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The GCC-250 lays out a plausible
soundstage that is both wide and deep. It
equaled that of my reference amp and possibly
exceeded it in overall width with some
material. Placement of the instruments was
similar, but sometimes instruments appeared to
be a little farther to the left or right than
I had recalled them being.
The overall frequency balance of the PS is
very similar to that of my reference
amplifier. The only deviation of note was a
slightly fuller mid-bass on my reference amp,
which added a little more sock and bloom here
and there. The quality of bass articulation
was similar, but on some tracks like “Fever”
from Charles’ Genius Loves Company, the
acoustic bass seemed somewhat more taut and
distinct with the GCC-250. On the other hand,
bass drums and kick-drums have a bit more BAM
with my reference amp.
Master,
or Gifted Student?
.jpg) When
the GCC-250 was broken in and sounding its
best, complex instruments like brass, and
strummed or plucked guitar strings sounded
very pleasing and believable. For some quick
and intense fretwork, I listened to Dave
Matthews and Tim Reynolds: Live at Luther
College [RCA 67755]. Tim Reynolds gives a
finger-blistering and mind-blowing performance
on this two-disc CD set and the GCC-250
acquitted itself admirably with all the change
ups, blazing runs, and thwacking going on.
Similarly, with brass as my focus, I whipped
out my Squirrel Nut Zippers and grooved along
to their retro-swing stylings with much
pleasure and contentment.
BUT – yes, and this is the big BUT, when I
switched back to my reference amp I went from
almost being there, to being there. Horns,
violins, and cymbals that had sounded very
good with the PS amp, were now gripping me by
the lapels (as if I wore clothing with lapels)
and demanding my rapt attention. This was a
wake-up call and I do not make this
observation lightly because the absolute
authenticity of instrumental timbre is of
paramount importance to my personal listening
enjoyment.
I even dove into my vinyl collection to
determine whether analogue material might
offer additional perspective, and it did. It
confirmed that my impressions were
unquestionably correct. I cued up Johnny
Cash’s outstanding, self-titled LP
[American Recordings 9-45520-1] on my trusty
turntable. With the PS Audio amp this
emotionally-charged recording was presented in
a kind of competent, matter-of-fact way; but
when Johnny starts a strummin’ and belting out
“Down there by the train…” there was no doubt
that it was my reference amp that made my hair
stand on end. Johnny’s great voice and the
guitar sounded more captivating and involving.
I mean, he was in the house!
Going to Stravinsky’s Ivor Stravinsky
Conducts 1961[Columbia MS 6272] I picked
“The Royal March; The Little Concerto” from
L’Histoire Du Soldat. I have to admit that
from top to bottom (meaning drums, brass,
woodwinds, violins, and cymbal crashes)
everything sounded just a touch more natural
and right with my reference amplifier.
It seems that there is something mildly askew
within the mid- to high-frequency envelope of
the PS amp. It is slight because you (or I)
would be at a loss to pick this out if you
didn’t have a slightly more tonally accurate
amp to compare it to. This is the one area
where I feel the GCC-250 could be improved. It
will matter more to those of us who know and
love the sound of traditional acoustic
instruments than it will to those who are not
so familiar, and those who tend toward a diet
of amplified and synthesized electronic
instruments.
As I said, the difference is not huge, but
it’s clearly there. For comparison sake I must
tell you that the PS amp is a much more
refined and natural sounding piece of gear
than the Panasonic SA-XR45 that is so well
liked by many audiophiles (but one does get
what one pays for). In a previous Stereo Times
article Budget-Amp Mini Trilogy, I too found
myself pleasantly beguiled by the diminutive
Panasonic – until the Monarchy Audio SM-70 Pro
arrived. And the scope of the difference was
appreciably greater between the Panasonic and
the Monarchy than it is between the GCC-250
and my reference amp.
The bottom line is that I tried very hard to
get the GCC-250 to sound completely natural
and involving in my system. Just when I
thought I had achieved it with a given
recording, playing the next recording
(different material) would inevitably prove me
wrong. The best compromise I found made most
recordings sound very plausible and enjoyable,
but still not quite up to the standard of my
reference amp (or that of live acoustic
instruments).
Summing
Up
The PS Audio GCC-250 control amplifier is an
attractive, well-made audio component that
provides a wealth of convenience features. It
is simple to use and set up, but it does
require a bit of tweaking to reach its maximum
potential. It is extremely powerful for its
svelte dimensions and remains composed and
unflappable under high-drive conditions with
complex material.
This is a very competent analogue-digital
hybrid amplifier. Its only real shortfalls
were a mildly anemic mid-bass profile and its
seeming inability to be 100 percent tonally
accurate. Depending on one’s priorities and
biases, the GCC-250 could be the stuff of
which dreams are made. Those seeking a sleek,
cool-running, user-friendly powerhouse should
rank this amplifier high on their
must-audition list.
Frank Alles
_________
Specifications
Configuration Dual Mono
Class of Operation D
Single-ended Inputs RCA - 5 pair
Balanced Inputs XLR - 1 pair
Input Device Type PS Audio Gain Cell
Input Impedance 47.5 kohms
Input Sensitivity 8.5V
Pre-Out RCA - 1 Pair
Output Binding Posts PS Audio w/ Locking
Banana Jacks
Output Power @ 8 ohms (GCC-100) 100 Watts
Output Power @ 4 ohms (GCC-100) 200 Watts
Output Power @ 8 ohms (GCC-250) 250 Watts
Output Power @ 4 ohms (GCC-250) 500 Watts
Output Power @ 8 ohms (GCC-500) 500 Watts
Output Power @ 4 ohms (GCC-500) 1000 Watts
Gain (RCA) 31 to 41dB (Adjustable)
Gain (XLR) 37 to 47dB (Adjustable)
Frequency Response
(GCC-100) 10Hz - 20kHz
(+0.1/-0.1dB)
Frequency Response (GCC-250) 10Hz - 20kHz
(+0.1/-0.2dB)
Frequency Response (GCC-500) 10Hz - 20kHz
(+0.1/-1.0dB)
THD (GCC-100 @ 1W) < 0.02%
THD (GCC-100 @ 100W) < 0.03%
THD (GCC-250 @ 1W) < 0.02%
THD (GCC-250 @ 250W) < 0.08%
THD (GCC-500 @ 1W) < 0.02%
THD (GCC-500 @ 500W) < 0.05%
Power Consumption @ idle < 40 Watts
Weight (GCC-100) 26.0 lbs.
Weight (GCC-250) 27.5 lbs.
Weight (GCC-500) 29.5 lbs.
Dimensions (W x H x D) 17.25 x 4.00 x 14.00
in.
Price (GCC-100)
$2795.00 USD
Price (GCC-250) $3495.00 USD
Price (GCC-500) $4495.00 USD
Manufacturer
PS Audio
4826 Sterling Drive
Boulder, CO 80301
PH: 720.406.8946
e-mail:
service@psaudio.com
Web:
http://www.psaudio.com
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