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Adcom GFA-545 vs GFA-545 II -- Is one considered better than the other?
- Thread starter Ohighway
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GFA-545II Info
Rick
I have attached a PDF of the 545 II owner's manual. It lists under features how it differs from the original 545.
I have never owned the original 545 but have owned a 545 II for several years and am very happy with it. It could power my MMG's at low volume without any problem but if you took the volume up too high it would clip a bit. Other than that it has had no problem providing clean powerful sound on any speakers I have matched it with.
Good luck making your choice.
Rick
I have attached a PDF of the 545 II owner's manual. It lists under features how it differs from the original 545.
I have never owned the original 545 but have owned a 545 II for several years and am very happy with it. It could power my MMG's at low volume without any problem but if you took the volume up too high it would clip a bit. Other than that it has had no problem providing clean powerful sound on any speakers I have matched it with.
Good luck making your choice.
Scott. Thanks for providing that link. Yeah.... they spell out the differences up front.
I'm not trying to decide on one to purchase, ....... trying to figure out which one to let go of when I start selling stuff. (I also have a 555-II) All seem like nice amps.
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Well, this might help: I have heard both, but only owned the 545 II. I listened to a 545 rather extensively when it was in a friend's system. His preamp was a GFP-565. When I was in a position to purchase some gear a few years back, I found a 545-II (in white, no less), and a GFP-565 preamp. Now, although I can't do a side by side Comparo Shootout, I can say that the 545II has all of the great musicality that distinguished the original 545. It is a superb sounding amp.
keilau
AK Member
Sorry to resurrect this old thread.
One of the added feature of the GFA-545II is a servo controlled feedback to minimize DC offset. Any comment on the servo's effect on sound? Good, bad or neutral?
On older amp, I monitor the DC offset and adjust the trim pot to zero it out. The servo will be very convenient. But does it (servo control) have an drawback?
One of the added feature of the GFA-545II is a servo controlled feedback to minimize DC offset. Any comment on the servo's effect on sound? Good, bad or neutral?
On older amp, I monitor the DC offset and adjust the trim pot to zero it out. The servo will be very convenient. But does it (servo control) have an drawback?
JarredCrowe
AK's drunk troublemaker
Awww the poor 545, the middle child of the adcom lineup.
I'm sure plenty would disagree with me but I like the "II" version better. A little bit less glare on the highs.
I'm sure plenty would disagree with me but I like the "II" version better. A little bit less glare on the highs.
Pio1980
AK Member
I have three 535 and a 545-II. I've used both for a while and while I can't complain about the originals, never really got to like them as much as I wanted. The 545-II is a great built amp for the bux and sounds ok at low to moderate levels, but takes on a glare at higher levels. Neither worked out in the system I tried them here, but one of the 535 sounded pretty good in a system in Atlanta and stayed there, I like them as a utility amp that doesn't offend.
The 545-II is a pretty reliable amp, they seem to work forever, same for the 535.
The 535 and 545 use the same boards, the 545 has more output transistors and a higher voltage twinned power supply. Sonically they should sound similar within the versions.
The 545-II is a pretty reliable amp, they seem to work forever, same for the 535.
The 535 and 545 use the same boards, the 545 has more output transistors and a higher voltage twinned power supply. Sonically they should sound similar within the versions.
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Pio1980
AK Member
Should be fine if taken from pre out.
Good features; excellent LF control, clear undistorted mids, reliable, solid simple construction.
I was using a 545II with a Nad 114 to good effect. I can agree with others that this amp does a lot of things right but does seem to lose its composure on the top end when pushed hard or into a difficult load.
liemjerry
Well-Known Member
what is the big difference I will get if I add the Adcom GFA 545 II power amplifier to my NAD 3020? do these two devices immediately match?
liemjerry
Well-Known Member
Pio1980
AK Member
I don't see a problem, and you will get at least more bottom end power. The rest may also benefit, an easy hand on the loudness knob until you figure it out.
Pio1980
AK Member
Yes.
liemjerry
Well-Known Member
thank you
Thread Revival ; ) Just to add a little recent information, and get this old thread going again: the 545 II could lose a little upper end finesse at high levels in a large room with the Monitor Audio Silver RS6 floorstanders I had this amp hooked up with.
Maybe bad synergy, but I should add that the room was fairly difficult as well. Regardless, the combination of this amp with a pair of Dali Zensor 3's in a (different) smaller room has really been fantastic: great imaging, wonderful bottom end, and really no need for a sub. The Dalis and the Adcom really work well together for me. I am sure that the same would hold true for the 545 II with a lot of good "bookshelf" speakers, but the Dalis just sing! I actually heard things on the Giles Martin remaster of Abbey Road that either I had never heard or, at least, never noticed before...and that is an album I know well. Gonna try Kind of Blue next ; ) ... always amazes me how every system seems to place Jimmy Cobb's accents a little differently in terms of imaging...
Maybe bad synergy, but I should add that the room was fairly difficult as well. Regardless, the combination of this amp with a pair of Dali Zensor 3's in a (different) smaller room has really been fantastic: great imaging, wonderful bottom end, and really no need for a sub. The Dalis and the Adcom really work well together for me. I am sure that the same would hold true for the 545 II with a lot of good "bookshelf" speakers, but the Dalis just sing! I actually heard things on the Giles Martin remaster of Abbey Road that either I had never heard or, at least, never noticed before...and that is an album I know well. Gonna try Kind of Blue next ; ) ... always amazes me how every system seems to place Jimmy Cobb's accents a little differently in terms of imaging...
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