Our remarkable MCA multichannel amplifiers are
a study in wonderful sonic contrasts.
Hefty, with a weight and authority reminiscent of far
more expensive amplifiers; able to play deep, tight
and loud without breakup. They are capable of
reproducing all of the multichannel magic and complex dynamics of the most demanding 7.1-channel
surround-sound experience without ever losing
control. And they are consummate musicians.
Musical, refined, and detailed—delivering a transparency and clarity destined to unravel even the
most elusive notes of an elaborate aria.
These are qualities for which MCA multichannel
amplifiers are legendary. With the introduction
of the MCA 20, MCA 30, and MCA 50, Anthem’s
reputation for outstanding high-end performance
got even better.
Whether it’s the finesse required to satisfy the most
discerning audiophile, the power demanded by the
avid home theater enthusiast, or the reliability
required for professional multimedia and studio
installations, MCA amplifiers deliver it all!
MCA 20/30/50
MULTICHANNEL AMPLIFIERS
“… potent … articulate … visceral …”
- Roger Kanno, SoundStage!
“If you are looking for a multichannel amplifier that can
really rock on movie soundtracks, but is equally at home in a
high-quality two-channel system, look no further. … one of
the more refined amplifiers that I have heard at anywhere
near its price point.”
- Roger Kanno, SoundStage!
“… exceedingly clean and detailed … plenty of power and
excellent frequency extension on both ends … able to
deliver unexpected thrills … clean and tight … fast and
transparent … paints a vivid sonic picture … excellent
clarity. … this amp is quiet, perhaps quieter than any
other I've heard … ”
- Doug Schneider, SoundStage!
“… one of the few true high output, audiophile quality,
multi-channel power amplifiers on the market today …
seems to be an endless supply of sheer power!”
- Alan L. Maier, SMR Home Theater
*Quotes are from previous MCA Series models. The introduction of the MCA 20,
MCA 30 and MCA 50 represents further improvements for even better sound!
Eight Output Devices Per Channel!
Solid state amplifiers get their power from the output
devices used in the amplification stage. Just like cylinders
in a car’s engine, the greater the number of devices
per channel, the greater the available high-current power
for the crescendos in music, or the thrills, thunder
and explosions in movies. Performance is simply more
effortless. It also means that the amplifier will run cooler,
making it more reliable.
MCA amplifiers each have a whopping eight bipolar
output devices per channel—that’s 40 devices in the
MCA 50 alone, ensuring tremendous current reserves
and outstanding reliability.
Sound Purity and Integrity
Our design for MCA amplifiers follows the “Keep-It-
Simple” principle. We utilize the fewest possible number of
parts in the signal path to maintain the integrity of sound.
All parts are of the highest quality and tolerance. As a
result, these remarkable amplifiers offer the profound
sense of musical purity, transparency and naturalness
that is demanded by the most discerning listener.
Mirror-Imaged Channels
Frequency response channel-matching in our amplifiers
has always been far better than the norm. In fact, MCA
amplifiers are virtually mirror-imaged. All amplifier channels
offer identical performance. The musical picture is incredibly
vivid, seamless, and detailed, with a multichannel
soundstage that is exceptionally clear, coherent and
three-dimensional.
Modular Design
MCA amplifiers reflect the benefit of a common
modular design enhanced by our highly refined fourthgeneration amplifier circuit topology. Each amplifier
channel is completely self-contained on its own board
and heatsink. In the rare event that service should be
required, it can be done quickly and easily by a qualified
technician, minimizing the “down time” of your system.
Vanishing Noise and Distortion
In a rare feat, transformer-induced noise at the bass
frequencies of 60 Hz, 120 Hz, and 180 Hz, has effectively
been eliminated. MCA amplifiers boast vanishing noise
and unbelievably low levels of Total Harmonic Distortion.
The reproduction of subtle harmonic structures in each of
these amplifiers allows for a far more complete re-creation
of spatial ambience and soundstage dimension—it’s
enough to give you goose bumps!
MCA 20/30/50
A New Level of Quiet!
Signal-to-noise ratio in MCA amplifiers is 120 dB … a
truly remarkable feat! Music and movie soundtracks
simply appear out of “dead” silence allowing you to
become lost in the emotion of the original performance
—the mark (and the end goal) of a truly high-end audiovideo component. During even the most tranquil musical
passages or dramatically quiet moments in a movie, the
background is so ‘black’ that it is audibly gone.
Massive Toroidal Power Supplies
MCA amplifiers deliver incredible dynamics thanks to
massive ‘audiophile-approved’, conservatively-rated
power supplies designed with high rail voltages.
Advanced-generation toroidal power transformers are
used to 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.
Stable as a Rock
Our amplifiers are incredibly stable into difficult,
low-impedance speaker loads, making these superbsounding dynamos reliable performers in even the
toughest circumstances.
RCA Inputs, XLR Balanced Inputs
High quality in! High quality out! Gold-plated female RCA
jacks provide a high-quality input connection, but with
MCA amplifiers you get much more. XLR balanced
connections are commonly used in professional
recording and broadcasting to ensure the lowest level of
noise and hum possible. Now you can use this same
high-quality connection for reference-quality high-end
sound since XLR balanced inputs are included on all
MCA amplifiers.
Our unique auto-sensing circuit makes connecting inputs
a snap. Just plug in either the RCA or XLR connector and
our auto-sensing circuit automatically selects the right
input. No switches, no problems, it’s simple.
50% Larger Power Supply Reservoirs
More Power! More space to store it! With 225 watts,
large banks of capacitors are needed to store all of
the energy required for the immense dynamic bursts
of various special effects in a movie, or the taxing
crescendo of a solo piano. These amplifiers are the most
powerful MCA amplifiers yet, employing 30,000 micro
farads (µF) of capacitance per channel (that’s 150,000 µF
for the MCA 50). With so many joules of energy in reserve,
when called upon, the MCA 20, MCA 30 and MCA 50 are
able to deliver full bursts of power instantly and effortlessly.
Larger Custom Chassis and Heatsink
A redesigned chassis and large custom heatsink—33%
larger than previous MCA Series amplifiers—ensure that
these amplifiers dissipate the heat generated by their
higher power levels quickly and efficiently. Our custom
heatsinks are computer-designed and modeled to
maximize contact area for exceptional heat transfer
efficiency. Put simply, they run cooler for greater reliability.
Superior Craftsmanship
Like all Anthem™products the MCA 20, MCA 30 and
MCA 50, designed and built in North America, 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.
Detachable Power Cord
While a detachable AC power cord comes in handy when
connecting various components, its function is more than
one of simple convenience. High-end products typically
offer the freedom to use a variety of after-market power
cords offered by specialty cable manufacturers. By
including IEC detachable AC female sockets and highpower, high-quality 14-awg AC cords, MCA amplifiers
further demonstrate their high-end pedigree.
Multiple Power Switches
MCA amplifiers can be powered On/Off three ways:
manually with the On/Off switch on the front panel;
remotely via the 12-volt trigger input on the rear; or
automatically with our patented Auto-On/Off circuit—
an incoming audio signal immediately switches it on, and
approximately 20 minutes after the audio signal ends, it
simply switches off.
MCA 20/30/50
Better Output Connection
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.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
INPUTS
MCA 20 2 Single-Ended, 2 Balanced, 1 Relay Trigger (3.5-mm Mono Jack)
MCA 30 3 Single-Ended, 3 Balanced, 1 Relay Trigger (3.5-mm Mono Jack)
MCA 50 5 Single-Ended, 5 Balanced, 1 Relay Trigger (3.5-mm Mono Jack)
OUTPUTS
MCA 20 2 Pairs Speaker Binding Posts, 1 Relay Trigger (3.5-mm Mono Jack)
MCA 30 3 Pairs Speaker Binding Posts, 1 Relay Trigger (3.5-mm Mono Jack)
MCA 50 5 Pairs Speaker Binding Posts, 1 Relay Trigger (3.5-mm Mono Jack)
SWITCHES Front Panel: Power On/Off
Rear Panel: 3 On/Off Modes (Trigger, Manual, Auto)
POWER OUTPUT
(Continuous RMS, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, <1.0% THD, AC line voltage held constant at full load)
Impedance 8 Ω 4 Ω 2 Ω
# of Channels Driven
1 All 1 All 1 All
MCA 20 225 W 200 W 370 W 300 W 535 W 410 W
MCA 30 225 W 180 W 375 W 265 W 550 W 340 W
MCA 50 225 W 180 W 370 W 265 W 535 W 340 W*
*Special Test Conditions Required
HEADROOM 1.45 dB (8 Ω); 2.3 dB (4 Ω)
POWER BANDWIDTH 10 Hz - 80 kHz (200 W @ 8 Ω)
FREQUENCY RESPONSE 20 Hz - 20 kHz (-0.15 dB); 5 Hz - 100 kHz (-2 dB)
THD + N 0.0015% @ 1 kHz; 0.03% @ 20 kHz (100 W into 8 Ω)
INPUT SENSITIVITY 1.5 VRMS for 225 W into 8 Ω
INPUT IMPEDANCE 10 kΩ (RCA); 15 kΩ (XLR)
DAMPING FACTOR 130 @ 1 kHz (ref. 8 Ω)
S/N RATIO 120 dB, A-weighted (ref. 225 W)
CHANNEL SEPARATION >65 dB (100 Hz - 10 kHz)
VOLTAGE GAIN 29 dB
SLEW RATE 20 V/µs
POWER REQUIREMENTS
MCA 20 800 VA @ maximum power output (8 Ω load)
MCA 30 1100 VA @ maximum power output (8 Ω load)
MCA 50 1800 VA @ maximum power output (8 Ω load)
DIMENSIONS
MCA 20 17-1/4˝ (43.8 cm) Wide x 7˝ (17.8 cm) High x 12-1/4˝ (31 cm) Deep
MCA 30 17-1/4˝ (43.8 cm) Wide x 7˝ (17.8 cm) High x 12-1/4˝ (31 cm) Deep
MCA 50 17-1/4˝ (43.8 cm) Wide x 7˝ (17.8 cm) High x 17-1/2˝ (44.5 cm) Deep
NET WEIGHT (Unpacked)
MCA 20 35 lb (15.9 kg)
MCA 30 41 lb (18.6 kg)
MCA 50 61 lb (27.6 kg)
MCA 20
MCA 30
MCA 50
Both MCA and PVA multichannel amplifiers are
designed to perform flawlessly—offering stunning
musicality, tonal neutrality, and incredible dynamics
while driving any speaker load reliably under
real-world conditions! The power supply is
conservatively rated, and the amplifiers run cool
for greater reliability, but we didn’t stop there.
These amplifiers feature our ALM
™
(Advanced
Load Monitoring) circuitry which protects
sensitive output devices by constantly monitoring
temperature, current, and voltage to ensure
optimum long-term performance. ALM
™
is totally
non-invasive—it is not in the signal path, and only
engages in the most extreme circumstances to
protect the amplifier from damage by maintaining
the safe operating area of the output devices.
Buyer beware however! Not all amplifier
manufacturers have sophisticated load-monitoring
provisions. Many have saved the added cost,
leaving their output devices unprotected,
choosing instead to use the amplifier’s output
devices as “fuses.” At Sonic Frontiers International
however, ALM
™
is just one of the ways in which
our products provide owners with years of
reliable service.
A FEW WORDS ON RELIABILITY
MCA 20/30/50
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