PS Audio GCC Power Amplifi er Series Quick start guide

4826 Sterling Drive, Boulder, CO 80301
PH: 720.406.8946 [email protected] www.psaudio.com Introduction i
®Owner’s Reference
©2004 PS Audio International Inc. All rights reserved.
Owner’s Reference GCC Power Amplifier Series
Instructions for use
GCC Power Amp Series
Document 15-043-01-1

Owner’s Reference GCC Power Amplifier Series
4826 Sterling Drive, Boulder, CO 80301
PH: 720.406.8946 [email protected] www.psaudio.com Introduction ii
®
©2004 PS Audio International Inc. All rights reserved.
Introduction
Read these instructions
Heed all warnings
Follow all instructions
WARNING. TO REDUCE THE RISK OF FIRE OR ELECTRICAL SHOCK, DO NOT EXPOSE THIS
APPARATUS TO RAIN OR MOISTURE.
Clean only with a dry cloth.
Do not place flammable material on top of or beneath the component.
All PS Audio components require adequate ventilation at all times during operation. Rack
mounting is acceptable where appropriate.
Do not remove or bypass the ground pin on the end of the AC cord unless absolutely necessary
to reduce hum from ground loops of connected equipment. This may cause RFI (radio frequency
interference) to be induced into your playback setup. All PS products ship with a grounding type
plug. If the provided plug does not fit into your outlet, consult an electrician for replacement of the
obsolete outlet.
Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs, convenience
receptacles, and the point where they exit from the apparatus. Unplug this apparatus during
lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time.
When making connections to this or any other component, make sure all components are off. Turn
off all systems’ power before connecting the PS Audio component to any other component. Make
sure all cable terminations are of the highest quality.
There are no user serviceable fuses inside this product.
THERE ARE NO USER-SERVICEABLE PARTS INSIDE ANY PS AUDIO PRODUCT. REFER ALL
SERVICING TO QUALIFIED SERVICE PERSONNEL
Please contact your authorized dealer, distributor, or PS Audio if you have any questions not
addressed in this reference manual.
This product is manufactured in the United States of America. PS Audio® is a registered trademark of PS Audio International Inc., and is
restricted for use by PS Audio International, Inc., its subsidiaries, and authorized agents.
Important Safety
Instructions

4826 Sterling Drive, Boulder, CO 80301
PH: 720.406.8946 [email protected] www.psaudio.com
®Table Of Contents
Table Of Contens iii
©2004 PS Audio International Inc. All rights reserved.
Introduction
Getting Started
Quick Start Guide
Setup Instructions
Operation
Questions and
Answers
Troubleshooting
Specifications
Warranty
Service
Owner’s Reference GCC Power Amplifier Series
IV
1
4 - 6
7 - 8
11 - 13
15 - 16
17 - 18
2 - 3
14
9 - 10

Owner’s Reference GCC Power Amplifier Series
4826 Sterling Drive, Boulder, CO 80301
PH: 720.406.8946 [email protected] www.psaudio.com Introduction iv
®
©2004 PS Audio International Inc. All rights reserved.
Introduction
Thank you for your purchase of the GCC series Control Amplifier. This document covers the three
stereo Control Amplifier models, GCC-100, GCC-250, GCC-500.
Control Amplifiers are actually Variable Gain Power Amplifiers™ with multiple inputs. Users can select
any one of 5 input sources and control the gain of the power amplifier via the front panel control or
through the supplied remote control, which results in the volume to the speakers being controlled.
Control Amplifiers are unique in the world of audio and are the shortest and purest audio path of any
product on the market. While Control Amplifiers resemble an integrated amplifier in their operation,
they are not integrateds.
Integrated amplifiers are a marriage of a preamplifier, or input volume attenuator and a power amplifier.
Because of the PS Audio Gain Cell™, the GCC Series of products do not attenuate the input signal
and do not “throw away” the unwanted signal. Instead, the GCC Control Amplifiers vary their gain in
response to the user’s front panel or remote commands.
This creates the world’s first Variable Gain Power Amplifier™, or the GCC Control Amplifier.
Each of the three Control Amplifier models is a dual mono Control amplifier, capable of driving nearly
every loudspeaker load with ease and beauty.
GCC power amplifiers are based on our unique and proprietary Gain Cell technology for the input
electronics and SDAT Class D switching power amplification for the output.
The GCC series have high efficiency digital amplification stages that allow them to run cool to the
touch even while driving demanding loads and should offer years of trouble free performance of the
highest standards.
Power ratings for each model are designated by their naming scheme into an 8 Ohm load. The GCC-
100 provides up to 100 watts per channel, both channels driven, into an 8 Ohm load and doubles its
power rating into a 4 Ohm load. The GCC-250 provides up to 250 watts per channel, both channels
driven, into an 8 Ohm load and doubles its power rating into a 4 Ohm load. The GCC-500 provides
up to 500 watts per channel, both channels driven, into an 8 Ohm load and doubles its power rating
into a 4 Ohm load.
You should expect state of the art performance and sonics from any of the GCC Series Control
Amplifiers. These Control Amplifiers are unmatched by any other power amplifier/preamplifier
combination on the market in terms of performance within their rated power levels and will provide
excellent performance in either a two channel or multi-channel environment.
Thank you
Cool and efficient
running
Power ratings
What you can
expect
These are not
integrated
amplifiers

4826 Sterling Drive, Boulder, CO 80301
PH: 720.406.8946 [email protected] www.psaudio.com
®Getting Started
Owner’s Reference GCC Power Amplifier Series
Getting Started 1
©2004 PS Audio International Inc. All rights reserved.
Once your new GCC Series Control Amplifier is unpacked, you’ll need to find a convenient place to set
it. Placing the Control Amp nearest to your source equipment is probably the best idea since you will
want to have as short an interconnect between the source and the Control Amplifier as you can.
There are several ways to mount the GCC Series Control Amplifier: on a rack shelf or on a shelf near
your sources.
If the GCC Series Control Amplifier is to be placed on the floor or carpet, make sure the unit is not
going to come in contact with water or cleaning solvents. Make sure the carpet does not interfere
with airflow to the amp.
The GCC Series Control Amplifier can benefit from aftermarket isolation devices such as cones, spikes
and Sorbothane pads.
Once you have chosen the location for the GCC Series Control Amplifier you can use the supplied
AC power cord to connect it to the AC wall receptacle or you can use an aftermarket power cord and
receptacle.
We strongly recommend the use of a PS Audio xStream Power™ AC cable and a PS Power Port™
AC receptacle to feed the GCC Control Amplifier power. While the supplied power cable is adequate
for the task it is not going to provide the best performance. Choosing any xStream Power cable will
make a significant performance improvement over the stock power cable.
We recommend the use of power conditioning equipment, such as a PS Audio Power Plant, UPC-
200 or any of the Ultimate Outlet or Power Director series from PS. We do not recommend the use of
simple AC filter power conditioners, not made by PS Audio, as most of these will ”bleach” the sound
and rob the music or video soundtrack of some measure of life and dynamics. If you do not use PS
Audio power conditioning equipment, you would be advised to plug the GCC Control Amplifier directly
into the AC wall receptacle.
Isolation
Power Cables
Location
Cautions
Conditioners

4826 Sterling Drive, Boulder, CO 80301
PH: 720.406.8946 [email protected] www.psaudio.com Quick Start Guide 2
®Quick Start Guide
Owner’s Reference GCC Power Amplifier Series
©2004 PS Audio International Inc. All rights reserved.
RCA inputs
Once you have decided on the location and chosen the appropriate power cables, you are ready to
install the GCC Control Amplifier.
We recommend that you power the entire system down before installing the GCC Control Amplifier.
Insert the GCC Control Amplifier into the system.
Connect the inputs of the GCC Control Amplifier to the output of your source equipment such as
CD players, phono preamplifiers, tuner,
etc. There are two choices of inputs:
balanced or single ended. There is one
balanced input and four single ended
RCA inputs.
Balanced inputs require a source that
has a balanced output. These outputs
are the preferred method of connection
as a balanced XLR type of output allows
the lowest noise connection, and allow
owners to take advantage of the high
common mode rejection characteristics
found in the Gain Cell of the GCC
Control Amplifier. Be sure to use a high quality well shielded and well regarded interconnect for this
critical link. PS Audio makes an entire line of excellent choices for interconnects, perfectly matched
to your equipment’s needs.
RCA or single ended inputs will be the typical inputs as many sources have only this standard type of
input. Be sure to use a high quality well shielded and well regarded interconnect for this critical link.
Speaker cables are a critical link between your loudspeakers and your new GCC Control Amplifier.
Make sure you use only the highest quality such as a PS Audio speaker cable that will be perfectly
matched to your equipment’s needs.
Pay close attention to the polarity on the rear panel binding posts. It is critically important that you
match plus and minus (red and black) of the GCC Control Amplifier to the plus and minus of your
speaker. Carefully observe the polarity. The plus or red terminal of the GCC Control Amplifier must
eventually be tied to the plus or red terminal of your loudspeaker. The GCC Control Amplifier is a non-
inverting amplifier design meaning it is in phase with the input signal.
Use the Aux Out RCA connectors on the rear of the GCC Control Amplifier to feed your subwoofer’s
low level inputs. Some subwoofers have high level inputs where the output of the amplifier can be
connected as an input to the subwoofer. Generally there is no problem. In a few rare instances there
may be a problem, which will show itself as problematic if the amp’s protection comes on after hooking
up the sub. REL subwoofers and some Sunfire subwoofers can be problematic. Please check with
the factory or your dealer if you encounter these subwoofers or any problems.
Power down first
Balanced inputs
Connect the
inputs
Subwoofer
connections
Speaker Cables
Check for proper
polarity

4826 Sterling Drive, Boulder, CO 80301
PH: 720.406.8946 [email protected] www.psaudio.com Quick Start Guide 3
®Quick Start Guide
Owner’s Reference GCC Power Amplifier Series
©2004 PS Audio International Inc. All rights reserved.
If you wish to use a second power amplifier to bi-amp,
you can use the GCC as either the top end amplifier
or the bottom end amplifier for the bass. If you have
a GCC-100 we would recommend this be used on
the top end (tweeter) of the bi-amp speaker. Use the
largest amplifier for the bass frequencies. Connect
the second amplifier to the Aux Out RCA connectors
on the rear of the GCC Series Power Amplifier.
These binding posts, on the rear panel of the GCC
Control Amplifier, will accept either spade or banana
type connectors. To use a spade or forked connector,
simply unscrew the binding post, place the tongs of
the spade over the threaded binding post and tighten
the outer barrel of the binding post. It is permissible
to us a wrench to tighten the binding post down.
The banana style connectors should be inserted into
the center hole on the rear of the binding post. The
PS Audio binding post is a unique locking design for
banana style connectors. You should not attempt
to insert a banana connector into the GCC Control
Amplifier’s binding post while the binding post is locked closed. To insert a banana style speaker
cable connector, loosen the outer barrel of the GCC Control Amplifier’s binding post, insert the banana
connector and then tighten. Note that once this has been tightened, the banana connector is locked
securely in place. Do not attempt to remove the banana connector without first loosening the outer
barrel of the binding post.
Make sure that neither the + nor the – terminals of the amplifier come in contact with each other, or
ground, or anything other than the speaker terminals when the amplifier is on. This will shut the amp
off and place it in a protection mode.
Plug the GCC Control Amplifier into the power source using the AC power cable you selected. It
is advisable to use as short a power cable as possible to the GCC Control Amplifier. We do not
recommend plugging the GCC Control Amplifier into an extension strip or plug extender unless it is
of the highest quality and heavy duty design, such as the PS Audio Juice Bar or device with similar
properties.
Make sure the source equipment, like a CD player or tuner, are turned on. Then, press the front panel
PS logo on the GCC Control Amplifier to power up the GCC Control Amplifier. There is a normal 2
second delay for the amplifier once powered up.
At this point you should be ready to enjoy the benefits of the GCC Control Amplifier and enjoy!
Locking binding
posts
Connecting a
banana style
Do not ground
the outputs
Plug it into a
power source
Push the front
panel logo to turn
it on
Bi-amping

4826 Sterling Drive, Boulder, CO 80301
PH: 720.406.8946 [email protected] www.psaudio.com Setup Instructions 4
®Setup instructions
©2004 PS Audio International Inc. All rights reserved.
Owner’s Reference GCC Power Amplifier Series
The Gain Cell Control Amplifier Setup menu allows you to adjust the following controls:
• Input Name
• Input Gain
• Home Theater Bypass Input
The setup menu allows
you to view the following
information:
• Software
Version
To enter the setup menu,
turn the GCC off from
the front panel power
button. Then, hold down
the Input Up and Input
Down buttons and press
the Power Button while
holding the other buttons.
The display will then read:
(Setup) Input 1 Name
To scroll through the
options, use the Input Up
or Input Down buttons.
The list of options are:
Input 1 Name
Input 1 Gain
Input 2 Name
Input 2 Gain
Input 3 Name
Input 3 Gain
Input 4 Name
Input 4 Gain
Input 5 Name
Input 5 Gain
Home Theater Bypass
Software Version
Once you have selected the option that you want, press the Mute button to enter that mode. You
should see the current setting on the 2nd line of the display (below the option name).
At any time, you may press the Power button to exit to Setup Menu.
Front panel setup
menu
How to enter into
the setup menu
Press the Mute
button to accept
Press the power
button to exit

4826 Sterling Drive, Boulder, CO 80301
PH: 720.406.8946 [email protected] www.psaudio.com Setup Instructions 5
®Setup instructions
©2004 PS Audio International Inc. All rights reserved.
Owner’s Reference GCC Power Amplifier Series
Input Name Editing:
This mode allows you to edit the name of the Input on the Display.
The character with an underscore is the character that you are currently editing.
To edit the Input Name, you will use the following controls:
Mute Button –
This button allows you to move to the next character. When you press it, you will see the
underscore move to the next character. When you reach the end of the line, the underscore will start
again at the beginning of the line.
Volume Control Knob –
Turn the volume control knob to edit the current character. For your reference, here is a list of the
possible characters:
0123456789:-#. ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
When you are finished editing the name, hit either Input Up or Input Down to go to the next option,
or hit the Power button to exit the Setup Menu.
Input Gain Editing:
This mode allows you to adjust the gain of each individual input relative to the other inputs. You can
use this control to Gain match each of your components so that they are all at the same level on the
volume control.
To edit the Input Gain, you will use the following controls:
Volume Control Knob –
Turn the volume control knob to edit the gain. You can go down to a minimum of -5dB or up to a
maximum of +5dB in 0.1dB steps.
When you are finished editing the gain, hit either Input Up or Input Down to go to the next option, or
hit the Power button to exit the Setup Menu.
Home Theater Bypass Mode:
This mode allows you to assign one of the Inputs as a Home Theater Bypass. This allows you to
use your 2-channel preamp in your multichannel home theater system. Normally, your Surround
Sound Processor or Receiver would be plugged into this input.
Name the inputs
whatever you
want
Home Theater
bypass
Input naming
Adjust the gain of
each input

4826 Sterling Drive, Boulder, CO 80301
PH: 720.406.8946 [email protected] www.psaudio.com Setup Instructions 6
®Setup instructions
©2004 PS Audio International Inc. All rights reserved.
Owner’s Reference GCC Power Amplifier Series
To edit the Home Theater Bypass Input, you will use the following controls:
Volume Control Knob –
Turn the volume control knob to edit the theater bypass input. Turn the knob until it reaches the
desired Input. You may also turn the knob all the way down to turn this feature off.
When you are finished editing the home theater bypass input, hit either Input Up or Input Down to go
to the next option, or hit the Power button to exit the Setup Menu.
Software Version:
This mode allows you to view the current software version.
Software version