Enthusiast II

ZP80 ground loop issue and solutions

Forum|Forum|1 month ago
August 9, 2026
24 replies
229 views

I’m well aware the issues of the floating ground in the ZP80 and my setup has been a little fragile but good enough in that regard. However, For my ZP80 zones I had to get new power amps (long story) and they are unusable. Cyrus Stereo 200s so very decent kit, replacing a variety of Tag, XTZ & audiolab.

Using ZP100 as a pre-amp only they work fine. I know it’s ground loops. I’ve tried connecting mains ground to RCA outer on the ZP80, no effect. I tried same to chassis plate under the ZP80, no effect. I tried ZP80 RCA outer to Cyrus chassis, no effect.

I’m reluctant to try RCA ground loop isolators - cheap, yes, but theory says they will degrade the sound making a monkey of my expensive amps! However, has anyone any experience can feedback?

Aside from that my solutions seem to be to use an external DAC with optical input or buy a couple of used ZP100s in pre-amp mode that I know will work. No point switching to WiiM because they will have similar issues.

Any thoughts?

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Stanley_4

Grand Maestro

The risk in used equipment is always why is it for sale. Too often it is due to some issue, often not found in time to reverse the purchase. The age is also to be considered, memory and other components are pushing the limits on lifetime.

Personally I'd look at the current Sonos Amp to replace both the ZP and your current amplifier.

AjTrek1

@133133

Regarding your identifier 133133. Just out of curiosity are you a math enthusiast or student of numerology.

Together Everyone Achieves More = T.E.A.M.

buzz

PYLE transformers will be more in your budget.

Stanley_4

Grand Maestro

This one should work with the right cables, no specifications to be found.

http://manuals.pyleusa.com/PDF/PHE300.pdf

Price is reasonable enough to try one, cables will likely cost more.

1

133133Author

Enthusiast II

@133133

Regarding your identifier 133133. Just out of curiosity are you a math enthusiast or student of numerology.

Sorry to disappoint! However, looked it up and it gave me a very good laugh. Nothing so complex - I used to stay in a house number 133B and I sometimes still use it for random stuff, usually hotel safes.

1

133133Author

Enthusiast II

The risk in used equipment is always why is it for sale. Too often it is due to some issue, often not found in time to reverse the purchase. The age is also to be considered, memory and other components are pushing the limits on lifetime.

Personally I'd look at the current Sonos Amp to replace both the ZP and your current amplifier.

If I were replacing the system I probably wouldn’t stay Sonos. I have 6 zones and 8x ZP/speakers. Buying new means S2, means replacing the lot. For the sake of £100 versus...well, I’m not even going to look. Most zones are big rooms with big 4Ω ceiling speakers hence the decent power amps. I buy the port it is likely to have the same issue.

106rallye

I don’t understand this remark: “Using ZP100 as a pre-amp only they work fine.” The ZP100 (precursor to the Connect:Amp and current Amp) expects a line level input, so can not be used as a preamp.

1

133133Author

Enthusiast II

I don’t understand this remark: “Using ZP100 as a pre-amp only they work fine.” The ZP100 (precursor to the Connect:Amp and current Amp) expects a line level input, so can not be used as a preamp.

I use my ZP100s like ZP80s i.e. using the RCA outs into my power amps and not using the amp stage of the ZP100. Because the ZP100s are earthed by design they don’t give earth loop problems.

106rallye

So you are not using them as a preamp (in the turntable sense of the word).

1

133133Author

Enthusiast II

So you are not using them as a preamp (in the turntable sense of the word).

TBH I cannot think how else to describe a line level output from digital source material other than pre-amplification!

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