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Which Adcom amp is best?

gongli

gongli

Musician + Audio Lover
I listened to an Adcom amp - pre and power yesterday, and I am smitten with them now. I love their clean, clear sound, with black background. It reminded me of a diamond...

I listened to other great amps like McIntosh, Krell, and Audio Research, and I still prefer the affordable Adcom.

So, my question is which one should I hunt down?

GFA 555
GFA 555 II
GFA 5500

Thanks for your time...
 
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Which models did you listen to yesterday? And which speakers? I'm curious! I don't know much about Adcom (so I can't give you any suggestions) but with a description like that, I can't help but be curious! :D
 
Urizen said:
My favorite of that series is the lowly GFA-535 II.
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Do you know much more about it's history ?

These are apparently quite the little amp with a bit of a following from my understanding. They go for super cheap on e-bay. Typically 120-175. I have been tempted myself. Seems like a lot of amp for that price.
 
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Another AK member advised me to get the later version GFA-xxxx and not GFA-xxx, as they have speakers protection, while the earlier ones don't - they are ticking bombs as he described!

I am not sure if many would prefer Adcom to big name amps, but I just happen to like their presentation - no non-sense straight forward - not warm nor cold just right sound. I like that kind of neutral sound - unadorned in a good way.


Stereophile magazine gave some of them a great review "for the money" Please hear them your self and decide - I heard that some really like their sound, while others shy away from them.

Hope this helps...

Thanks for all the informative posts so far - please keep them coming...
 
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The 555 will need a comprehensive re-cap restoration before I would trust one. 555 owners never mention the inconvenient truth that lack of speaker protection puts your drivers at risk. While speaker relay will not catch everything, at least the odds of your drivers surviving go way up.

Agreed, 555's sound decently good. However, I've heard as good and better in amps with speakers relays. Unless you are hurting for funds or you are running throwaway speakers, consider an amp with a relay.
 
I'd like to know how many speakers have been damaged or destroyed by an Adcom amp that lacks speaker protection. Many say it's a problem, but I've yet to read a post in which a person experienced speaker damage, anecdotal experience aside.
 
the single greatest adcom is the GFA 5802.


adcom_gfa-5802_power_amplifier.jpg




5802-nudie-s.jpg



12cff60e_Adcom_GFA-5802_1.jpg

jaz
 
gongli said:
I listened to an Adcom amp - pre and power yesterday, and I am smitten with them now. I love their clean, clear sound, with black background. It reminded me of a diamond...

I listened to other great amps like McIntosh, Krell, and Audio Research, and I still prefer the affordable Adcom.

So, my question is which one should I hunt down?

GFA 555
GFA 555 II
GFA 5500

Thanks for your time...
Click to expand...

Go for the newest one you can afford which in this case is the 5500. I have heard a 555 and a 585 and neither really tickled my fancy but if I had to pick from your list it would be the 5500 based on it being newer and having the speaker relay
 
llanger said:
I'd like to know how many speakers have been damaged or destroyed by an Adcom amp that lacks speaker protection. Many say it's a problem, but I've yet to read a post in which a person experienced speaker damage, anecdotal experience aside.
Click to expand...

Search a little harder here. And for gad's sake, don't pair vintage Altec or JBL's with a $200 555.
 
My favorite is the GFA-545. The 535 had the same tonal qualities but was not quite enough for my power hungry speakers. I had a 555 loaned to me for tryout and decided to keep the 545.
 
Urizen said:
My favorite of that series is the lowly GFA-535 II.
Click to expand...

+1

SoCal Sam said:
Search a little harder here. And for gad's sake, don't pair vintage Altec or JBL's with a $200 555.
Click to expand...

Indeed, do a search, this is a subject that has been beat to death here, I have a 535 paired with LaScalas right now and no worries.

You are going to get 30 or 40 people on here that will tell you which Adcom they like and the same two folks will tell you that you are going to fry your speakers.
 
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Divotdog said:
+1



Indeed, do a search, this is a subject that has been beat to death here, I have a 535 paired with LaScalas right now and no worries.

You are going to get 30 or 40 people on here that will tell you which Adcom they like and the same two folks will tell you that you are going to fry your speakers.
Click to expand...

Correct:yes: And those same 2 people also prefer to have their barbecues outside:D
 
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