than the two-channel, at rst glance. This is due to the vertical daughter board with the drivers.
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Both ampliers have a very at and sleek face, for a very classy look. They are equipped with bandpass lter options for all channels, which yield endless tuning possibilities.

SQ TIP
Absolutely Top Class
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SQ TIP
Absolutely Top Class
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Measurements and sound

The GZUA 4.150SQ amp knows how to behave. The 94 watts RMS at 4 ohms is not only very stable, but also extremely clean. This is proof that it is well worth it to spend the extra costs to use the nest grade components for truly linear circuits. The distortion levels off at an extremely low 0.006% a value that could only be matched by a couple of previous models tested in our laboratory. The two-channel can do even better and yields much more power. Regarding the damping factor, it performed with record setting values. The outstanding visual impression is seamlessly continued into the laboratory. Still, the claim of sonic excellence remains to impress the ears while listening In our listening session, it was clear after the rst musical notes, that these ampliers are indeed special. The sound reproduction was so perfect that there is no reason to even begin to look for aws. You can hear and feel Johnny Cashs entire life in "Hurt". The "Jazz in the Pawnshop " sounds as if you were literally sitting right in the middle of the recording. The high frequencies project perfect spatial imaging and staging, while never coloring the music or sounding synthetic. Indeed, the SQs sound very neutral, uid and uncommonly natural. In normal listening, they are temperamentally indifferent. The less-powerful GZUA 4.150SQ plays just as well tonally-balanced and great dynamically, as the larger two-channel, but the beefy GZUA 2.150SQ is ready to ash its muscles whenever required. Youll never get the impression that there are "only" 150 watts supplied to the component system - ampliers with double the power do not sound more controlled or impressive. But extreme power is not too important since it is only for sound quality, right? The GZUA 2.150SQ would reply "Oh please! as SQ with a fat grin on his face.

Multichannel Ampliers

Ground Zero GZUA 2.250SQ

Egmating 08095 / 873830 ground-zero-audio.com

Ground Zero GZUA 4.150SQ

Egmating 08095 / 873830 ground-zero-audio.com 1,1 1,5 1,0 1,0 1,0 1,0 1,6 2,0 1,5 1,0 0,5 1,3 1,5 1,0 1,0

Hotline Internet www. Sound Bass Presence Neutrality Transparency 3 Dimensionality Dynamics Quality Performance Damping Factor S/N Ratio Distortion
40 % 8% 8% 8% 8% 8% 35 % 20 % 5% 5% 5%

1,1 1,5 1,0 1,0 1,0 1,0 1+ 1,0 1,0 1,0 0,5 1,0 1,0 1,0 1,0

Practically 25 % Features 15 % Electronic Workmanship 5 % Mechanical Workmanship 5 %

Specications
Channels Power 4 Ohm (x4/x2) Power 2 Ohm (x4/x2) Power 1 Ohm (x4/x2) Bridged 4 Ohm (x2/x1) Bridged 2 Ohm (X2/x1) Sensitivity max. mV Sensitivity min. V THD+N (<22 kHz) 5 W THD+N (<22 kHz) Half load S/N Ratio dB(A) Damping Factor @ 20 Hz Damping Factor @ 80 Hz Damping Factor @ 400 Hz Damping Factor @ 1 kHz Damping Factor @ 8 kHz 2 145 256 401 512 802 670 10,4 0,01 0 92 441 406 407 407 407 357 4 94 161 0 322 0 550 10,6 0,01 0,01 92 201 194 195 187 179 153

Conclusion
It seems to be very easy to build excellent sounding ampliers. Just use the best parts, and leave out all of the worthless gadgets. Ground Zero has done everything right. Elmar Michels

Technical
Ground Zero GZUA 2.250SQ
15 10 5 0 -5 -10 -15 -20 -25 10

Ground Zero GZUA 4.150SQ

15 10 5 0 -5 -10 -15 -20 -25 10

100

1k

10k

50k

100

1k

10k

50k

The GZUA 2.250SQ has the same crossovers like the 4.150 plus bass boost
1 1

Clean working lters in GZUA 4.150SQ. High and low-pass work great thanks to x10 switches for wide bandwidth.

Low Pass Filter High Pass Filter Bandpass Filter Bass Boost Subsonic Filter Phase Shift High Level Inputs Signal Sensing Signal Through Pass Dimension L x W x H (mm) Other

20 - 400, 200 - 4k Hz 20 - 400, 200 - 4k Hz 20 - 4k Hz 0 - 12 dB @ 45 Hz via HP 0 - 180 via Cinch 360 x 225 x 43

20 - 400, 200 - 4k Hz 20 - 400, 200 - 4k Hz 20 - 4k Hz via HP via Cinch 360 x 225 x 43

Assessment
Price ~ 730 Euro
40 % 35 % 25 %

~ 730 Euro 1,1 1,6 1,3 Very Good

0.1

0.1

Sound Quality Practic Price / Performance

1,1 1+ 1,0

0.01

0.01

Very Good

Absolutely Top Class Absolutely Top Class

0.001 0 100 200 300 400 500 0.001 0 50 100 150 200 250

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Sensationally low distortion factors combined with 1-ohm stability that are rare to nd these days.

Super low THD - also notice that the 2 Ohm (red) is nearly the same as 4 ohms.

1,0

1,3
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Noble and accurately manufactured, sonically superior without a doubt: The new SQ amps are highly recommended for music lovers.

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