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Emotiva vs. Adcom Preamp Tuner

C Hart

C Hart

AK Subscriber
Subscriber
Looking for some advice from the experts here. I ordered a new pair of very nice powered monitors. Among other things they eliminate the need for an amp, so the preamp will be basically the entire guts of the system. I have an Adcom GTP-500 which I love but it recently lost a channel, so I got an Emotiva BasX-PT1. Both of these preamps have a great set of features that include a remote, built in tuner, multiple line inputs, and MC/MM phono. I use dongles for BT and DAC on the Adcom but the Emotiva has them built in.

The Adcom has been tested by reviewers and found to be outstanding for all the results, as expected from Adcom. I have seen only qualitative reviews on the Emotiva but some of their stuff has mediocre test results. It sounds fine in my current system but the new speakers will be a substantial upgrade for me.

Unfortunately it is likely the Adcom will need an overhaul that willl cost more than a functional used unit, but I would rather have a new preamp with no age-related problems anyway.

I think even a mid-performing preamp will probably be OK compared to speakers but I figured I would check with the members. Does anyone have experience with the BasX-PT1? I am a little concerned about a possible quality mismatch with the new speakers. If anyone has a source for test results I am especially interested. Thoughts please!
 
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Love my GTP-500. My condolences. I’ve run Hafler and Adcom preamps since the 80’s. But, I picked up two AR preamps over the last few years. Sent my
SP9 back for a $700 rebuild by AR. The LS3 was $700. I can never go back.

One brand you may want to consider, Rotel makes an excellent preamp. Ive purchased older surround preamps (pre hdmi) that are outstanding two channel performers for $200 or so, so easy to add a sub, digital Inputs. I’ve purchased five Rotel refurbs from “Whybuynewelectrinucs” on eBay. They get em right from Rotel. I just love em.
 

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I’ve had ADCOM and Emotiva. Feel that they are both very similar in that they are both well engineered gear manufactured for them in China and both hitting a price point that is very good for the excellent performance.

My Emotiva gear started with their DACs, excellent performers with outstanding build quality, I’ve looked at and listened to their gear at AXPONA and bought some EMOTIVA gear at the show, I have no complaints only great performance for the price. The BAS-X line I recall being introduced as their entry-level stuff, but I don’t know if they continued that marketing direction. I still have a BAS-X DAC preamp that I bought at an AXPONA, was very happy with its performance (just not using it at this time, … on standby).

The biggest factor I see is age, the BAS-X line started maybe five years ago where the ADCOM is 1990s and should be completely rebuilt to meet specs. My ADCOM is long gone, served me well in the ‘90s and into the early 2000s, by then the GFP was having some problems. I’d keep the EMOTIVA and pass the ADCOM on.
 
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Thanks for the info! There are zero new preamps that I could find with the same features so the Emotiva is plan A. (Even Emo isn’t making them anymore.) Also will check out Rotel for sure. NAD apparently made one until recently also. But the Emotiva is the bird in the hand so I’m glad to hear people like their gear.
 
i've heard a few emotiva systems. i can't recall the model numbers of anything but it left me less than impressed. add to that the early issues with bad capacitors and their unwillingness to warranty units still under warranty has me veering far far away from emotiva. i scoff at the name.

i have a 2-ch rotel preamp of the same series as shown above and i do like it but i won't recommend them as the power transformer in mine failed and i am not alone....yeah. the transformer in a preamp failed. go figure.

in my opinion, anything semi new and affordable is inferior to anything equivilant that is vintage. anything vintage needs serviced.

buy a yamaha c45/50/60/65/70/80 and have it restored. it will out perform anything mentioned so far.
 
Thanks for the input. It echoes some things I’ve heard. I am having no problems right now and this unit was probably one of the last of the production run, so any kinks have been long worked out. But I think I will get the Adcom restored anyway just to be safe.
 
C Hart said:
Thanks for the input. It echoes some things I’ve heard. I am having no problems right now and this unit was probably one of the last of the production run, so any kinks have been long worked out. But I think I will get the Adcom restored anyway just to be safe.
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I did the same with my Hafler 945. She’s old, but family. Good luck to you.
 
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