Усилители мощности стерео — Anthem MCA 325 GEN 2

The MCA 325 Gen 2 from Anthem is a three-channel power amplifier, sitting between the two- and five-channel units of the MCA Gen 2 range with identical per-channel power across all three. It is built in Canada and shares the black cosmetic design of the AVM 90 and AVM 70 A/V processors. Anthem notes that its processors handle up to 15 speakers and 4 subwoofers when combined with a stack of MCA amplifiers.

Key specs that matter

All three channels are rated for 225 W into 8 Ohm, 400 W into 4 Ohm and 600 W into 2 Ohm, continuous across 20 Hz to 20 kHz below 1% THD. Measured at 100 W, harmonic distortion is 0.0010% at 1 kHz and 0.015% at 20 kHz, while intermodulation is 0.0005% by the ITU-R method and 0.002% by SMPTE. Signal-to-noise reaches 120 dB (IEC-A, 225 W reference). Response deviates by no more than 0.1 dB between 20 Hz and 20 kHz with no load and into 8 or 4 Ohm, and by 0.2 dB into 2 Ohm. At 200 W into 8 Ohm the -3 dB power bandwidth is 90 kHz, and slew rate is quoted at 30 V/us. Damping factor measures 300 between 20 Hz and 1 kHz, and crosstalk isolation is better than 65 dB. Full rated output needs 1.5 V RMS at the input, gain is 29 dB, and the XLR and RCA inputs present 15 kOhm and 10 kOhm. The chassis stands 16.9 cm tall, occupies 4U in a rack, and is 43.8 cm wide and 46 cm deep, with a weight of 19.5 kg.

Engineering and use context

Anthem gives each channel 8 bipolar output transistors to reduce stress on any single device. A low-flux toroidal transformer designed with high rail voltages feeds the circuit, backed by quality filter capacitors, advanced regulators and large aluminium heatsinks. The second-generation layout reduces internal wiring and adds revised input transistors. The Advanced Load Monitoring circuit tracks temperature, current and voltage outside the audio path and replaces internal fuses. Should one channel hit a fault condition, the rest continue, and full operation resumes by itself once conditions normalise, as a front LED indicates. Standby draw is 1.4 W, idle 47 W, typical 350 W and high output 750 W.

Pairing

Balanced and unbalanced inputs are provided for every channel, along with oversized custom binding posts. The unit powers up by front switch, 12 V trigger or signal detection, which suits control from an Anthem processor. Mains connection uses an IEC inlet and a 14 AWG cord, with 120 V and 220 to 240 V versions.

Alternatives

The Anthem MCA 525 Gen 2 offers five channels at the same power per channel, powered by two oversized supplies shared across all outputs.