® Owner’s Reference Owner’s Reference GCHA Headphone Amplifier Instructions for use GCHA Headphone Amplifier Document 15-044-21-1 4826 Sterling Drive, Boulder, CO 80301 PH: 720.406.8946 service@psaudio.com www.psaudio.com ©2005 PS Audio International Inc. All rights reserved.
® Introduction Owner’s Reference GCHA Headphone Amplifier Important Safety Instructions 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.
® Table Of Contents Owner’s Reference GCHA Headphone Amplifier Introduction IV Getting Started 1 Quick Start Guide 2-3 Questions and Answers 4-5 Troubleshooting 6-7 Warranty 8-9 Service 10 - 11 4826 Sterling Drive, Boulder, CO 80301 PH: 720.406.8946 service@psaudio.com www.psaudio.com ©2005 PS Audio International Inc. All rights reserved.
® Introduction Owner’s Reference GCHA Headphone Amplifier Thank you for your purchase of the PS Audio GCHA Headphone Amplifier. What will it do? The GCHA is a high-end headphone amplifier designed for audiophile listening. It is based on PS Audio’s unique Gain Cell Technology. The GCHA contains a Gain Cell’s preamplifier stage and a Class A biased output stage. The GCHA can accept audio signals from any analog source or digital audio from your USB-compliant computer.
® Getting Started Owner’s Reference GCHA Headphone Amplifier Location Once your new GCHA is unpacked, you’ll need to find a convenient place to set it. There are several ways to mount the GCHA: on a shelf next to the preamplifier, CD or DVD player, or on a desk or table near your computer. Isolation The GCHA can benefit from aftermarket isolation devices such as cones, spikes and Sorbothane pads.
® Quick Start Guide Owner’s Reference GCHA Headphone Amplifier Once you have decided on the location and chosen the appropriate power, audio and USB cables, you are ready to install the GCHA into your system or your desktop. Connect to an AC power source Plug the GCHA into the AC power source using the AC power cable you selected. It is advisable to use as short a power cable as possible to the GCHA.
® Quick Start Guide Owner’s Reference GCHA Headphone Amplifier It should not be necessary to reboot your computer once the GCHA is connected, however, first time users of the GCHA may need to reboot or otherwise instruct the computer to install the new USB device if the unit does not install automatically when plugged in.
® Questions And Answers Owner’s Reference GCHA Headphone Amplifier Should the unit be on all the time? The GCHA is best left powered on at all times. The power consumed is negligible and keeping it powered on will make sure the internal AC capacitors stay charged and the amplifier and Gain Cells sound their best whenever you are ready to listen to music. There is no harm in leaving the unit on at all times as the lifespan of the GCHA will be unaffected.
® Questions And Answers Owner’s Reference GCHA Headphone Amplifier What voltages can I run GCHA on? The GCHA is specific to your country’s voltage. Do not use the GCHA on a voltage higher than it is rated for. For instance, do not take a 120 volt rated GCHA and attempt to use it in a 220 volt country. Failure to observe this cautionary note will void your warranty.
® Troubleshooting Owner’s Reference GCHA Headphone Amplifier The GCHA will not power up If the GCHA Headphone Amplifier does not power up there are several possibilities: the unit is not getting AC power or the front panel gain control is in the off position. No AC in If you suspect the unit is not getting power, test the receptacle feeding the GCHA power to see if there is power. The easiest way to do this is by using a lamp that you have previously verified works.
® Troubleshooting Owner’s Reference GCHA Headphone Amplifier or you need to manually install the new hardware. To manually install the hardware on a Windows XP or Windows 2000 operating system, right click My Computer -> Choose Properties -> Choose Hardware -> Choose Device Manager -> Choose Universal Serial Bus Controllers (USB) -> Choose USB Composite Device -> Right Click on the device -> Choose Install or, if it is already installed, choose Update Driver. Make sure the GCHA has power.
® Warranty Owner’s Reference GCHA Headphone Amplifier TERMS AND CONDITIONS PS Audio warrants the product designated herein to be free of manufacturing defects in material and workmanship, subject to the following conditions, for a period of three (3) years from the date of purchase by the original purchaser or date of shipment to the authorized PS Audio dealer, whichever comes first.
® Warranty Owner’s Reference GCHA Headphone Amplifier purchased for any PS Audio product within the original 3-year warranty period for a fee of $50. Miscellaneous 3. To qualify for the extended warranty the Product must be purchased through an authorized PS Audio dealer or distributor and you must present a written receipt. 4.
® Service Owner’s Reference GCHA Headphone Amplifier If you require service in North America In the unlikely event there is a problem with your PS Audio component, please contact your dealer, distributor, or the PS Audio corporate research center to discuss the problem before you return the component to our California manufacturing facilities for repair.
® Service Owner’s Reference GCHA Headphone Amplifier Service for PS Audio products outside the United States and Canada is handled through your country’s distributor or dealer. 1. Obtain a Return Authorization Number (R/A number) and shipping address from your dealer or distributor’s Service Department. 2. Insure and accept all liability for loss or damage to the product during shipment to the dealer or distributor’s Service Department and ensure all freight (shipping) charges are prepaid.
® Notes Owner’s Reference GCHA Headphone Amplifier 4826 Sterling Drive, Boulder, CO 80301 PH: 720.406.8946 service@psaudio.com www.psaudio.com ©2005 PS Audio International Inc. All rights reserved.
