Anthem MCA 525 Gen 2 Power Amp

$5,999
By Anthem

Description

ANTHEM – PURE PERFORMANCE, PURE VALUE

To complement the NEW AVM 90 and 70 A/V Processors, Anthem introduces the new MCA 525, 325 and 225 GEN 2 power amplifiers. Available in 5, 3 and 2-channel configurations, these new MCA amplifiers feature more robust and efficient power and heavy-duty reliability. The new MCA Series delivers lower THD (total harmonic distortion) for more clean, pure sound and lower noise for a supremely quiet background.


The MCA 525 GEN 2, MCA 325 GEN 2 and MCA 225 GEN 2, designed and Crafted in Canada, are like no other amplifiers in the world: custom low noise high-power toroidal transformers; high-current bipolar output transistors; high-quality filter capacitors; advanced power supply regulators; oversized aluminum heatsinks; custom-designed dual binding posts; and patented auto-on/off circuitry. Superior craftsmanship that is reflected in clean, clear, audiophile-quality sound from top to bottom of the frequency spectrum.

An All New MCA GEN 2 Series

What does it take to improve on perfection? Over 15 years of concentration. The distillation of endless hours of fundamental research. The willingness to rebuild from the ground up. And the focus on a single goal: Leadership through innovation and technology. Introducing the new generation of Anthem MCA GEN 2 Amplifiers, designed, engineered and Crafted in Canada!

Completely Redesigned

The new MCA GEN 2 series greatly reduces the use of internal cabling for a much smoother circuit path for pure, unobstructed audio performance. The use of low-flux toroidal transformers and improved input transistors provide a greater sense of transparency, even with dynamically complex material.

We’ve also improved other performance benchmarks including power bandwidth and slew rate. With a signal-to-noise ratio of 120 dB, background noise is practically nonexistent, leaving you with just pure natural sound reproduction.


Higher Power into More Demanding Loads

While most 5-channel amplifiers use a single power supply for front left and right channels and another power supply of the centre and surround, the new MCA 525 GEN 2 shares its two power supplies between all channels. The result is full bursts of power – instantly – without affecting channel separation.

Engineered for Reliability

The new MCA GEN 2 Amplifiers uses of Anthem’s years of experience to “engineer out” common amplifier gremlins.

Green “Standby” Power Consumption

In addition to the reduced inrush current, these new MCA GEN 2 Amplifiers only use between 1-2W in “standby” mode. As with all Anthem amplifiers, they can be switched on manually, via trigger, or by sensing an input signal. New, larger, more conductive audiophile binding posts have been added to maximize contact and maintain a firm grip on the speaker cable. If you’re in the market for cutting-edge audio component separates, Anthem’s new MCA GEN 2 Amplifiers balance the complex dynamics of today’s most demanding multi-channel media with the rare finesse required to satisfy the audiophile in you. MCA GEN 2 Amps provide an abundance of conservatively rated power into demanding low impedance loads, incredible reliability, and a new design aesthetic that matches our sleek new AVM A/V Processors.

Next generation Advanced Load Monitoring™ Technology

Exclusive ALM™ technology monitors internal temperature, current and voltage to ensure safe and uninterrupted longterm operation, all the while eliminating the need for internal fuses. ALM™ is not in the signal path, so it never gets in the way. Instead, ALM engages instantly, but only in the most extreme circumstances, to protect your amplifier (and speakers) from damage.

This new generation ALM™ lowers the chance of a line fuse blowing during an over-current condition. Should a fault condition arise, unaffected channels continue to play and all-channel operation resumes automatically once conditions are back to normal. The LED on the front panel confirms status at all times.

Design

At Anthem, we have one simple goal – to design, engineer and manufacture audio/video products that deliver premium performance and convenience at a reasonable price. We do this by spending thousands of hours selecting and testing components, carefully designing our own circuit topologies, and backing them with robust power supplies that ensure maximum long-term quality and reliability. We achieve this with our team at the Paradigm/Anthem Research Center and their decades of combined experience.

Limitless Possibilities

Today’s premium home theaters need support for as many as 15 speakers and 4 subwoofers to handle the latest Dolby Atmos and DTS:X object-oriented audio codecs. Pair an AVM 70 or AVM 90 A/V Processor with a stack of MCA amplifiers and you’ll hear sound that rivals the best commercial cinemas.

MCA’s scalability means you can purchase only the channels you need to power your vision of home entertainment. AVM Processors can now manage configurations up to 15.4 channels (up from 11.2) with ARC Genesis Room Correction ensuring the best possible sound at every seat. And you won’t need to hide your gear from view.

Anthem’s modernized design extends to every component in the MCA and AVM lines. All MCA power amps are Crafted in Canada.

Massive Toroidal Power

MCA amplifiers deliver incredible dynamics thanks to massive “audiophile approved” conservatively rated power supplies designed with high rail voltages.

Low flux toroidal power transformers ensure ultra quiet performance by minimizing stray magnetic field radiation. This provides the pure, clean, low-noise power that is needed to reproduce the full dynamics of home theater and the most complex and dynamic music recordings.

Audiophile Binding Posts

Our own custom-designed, oversized robust binding posts ensure full power delivery at all times.

They’re easy to use and facilitate large speaker cable connectors.

Specifications:

POWER OUTPUT (PER CHANNEL)
(Continuous RMS, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, <1% THD)
Impedance
225 W 400 W 600 W
INPUTS / OUTPUTS
Inputs Single-Ended, Balanced, Relay Trigger (3.5-mm Mono Jack)
Outputs Speaker Binding Posts, Relay Trigger (3.5-mm Mono Jack)
SWITCHES
Front Panel Power (On/Off)
Rear Panel 3 On/Off Modes (Trigger, Manual, Auto)
THD AT 100W
at 1 kHz 0.0010%
at 20 kHz 0.015%
IMD AT 100 W
ITU-R (19 kHz + 20 kHz) 0.0005%
SMPTE (60 Hz + 7 kHz) 0.002%
FREQUENCY RESPONSE, 20 HZ TO 20 KHZ
open circuit ± 0.1 dB
± 0.1 dB
± 0.1 dB
± 0.2 dB
OTHER SPECIFICATIONS
SNR, IEC-A, ref. 225 W 120 dB
Power Bandwidth, -3 dB at 200 W into 8 ohms 90 kHz
Slew Rate 30 V/μs
Damping Factor, 20 Hz to 1 kHz 300
Channel Separation, 100 Hz to 10 kHz >65 dB
Input Impedance (RCA / XLR) 10 kΩ / 15 kΩ
Input Sensitivity, 225 W into 8 Ω 1.5 Vrms
Voltage Gain 29 dB
POWER CONSUMPTION
  standby idle typical high output
MCA 525 (Gen. 2) 2.0 W 80 W 550 W 1200 W
MCA 325 (Gen. 2) 1.4 W 47 W 350 W 750 W
MCA 225 (Gen. 2) 1.0 W 35 W 240 W 500 W
DIMENSIONS
Height 6-5/8” (16.9 cm)
Height with Rackmount Kit 4U
Width 17-1/4" (43.9 cm)
Depth 18-1/8" (46 cm)
WEIGHT
MCA 525 (Gen. 2) 61 lb (27.5 kg)
MCA 325 (Gen. 2) 43 lb (19.5 kg)
MCA 225 (Gen. 2) 40 lb (18 kg)
POWER REQUIREMENT
120 V version: In countries where the line voltage is 120 V, this product operates from a single phase AC power source that supplies between 108 V and 132 V at a frequency of 60 Hz.
220-240 V version: In countries where the line voltage is 220, 230, or 240 V, this product operates from a single phase AC power source that supplies between 198 V and 264 V at a frequency of 50 Hz.