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My system is getting worse - now what?

Hi all,

First post and I need some guidance. My system started out in the mid-80s with a Hafler DH-500 amp, Adcom GFP-1A preamp and ADS 810-2 speakers. I was perfectly happy with this system for 15+ years except for the occasional cut-out of the Hafler during high-volume sessions, which it did for protection. Eventually the Adcom had a channel signal drop happen enough I had to retire it. I replaced it with a Paradigm as it was one of the few affordable preamps with a phono section. I am nowhere as pleased with it musically as with the Adcom. Recently I grew increasingly frustrated with the Hafler cutouts at volume as well is its general fan noise during low volume operation and sold it. I replaced it with an Adcom GFA-555 based on friends having them and reviews, but I am not happu with it. My ADS speakers hate it at volume, resulting in woofer distortion and it just sounds far less musical. So now I am in a quandary. I can tell the Adcom is more of volume amp and I think I can live with it after I get my ADC equalizer set, but I don't think the ADS speakers will ever take what it gets handed. So I think I want an affordable floor standing speaker that will take whatever I can throw at it. I will even consider getting another GFA-555 and bridge to mono if that will help. So ... is there any affordable ($1000-1500) speaker that will sound as acoustically beautiful as my ADS's and be allowed to be driven to extremely loud volumes when the occasion arises?
hhlodge
almarg's avatar
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almarg
9,670 posts
 
Just some thoughts which come to mind:

-- Have you removed the grill-cloths and examined the woofers (and the other drivers, for that matter) to see if the surrounds are torn or disintegrating? That commonly happens with 20-something year old speakers, and might account for what you are describing. And if that is the problem, it is most likely repairable.

-- My instinct would be that an ADC equalizer is likely to do more sonic harm than good. Have you experimented with speaker placement, listening position, speaker toe-in, having absorptive furniture or other objects near the speakers rather than reflective surfaces, etc.? Those are generally the kinds of things which should be addressed before resorting to an equalizer, especially an inexpensive one.

-- How have you had the equalizer set? If it is set to boost bass frequencies substantially, perhaps that is what the speakers are unhappy with.

Regards,
-- Al
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stanwal
3,147 posts
 
One of the great advances of the last 20 years has been the almost complete disappearance of the graphic equalizer. They were a sort of obligatory accessory for one make systems and I have never heard a system that didn't sound better without them. A really effective equalizer is a very costly proposition and the home models fell far short. Some of the 555s were quite good but I believe that they were made in at least 3 different factories so it is hard to tell if you have one of the better ones. Al gives you some very good advice.
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shadorne
7,477 posts
 
ADS L810's are a classic. The soft dome midrange made them popular. I believe Telarc used ADS in their studio before they switched to ATC - although I don't recall the model. An option might be an old pair of JBL 4435's but if you get them for around $1000 you might expect to have to do some work on them (bumoed up and reconing needed). They have mylar caps in the x-over which also need changing to polypropelene or other suitable higher quality cap. They would certainly rock out and could take everything you throw at them. A newer option might be a used pair of ATC SCM 40 - these also play loud despite they are a small speaker.
hhlodge OP
3 posts
 
Al,

I have removed the grills and do so periodically to get the dust off. The surrounds are in great shape. But a light tap on a couple woofers produces an obviously bad sound, what research is indicating might be voice coil scrape.

I will take the EQ out of the loop to test but in general, I've been happy with the results over the years.

Placement is limited but I think near ideal - 10' apart, toe in to the couch 12' away, on custom made stands 12" off wooden floor about 8" from the wall. My room doesn't allow much variance.

I have slight curve up in bass at 125hz and again at 2-4Khz. always something like this.

Any thoughts if a subwoofer would help here to offload the biggest strain from the ADSs?

Thanks all.
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