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Model: | GCC-100 |
Category: | Amplifier (SS) |
Suggested Retail Price: | $2795 |
Description: | 100 watt control amp |
Manufacturer URL: | PS Audio |
Model Picture: | View |
Review by jonbee (A) on March 22, 2007 at 16:08:11 IP Address: 146.129.249.194 | Add Your Review for the GCC-100 |
For the last 2 + years, I've enjoyed my PS Audio PCA-2/HCA-2 stack, driving Thiel 3.6s and now VMPS RM30s. Their effortless control, smooth and detailed sound are much in line with my tastes in sound reproduction. The low power consumption is a plus.I've followed the reviews on the nwew Gain Cell integrateds from PS Audio, and I liked what I read. I also like the extra simplicity of the integrated, and the reduced space requirement. (I live in a condo, so space is always at a premium).
I got a good used unit about a week ago, and I must say that for my tastes the amp is a real winner.
It has a strong resemblance sonically to the earlier stack, but the improvement in inner clarity, definition and focus across the spectrum is very noteworthy. The dynamic speed is also improved, and is downright scary at times. On movies, transients such as gunfire and cannon shots are immediate to a degree I've never heard before anywhere. Tympany have just the right balance of impact and trailing rolloff. Very cool indeed.
The amp has a much higher damping factor than the predecessor, and this is one of the areas that may not play well in all systems. The midbass is leaner and tighter, while the lower bass is definitely tighter and faster, but no less powerful. With lean sounding speakers, this may not play out well. In my case, I have adjusted my subs and the damping on the passive radiators on the RM30s, and I really love the bottom end now. I'd call it the best I've personally owned.
The other end of the spectrum is also changed- the top end is better defined, but it also seems to have a bit more top end energy. Once again, I adjusted my speakers a bit to work better with the mix.
For me, I'm very glad to have made the switch. The extra definiton and speed is very cool.
The leaner overall balance of the amp must be considered carefully when considering matchups. But for systems that are well balanced, this amp is an ear opener, at a bargain price, IMO
Product Weakness: | A somewhat lean overall balance. No warmth or euphonic tailoring that I can hear. |
Product Strengths: | Speed, clarity, definition, dynamics. Great bass power and definition. Low power useage. Compact and well made, with great features and remote. Ability to drive difficult loads. |
Associated Equipment for this Review: | |
Amplifier: | review |
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): | none |
Sources (CDP/Turntable): | Maxed out Modwright/Sony 999 SACD/dvd/cdp |
Speakers: | VMPS RM30C, 2 Carver subs |
Cables/Interconnects: | Goertz TriodeQuartz Sivler, braided.99999 silver for speakers |
Music Used (Genre/Selections): | all types |
Room Size (LxWxH): | 19 x 16 x 8 |
Room Comments/Treatments: | No room tratement. Doesn't support great imaging |
Time Period/Length of Audition: | 1.5 weeks |
Type of Audition/Review: | Product Owner |
Follow Ups:
there will be some variation yes but, for the most part the leaner and cleaner lower registers, along with very neutral mid and treble bands (and very grainless) would probably be consistent across the gamut of modern switching amps on the market today.They don't seem to give you the rich detail and body (or soul) of a good tube amplifier like the Atma-sphere OTL's.
cool and matter of fact type of presentation. The overall quality varies, of course, and the relative amount of warmth does vary as well. As you say, none I've heard has the same kind of body as a good tube amp. Vive la difference, I'd say.
So you have come back to the VMPS fold, good for you. At one time you had 626`s if my memory serves me correct. I`ve been using a PCA2 for about six months and love it. From adding little of its own character, flexability, an ease of use, its a winner. The new line with gain cell technology looks very interesting. My PCA2 feeds a Sunfire stereo 300 then bi-wired into a pair of VMPS rm40`s.
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