Anthem MCA 225 GEN 2
The Anthem MCA 225 Gen 2 combines tonal neutrality, high-current control, and a remarkably low-noise presentation. SoundStage! Hi-Fi heard expansive, precisely focused imaging and exceptional transparency, while Future Audiophile found its deep bass, smooth vocals, and abundant headroom compelling at serious volumes. With 225W per channel and confident low-impedance drive, it is a formidable partner for demanding loudspeakers.
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Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
94/100
Build Quality
91/100
Value for Money
95/100
Pros
Neutral, highly transparent sound reveals fine detail without obvious tonal coloration.
Strong power reserves and headroom maintain composure with demanding speakers and high-volume material.
Low noise floor supports wide, deep soundstaging and precisely separated images.
Solid construction, helpful protection monitoring, accessible connections, and relatively cool operation.
Cons
Its 40-pound, 18-inch-deep chassis is front-heavy and may not fit shallow equipment racks easily.
Unflinching neutrality can expose the flaws of lesser recordings rather than smoothing them over.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 94/100
Reviewers find the MCA 225 Gen 2 notably clean, neutral, and revealing, with a low noise floor that supports precise spatial presentation. It combines that transparency with substantial power reserves, remaining composed and engaging at high levels rather than sounding strained or harsh.
Transparency Resolution
94/100
SoundStage described the amplifier as inherently neutral and highly transparent, with a clear presentation able to reveal fine recorded nuances. Its low noise floor was also said to make individual images and details easier to separate; the trade-off is that weaker recordings are laid bare rather than softened.
Tonal Balance Musicality
92/100
The MCA 225 Gen 2 was repeatedly described as sonically invisible, imparting no readily detectable tonal coloration of its own. Future Audiophile found vocals smooth and the treble neither thin nor bright, while reporting convincing bass weight and an engaging sense of groove.
Dynamics
94/100
The amplifier's 225Wpc rating into 8 ohms and increasing output into lower impedances are backed up by listening reports of generous headroom and strong low-frequency drive. Future Audiophile found no sense of restraint even with difficult music at high volume, and reported that the amp stayed free of harshness under demanding use.
Soundstage Imaging
94/100
SoundStage heard clearly delineated choir voices across the space between the speakers, along with a wide, deep stage on jazz recordings. Musicians were described as precisely placed, with tangible three-dimensional presence and enough background quiet to tease images apart easily.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
91/100
Reviewers describe the 40-pound MCA 225 Gen 2 as solidly constructed, with a clean, accessible rear-panel layout and easy-to-use speaker terminals. Anthem's Advanced Load Monitoring watches temperature, current, and voltage, while the five-year warranty and reports of cool-running behavior add reassurance for sustained use.
Value for Money
95/100
At $2,299.99, SoundStage called it great value for a stereo amplifier offering 225Wpc into 8 ohms, 400Wpc into 4 ohms, and 600Wpc into 2 ohms. The review went as far as calling it an especially easy recommendation, while Future Audiophile judged its performance and construction hard to better at roughly $2,295.
Reviews & Sources
Professional reviews and sources for this product's Watt'n Potatoes analysis.
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Specifications
- POWER OUTPUT (PER CHANNEL)
- (Continuous RMS, 20 Hz - 20 kHz, <1% THD) 8Ω: 225 W 4Ω: 400 W 2Ω: 600 W
- INPUTS
- Single-Ended, Balanced, Relay Trigger (3.5-mm Mono Jack)
- OUTPUTS
- Speaker Binding Posts, Relay Trigger (3.5-mm Mono Jack)
- FRONT PANEL SWITCHES
- Power (On/Off)
- REAR PANEL SWITCHES
- 3 On/Off Modes (Trigger, Manual, Auto)
- THD at 100W
- at 1 kHz: 0.0010% at 20 kHz: 0.015%
- IMD at 100 W
- ITU-R (19 kHz + 20 kHz): 0.0005% SMPTE (60 Hz + 7 kHz): 0.002%
- Frequency Response, 20 Hz to 20 kHz
- open circuit: ± 0.1 dB 8Ω: ± 0.1 dB 4Ω: ± 0.1 dB 2Ω: ± 0.2 dB
- OTHER SPECIFICATIONS
- SNR, IEC-A, ref. 225 W: 120 dB Power Bandwidth, -3 dB at 200 W into 8 ohms: 90 kHz Slew Rate: 30 V/μs Damping Factor, 20 Hz to 1 kHz: 300 Channel Separation, 100 Hz to 10 kHz: >65 dB Input Impedance (RCA / XLR): 10 kΩ / 15 kΩ Input Sensitivity, 225 W into 8 Ω: 1.5 Vrms Voltage Gain: 29 dB
- POWER CONSUMPTION (MCA 525 Gen 2)
- standby: 2.0 W idle: 80 W typical: 550 W high output: 1200 W
- POWER CONSUMPTION (MCA 325 Gen 2)
- standby: 1.4 W idle: 47 W typical: 350 W high output: 750 W
- POWER CONSUMPTION (MCA 225 Gen 2)
- standby: 1.0 W idle: 35 W typical: 240 W high output: 500 W
- DIMENSIONS
- Height: 6-5/8” (16.9 cm) Height with Rackmount Kit: 4U Width: 17-1/4" (43.9 cm) Depth: 18-1/8" (46 cm)
- WEIGHT (MCA 525 Gen 2)
- 61 lb (27.5 kg)
- WEIGHT (MCA 325 Gen 2)
- 43 lb (19.5 kg)
- WEIGHT (MCA 225 Gen 2)
- 40 lb (18 kg)
- POWER REQUIREMENT (120 V)
- In countries where the line voltage is 120 V, this product operates from a single phase AC power source that supplies between 108 V and 132 V at a frequency of 60 Hz.
- POWER REQUIREMENT (220-240 V)
- In countries where the line voltage is 220, 230, or 240 V, this product operates from a single phase AC power source that supplies between 198 V and 264 V at a frequency of 50 Hz.
Manufacturer's Description — Anthem
ANTHEM – PURE PERFORMANCE, PURE VALUE
To complement the NEW AVM 90 and 70 A/V Processors, Anthem introduces the new MCA 525, 325 and 225 GEN 2 power amplifiers. Available in 5, 3 and 2-channel configurations, these new MCA amplifiers feature more robust and efficient power and heavy-duty reliability. The new MCA Series delivers lower THD (total harmonic distortion) for more clean, pure sound and lower noise for a supremely quiet background.
The MCA 525 GEN 2, MCA 325 GEN 2 and MCA 225 GEN 2, designed and Crafted in Canada, are like no other amplifiers in the world: custom low noise high-power toroidal transformers; high-current bipolar output transistors; high-quality filter capacitors; advanced power supply regulators; oversized aluminum heatsinks; custom-designed dual binding posts; and patented auto-on/off circuitry. Superior craftsmanship that is reflected in clean, clear, audiophile-quality sound from top to bottom of the frequency spectrum.
An All New MCA GEN 2 Series
What does it take to improve on perfection? Over 15 years of concentration. The distillation of endless hours of fundamental research. The willingness to rebuild from the ground up. And the focus on a single goal: Leadership through innovation and technology. Introducing the new generation of Anthem MCA GEN 2 Amplifiers, designed, engineered and Crafted in Canada!
Completely Redesigned
The new MCA GEN 2 series greatly reduces the use of internal cabling for a much smoother circuit path for pure, unobstructed audio performance. The use of low-flux toroidal transformers and improved input transistors provide a greater sense of transparency, even with dynamically complex material.
We’ve also improved other performance benchmarks including power bandwidth and slew rate. With a signal-to-noise ratio of 120 dB, background noise is practically nonexistent, leaving you with just pure natural sound reproduction.
Higher Power into More Demanding Loads
While most 5-channel amplifiers use a single power supply for front left and right channels and another power supply of the centre and surround, the new MCA 525 GEN 2 shares its two power supplies between all channels. The result is full bursts of power – instantly – without affecting channel separation.
Engineered for Reliability
The new MCA GEN 2 Amplifiers use Anthem’s years of experience to “engineer out” common amplifier gremlins.
Green “Standby” Power Consumption
In addition to the reduced inrush current, these new MCA GEN 2 Amplifiers only use between 1-2W in “standby” mode. As with all Anthem amplifiers, they can be switched on manually, via trigger, or by sensing an input signal. New, larger, more conductive audiophile binding posts have been added to maximize contact and maintain a firm grip on the speaker cable. If you’re in the market for cutting-edge audio component separates, Anthem’s new MCA GEN 2 Amplifiers balance the complex dynamics of today’s most demanding multi-channel media with the rare finesse required to satisfy the audiophile in you. MCA GEN 2 Amps provide an abundance of conservatively rated power into demanding low impedance loads, incredible reliability, and a new design aesthetic that matches our sleek new AVM A/V Processors.
Next generation Advanced Load Monitoring™ Technology
Exclusive ALM™ technology monitors internal temperature, current and voltage to ensure safe and uninterrupted longterm operation, all the while eliminating the need for internal fuses. ALM™ is not in the signal path, so it never gets in the way. Instead, ALM engages instantly, but only in the most extreme circumstances, to protect your amplifier (and speakers) from damage.
This new generation ALM™ lowers the chance of a line fuse blowing during an over-current condition. Should a fault condition arise, unaffected channels continue to play and all-channel operation resumes automatically once conditions are back to normal. The LED on the front panel confirms status at all times.
The Anthem Advantage
Backed by over 35 years of home-grown,hands-on design, and innovative audio engineering experience, Anthem products provide an unprecedented level of reliability and functionality; delivering one of the industry’s highest performance/price ratios. This is just one reason why Anthem electronics are the choice of knowledgeable audiophiles, professional musicians and engineers the world over.
Verified Dealers
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Authorized dealers for Anthem MCA 225 GEN 2
- Ahead Stereo — in-store — Los Angeles, California, United States (website)
- Alpha High End — online and in-store — Brasschaat, Vlaams Gewest, Belgium (website)
- Alta Fedelta — online and in-store — Lombardia, Italy (website)
- Analogue Seduction — online and in-store — Whittlesey, England, United Kingdom (website)
- Archer High Fidelity — in-store — Washington, Virginia, United States (website)
- Arctic Audio — in-store — Fargo, North Dakota, United States (website)
- Audio Advice — online and in-store — Raleigh, North Carolina, United States (website)
- Audio Affair — online and in-store — Deritend, England, United Kingdom (website)
- Audio Ark — online and in-store — Edmonton, Alberta, United States (website)
- Audio Breakthroughs — in-store — Manhasset, New York, United States (website)
and 168 more verified dealers