Int'l.Owner's Reference Manual GCHA Headphone Amplifier

4826 Sterling Drive, Boulder, CO 80301
PH: 720.406.8946 [e-mail] www.psaudio.com
Questions and Answers 4
®
Questions And Answers
©2005 PS Audio International Inc. All rights reserved.
Owner’s Reference GCHA Headphone Amplifi er
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 amplifi er 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.
There is a user replaceable internal fuse inside the GCHA. However, this fuse should not be replaced
without fi rst consulting the factory service center for advice. It would be unusual for this fuse to blow
and may indicate something is wrong with the unit.
The GCHA will power any headphone made with 16 Ohm or higher impedance. Most headphones
have considerably higher impedance than the minimum 16 Ohm.
Note that listening to headphones at extremely loud listening levels may damage your hearing. Enjoy
your music, enjoy the superb dynamics of this high-end piece of equipment, but protect your ears.
Hearing damage from overly loud music is typically irreversible.
The GCHA will automatically switch back to the analog inputs when no digital signal is present.
This means once the Windows Media
Player or the CD or DVD player, built into
the computer, is stopped, the GCHA will
switch back to the analog audio inputs.
Placement of the GCHA is not critical for
most components. In most cases, it may
be placed as close to or as far away from
the system or the computer, as need be.
However, it may not be advisable to place
the GCHA too close to a CRT computer
monitor. The large transformer inside the
GCHA may cause some slight color shift
in CRT monitors if placed too close. We
would recommend keeping the GCHA at
least one to two feet away from any CRT
monitor. LCD screens are fi ne.
Hum may also be an issue with the GCHA if placed too close to a sensitive piece of equipment
such as a phono preamplifi er or turntable. The GCHA has an exceptionally large power transformer
inside. This transformer can generate a fairly large magnetic fi eld which can induce hum into sensitive
equipment in close proximity.
Isolation through the use of spikes, cones or Sorbothane feet is recommended for the GCHA if
space and budget allows. Isolation of any piece of high-end stereo and theater equipment is always
recommended wherever practical.
Should the unit
be on all the
time?
Are there any
internal fuses?
Caution listening
too loudly
Placement?
Isolation?
Input Selection
Which
headphones?