PS Audio PCA-2 User Manual

Table of Contents

What’s in the Box

1....What’s in the Box

2....Overview

3....Quick Start Guide

4....Rear Panel Layout

5....Front Panel Controls

6....IR Remote Control

7....Setup Menu

10..Using the Home Theater Bypass

10..Using the Loop function

10..Using the 12 Volt Triggers

10..Using the PS Bus

12..Troubleshooting Guide

15..Appendix

15..Warranty and Service Issues

16..Contact Information

• One PCA-2 Preamplifier

• One IR remote control

• Two AAA batteries

• One 6 foot AC power cable

• One user’s manual

• One warranty card

• One spare 3 amp fast blow fuse

IMPORTANT:
Be sure to save all packing materials included
with the PCA-2 Preamplifier as this will be
required if you ever need to ship the unit for ser­vice or modification.

Overview

The PCA-2 is a reference level stereo preampli­fier that can integrate into any type of audio or
home theater system.

The PCA-2 Preamplifier is designed to accom­modate input switching and volume control to
a number of external source components while
providing a signal as faithful and musically satis­fying as technologically possible today.

The PS Audio PCA-2 offers extraordinary user
control over a wide variety of selectable options
and features including:

• 1 XLR and 6 RCA inputs

• 2 RCA and 2 XLR outputs, plus 1 tape loop (RCA)

• Fully balanced circuit architecture

• Expansion slot accommodates optional upgrade
cards

• Optional rack mount capability

• Optional outboard power supply

• Class A zero feedback gain stage

• IR Remote control

• Home Theater Bypass function

• Front panel LED display for system control and
input name display

• Customizable input names

• Individual input gain control

• Discrete headphone amplifier

• Built in Ultimate Outlet performs internal AC
cleansing

• Massive toroidal transformer for extended head­room

• PS Audio’s brushed aluminum FRAME chassis

•PS Bus for communication with other PS Audio
devices

• 25 custom setup parameters

2

Quick Start Guide

1. Place the PCA-2 in a rack or on a shelf in the

audio/video system.

2. Turn off all associated components

3a. Connect the left and right analog audio out-

puts from all audio/video source equipment to
any of the inputs labeled 1-7 on the back of the
PCA-2. Use input 1 for XLR type connections
and inputs 2-7 for RCA type connections.

For a complete list of input names see appendix
A.

3b. Connect the left and right analog audio out-

puts from the back of the PCA-2 to the inputs of
an audio amplifier. Use XLR type connectors if
XLR inputs are available on the amplifier.

* The PCA-2 does not include a phono preampli­fier stage. To connect a turntable, use a phono
peamplifier.

There are 2 pair of both XLR and RCA outputs.
There is no sonic difference between each pair
of outputs.

4. Plug the PCA-2 into the wall AC outlet. Use

the supplied AC power cable, or an aftermarket
power cable. For optimum results we recom­mend the use of a PS Audio xStream Power
Cable.

5. Once the PCA-2 is connected to power, the

PCA-2 will initiate a countdown sequence from
30 seconds. During this time the PCA-2 is initial­izing its internal circuitry.

6. The PCA-2 will default to the 1st input (1 XLR)

when it is ready for use.

7. Use the Input Up/Down buttons to select the

desired input and slowly raise the volume level
using the front panel knob or the included IR
remote control to a comfortable setting.

Default Settings

The PCA-2 comes from the factory with standard
default settings that should work well for most
situations. There are 25 custom setup param­eters which can be adjusted by the user as well
as custom input names for all 7 inputs.

3

Rear Panel Layout

1. PS Bus and 12 Volt Triggers

The PCA-2 comes equipped with a built in PS
Bus. The PS Bus allows other PS Audio prod­ucts equipped with a PS Bus to communicate via
standard RJ11 phone cable.

Note: Unplug the power cord before checking
the fuse.

6. Analog Inputs

One analog XLR (balanced) and six analog RCA
(single-ended) inputs allow for the connection of
up to seven external sources.

Note: The phone cable must have at least
four wires attached to the connector (a 2-line
phone cable) to function properly.

If communication between other non-PS prod­ucts is desired the 12 Volt Trigger can be used
with other 12 Volt Trigger equipped products to
relay commands such as power status. There
are 2 output triggers and 1 input trigger (See
“Using the 12 Volt Trigger” for more information).

2. Ground Terminal

The PCA-2 includes a grounding post for use
with associated equipment, such as a turntable.
Attach the grounding wire by tightening the bind­ing post to the wire.

3. IEC Power Input

15 amp male IEC standard power socket.

4. Accessory Power Inputs

Two Neutrik power connectors attach to the
PCA-2 for use with the optional external power
supply (sold separately).

5. Fuse

The fuse is a 3 Amp fast blow. It can be removed
by inserting a flat device into the fuse holder and
twisting counter-clockwise.

For a complete list of input names see Appendix
A.

7. Expansion Slot Cover

This cover is to be removed upon installing an
expansion card for the PCA-2 (cards sold sepa­rately). See the instructions included with the
expansion card for installation details.

8. Loop Output

The loop output is to be connected to the input
of a device such as a tape deck or an equal­izer. The return loop signal should be connected
to input number seven and can be activated by
pressing the loop button.

9. Analog Outputs

Two pair of XLR and two pair of RCA analog out­puts are both active at all times to allow connec­tivity to any combination of amplifiers or to use
the system in a bi-amped configuration. There
is no sonic difference between each pair of out­puts.

*The PCA-2 does not include a phono preampli­fier stage. To connect a turntable, use a phono
peamplifier.

4

Front Panel Controls

The PCA-2 front panel includes a volume knob
and the following five buttons:

1. Power

2. Input Down

3. Input Up

4. Loop

5. Mute

Power On/Off

The Power Button activates the front panel dis­play, engages the volume control and routes the
input signal to the appropriate output(s). The PS
logo will also illuminate blue.

Pressing the Power Button again will put the
PCA-2 in a standby mode. It will consume very
little power and not pass any signal to the ampli­fier. The display and the logo will not illuminate.
For optimum performance keep the PCA-2
attached to a live outlet.

Mute

Pressing the Mute button will silence the output
of the PCA-2. If Mute is activated, the number
of the current input will still be displayed while
the display will read MUTE. To exit the mute
status, press mute again or simply adjust the vol­ume control.

By default the PCA-2 will not produce any signal
when in mute, however the mute volume level
can be specified by the user (see Setup Menu).

Volume Knob

Adjusting the Volume Knob will increase or
decrease the output volume. When the volume
is adjusted it will numerically display the volume
level in the display window. After 3 seconds the
display will return to the input name. By default
the volume level is displayed in a 0 to 100 scale.
A decibel reference level scale from -90dB to
+10dB can also be used (see Setup Menu).

Input Up/Down

The Input Up/Down buttons cycle though
all inputs. The front panel will display the
number of the present input as well as
the input name. This name can be
specified by the user (see Setup
Menu).

Loop

The Loop function will acti­vate the Loop output. Loop
Output is a fixed level
output, which is not
affected by the vol­ume control. LOOP
will illuminate in the
front panel display
when it is active.

The Loop function
is useful in conjunc­tion with recording
devices or equaliza­tion equipment.

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