Table of Contents
Package Contents
1. Package Contents
2. Warning
2. Safety Instructions
2. Overview
3. Features
• One Hybrid Class A stereo amplifier
• One 6 foot AC power cord
• One user’s manual and warranty card
• One plastic adjustment tool
• One spare 7 amp slow blow fuse
• Two spare 5 amp fast blow fuse
3. Setup Guide
4. Back Panel
5. Front Panel Controls
5. Alternate Connectivity
5. Using the 12 Volt Input Trigger
6. Using the PS Bus
6. Troubleshooting Guide
7. Specifications
IMPORTANT: Be sure to save all packing
materials included with your HCA-2 as this will
be required if you ever need to ship the device
for service or modification.
7. Warranty and Service
8. Contact Information
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Features
Setup Guide
• Stereo power amplifier
1. Turn off your pre-amplifier or any other
equipment that the HCA-2 will be connected to.
• 150 Watts Per Channel into 8Ω
• 225 Watts Per Channel into 4Ω
• SDAT™ output stage
2. Unpack the HCA-2 and place it on a smooth
surface. The HCA-2 may also be rack mounted
with an optional rack shelf. Due to the efficiency
of the design the HCA-2 does not need to be
placed in a ventilated area.
• Balanced JFET input stage
3. Choose either the single-ended (RCA) or
balanced (XLR) input connections on the back
of the HCA-2. Connect the outputs of your pre-
amplifier or source equipment to the back of the
HCA-2 marked “Right Input” and “Left Input.” Be
sure to match up the left and right conductors
appropriately.
• Single ended (RCA) and balanced (XLR) type
inputs
• Fully balanced internal architecture
• Internal High Current Ultimate Outlet™
provides AC filtration
Note: If connecting the HCA-2 to a powerd
subwoofer, ensure the subwoofer’s negative
input terminal is not grounded.
• WBT™ 5-way binding posts
• 12 Volt DC trigger
4. Connect your speakers to the HCA-2’s output
terminals, labeled “Right Output” and “Left
Output.” Be sure to connect the polarity of the
speaker cables correctly. Match the HCA-2’s
positive (red) and negative (black) terminals to
the corresponding speaker connections.
• PS bus for communication with other PS
Audio products
• 93% efficient, produces almost no heat
• PS Audio’s brushed aluminum FRAME
chassis
5. Plug the HCA-2 into a power source. Use
the supplied AC power cable or an aftermarket
power cable. For optimum results, we
recommend the use of a PS Audio xStream
Power Cable.
• Available in black or silver chassis
6. First, turn on your source equipment. Then,
turn on the HCA-2 by pressing the power button
on the left-hand side of the chassis.
7. The HCA-2 will go into standby mode for
about 15 seconds, indicated by the amber
“Standby” light on the front panel display.
8. Once the blue “Operate” light becomes
visible in the display, the HCA-2 is
ready to go.
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Back Panel
1. 12 Volt Trigger
6. Speaker terminals
The HCA-2 is equipped with a 12 Volt DC input
trigger. The 12 Volt trigger can be used with
other 12 Volt trigger equipped products to relay
power status.
The 5-way WBT™ binding posts are capable of
accepting speaker cable with either spade lug,
banana plug, pin connector or bare wire.
Connect the left positive binding post (red
See “Using the 12 Volt Input Trigger” for more ring) of the HCA-2 to the positive (red or +) left
information.
speaker cable lead. Connect the left negative
binding post (black ring) of the HCA-2 to the
negative (black or -) left speaker cable lead.
5. Fuse
The fuse is a 7 amp slow blow. It can be
removed by inserting a flat device into the fuse Do the same for the right terminals of the HCA-
holder’s slot and twisting counter-clockwise.
2 and the right speaker. Be sure to hook-up the
speaker(s) in phase with the HCA-2; it should
be positive to positive and negative to negative.
Note: Unplug the power cord before checking
the fuse.
The HCA-2 uses a balanced output design.
Therefore, the negative speaker terminal is not
common or ground.
3. PS Bus
The P500 comes equipped with a built in PS
Bus. The PS Bus allows other PSAudio products
equipped with a PS Bus to communicate via Note: Do not operate the HCA-2 without
standard RJ11 "twisted end" crossover cable. speakers connected.
Note: use only a “twisted end” crossover cable. 7. Audio Inputs
A standard phone cable will not work.
There are two sets of inputs to choose from,
single-ended (RCA) and balanced (XLR).
See “Using the PS Bus” for more information.
The single-ended RCA connections are a very
high quality, gold plated connector designed
specifically for PS Audio components. The
HCA-2 is a fully balanced design, thus use of
the balanced XLR inputs is the optimal choice.
4. IEC Power Input
15 amp male IEC standard power socket.
5. PS Bus jumper switches
The jumper switches control the functionality of
the PS Bus. These settings are only functional
when connected to other PS Audio products via
the PS bus.
Since the gain is higher for balanced input, as
opposed to the single ended input, be sure to
use the inputs in matched pairs (in other words,
use both RCA inputs or both XLR inputs, but
never one of each).
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Front Panel Controls
Alternate Connectivity
Power
The HCA-2 is a stereo amplifier and cannot be
The front panel of the HCA-2 was designed to switched into a mono configuration. However,
bring both a level of elegance and simplicity it can be used in bi-wiring or bi-amping
into your system. The power button (on/off) configurations.
is located on the far left-hand side. When the
HCA-2 is off, pressing this button will initiate the Bi-wire
power up sequence.
Bi-wiring allows for separate cables to transfer
the high and low frequencies to the speakers.
This enables each type of cable to be optimized
for the specific frequency bandwidth.
Display
The front panel display window contains three
status indicators: Standby, Operate and Fault.
These indicators show the current status of the
unit.
To Bi-wire, use one cable to connect the HCA-2
to the left and right “low” frequency terminals on
the speakers. The second cable can be used
to connect the HCA-2 to the “high” frequency
terminals on the speakers.
Standby
After pressing the power button to turn on the
HCA-2, the “Standby” indicator will illuminate
in amber. The word “Standby” will be visible in Alternatively, Bi-Wire speaker cable may be
the front panel display. The HCA-2 will remain used to achieve the same effect.
in standby mode for approximately 15 seconds.
During this period no sound will be produced
from the connected speakers.
Bi-amp
If more performance is desired, two HCA-2’s
can be used to drive a pair of speakers if
equipped with dual binding posts.
Operate
After the initial warm-up mode, the “Standby”
indicator will go out, and “Operate” will illuminate
in blue. The PS logo will also illuminate at this
time.
One HCA-2 should be used to drive the “low”
section of the left and right speakers. A second
HCA-2 should be used to drive the “high”
section of the left and right speaker.
The HCA-2 is now ready to play music.
Using the 12 Volt Input Trigger
Fault
The final indicator that may illuminate within the
front panel display is a red “Fault” light. This
indicates an abnormal operating condition. To
reset the HCA-2 and return the unit to normal
operating conditions, unplug the HCA-2 from
the power source and then re-connect. If the
fault light continues to illuminate, please refer to
the Trouble Shooting Guide.
The HCA-2 can be activated when connected
to another electronic component with a 12
Volt DC output trigger. Many other electronic
components, such as pre-amplifiers or AC
control products, provide an external 12 volt
trigger output.
When a 12 volt DC signal is applied the HCA-2
will respond by switching from off to “Operate”
mode. If the DC voltage is removed, the HCA-2
will power off. The 12 Volt DC input trigger is a
female mini-jack (3.5 mm).
Illumination Control
The blue “Operate” indicator and PS logo can
be dimmed to match your room’s environment.
Locate the small hole found under the bottom
of the HCA-2 directly below the PS logo. Using
the supplied adjustment tool, rotate the dial
mounted just inside this hole to increase or
decrease the brightness of these lights.
Only the blue “Operate” indicator and PS logo
are adjustable in this fashion. The brightness
of the amber “Standby” or red “Fault” indicators
cannot be adjusted.
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fuses are half size (5x20mm) and the value is 5
amp fast blow. Replacing the fuse should bring
the unit back to life. If it does not then it may
need to be serviced. Contact PS Audio or an
authorized distributor.
Using the PS Bus
The PS Bus allows for more sophisticated
communication between other PS Audio
products. The HCA-2 includes two PS Bus
connectors. This allows for several PS products
to be linked together so they work as a system.
Note: The fuses blow due to either very loud
playback or very low impedance speakers or a
combination of both. If this happens frequently,
reduce the playback volume or use speakers
with higher impedance.
There are 4 small switches next to the PS Bus
connectors. If the PS Bus is not in use, then the
switch setting will not effect the operation of the
amplifier.
The speakers are producing a hum or buzz
A hum or buzz heard through speakers is a
ground loop hum. A ground loop hum can occur
if there are two different ground lines attached
to the system. Use the Humbusters guide on the
under “Toolbox” to help pinpoint the problem.
From left to right the first three switches set the
“Network Address” for the product on the PS
Bus. If more than one HCA-2 is connected to
the bus, then each amplifier should be assigned
a different address. The switches are off when
up, and on when down.
A very low level fuzz/crackling noise audible
within 1-2 feet from the speaker is the HCA-2’s
own “self” noise and is normal.
Address
SW1
SW2
SW3
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Off
On
Off
On
Off
On
Off
On
Off
Off
On
On
Off
Off
On
On
Off
Off
Off
Off
On
On
On
On
The HCA-2 is producing an audible signal or
“singing” internally
If the HCA-2 is producing noise then one or both
of the speakers are not connected while the
HCA-2 is powered on and producing a signal.
Turn off the HCA-2 and connect both speakers
and turn the unit back on.
The fourth switch, SW4, is used to assign the
amplifier to a “Network Group”. Either group
1 or group 2 can be selected (up or down
respectively). Multiple groups can be used if
it is necessary to connect multiple products to
the PS Bus but only specific products should
respond to commands.
The HCA-2 is not responding and is
completely dark
The main fuse may need to be replaced. Using
a flat head screwdriver or small coin, twist it
counter-clockwise. The fuse holder should pop
out. Replace the fuse with the included 7 amp
slow blow or a fuse with the identical rating.
Trouble Shooting Guide
If the problem persists then it may need to be
serviced. Contact PS Audio or an authorized
distributor.
The HCA-2 is stuck in “fault” mode
Ensure that the speaker wires are not shorted
out (making contact with each other). if the
HCA-2 is connected to a powerd subwoofer,
ensure the subwoofer’s negative input terminal
is not grounded.
Disconnect unit from its power source and
plug it back in to clear fault mode. If the unit
remains in fault mode this then it may need to
be serviced. Contact PS Audio or an authorized
distributor.
One or both channels are not working or
sound “muted”, “distorted” or “quiet”
Unplug the HCA-2 and remove the top cover.
Now examine the 2 fuses on main circuit board
located where output wires attach to board. The
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Specifications
Warranty and Service
Power Rating
8 ohms
4 ohms
(both channels, stereo)
Inside the U.S. and Canada
- 150 watts per channel
- 250 watts per channel
- 275 watts per channel
PS Audio’s warranty is 3 years parts and
labor, from the date of original purchase. The
warranty follows the product itself regardless of
ownership, new or used.
2 ohms
Performance
Frequency
Response
- 20 Hz to 20 kHz
+/- 0.5 dB
Outside the U.S. and Canada
PS Audio has authorized distribution in many
countries of the world. In each country, the
authorized importing retailer or distributor
has accepted the responsibility for warranty
of products sold by that retailer or distributor.
Warranty service should normally be obtained
from the importing retailer or distributor from
whom you purchased the product. In the
unlikely event of service required beyond the
capability of the importer, PS Audio will fulfill the
conditions of the warranty. Such product must
be returned at the owner’s expense to the PS
Audio factory. Contact your PS Audio distributor
or the PS Audio customer service department
for more information.
THD+N
Voltage Gain
Input Impedance
- 0.2% @ 1kHz (full power)
- 24 dB
- 100K
General
Weight
Dimensions
- 35 lbs
- 17 x 4.5 x 14 in (WxHxD)
Service issues
Should your unit ever require service or if you
have any technical questions about the HCA-2,
you must either contact your dealer (PS Audio if
purchased direct) or your PS Audio distributor.
No equipment will be received at our service
facilities without an attached RA number.
If purchased through an authorized PS Audio
dealer or distributor, the RA number must be
obtained by the dealer or distributor. If the
product was purchased from PS Audio direct,
this can easily be obtained by calling PS Audio
at 720-406-8946 or by contacting us via E-mail
at <[email protected]>.
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PS Audio International, Inc.
4824 Sterling Dr.
Boulder, CO 80301 USA
Toll Free: 877-772-8340
Ph: 720-406-8946
Fax: 720-406-8967
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