PS Audio GCP Stereo 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 GCP Stereo Preamplifier
Instructions for use
GCP Stereo Preamplifier
Document 15-043-11-1

Owner’s Reference GCP Stereo Preamplifier
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
Warranty
Service
Owner’s Reference GCP Stereo Preamplifier
IV
1
4 - 6
7 - 8
11 - 13
15 - 16
17 - 18
2 - 3
9 - 10

Owner’s Reference GCP Stereo Preamplifier
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 GCP-200 Stereo Preamplifier.
The GCP-200 is a full function, state of the art stereo preamplifier. Its internal circuitry is based on PS
Audio’s exclusive Gain Cell™ technology. Gain Cells™ provide complete control over the gain of the
incoming audio signals. Gain Cells are capable of 130dB of variable gain with little to no noise and
distortion.
Inside the GCP-200 preamplifier there are no typical volume controls or attenuators of any kind. The
Gain Cell will provide the perfect gain for each audio source and allows the user to adjust the gain
of the preamplifier, rather than attenuating the signal. In a typical preamplifier, there are mechanical
or electrical attenuators that take the high level input signal from a source (such as a CD player) and
attenuate the signal before amplifying it once again within the preamp. This classic preamplifier control
method has been replaced by the Gain Cell™. Gain Cells do not attenuate the signal. Rather, each
Gain Cell is instructed to provide a specific amount of either negative, unity or positive gain in response
to either the GCP-200’s front panel volume control or the included remote control.
By varying the actual gain of the GCP-200’s internal circuitry, rather than attenuating the signal and the
re-amplifying it again, the PS Audio GCP-200 provides the shortest, cleanest audio path of any active
preamplifier in the world.
The GCP-200 offers complete control over input gain, input naming, balance and even provides a
Home Theater bypass function that can be assigned to any input selected.
The GCP-200 should provide many years of trouble free operation and musical enjoyment for its
owners.
You should expect state of the art performance and sonics from GCP-200 Stereo Preamplifier. Years
of research, listening and loving attention have gone into the design and perfection of this musical
instrument.
Thank you
There are no
attenuators
Full control
What you can
expect
Inside the GCP-
200

4826 Sterling Drive, Boulder, CO 80301
PH: 720.406.8946 [email protected] www.psaudio.com
®Getting Started
Getting Started 1
©2004 PS Audio International Inc. All rights reserved.
Owner’s Reference GCP Stereo Preamplifier
Once your new GCP-200 Stereo Preamplifier is unpacked, you’ll need to find a convenient place to set
it. Placing the preamplifier 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 preamplifier as you can.
There are several ways to mount the GCP-200 Stereo Preamplifier: on a rack shelf or on a shelf near
your sources.
If the GCP-200 Stereo Preamplifier 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.
The GCP-200 Stereo Preamplifier can benefit from aftermarket isolation devices such as cones, spikes
and Sorbothane pads.
Once you have chosen the location for the GCP-200 Stereo Preamplifier 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 GCP-200 Stereo Preamplifier. 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 GCP-200 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
©2004 PS Audio International Inc. All rights reserved.
Owner’s Reference GCP Stereo Preamplifier
RCA inputs
Once you have decided on the location and chosen the appropriate power cables, you are ready to
install the GCP-200 Stereo Preamplifier.
We recommend that you power the entire system down before installing the GCP-200 Stereo
Preamplifier.
Insert the GCP-200 Stereo Preamplifier into the system.
Connect the inputs of the GCP-200 Stereo Preamplifier to the outputs 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 five 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 GCP-200 Stereo
Preamplifier. 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.
Connect the output of the GCP-200 to your power amplifier. The preferred method of connection is
balanced through the XLR connectors on the rear of the GCP-200. There are two sets of XLR outputs
and two sets of single ended RCA outputs. If you wish to bi-amp or feed two power amplifiers, it is
important to note that you should use the same connection method for each amplifier. i.e. if you are
using balanced for one amplifier use balanced for the second amplifier as well. Using balanced for one
power amplifier and single ended for the second power amplifier can potentially result in mismatched
gain as there is 6dB more level on the balanced outputs relative to the RCA outputs.
Use the Aux Out RCA connectors on the rear of the GCP-200 Stereo Preamplifier 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
Power down first
Balanced inputs
Connect the
inputs
Subwoofer
connections
Connect the
outputs

4826 Sterling Drive, Boulder, CO 80301
PH: 720.406.8946 [email protected] www.psaudio.com Quick Start Guide 3
®Quick Start Guide
©2004 PS Audio International Inc. All rights reserved.
Owner’s Reference GCP Stereo Preamplifier
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.
Plug the GCP-200 Stereo Preamplifier into the power source using the AC power cable you selected
unless you are using a GCPS High Current Power Supply.
If you have purchased the optional GCPS High Current Power Supply, connect it to the single Nuetrik
connector marked GCPS. This supply will now provide everything the GCP-200 will require for power.
If you have the GCPS connected, DO NOT plug in the line cord for AC power into the GCP-200
preamplifier.
Use a high quality power cable to power the GCPS High Current Power Supply only.
It is advisable to use as short a power cable as possible to the GCP-200 Stereo Preamplifier. We do
not recommend plugging the GCP-200 Stereo Preamplifier 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 GCP-200 Stereo Preamplifier to power up the GCP-200.
At this point you should be ready to enjoy the benefits of the GCP-200 Stereo Preamplifier!
GCPS High
Current Power
Supply
Plug it into a
power source
Push the front
panel logo to turn
it on

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 GCP Stereo Preamplifier
The GCP-200 Preamplifier 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 GCP 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 GCP Stereo Preamplifier
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 permits 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 GCP Stereo Preamplifier
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