Parasound has introduced a 12-channel, 2-ohm stable power amplifier for commercial and residential audio systems installers with flexible power options for stereo audio in six rooms (zones), and up to 24 individual speakers. Uniquely, the Parasound ZoneMaster ZM 12 drives two channels at 120 watts each, 8 ohms, with the remaining 10 channels at 60 watts each. With 4-ohm speakers typical of architectural audio, the ratings are 150 and 100 watts, respectively. There are also A and B speaker outputs for each channel.
“Providing higher power for two of the 12 channels seems obvious now that we’ve done it,” says Parasound president, Richard Schram. “Nearly all installations have a zone that can sing nicely with higher power — either a large rec room, outdoor speakers, or a room for serious stereo listening.”
The most significant ZM 12 improvement is the higher-power Zone 1 (channels 1 and 2) with an upgrade to 120 watts per channel into 8 ohms and 150 watts per channel into 4 ohms or 2 ohms. Each zone incudes a Parasound-designed premium Class AB stereo input stage driving six new Danish ICE-power stereo amplifier modules that are 2-ohm stable.
Each channel has an individual line-level input jack, level control, and two detachable Phoenix-connector speaker outputs. Each zone can connect to one of two line-level buses or to a speaker-level input bus. Buffered loop outputs facilitate daisy-chaining amplifiers. Global (all zones) auto turn on with a switch to select either a single 12V DC trigger input jack or Audio sensing. For individual zones auto turn on, the ZM 12 has six switches and six 12V DC input jacks so each zone can be turned on by 12V DC or audio sensing. You can control some zones by audio sensing and other channels by 12V DC. In addition to convenience, this eliminates bleed-through between zones.
The ZM 12 has a black finish. It is designed for rack mounting and die-cast mounting brackets are included at no extra charge.
The Parasound ZoneMaster ZM 12 is currently available with a suggested U.S. retail price of $2495.
For more information, visit www.parasound.com.
