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Anthem MCA 225 Gen 2

Stereo power amplifier

Item # 973MCA2252

This impressive amplifier improves upon its predecessor, with an even better power supply and full internal redesign.

This impressive amplifier improves upon its predecessor, with an even better power supply and full internal redesign.

3 questions - 15 answers

Item # 973MCA2252

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$2,299.99

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About the Anthem MCA 225 Gen 2

Eric A.

Anthem's rock-solid amp has evolved

The orginal Anthem MCA 225 earned rave reviews from Crutchfield customers. So naturally, the company made the new MCA 225 Gen 2 even better. It's been completely redesigned, with shorter internal cabling that creates a smoother circuit pathway. Why does that matter? Because a well-designed amplifier can do a better job of controlling the stop-start motion of your speakers' drivers, enhancing virtually every aspect of sound quality from deep bass, to dynamics, to soundstaging.

Anthem's rock-solid amp has evolved

The orginal Anthem MCA 225 earned rave reviews from Crutchfield customers. So naturally, the company made the new MCA 225 Gen 2 even better. It's been completely redesigned, with shorter internal cabling that creates a smoother circuit pathway. Why does that matter? Because a well-designed amplifier can do a better job of controlling the stop-start motion of your speakers' drivers, enhancing virtually every aspect of sound quality from deep bass, to dynamics, to soundstaging.

The MCA 225 Gen 2's rated power output provides a clue to this amp's unshakeable grip on the music. It produces 225 watts per channel at 8 ohms, 400 watts into 4 ohms and an incredible 600 watts into 2 ohms! Those numbers tell you that the MCA 225 has a very robust regulated power supply.

Two-channel champ or home theater hero 

Usually power amps like this one are paired with stereo preamps, or A/V preamp/processors. Anthem's MRX Series home theater receivers have preamp outputs, so you can easily connect the MCA 225 Gen 2 and use it to drive your main left and right channels. That surge of added power does wonders for music and movie soundtracks.

Made in Canada, respected around the world

For more than two decades, Anthem has been making award-winning high-performance audio/video equipment for music and home theater. Anthem power amplifiers are designed, engineered, and built in Canada.

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Product highlights:

  • 225 watts per channel into 8 ohms (20-20,000 Hz) at 0.015% THD with 2 channels driven
  • 400 watts per channel into 4 ohms
  • 600 watts per channel into 2 ohms
  • Class AB design with 8 high-current bipolar output transistors per channel for lower distortion
  • low-noise, high-power toroidal transformer for stable, noise-free performance
  • high-quality filter capacitors and advanced power supply regulators
  • Advanced Load Monitoring™ technology monitors internal temperature, current, and voltage to ensure safe, uninterrupted operation
  • 3-way on/off operation: manual, triggered, or signal-sensing auto on/off
  • stereo balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA inputs
  • custom-designed binding post terminals accept bare wire, banana plugs, and spade lugs
  • 3.5mm trigger in/out jacks allow the amplifier to be turned on or off remotely
  • signal-to-noise ratio: 120 dB
  • designed, engineered, and manufactured in Canada
  • detachable power cord
Dimensions and warranty:
  • 17-1/4"W x 6-5/8"H x 18-1/8"D
  • weight: 40 lbs.
  • warranty: 5 years
  • MFR # 1412000026

What's in the box:

  • 2-Channel power amplifier
  • 70" AC power cord
  • Quick Start Guide
  • Product Registration Card
  • Note For Online Manual

Customer reviews for Anthem MCA 225 Gen 2

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More details on the Anthem MCA 225 Gen 2

Stacey B.

Features & specs

General
Number of Channels 2
Power Output per Channel (8 ohms) 225
Power Output per Channel (6 ohms) ---
Power Output per Channel (4 ohms) 400
Frequency Bandwidth 20-20k
THD 0.015%
Minimum Impedance 2
Bridged Power per Channel 0 watts
Speaker Outputs 2
THX Certification No
Width (inches) 17-1/4
Height (inches) 6-11/16
Depth (inches) 19-3/16
Weight 40 pounds
Parts Warranty 5 Years
Labor Warranty 5 Years
Inputs & Outputs
Number of Inputs 2
Input Type XLR, RCA
Removable Power Cord IEC 2-prong
Level Controls No
Speaker Connectors Binding Post
The Anthem MCA 225 Gen 2 replaces these items:

Product Research

Features

MCA (Gen 2) Series: Anthem's MCA (Gen 2) Series amplifiers feature superior craftsmanship that is reflected in clean, clear, audiophile-quality sound from top to bottom of the frequency spectrum. These new MCA (Gen 2) Series amplifiers feature more robust and efficient power and heavy-duty reliability than previous MCA Series. The new MCA (Gen 2) Series also delivers lower THD (total harmonic distortion) for more clean, pure sound and lower noise for a supremely quiet background. The MCA (Gen 2) Series amplifiers utilize 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.

Massive Toroidal Power Supplies: The MCA (Gen 2) Series amplifiers deliver incredible dynamics thanks to massive, 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 pure, clean, low-noise power that is needed to reproduce the full dynamics of home theater and the most complex and dynamic music recordings.

Low Impedance Amplifier: Anthem's new MCA (Gen 2) Series Amplifiers balance the complex dynamics of today's most demanding multi-channel media with the rare finesse required to satisfy audiophile quality souond reproduction. 8 bipolar output devices per channel deliver greater high-current power with less stress on the amplifier. The amplifier is incredibly stable into difficult, low-impedance speaker loads, making them very reliable performers in even the toughest circumstances. MCA (Gen 2) Series Amps provide an abundance of conservatively rated power into demanding low impedance loads with incredible reliability. See below for the MCA 225 (Gen 2) power ratings -

  • 8-Ohm: 225 watts x 2 channels(continuous RMS, 20Hz to 20kHz, <.015% THD)
  • 4-Ohm: 400 watts x 2 channels (continuous RMS, 20Hz to 20kHz, <.0.15% THD)
  • 2-Ohm: 600 watts x 2 channels (continuous RMS, 20Hz to 20kHz, <0.15% THD)

Direct Path Circuitry: The MCA (Gen 2) series greatly reduces the use of internal cabling for a much smoother circuit path for pure, unobstructed audio performance. Both power supply impedance and internal cabling inductance have been minimized to deliver a direct, clear path for maximum power; even in the most demanding conditions. Consequently, Anthem removed output relays, so the signal path has absolutely no moving parts. All parts, including the eight bipolar output transistors per channel, are run conservatively so they remain within their safe operating range. With a signal-to-noise ratio of 120dB, background noise is practically nonexistent, leaving you with just pure natural sound reproduction from the MCA (Gen 2) Series amplifier.

Advanced Load Monitoring (ALM) Technology: Exclusive ALM (Advanced Load Monitoring) technology monitors internal temperature, current and voltage to ensure safe and uninterrupted longterm operation, all the while eliminating the need for internal fuses. ALM is not in the signal path, so it never gets in the way. Instead, ALM engages instantly, but only in the most extreme circumstances, to protect your amplifier and speakers from damage.This new generation ALM lowers the chance of a line fuse blowing during an over-current condition. Should a fault condition arise, unaffected channels continue to play and all-channel operation resumes automatically once conditions are back to normal. The LED on the front panel confirms status at all times.

Balanced & Unbalanced Analog Inputs: The Anthem MCA 225 (Gen 2) amplifier is equipped with one balanced stereo XLR input and one unbalanced stereo RCA input. Balanced XLR connections offer the highest transmission quality, particularly over long cable lengths, because they reject noise and hum pickup. If your preamplifier does not have XLR outputs, use the RCA inputs.

Custom-Designed Binding-Posts: Custom-designed, oversized robust binding-posts ensure full power delivery at all times. They're easy to use and facilitate large speaker cable connectors, as well a banana plugs (single only). These new, larger, more conductive audiophile-grade binding posts have been added to maximize contact and maintain a firm grip on the speaker cable. 

Trigger Input/Output: The Anthem MCA 225 (Gen 2) is equipped with a 12V trigger input (3.5mm) and 12V trigger output (3.5m) to synchronize power on/off with other components that also feature 12V trigger inputs and outputs.

3-Way On/Off: The MCA series amplifier can be powered on or off in three ways - manually with the On/Off switch on the front-panel, remotely via the rear-panel 5V-24V trigger input, or automatically with Anthem's patented Auto-On/Off circuit. Via the 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.

Protection Circuitry: The Anthem MCA series amplifier utilizes a 3-way protection circuit to guard against Short Circuits (Short Circuit protection), Over-Heating (Thermal protection), and Ground Faults (DC protection).

Crafted In Canada: Anthem MCA (Gen 2) Series amplifiers are designed, engineered, and completely Crafted in Canada. They come with a 5 year warranty.

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Customer Q&A

3 questions already asked

Q
Hi, big difference between Mca and Mcav2? I can buy Mca 30% less money than v2. Wondering what to do
majri  Nov 23, 2022
1 answer
A
That's always the tough part! The G2 model has been completely redesigned so it can have shorter internal cabling to create a smoother circuit pathway. This helps with things like having less of a chance to add noise, better driver control, and less coloring to the audio.
jason  Nov 23, 2022 (Staff)
Q
Does this need a preamp, or is this all you need? Looking to put in CD, Phono, TV, and computer. Will this do it?
gary  Jan 14, 2022
12 answers
A
Gary, you will need a preamp or an AVR to feed a source to the amp. I own this amp and it is fantastic!
mike  Jan 18, 2022
A
No Sir, pre amp / processor required. This is just an amp,not a processor. It is however a very nice unit if you only need an amp.
michael  Jan 14, 2022
A
No, this is strictly a power amplifier, you will need a preamp to go with it.
jason  Jan 14, 2022
A
You need a Pre-Amp to go along with the Anthem MCA 225 Gen 2
richard b  Jan 14, 2022
A
This is an amplifier only and needs a pre-amp. I use the Anthem MRX-60 as the front end for a home theater system.
jeff  Jan 14, 2022
A
It needs a pre-amp as there is no volume control or input selection . It is a nice amp though, lots of power. I paired mine with a Rotel RC-1572 pre-amp (the current model is RC-1572 MKII)
richard  Jan 14, 2022
A
Yes you will need a pre amp or better yet a A home theater pre/ pro
jeff  Jan 14, 2022
A
Nope, you need a pre-processor (pre-amp) to connect your sources. Pre-amp connects to your amp (MCA 225 Gen 2) and you connect speakers to the amp. Volume, source, type of signal is controlled by pre-amp.
ivan  Jan 14, 2022
A
You may be able to connect a computer, TV, or CD directly, (phono only if it has it's own pre-amp, I believe). But to use more than one of these as input (without constantly swapping wires) you will need a way to switch between sources. That is where a pre-amp comes in to play. Any stereo or home theatre receiver with Pre-outs (outputs from their built-in pre-amps) will also work fine for this. Frankly, if you are spending this much money on an amp hopefully you can also spring for a receiver or pre-amp(?). Otherwise buy a lesser amp and a pre-amp with the money you saved.
chris  Jan 14, 2022
A
No, you'll need at least a preamp if you want to hookup more than one component.
jeffrey  Jan 14, 2022
A
Yes, it needs a pre-amp.
boyd  Jan 14, 2022
A
It does need a preamp.
richard  Jan 14, 2022
Q
Can i pair this with marantz av receiver sr-5015 7.2 channels?
carlos  Jun 15, 2021
2 answers
A
The SR-5015 7.2 has PreOuts. I was not able to find if those outputs are "Fixed" or "Variable", in other words is the output controlled by the volume. If those Outputs are Variable then yes the will work for any channel, though it is a lot of power so I would Assume it would be used to drive large Front Speakers or a subwoofer or two.
richard  Jun 22, 2021
A
This power amp will work with that Marantz receiver!
jason  Jun 22, 2021 (Staff)

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