Ground Zero GZ ULTRA A-2 2 channel amplifier HQ

Ground Zero introduces an all new and amazing high-end series called Reference Ultra. Positioned above the previous "Reference" there are currently two speakers and an amplifier called ULTRA. The speakers are a 16cm woofer and tweeter outputting a classy two-way system. The ULTRA A-2 is delivered in a noble real wood case from good old Germany and with an individual test and measurement certificate from England.

The amplifier is Made in England, by one of the world's most renowned amplifier developers in the industry. The highlight is the water cooling. Of course, the power stage also works without water cooling, but if you want you can look for suitable parts in computer shops and thanks to the standardized connections and 12-volt technology this is no problem at all. And water cooling is always useful, the coolant with its high thermal capacity helps to keep the temperature of the heat sink and the parts connected to it constant, which in turn the amplifier thanks with performance.

It certainly goes without mentioning that the ULTRA A-2 is extremely valuable and elaborately crafted. Really high end and everything at its best, just the way it should be. The consistent double-mono structure known from Ground Zero is not surprising: the layout of the large circuit board is completely mirror symmetrical, with the exception of the switches common to both channels in the signal input. Channel separation (in one housing) probably doesn't improve. In general, everywhere there are indications that the entire amplifier is made exclusively for sound, regardless of cost. Even the little things receive the utmost attention to really get the most out of it. Of course there are the better components. The buffer electrolytic capacitors are also produced especially for Ground Zero by the Cologne specialist Mundorf. Also, only the best Toshiba transistors are used in the power supply, and OTAs with high impedance current output have proven to be the best solution in terms of sound as op amps. Class A drivers are used in the rear, and Sanken transistors with temperature control are installed in the power amplifier for maximum linearity. Ground Zero has come up with something very special for the two big controls on the connection front. These are responsible for the bias and gain, with the gain control used to tailor the sensitivity of the input to the source, obviously with each power amp

The ULTRA A-2 received no less honors in the listening test than in the laboratory test. The sound is so neutral, open, transparent and perfectly balanced that you can hardly hear it. The music comes out of the speakers as a unit and overall is great to great. The recording space opens up quite naturally, everything seems three-dimensional and can be experienced. The large Ground Zero gives natural instruments a sound worked out down to the smallest detail with rich colors and brilliant overtones. Even the finest musical details can be heard as if they were the most natural thing in the world. With silence it is still and with dynamic leaps entrances come out of nowhere. Great cinema, no matter what kind of music you put in front of the ULTRA A-2. Wildly produced sound effects or basking in a familiar live atmosphere, both are possible and to perfection. It seems nearly impossible to push the power amp to its limits, even with loud bass attacks, it tracks and sends the cleanest pulses to the speakers. All in all, this is a top-notch performance that doesn't have to hide from anything.

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Conclusion

Superlative amplifier? Certainly. Anachronism with two analog channels on 50 centimeters. Certainly. The bottom line is that the GZ ULTRA A-2 is a power amplifier for music lovers who are just as uncompromising in their demands as the manufacturer is in their development. It is surely one of the best car audio amplifiers ever built, a milestone that will be long remembered. 

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