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  Theater Products > GCA-MC Multichannel Amplifier GCA-MC More Info Starting at just $4,495.00!  “7000 watts?! Is it possible? Absolutely, there’s simply no words to describe the power of this amp. But fortunately no one using the amp will ever experience its full power because there’s not enough energy in any size AC wall socket to supply it. Can you imagine how loud that would be if you could?” Head shaking conversations like this have been commonplace around PS during the development of the multi-channel. When we realized we could pack up to 7 independent 1000 watt modules into the new GCA-MC amplifier, each with their own regulated power supply, it brought grins to the faces of every engineer on the project. Engineer Jon Magnussen was the first to say “I have to have one.” Jon’s HT system is all Magneplanar and Jon’s system doesn’t need all the power available in the GCA-MC 500 but the thought of unlimited headroom and dynamics that would never faze this amplifier were too much for him to handle. He had to have it. Introducing the GCMC multi-channel power amplifier Not everyone will want or need this brute of a power amplifier, in fact, most will show signs of restraint and add the GCA-MC 250 in its 3, 4, 5 or 7 channel version to their system, or the GCA-MC 100 5 channel. But choices like these are what makes the new GCA-MC mulit-channel power amplifier so unique and so  desirable for any HT or multi-channel audio system: flexibility. Choose between any of the three GCA power modules to populate your new GCA-MC amplifier in any combination your system calls for.You can keep it simple and go with the GCA-MC 100 which gives you 3, 4, 5 to 7 channels of 100 watts per channel into 8 Ohms and 200 into 4, or the GCA-MC 250 providing 3 to 7 channels of 250/500 watts each, or perhaps the GCA-MC 500 with 3 to 7 channels of 500/1000 watts. Just choose your model. All three are packaged in the identical chassis. Or, you can custom build your new multi-channel in any combination of modules you like. As an example, picture a 5 channel amp with three GCA 500’s for the center, left and right speakers and a pair of GCA 100’s for the rears. All modules have identical matched volumes so adding modules is no longer a chore: you simply match modules to speaker requirements. If, in the future, you change loudspeakers and need more power, your dealer can exchange the modules in a heartbeat. The Gain Cell™ is the heart of the matter As in all our new audio products, each channel of the GCA-MC is driven by the PS Audio Gain Cell™. Gain Cells ensure that each channel sounds identical to every other channel regardless of power output. Gain Cells keep the level of each channel identical to its neighbor and makes sure you have an absolutely seamless multi-channel film or music system. Gain Cells™ are unique to PS Audio and have revolutionized the way we build audio products. A Gain Cell is about the most perfect gain block ever invented. Gain Cells are fully balanced analog gain  devices that are direct coupled from input to output in one of the cleanest, purest audio paths ever devised. PS designers can drop a Gain Cell into a PS designed power amplifier, preamplifier, CD player, integrated amplifier or any imaginable audio product and the Gain Cell becomes the heart and soul of that product.Gain Cells have fully adjustable gain over a 130dB range with close to zero distortion and noise, and are the perfect gain block for any audio product. Each GCA power module has its own Gain cell. The Gain Cell is the first thing your surround processor or DVD player will see when connected to the GCA-MC multi-channel amplifier. The Gain cell will take the output of your surround processor, eliminate much of the noise and hum found in your cables and present a pure high resolution audio signal to the GCA analog power output stage. 100% independent channels The power output stage of each GCA-MC amplifier is based on an improved version of PS Audio’s ground breaking PWM analog output stage that was first introduced to the world in the (now famous) PS Audio HCA-2 power amplifier which received the coveted Stereophile Class A rating for power amplifiers and adorned the cover of Stereophile magazine. Similar in concept to the original cool running PWM analog output stage found in the HCA-2, this new technology uses a fully independent and regulated switching power supply to feed each of the power modules, virtually eliminating  any need for input power transformers and heavy magnetics. Because each analog power module has its own regulated power supply, each channel of the amplifier operates without regard to the other channel and this is of critical importance in a multi-channel amplifier. Most multi-channel amplifiers share a common power supply and so when the film gets rocking, the amp starts to run out of steam. Not so with the GCA-MC multi-channel, because each and every channel of this amplifier is 100% independent from the other.Did we mention there’s almost no heat? Imagine a multi-channel amplifier with no heat sinks, little to no heat and a lot of power. It’s hard to imagine because there are very few around. The GCA-MC is a powerhouse of an amplifier and overall efficiency of the amp is quite high. Our power amplifiers are unique because they generate almost no heat. Using PWM technology, the output MOSFET transistors inside the power module operate in their most efficient manner and we are able to achieve upwards of 85% efficiency for the entire GCA amplifier. Compare that to a typical class AB amplifier’s efficiency of 50% and even worse for a tube or class A amplifier. Super linearity Another advantage of analog PWM technology is linearity. No power amplifier, whether tube or solid state can  boast perfect linearity without the use of feedback or other Band Aids to help linearize the amplifier’s performance. With our power circuit on the output, voltage-in equals voltage-out in an absolutely linear fashion. The net result of this linearity is an effortless sound regardless of volume. From micro dynamics to macro dynamics, each channel of this amplifier sounds the same on the softest passages to the loudest, a feat unmatched by any tube or solid state amplifier ever made.High damping factor One of the classic problems with PWM and tube power amplifiers is a low damping factor. Damping factor is a measurement of how well the power amp can control the loudspeaker. A damping factor of 100 to 200 is considered excellent. The first PWM amplifier we built, the HCA-2, had a damping factor (at low frequencies) of just under 100, a mighty feat in itself when you consider most PWM and tube amplifiers are lucky to have anything above 25 or 30. A low damping factor means that the volume of the speaker will change with the varying load impedance of the speaker! This is not a good situation when high end audio is a goal. Each channel of the new GCA-MC amplifier has a damping factor in the thousands, a 10 times increase in control over the loudspeaker than any other amplifier on the market. When you hear the authority and control the GCA-MC amplifiers presents in your theater you’ll be setback on your heels. Jaw dropping bass and authority are just a few of the benefits provided by this extraordinary feature of the GCA amp. The models There are 6 standard models in the GCA-MC series consisting of a 5 and 7 channel 1  00 watt, a 5 and 7 channel 250 watt and a 5 and 7 channel 500 watt model. Custom configurations are can be ordered through your dealer or country’s distributor and will be assembled at the factory just the way you ordered it. Each model has two inputs, a balanced XLR or a single ended RCA input. You can select either input and you can adjust the gain of that input to match the type of connection. For example, if one channel is an XLR type and another channel is an RCA type, the XLR channel is most likely 6dB louder than the RCA channel. A simple switch adjustment on the XLR channel will correct the gain difference between channels. Each channel has a pair of our new locking style of binding post and can be used with either spade or banana connectors. GCA-MC 100. This, the smallest of the GCA-MC series and comes in either a 5 or 7 channel model, each channel producing 100 watts into 8 and 200 watts into 4 Ohms. Each channel is 100% independent with its own regulated power supply. Balanced and single ended inputs. Rack mounts with optional rack shelf. Dimensions are 17.75” deep, 8” tall and 17” wide. 120 or 220 volt operation as set by the factory, the  GCA-MC 100 produces little to no heat during operation.GCA-MC 250. This, the most popular size of amplifier of the GCA-MC series, comes in either a 5 or 7 channel model with each channel producing 250 watts into 8 and 500 watts into 4 Ohms. Each channel is 100% independent with its own regulated power supply. Balanced and single ended inputs. Rack mounts with optional rack shelf. Dimensions are 17.75” deep, 8” tall and 17” wide. 120 or 220 volt operation as set by the factory, the GCA-MC 250 produces little to no heat during operation. GCA-MC 500. This, the highest wattage amplifier of the GCA-MC series, comes in either a 5 or 7 channel model: each channel producing 500 watts into 8 and 1000 watts into 4 Ohms. Each channel is 100% independent with its own regulated power supply. Balanced and single ended inputs. Rack mounts with optional rack shelf. Dimensions are 17.75” deep, 8” tall and 17” wide. 120 or 220 volt operation as set by the factory, the GCA-MC 500 produces little to no heat during operation. Pass the popcorn There are no finer multi-channel amplifiers available at any price or from any manufacturer. The GCA-MC series of multi-channel amplifier is quite simply the best multi-channel there is.  Producing little to no heat yet tremendous power into your loudspeakers, the GCA-MC series brings high end audio amplification to the multi-channel world with no compromises. Many multi-channel amplifiers are designed as “second best” to their stereo counterparts because of size, heat and space restrictions within a single chassis. Compromises in power supply, performance and other critical variables are made continuously by some manufacturers so they too can provide a multi-channel product for the customer. With the GCA-MC series no such compromises have been made. The exact same electronics in our GCA stereo power amplifier series power our multi-channel series. No compromises, just Pure Power™ and Pure Resolution™. |
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