I had an adcom 545 (1st gen) and was contemplating the same upgrade you are talking about, only with the next step up ($500 or $600 md whick included black gate caps, or something like that, can't really remember now). From the reviews I've read, the 535 is supposed to be the most "musical" (best sounding?) out of all those adcoms of that era (545, 5400 etc). Honestly, what I'd do is leave yours stock, hang on to it for a second system for the bedroom or something and put the $299 towards a different amp. You could probably only get around $100-$150 for your adcom, just keep it. You might need to save up more than $299 for a step up in terms of sound quality. More like $500-$900. Adcoms to me are a bit bright and in addition lack bass but they aren't horrible by any means. I sold my 545 for $100 and spent $800 on a classe ca-150. I would look into some conrad johnson amps or oddessy amps if I were you! Good luck!
Big Sky Audio to upgrade Adcom GFA-535ii?
I am wondering if any one has experience having Big Sky Audio (http://bigskyaudiomt.com) upgrade their Adcom amps. The following is the recommended upgrades for $299:
"Install high quality audio grade capacitors and low noise metal film resistors in working driver, output stage, and power supply circuits for greater musical clarity. Areas targeted for improvement include the input circuitry, feedback loop, output stage biasing, output stage & power supply bypassing. The 535II uses flat pack style power supply rectifiers instead of the larger bridge type rectifiers so we are prevented from using soft recovery rectifiers for reduced switching noise but instead add bypass capacitors which will do the perform the same noise reduction."
Is this worth it? I have the following: Adcom GFA-535ii, Adcom GCD-700, Adcom GFP-715 driving a set of Krix Lyrix speakers. Looking to add a turntable and Peachtree Dac*it in the near future. I am looking to keep this system for another five years (I purchased the GFA-535ii in 1994) before upgrading (wish list is Pass Labs X150.5 or Bryston 3B). Thanks.
"Install high quality audio grade capacitors and low noise metal film resistors in working driver, output stage, and power supply circuits for greater musical clarity. Areas targeted for improvement include the input circuitry, feedback loop, output stage biasing, output stage & power supply bypassing. The 535II uses flat pack style power supply rectifiers instead of the larger bridge type rectifiers so we are prevented from using soft recovery rectifiers for reduced switching noise but instead add bypass capacitors which will do the perform the same noise reduction."
Is this worth it? I have the following: Adcom GFA-535ii, Adcom GCD-700, Adcom GFP-715 driving a set of Krix Lyrix speakers. Looking to add a turntable and Peachtree Dac*it in the near future. I am looking to keep this system for another five years (I purchased the GFA-535ii in 1994) before upgrading (wish list is Pass Labs X150.5 or Bryston 3B). Thanks.
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- 11 posts total
- 11 posts total