ZLD Mk II

[robtr8]

http://exileaudio.com/store/index.php/install-accessories/add-ons/zone-controller-preamp.html

Looks like a nice piece but no BT?

[Brianinpdx]

robtr - the link you posted is a preorder link. The unit doesn't ship until the 30th of this month.

re BT: Several have asked the same question and its a fairly simple response. COMPRESSION.

BlueTooth signal audio significantly impacts the dynamic range of your stereo. We felt that adding that feature went against the vary nature of the product and effects stereo's overall performance. This is especially the case since companies like Apple considering putting HD audio built into their products (read Iphone6) and offer HD downloads on the iTunes store. If a user really wants to have BT (convenience overriding sound quality) in their boat, there are numerous add ons for 25 bucks on amazon. Anyway, you asked. Thats why. -Brian

[Bawshogg]

I would totally agree here.

I have a BT connection in my boat now that attaches to the BB, I also had the millennia unit hooked to the aux input one my gen1 ZLD. I found that with all the power and focus on SQ with my system, I just gravitated away from the BT sources. The difference in SQ and the fact that I got tired of my phone floating around the boat and the risk of it getting wet or going in a wet cup holder was just not worth the cordless benefit.

I just plug the thing in in the glove box and forget about it now. The BT jus gets used if others that are out wanna pair and play their music. Doesn't happen often.

[ryangb]

One cool new feature. You can control all zones independently vs just fading on the original ZLD.

[shawndoggy]

One cool new feature. You can control all zones independently vs just fading on the original ZLD.

This I just don't get. Does anyone prefer a shower with the hot and the cold knob to the single hot-to-cold selector? It's all about the ratio and a fader works better for that than two knobs. IMHO, etc etc.

LOL I'm clearly in the minority on this point.

[David]

You are not the only one shawndoggy as I've never seen a big user distinction between one knob and two. One knob seems so easy to use on the fly. With two opposing wipers on a common shaft you essentially get the same function but one that operates more like a traditional fader. In the fader-like set up, both zones are full gain straight up and attenuated to one side only. With the dual knobs both zones are full gain at full right with twice the sweep. I would want a full and linear sweep on the master volume because of the ability to make more incremental adjustments but it doesn't seem to make a difference in the zone control....at least not to me.

The larger difference is in the interior topology. Typically a fader-like function has been just that....a fader that splits the output of a single preout chip into two zones thereby yielding half the potential voltage to each zone. And that's a compromise.

In the past there may have been limitations in board layout using an existing platform or parts availability for such a specific application. It's not exactly clear yet as to why the change occurred.

[Brianinpdx]

@shawn; ok I cracked up at that analogy (I really had to think about the shower). You better get used to it, because your ixfe boat is gonna have one this week. We did give it a lot of thought before changing the design. There are so many area's of this gen2 that are different. The knobs all pop up into place for easier control. We felt that much of this will be set and forget and the main VC will be primarily used. I promise you - you'll love the 9V output, the silky smooth alps user controls, and the new audio topology.

[nyryan2001]

Very happy with the orig ZLD I've used for 3yrs...and the customer service. I've got the MKII on order.

3 separate knobs to control zones... Plus the volume is a plus, further on the fly control over the 3 zones. Expect brutally honest feedback after I get mine installed.