"1Channel" and "All Channels" Clarification

[just_visiting]

Hello, I know this is a dumb question but I just want some clarification on it when reading specs off a specific amp. Particularly the Anthem MCA30. I also have the MCA20.



MCA20 --- 1 Channel 225W All Channel 200W
MCA30 --- 1 Channel 225W All Channel 180W



Now if I only use 2 of 3 Channels in the MCA30, how many Watts would I get? 225W into each of the 2 Channels right?

I have both the amps in my system. Current the MCA30 runs the 2 Fronts and the Centre. The MCA20 runs the 2 rears. I want the best setup for a 2 channel configuration. Thanks alot.

 

[mike c]

Id say you get about 200w (or slightly less - but negligible)
if you want the best two channel ...
use the MCA 30 for the surrounds and center
the MCA 20 for the 2 fronts.

btw, what other amps did you consider before you chose anthem?

 

[just_visiting]

Id say you get about 200w (or slightly less - but negligible)
if you want the best two channel ...
use the MCA 30 for the surrounds and center
the MCA 20 for the 2 fronts.

btw, what other amps did you consider before you chose anthem?

The other ones I did consider was Outlaw and Parasound. I decided with Anthem because of costs. I got both amp for just under $1500cad. It was a closeout sale and I could play with it right away since they had it in stock. I'll probably sell my Polks to a friend and go with some Paradigm Reference or Studio V3/V4.

Now going back to the original question if I run the fronts with the MCA30, wouldn't I get 225W each since I'm only using 2 of the 3 front channels in 2 Channel mode? With the MCA20, wouldn't I get 200W?

 

[mike c]

I really don't know...
based on specs, I still say the MCA20 will give the higher wattage (still think it's 200w and not 225w)
but im thinking the MCA30 has more capacitors. maybe you should write anthem.

p.s. thats a good deal on your mca amps!

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

http://www.anthemav.com/NewSitev2.0/AnthemProduct/MCASeries/OwnersManual/downlaods/MCA_Manual.pdf

It appears as soon as you go from one channel to two, the power rating drops. The specs aren't very detailed. It does appear the MCA30 drops even more than the MCA20 when more than one channel is loaded.

I also noticed the THD is spec'd at <1.0% thd. That seems very high - almost audible if they are using a .99% thd figure (who knows). If you email them, ask them what the amp is rated at 2 channels, full bandwidth, at .05% thd, and 8 ohms (continuous rms). My guess is that it would be around 140 to 150 x 2.

Are there any bench tests online?

 

[mike c]

good eye buckeye, I did not notice the <1%.
maybe I should knock this off my amp wish list.

keep us posted "just visiting"