PS Audio PCA-2 Preamplifiers
PS Audio PCA-2 Preamplifiers
USER REVIEWS
[Sep 07, 2020]
mepanda
Strength:
Hi I have owned this for the last 3 months, btw I have the complete set PCA-2, HCA-2 power amp and the HCPS external power supply unit. Great separation, retriveal of detail is great not heard some things previously. Soundstage is good. its hooked to a pair of Sonus Faber Concerto Home speakers. Weakness:
My main issue with this set up is "WHERE IS THE BASS", every one says it great but no one mentions the lack of bass from this unit. Prior to connecting the PCA-2, I had a Arcam Delta 290 hooked to the power amp, there was bass from that delta as a Pre (speakers were less than 3 feet away from the back wall), yes the Delta was NOT as revealing as the PCA-2, But there was bass, the PCA-2 was a disappointment from all the talk about how great it is that I had read on many-many forums, most reviewers said it had punchy great bass, I did not hear it when i brought it into my system. eventually I saw a video by Pual McGowan who highly recommended a subwoofer be plonked into the system, I did so, and I am pleased with the bass / low frequencies that i get from the sysytem now. I suspect some of those writing reviews already have a sub either inbuilt in their speakers or have had an external one hence why they rave and rant about the bass, when in reality the bass(low frequencies) is only there once you placed a sub. I listen to all types of music, and some recordings sound very good without he sub, but generally this combo needs a sub. Some who are reading this will not agree with the idea of placing a sub in the system, all I can say it makes bass heavy music replay with significant amount of bass in the system with a sub in the system. Price Paid: £500-700
Purchased: Used
Model Year: 2004
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[Jan 27, 2018]
linn
Strength:
I have owned this for a month and it is lovely and very musical.. Well worth every penny.. Has a very organic and musical sound..hooked up to my Leak tl12s I have owned naim audio research sp18 and nothing comes close to this class A amp.. As said in other reviews you just listen to the music forgetting about eq the source etc. I have a Linn Basik turntable with a new incarnation of the Linn Akito 2b.. Everything i put on the turntable sounds completely musical air space depth.. It even performs the same organic magic on Spotify which has sounded very cardboard cutout on other amps I have owned from Naim 202 and 282.. These are not in the same league as the PSAudio unit.. Will be building on this fabulous secondhand find for very little money Weakness:
No negatives maybe the remote could be more robust. Price Paid: 700
Purchased: Used
Model Year: 2018
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[Apr 19, 2011]
hofbat
Audio Enthusiast
This preamp has by far surpassed my expectations in virtually everyway. Sonically, it outperforms anything else I've used in my system. Some of those include Yamaha, Bel Canto, Emotiva, B&K, and others. More surprisingly, it outperforms even several combo outboard DAC/preamps, including Legacy, Emotiva and even my prised tube-based TADAC.
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[Mar 29, 2009]
beazly
AudioPhile
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[Jun 30, 2007]
Gatos
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Weakness:
A wonderful Class A sounding preamp. that also has looks, facilities, remote, 7 inputs and twin outputs, both balanced and un balanced. Also input no 1 is balanced.
Similar Products Used: Meridian 501
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[Sep 27, 2004]
tlea
Audio Enthusiast
Strength:
Wide dynamic range; excellent imaging and precision; good build quality, smooth volume control; easy setup and interface; adjustable gain on each input; simple, straightforward remote
Weakness:
None really. It does lend some coloration to the music, which some may consider to be a weakness. By comparison with my previous preamp, McCormack TLC-1, the PCA-2 is very crisp and precise, with a wider dynamic range. So far (after about 100 hours) it does not seem to have the transparancy and smoothness of the TLC-1. However, it is more musical, with extended treble and deeper bass. It especially shines on music with complex instrumentation, such as big-band jazz or prog rock. The imaging and definition are astounding: each instrument can be heard distinctly in the mix. This unit has the optional inboard phono card, and it is a marked improvement over my Creek phono preamp. My value rating is based on the price I paid, which was less than half the list price including the phono option. Similar Products Used: McCormack; Parasound; NAD; Creek |
[Sep 20, 2004]
Dalek
AudioPhile
Strength:
Very user friendly buld quality very good
Weakness:
none I have had this preamp for about a week now and could not wait to post a review. After about one hundred hours of run it this is the best sounding preamp i have had. Very open mid and high powerful bass. Similar Products Used: Proceed AVP2 Audio Research SP16 B&K ref50 |