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How do Adcom power amps sound?


Hi,

My system is : PSB Stratus Mini, Cambrdige AZUR 540a and a Toshiba 3950 ( unmodded) in a 20x20 room with the speakers placed about 6 feet apart and mostly listened to in the close range.

If you arent familiar with my speakers they are a pretty tough load, 4ohm at 86db.

My amp only puts out 40-50 watts into 8ohm and 65 into 4ohm, as you can tell its having trouble powering my speakers, so im considering buying a power amp for them.

Im on a pretty tight budget , and the Adcom power amps seem to be priced right, so im considering something like the GFA-555 ( 200 wpc 8ohm and 325ohm).

Does anyone have any experiance with this unit, or similiar Adcom units? How do they sound, would it be an upgrade, power and quality wise over my current cambridge amp?

Id probabaly use the cambrdige as a pre- amp untill i can afford something better.
dave123456a1b3
sooper_sonik
6 posts
 
I agree with The Kid, Brainwater, Bufus.....

The Adcom GFA555 is just too bright. By "bright" I don't mean, "detailed"... two different things. The GFA555 Mk2 is a bit easier on the ears, though it's still noticeably edgier than a midrange/tweeter amp should be. That said, the original bipolar GFA555 is a rock solid *subwoofer* amp... highly detail and dynamic... just downright impressive.

I can't comment on later Adcoms since I haven't owned any.

The Forte Model 6 is the Class A-A/B version of the Model 4 (Class A) and it sounds nearly as good as the 4. The 6 provides a healthy 200x2 as opposed to the 4's 50x2. It sounds like you need the extra 6dB provided by the Model 6.

The Forte amps are simply amazing performers, regardless of price or build date. Current price for a very nice Model 6 or Model 4 is $400-700, depending on cosmetics and your luck :^)

Good LUCK!!
mjcmt's avatar
mjcmt
710 posts
 
Great! The Adcom amps are excellent and there is excellent synergy with PSB Stratus mini. Get the mark II version of either the 545 II (100w/ch) or the 555 II (200w/ch). I had the 545 II and it is very powerful. I almost bought the same speakers but I was too cheap. I had an older Adcom pre also and it was the weak link. The latest 750 pre and cdp are great.

The 545 II can be gotten used for not much doe and if you want HT get 2 more for a cheap killer HT amp set up. The 545 II have a more manageable height and will fit on more racks with ease.

Also if you research it, mods are also available. A simple effective upgrade you can do is internal chassis dampening and a detachable power cord. It is easy to do because of space inside. Great amp! I have moved up the audiophile ladder since then but I still miss my 545II, and I owned it longer than any other piece of hi-fi gear.
qdrone
1,039 posts
 
I own a Musical Concepts modified Adcom 555. It has all Burr Browns,Black Diamond resisters and Teflon caps in the musical chain. It is wired with Van den Hul Silver and is dual mono. It has a cardas reference chord wired into it. It is a great match for my Vandersteen 3 Signatures and I have it paired with the Adcom The Gold 750. Every once in a while a Musical Concepts modified Adcom or Hafler amps shows up on E bay.
emorrisiv
313 posts
 
Just picked up a used Adcom 555 II. After listening for a few hours I can say that it sounds quite nice in my system.
It is being fed with a Dynaco Pas2 (modded and rebuilt),VPI HMW19 jr/Audioquest Pt6/Denon 103,driving Acoustat 2. Morrow cables throughout.

I have read many postings that this amp is bright and lacks refinement.Not Mine! The soundstage is wide,deep and precise.
Listening to Joni Mitchell portrays a sweetness that was ver surprising. Bass,,total control and with authority.
This thing is a keeper.

e
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