Parasound ZoneMaster 2350 Stereo Power Amplifier

A versatile zone amplifier

The Parasound ZoneMaster 2350 delivers 350 watts per channel, and it offers a wide variety of configuration options for custom installation and multi-zone audio applications. It can drive multiple speakers or subwoofers with ease, thanks to ample power output and a 2-ohm stable design.

Configuration flexibility

This amp features a three-position Output Mode switch that gives you multiple configuration options. In Stereo mode, it can drive A and B speaker pairs, such as in your main room or in a second zone. A built-in impedance switch means you can even use hard-to-drive 4-ohm speakers in this configuration.

In Mono mode, it's 2-ohm stable, which allows it to drive up to 8 speakers at the same time in a large room or outdoor space, all playing the same mono signal. In Sub mode, an 80 Hz low-pass filter is applied, so the amp can drive one or more passive subwoofers. And there's a stereo RCA loop output that lets you daisy chain additional amplifiers.

The amp can start automatically when your system is turned on via a 12-volt trigger, or when it senses an incoming signal. Buttons on the front panel let you engage A/B or A+B speakers, or you can use to rear-panel lockout switch to keep both pairs on at all times.

Product highlights:

• 350 watts per channel into 8 ohms (20-20,000 Hz) at 0.05% THD with 2 channels driven
  
• 600 watts x 2 into 4 ohms (2-ohm stable with load selector switch)
  
• 2-ohm stable design enables it to drive multiple speakers
  
• Class D amplifier with Class AB input stage
  
• frequency response: 10-70,000 Hz (+0/-3dB)
  
• signal-to-noise ratio: 114 dB
  
• switchable high pass filter: off/30Hz/40Hz
  
• three-position output mode switch: Stereo/Mono/Sub
  
• unbalanced stereo RCA input
  
• right and left level knobs (total gain of 28 dB)
  
• four-pin Euroblock speaker-level input for integrating with audio systems that don't have a line-level output
  
• stereo RCA loop output lets you daisy-chain additional amplifiers
  
• dual mono RCA outputs
  
• output 1: subwoofer only (low pass filter <80 Hz)
• output 2: full range mono output for subwoofer or mono listening area
• 2 pairs of binding post speaker connectors
  
• A+B speaker impedance switch: 2-3 ohms/4-8 ohms
  
• front-panel A/B speaker selector buttons with rear-panel lockout switch
  
• switchable turn-on options: manual, signal sensing, or 12-volt trigger
  
• detachable power cord
  
• rack mounting ears included
  

Dimensions and warranty:

• 17-1/4"W x 4-1/4"H x 16-1/4"D (2U rack spaces)
  
• weight: 15 lbs.
  
• warranty: 3 years
  
• Our 60-day money-back guarantee
  
• MFR # ZM 2350
  

What's in the box:

• Parasound ZoneMaster 2350 owner's manual
  
• Stereo power amplifier
  
• 6' AC power cord
  
• 6' Mono-minijack cable
  
• 2U Rack-mount kit
  
• Owner's Guide
  

Features & specs

Product Research

Features

2-Ohm Stable: The Parasound ZoneMaster 2350's high current plus 2 ohm stable design enables it to drive multiple speakers. Each of the two channels can drive a 2 ohm load when connecting full-range stereo or mono speakers. Subwoofers require much more power than a typical full range speaker and because of this the recommended minimum impedance is 4 ohms per channel when driving subwoofers.

Operating Modes: The Parasound ZoneMaster 2350 power amplifier offers 3 different operating modes. Choose from Stereo, Mono, or Sub (80Hz).

• Stereo: The Stereo setting routes the Left channel Input signal to the Left channel Speaker A and B terminals and the Right channel Input signal to the Right channel Speaker A and B terminals. The Stereo option is used for a standard stereo system with a left and right speaker.
  
• Mono: The Mono setting combines the Left and Right Inputs into a summed L+R mono signal and routes it to both the Left and Right channels for both the A and B speaker output terminals. In the Mono Mode the 2350 can easily drive 4 or even 8 speakers at the same time. You can connect one pair to the A Speakers Terminals and other pair to the B Speaker Terminals. All speakers will play the same Mono signal.
  
• Sub (80Hz): The Sub setting is only used when the Model 2350 will be powering one or more passive subwoofer(s). This mode combines the Left and Right Inputs into a summed L+R mono signal. This mono signal is then routed through an 80Hz low pass filter (crossover) with a slope of 24dB/oct. This allows multiple passive subwoofers to be powered by the Model 2350 without the need for additional external crossovers. The Model 2350 is capable of driving up to four 8O passive subwoofers at the same time. The Model 2350 does not support stereo subs and all subs will play the same mono signal with an 80Hz low pass filter.
  

Line-Level RCA Inputs: The Parasound ZoneMaster 2350 is equipped with a set of analog stereo RCA inputs for connecting the the stereo RCA output jacks of your preamplifier or processor. Each channel input has its own level control. Fully counter-clockwise is full attenuation and no sound will be heard from that channel. Fully clockwise is maximum volume.

• By adjusting the L and R channel level controls you can limit the maximum volume in a zone, regardless of how high someone turns up the volume on the preamp or whole-house controller.
  
• If you hear hiss or other background noise you can usually reduce its audibility by turning down the Level control knobs until you no longer hear the noise.
  
• Adjust only the left or right channel Level Control knob so you hear both channels equally from your preferred listening location.
  

Speaker Level Inputs: The speaker level input enables the ZoneMaster 2350 to connect to any audio receiver or stereo system, even if it lacks preamp output jacks. This is a high impedance input and the ZoneMaster 2350's Speaker Level input can connect to the speaker terminals on any receiver or amplifier. This will not reduce the output power or degrade the sound quality of the speakers that are already connected directly to the "host" receiver or amplifier. Speaker level audio is internally converted to line level and routed to the Loop Out, Mono Out and Sub Out jacks.

Note: You can detach the Speaker Level Input Connector Block from the 2350 to make it easier to attach and secure the 4 speaker wires. It accepts bare wires up to 12AWG (gauge). Each wire should be twisted tightly and/or tinned with solder to prevent its stray strands from touching the adjacent wire which will short-circuit the amplifier.

A & B Speaker Outputs: There are separate speaker terminals for two pairs of loudspeakers, labeled "Speaker Pair A" and "Speaker Pair B". These binding-post speaker terminals accept speaker wires with banana plugs (single or dual), spade-lugs, pin-connectors, or bare wire (up to 12AWG). You can play only the "A" speakers, "B" speakers, or both sets of speakers at the same time. The same audio source and volume level is applied to each set of speaker outputs.

Line-Level Outputs: The ZoneMaster 2350 is outfitted with a stereo RCA Loop out, a full-range Mono-RCA output, and a low-pass sub output.

• Loop Out: These stereo RCA jacks enable the incoming audio signal to pass along or daisy-chaing from the liine level L and R Input jacks to an additional amplifier. The Speaker Level Input connection is converted to line level and is also available at the Loop Out jacks. The Loop Out jacks are not affected by any of the Model 2350 control settings.
  
• Mono Out: The mono output combines the Left and Right channel inputs into summed L+ R mono. This could be useful for connecting a powered subwoofer that has its own built-in crossover. It could also be used for connecting an additional amplifier in mono applications. The Mono Out jack is always active, regardless of the setting of the Mode or High Pass switches.
  
• Sub Out: This is a low-pass output that combines the left and right inputs into a L+R mono signal. This could be useful for connecting to a separate power amp to drive a passive in-wall subwoofer. The Low Pass crossover is fixed at 80Hz with a 24dB per octave slope. The Sub Out jack is always active, regardless of the setting of the Mode or High Pass switches
  

High Pass Filter: The High Pass Filter can improve the sound in many installations and applications. The High Pass Filter permits signals higher than 30Hz or 80Hz to pass-through to your speaker, while preventing signals below these frequencies from passing through to your speakers.

• 30Hz: The 30 Hz setting filters out frequencies below 20Hz @ 12dB per octave. Your speakers have greater dynamic range and far less distortion when they don't receive frequencies which are lower than they are capable of reproducing. The ZoneMaster 2350 operates more efficiently when it's not called upon to amplify very low frequencies so you'll have more power in the range the speaker is capable of reproducing. Because the 30Hz filter also has a steep 12 dB per octave slope, it is essentially a sub-sonic filter, and you probably won't notice any loss of low bass unless you’re using very large speakers.
  
• 80Hz: The 80Hz switch position filters bass below 80Hz @ 12 dB per octave. This is ideal when the ZoneMaster 2350 is driving in-wall or in-ceiling speakers because most of them have little useful bass output below 40Hz. You'll enjoy much cleaner sound and higher undistorted volume levels. Not having to amplify bass that's inaudible with your speakers is another way the ZoneMaster 2350 will also run cooler.
  
• Flat (Off): The Flat (Off) setting disconnects the High Pass Filter and the ZoneMaster 2350's frequency response is full-range (flat).
  

Turn On Options: For added convenience, there are 3 ways the ZoneMaster 2350 can be turned on and off. Choose Manual, Auto Sense, or 12V Trigger.

• Manual: When the Turn On Options switch is in its Manual position the ZoneMaster 2350 must be turned on and off manually by pressing the Power button on its front-panel every time you wish to use your audio system.
  
• Auto Sense: In this mode, the ZoneMaster 2350 will be turned on only when an audio signal is present at the stereo RCA L/R input jacks. After the audio signal ceases, the ZoneMaster 2350 will remain on for about 8-10 minutes before shutting off. This prevents unintended turn-off during pauses in your music or movies.
  
• 12V Trigger: The ZoneMaster 2350's 12V trigger input (3.5mm) allows the amplifier to be turned on and off only with an external +9V to +12V voltage from your preamplifier or processor. When the external voltage ceases, the ZoneMaster 2350 will turn off within a few seconds. There is also a 12V trigger output (3.5mm) that lets you loop or "daisy-chain" the incoming trigger voltage to an additional power amplifier or other audio component.
  

Protection Circuitry: The Parasound ZoneMaster 2350 stereo power amplifier offers short circuit and overload protection circuitry.

• Protect Indicator: The Protect indicator will illuminate red and the unit will stop playing if the amp experiences an external fault condition. This prevents possible damage to the unit from continued operation. Examples of external fault conditions are short circuited speaker wires, excessive heat. and trying to drive too many speakers at high levels
  
• Hi-Temp Indicator: The Hi-Temp indicators will illuminate red when the ZoneMaster 2350 exceeds its maximum safe operating temperature. If this happens the unit will activate its protection circuit and stop playing. It will remain in this protection mode until the temperature drops and the unit is turned off to reset its protection circuit. If Hi-Temp appears it's likely the unit has been over-driven by too high a listening level or is attempting to drive a speaker load impedance that is too low. It’s also probable the unit has not been provided with sufficient ventilation. These conditions must be corrected before turning it on again to resume operation.
  

Rack-Mount Kit: Brackets and hardware for mounting the Parasound ZoneMaster 2350 amplifier in a 2U rack-space of a standard 19" equipment rack are included.