Anthem MCA 525 Gen 2

ANTHEM – PURE PERFORMANCE, PURE VALUE

To complement the new AVM 90 and AVM 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 as well as unrivaled reliability. The new MCA series offers lower THD (Total Harmonic Distortion) for cleaner and purer sound and lower noise for a supremely silent background.

The MCA 525 GEN 2, MCA 325 GEN 2, and MCA 225 GEN 2, designed and manufactured in Canada, are unlike any other amplifier in the world: custom low-noise, high-power toroidal transformers; high-current bipolar output transistors; high-quality filtering capacitors; advanced power supply regulators; oversized aluminum heat sinks; custom double binding posts; and a patented automatic on/off circuitry. Superior craftsmanship that is reflected in clear, crisp, audiophile-quality sound throughout 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 countless hours of fundamental research. The willingness to rebuild from the ground up. And a singular goal: leadership through innovation and technology. Introducing the new generation of Anthem MCA GEN 2 Amplifiers, designed, engineered, and manufactured in Canada!

Completely Redesigned

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

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

Higher Power for More Demanding Loads

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

Engineered for Reliability

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

 

 

Eco-Friendly “Standby” Power Consumption

In addition to reducing inrush current, these new MCA GEN 2 amplifiers only use between 1-2W in “standby” mode. As with all Anthem amplifiers, they can be manually turned on, via a trigger, or by detecting an input signal. New, larger, and more conductive audiophile-grade binding posts have been added to maximize contact and maintain a firm grip on the speaker cable. If you’re in the market for top-tier audio components, 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. The MCA GEN 2 amps deliver an abundance of conservatively rated power into demanding low-impedance loads, incredible reliability, and a fresh design aesthetic that matches our sleek new AVM A/V processors.

Next-Generation Advanced Load Monitoring Technology

The exclusive ALM™ technology monitors internal temperature, current, and voltage to ensure safe, uninterrupted long-term operation while eliminating the need for internal fuses. ALM™ does not intrude into the signal path, so it never hinders performance. Instead, ALM engages instantly, but only under the most extreme circumstances, to protect your amplifier (and speakers) from damage.

This new generation of ALM™ reduces the chances of a line fuse blowing during an over-current condition. If a fault condition occurs, unaffected channels continue to play, and operation of all channels automatically resumes once conditions return to normal. An LED on the front panel confirms the status at all times.

Design

At Anthem, we have a simple goal – to design, engineer, and manufacture audio/video products that offer top-tier performance and convenience at a reasonable price. We achieve 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 quality and long-term reliability. We reach this goal with our team at the Paradigm/Anthem Research Center and their decades of combined experience.

 

 

Limitless Possibilities

Today’s premium home theaters require support for up to 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 experience sound that rivals the best commercial cinemas.

The scalability of the MCA amps 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 previously) with ARC Genesis Room Correction ensuring the best possible sound at every seat. And you won’t need to hide your gear.

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 clean, clear, low-noise power 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.

The Anthem Advantage

Backed by over 35 years of home-grown, hands-on design, and innovative audio engineering experience, Anthem products provide an unprecedented level of reliability and functionality; delivering one of the industry’s highest performance/price ratios. This is just one reason why Anthem electronics are the choice of knowledgeable audiophiles, professional musicians, and engineers worldwide.

 

 

MCA 525 GEN 2 Specifications

• Power Output (Per Channel)
  • Continuous RMS, 20 Hz – 20 kHz, <1% THD
    • 8Ω: 225 W
    • 4Ω: 400 W
    • 2Ω: 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
  • 8Ω: ± 0.1 dB
  • 4Ω: ± 0.1 dB
  • 2Ω: ± 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: 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: Operates from a single phase AC power source that supplies between 198 V and 264 V at a frequency of 50 Hz.