adcom gfa555 or carver tfm35
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hifitommy
Super Member
i have had my 555II about 20 years and it has only required minor service once. it has been left on continual basis all this time. and even my 84db sensitive spendor s3/5s can be played to satisfying levels.
for not a lot of money, the adcom gfa5400 or 5500 (125 and 200wpc respectively) can be had, both being VERY powerful for their ratings. i cant say that their preamps are in the same sound quality league. when i changed from the gfp565 to a used arc sp3a1, the quality of the arc shined through beautifully and was head and shoulders better sounding than the adcom pre.
for not a lot of money, the adcom gfa5400 or 5500 (125 and 200wpc respectively) can be had, both being VERY powerful for their ratings. i cant say that their preamps are in the same sound quality league. when i changed from the gfp565 to a used arc sp3a1, the quality of the arc shined through beautifully and was head and shoulders better sounding than the adcom pre.
Adcom, "but" if youre getting a used one, make sure to check the
output before hooking it up to your speakers.
frommerstop
Super Member
If you go with the Adcom, get the Mrk II version... it's a noticeably better sounding amp than the original, particularly in the highs. I used, and often abused, an Adcom GFA 555 II for several years, and except for a slightly dry, or forward upper register, I found it really good. One of the best deals in 200wpc amps IMO! If you're looking for a warmer sound, for similar money, I'd suggest a B&K.
I love the way Carvers look, and IME they are decent sounding amps, but they have earned a reputation for build quality that no one else in the industry would envy. There are many folks that speak very highly of Carvers, but at least as many that have horror stories about them... very much like Phase Linear, not coincidentally.
I love the way Carvers look, and IME they are decent sounding amps, but they have earned a reputation for build quality that no one else in the industry would envy. There are many folks that speak very highly of Carvers, but at least as many that have horror stories about them... very much like Phase Linear, not coincidentally.
Funny you should mention that... I have two pairs of Kappa 9's... powered by Krells at the moment, but I also have two Carver M-4.0t's and an Adcom GFA-555. The Carvers don't like low impedence loads AT ALL, despite what the specs may say. The Adcom is much more stable into low impedences, but the lack of protection circuitry/relays is a bit of a turn-off. I also have the "baby Krells"--Aragon 4004's which do a great job with the Kappa 9's as well.
hifitommy
Super Member
yes hawk,
i run the 555II at a fairly low impedance load most of the time and i will say i have never run out of steam, even at LOUD spl. the front speakers in my system that is always run with dynaquad. i drive the fronts directly from the amp (spendor s3/5s or MMGs) with the rears through the dynaquad box in parallel with the fronts (spendor s3/5s with 84db sensitivity) . i haven't calculated the actual impedance but let us say it's significantly less than 8 ohms.
i run the 555II at a fairly low impedance load most of the time and i will say i have never run out of steam, even at LOUD spl. the front speakers in my system that is always run with dynaquad. i drive the fronts directly from the amp (spendor s3/5s or MMGs) with the rears through the dynaquad box in parallel with the fronts (spendor s3/5s with 84db sensitivity) . i haven't calculated the actual impedance but let us say it's significantly less than 8 ohms.
I had 2 555's and a tfm 45. The carver walked all over the adcoms for sound quality.
trhee
ㅇtㅈyㅅr
If it has to be between those two only, I'd take the Adcom. Any reason why you're looking at only these two amps?
