Sherwood 5000 II or Adcom 5800?

[nemico]

Thinking of getting a Sherwood 5000 II to replace my Adcom 5800, just looking for some opinions. I only listen to vinyl on my 2 channel system. Have also been eyeing up some B&W 685's, already have a Klipsch 15" sub on a pair of Energy CS200's and would use that with the 685's. Other speakers I have are Klipsch SF-2's, KLH 23A and Nova 7's. Any ideas? Best combos?

 

[soundoc03]

I am sure you know that you would be replacing a relatively modern powerful SS amp with a 36-40WPC vintage tube amp. I have no experience with the Adcom but have two excellent examples of a S-5000 and S-500011. I just had the former restored and though less powerful I along with most found it to be the more desirable of the two. Prior to the restoration the phono stage was overly fat and dull and I found myself listening it more for the novelty rather than the sound quality. At the time I was getting conflicting advice as to whether to restore or keep stock. The first tech who went over it was a highly regarded Marantz guy in San Diego who has takes the approach of only replacing or repairing failed components and does not believe in even a recap within the signal path. I sent a similar designed Scott 299A to a reputable tech in MD who replaced these caps along with the filter ones. The bridging rectifier was also replaced which for reliability is a minimum requirement prior to using any these vintage amps. The Scott now sounds wonderful and might have been even better had I had the tone control bypassed. With this in consideration I don't really believe there is much argument in regard to reliability or sound quality to whether to restore or not. However, finding the right tube tech is perhaps the biggest challenge. My Sherwood S-5000 was in a Michigan' tech shop for over a year before he returned it restored but with a loud hum in the phono stage. He has it again for another 6 months and claims to have it fixed but has yet to ship it back. Once I get it I plan to keep the two 6BQ5 amps and put the S-500011 amp up for sale.
As for speakers, I have a pair of recapped 16ohm Sherwood Ravinias which are pretty good, but I would love to pair it eventually with some Klipsch Cornwalls someday.

 

[nemico]

Soundoc, The Sherwood I would be getting has been already refurbed by a good tech, and he is also of the school to only replace what is needed. The Sherwood is in pristine condition also. I was thinking of pairing it with Cornwalls, or some Altec 838A's would be nice. I mostly listen to older jazz records like Chet Baker, Davis, Monk, Getz, etc. and this would be strictly a phono and reel to reel set up. I've been using a Pioneer PL-41 (w/ mods) and a Teac X1000R, although I have been on the look out for a 301 or an Audio Empire 208. Still undecided... but thanks for the info, will take into consideration.

 

[morinix]

I would get the caps in the phono section upgraded to modern film caps of some sort.