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Stereo Products > HCA-2 Amplifier
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In this section are the questions that people have posed to our Beta testers and the answers the beta testers have provided. If you wish to pose your own question to one of our Beta testers, please click here. Your question and the eventual answer will be posted if we feel it might be interesting to everyone reading this page.
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General:
Beta Tester: Paul Bartels |
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Question
For Paul Bartels,
this is not a beta-tester question.
Would you direct me to the source for the design of your diy power cables. I've run out of interconnects to build and I'd like to see some info about diy power cables. Thanks.
(Relatively) Cheap tweaks are most satisfying.
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Answer
David,
Go to this link:
Click Here
It contains all the links you'll need to get started.
As dramatic the change with these cords was over the stock cords... it doesn't come close to the LAB II cable ... This is one serious power cord. It squashed my DIY in every aspect; noise floor, bass production, slam factor, inner detail,… music was just fuller and more involving.
I'm still proud of these DIY PCs. I have a power cord from a well known hi-fi manufacture that sits in its box because I preferred these to it.
Good Luck.
Paul
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Beta Tester: Paul Bartels |
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Question
I was very interested in reading your review about the HCA-2 and I have only one question. Were you using the power cord that came with the amp or did you use a different power cord?
Regards,
Minh Vu
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Answer
Minh,
I actually used 3. Stock, a DIY cord, and the Lab II cable. The break down was close to this:
Stock - used 10% of listening time
DIY - used 40% of the listening time
Lab II - used 50% of the listening time
I used my DIY cord quite a bit because it was what I was using with my Power 2 for some time now and was familiar with it's sonics. While doing A/B comparisons with the Power 2, I always used the same power cable with each amp.
If you want the ultimate combination with the HCA-2, the Lab II is the way to go. It squeezes an extra 10-20% from the amp.
Is it a necessity? My personal opinion is NO. I would eventually change the stock cord for sure…but this amp sounds good with any cord.
Take care,
Paul
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Beta Tester: Kurt Kamerath |
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Question
Hi Kurt, I have a Classe CA 101 and I have a question about bass. I compared my Classe to a Mistral (British Amp. in case you're not familiar with it) and the Classe kept a very tight fist on the bass. The Mistral was warm sounding and the soundstage was tight (not much air). Classe had an open almost bright sound. I loved it but the Mistral dealer said he liked Mistral's bass because you could here it over "several harmonic frequencies"-I thought it was overly warm. Was the difference in the HCA-1 bass and the Classe something like this (warmth)?
Classe is also known for letting go of the highs (keeping a tight fist on the bass) so there is an open soundstage with pleasing highs and not much bass until you need it. The Mistral dealer thought this was a bright, Hi Fi sound (he was using "Hi Fi" disparagingly). How did the Classe highs compare with the HCA-1?
Thanks,
Tim
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Answer
First let me say that I really liked my Classe
CA201. Since it was the first amplifier I had
ever purchased I had a big emotional attachment
to it as well. The attachment was so strong that
when I found out that I had been selected to be a
beta tester I didn't want the HCA-2 to be better.
However, the HCA-2 is better and by a large
margin.
I sold my CA201 for 1/2 what I paid for it and
that was enough to purchase the HCA-2. For me the
decision was a "no brainer".
There were several things I evaluated during my
testing - the bass and highs being two of them.
My son and my wife spent a lot of time listening
as well, and we always liked the sound of the
HCA-2 more. There was never a time when we chose
the CA201 over the HCA-2.
Bass: The difference was not warmth it was
power! There is a force, an authority about it
that I have never heard before. It is sharp,
focused, defined, powerful, ...etc. The
improvement in the bass was the thing that I
noticed the most. I have spent hours listening
to my favorite music without realizing I had
forgotten to turn on my sub. The bass is not
too much - not overdone. It is very enjoyable and
pleasing to listen to.
Highs: They had a focus, clairity, definiton,
realism, ...etc., that we consistantly preferred.
I heard information from recordings - that I have
enjoyed for years - that I never knew was there.
It is not harsh, it doesn't bite, it just sounds
good.
Mistral Dealer: Dealers can be sources of useful
information but don't let them tell you what
sounds good - you be the judge of that. You are
the only one who knows what you like.
One final note: If you decide to keep your CA101
then a High Current Ultimate Outlet is a must.
I was stunned at how much better the CA201 sounded
with one. It was almost enough to make me think
about keeping it. You might laugh out loud as I
did when I heard the improvement it made in the
amp. As I mentioned in my beta review, "The
biggest difference I ever heard pluging anything
into anything was with the Ultimate Outlet".
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Beta Tester: Kurt Kamerath |
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Question
HOW DOES THE AMP COMPARE TO THE ODYSSEY STRATOS? ANY COMMENTS? DECIDING BETWEEN THESE TWO! THANK YOU
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Answer
I am not familiar with the Odyssey Stratos.
However, if you were wondering what I really think
of PS Audio products, since my beta testing period
I have purchased 3 Mini Lab cables, 1 power port,
1 Ultimate Outlet (an absolute must!) and an
HCA-2 power amp.
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Beta Tester: Kurt Kamerath |
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Question
Kurt,
Having read your review of PS Audio’s HCA2 amp, and since I too have the B&W 803s, I’m
wondering if you would answer a few questions.
With your current system, are the highs sometimes etched? If they are, did the HCA2 help?
Did you use the amp without the subwoofer, and if so, how did you find the bass response?
Was there any particular kind of music or instruments that you think benefit best from this
amp?
Finally, did you leave the amp on all the time or only when you listened to music? How long
does it take to warm up?
Thanks for your time.
Phil
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Answer
I have had no complaints with my current system,
however, I was amazed at how much better I liked
it with the HCA-2. The HCA-2 was a significant
improvement across the board. Everything I could
think of to listen for was better with the HCA-2.
I did not use the sub for the review. I figured
it would be less complicated that way. After one
of my initial warm-up/break-in listening sessions
I went to turn off the sub and discovered it had
never been on in the first place. I was stunned.
Also, I mentioned that I didn't like the Triangle
Celius speakers the first time I heard them, but
driven by the HCA-2 they were transformed. All of
the bottom end punch, slam, ...etc. was there with
the HCA-2. I think the improvement in the mid and
lower frequencies with the HCA-2 may be its
greatest strength.
Yes. All of it/them !!! (Although I do condiser
"Rock Music", "Heavy Metal", ...etc. oxymorons.)
It sounded good right out of the box and I usually
turned it off after each listening session, but it
has continued to improve with time and is at its
best when it is warm - a couple of selections is
usually enough to satisfy if it has not been
plugged in. Additionally, after one Sunday of
being on for 12 hours much of the case was cool
to the touch and the rest was barely warm.
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Beta Tester: Bob Odell |
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Question
Bob,
Nice short review, reading between the lines it seems the PS amp has the same problems in the bass areas and micro dynamics that other digital amps have had, i.e. softing if you will.
I use a Mark Levinson 333 280 watts and keeps doubling all the way down to 2 ohms. I use an amp of this size due to using the Dynaudio speakers. They love power. I also using the matching 380S preamp, with the Sony SCD1 SACD player.
I quess my question would be how big of an amp using this design would I need to wait for using my current and future Dynaudio speakers.
Thanks,
Phil
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Answer
I don't think you will find an amp of this particular design that gives you what you want.
However the voltage gain stage really detemines the sound of these amps and that will be the same in all of them even though the ouput stages or current gain stage will be different. You might want the higher power PS Amps for the punch you need without sacraficing the sound quality.
Bob Odell
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Beta Tester: Bob Odell |
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Question
This question is for Bob Odell. Since you were the designer of the PS Audio 200C amplifier I would like you to compare the new HCA-1 with the 200C. I am still using a 200C (with a PS Audio 4.5 preamp) but I know technology improves with time. I have been thinking about upgrading the 200C but I certainly don't want to waste money. Over the years I have heard a number of "raves" about one amplifier or another but, upon listening, felt the 200C was still a "keeper". I would be very interested in hearing your opinion. Thanks in advance.
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Answer
Well----------
Since I have not heard a 200C for many years, and therefore cannot give you a direct comparison, I would have to say that overall the HCA is better.
You have what was the first fully balanced low feedback amp in the industry with very low open loop distortion and a very fast response. Since there is a trial period you could always do a comparison yourself. Not everyone will agree on a paticular product. That's what makes this such fun.
Bob Odell
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Beta Tester: Bob Odell |
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Question
Greetings& Thanks; For the Great designs you created. I have the 5.5 w/M500,Ultradac,7.0 pre. I havea question on the 5.5 I read that the phono section was detuned? based on the lines parts selection (IAR)I have upgraded the lines parts an want to impliment the T4 constant, but not before I work on the phono section(1/2) the preamp. Any info you would share would be apprec,Dr. Bob
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Answer
Got me there. This was an effort of Paul and myself, and I do not have the IAR you are referring. Please give more detail. Thanks.
Dr. Bob Odell
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Beta Tester: Bob Odell |
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Question
How would you compare this amp to the ARC VT100 driving my Magneplaner 3.6 speakers. I drive my amp directly with a Levinson 39 CD player. A Lab 600 conditions the power. Cabling is balanced Harmonic Technology.
Thanks in advance,
Bob
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Answer
Bob,
I have not compared them side by side, but I would have to say the Hybrid amp combines the best of solid state and tubes. This amp is one of THE BEST all time amps I have heard, and I have heard many.
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Beta Tester: Mike Sheehy |
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Question
To Mike Sheehy,
I use the Bel Canto eVo 2002 and am quite confused based on your assesments when compared to the PS Audio HCA-2. I've read all the other beta tester remarks and it looks as if they've come to what I would call a more "realistic" comparison. I say this because I've compared the eVo to most amplifiers used by the beta testers and found in blind listening tests (A/B and A/B/A), it surpassed all of them. I should add that the VAC and the Pass amps did get the nod by a couple of our listeners. So, as a result, one might wonder what you are listening to with your eVo.
What digital frontend, what loudspeakers and what type of line conditioners? Sounds to me like you're hearing the rest of the system and pointing the finger at eVo for letting it all through.
We've found again in our beta testing that the eVo sounded better than many $10-15,000 amplifiers. Believe it or not. It wasn't something we were happy with either. Considering I'm a store located on the east coast, it became increasingly harder to sell these monster amplifiers knowing that our tests proved the mighty eVo's better in almost every category except perhaps soundstage depth. That's their only drawback when compared directly to the super expensive designs. Again, I'm really questioning your "synergistics" when you say the PS Audio is better while every other tester compares it favorably to their big guns while I personally witnessed along with 15 staff and friends (many of whom didn't know what was being used) a much finer device in the eVo's.
Vince Gibney
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Answer
Vince,
My digital front-end is a 47 Labs Flatfish transport and Progression DAC. My speakers are Genesis APM-1. My line conditioner is the Hydra. I have a First Sound Presence Deluxe MKII
preamp. I use HMS and Omega Mikro IC's and speaker cables.
I did an A/B comparison between the two units. The PS audio HCA-2 was much better than my EVO 200.2. The EVO 200.2 that I used in the comparison was not their latest with the larger power supply. An audiophile friend of mine who was very familiar with my system also listened and came to the same conclusions. We brought the HCA-2 to his house and compared it to his VAC amp. The VAC amp was better, but IMO not by much when factoring in the price difference.
I do feel that my tube preamp does have a positive synergy with the HCA-2 and may add to the listening enjoyment of the amp. I did not listen to the amp without my preamp. In my system the HCA-2 was clearly better. Will it be in yours? You have to be the judge of that.
PS Audio does offers a 30 day home trial. I think that you owe it to yourself to give the HCA-2 an audition and compare the two for yourself. I do not believe that you will be disappointed.
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Beta Tester: Mike Sheehy |
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Question
At the present moment Im running an Adcom Pre 565 into an Adcom 5800 which drive PSB Stratus Gold i. I am seriously thinking of purchasing a Bel Canto 200.2 amp. What are your thoughts?
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Answer
IMO the HCA-2 was much better than the Bel Canto evo 200.2. I did not compare it to the newer version but to the original version, it was not even close. With the 30 day trial offer by PS Audio on the HCA-2, you can not go wrong.
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Beta Tester: Mike Sheehy |
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Question
You used a tube preamp with your eVo to help tame the sound. Did it seem to work as well with the HCA-2 or did it over-tame the sound? Do you still plan to use it with the HCA-2? Also, in reading Kal Rubinson's review of the eVo 200.2(vol 24-11) he notes that getting the volume right was tricky and required frequent use of his remote control. Did you experience this problem with the HCA-2 any more or less than with the eVo? My tube pre-amp (N.E.W. P-3) doesn't have a remote and great as the reviews sound, I don't want to jump up every song to change the level. Thanks.
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Answer
I have a First Sound Presence Deluxe MKII tube preamp that I used with the EVO and still use with the HCA-2.
The preamp does not over-tame the sound of the HCA-2 at all. It really compliments the sound of the HCA-2. My preamp also does not have a remote control. I do have to change the volume when I change CD's, but not for every song.
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