B&K vs Adcom – opinions please

What is your price range? There are better amps for sale here on Agon. For example, look at the Kinergetics KBA-75 amps for sale. I am also going to sell mine if interested. You can get two of these class A amps for $1200 or one for $600 from Katli Audio. I own the amp and it was equal to the Rowland M-112 and gave up nothing to the Specton Musician II amp. The amp was rated B by Stereophile but adding a better power cord really made the amp sing. It is much more musical and dynamic than the two amps you are considering and can drive anything.

I agree with Infinitebaffle (Great User Name!). Rx8man the B&K M series are a different animal than the B&K ST series. Many people prefer the older 3 digit B&K ST amps over the newer 4 digit B&K ST amps, and the original 70 watt ST-140 in particular. The Adcom's can handle lower impedance loads easier than the B&K ST series. The M series can handle almost anything thrown at them. I suggest you look in the archives on this matter. Amongst the many valued opinions you'll find some good advise from Sean.

Yes I did Unsound, your right about the older series vs. the newer & Sean's opinions, he's knowledgeable.

Thanks to everyone for all the replies - maybe I need to provide more information. I already have the Adcom 535 and the 500mkII preamp/tuner. I recently biwired my Linaeum model 8 speakers - an obscure discontinued US company that made quality ribbon speakers in the mid-90s ($3K) that are smooth with good bottom end - to the two sets of terminals on the 535 and found a big improvement. Thus I began to think of an amp/preamp upgrade with more power and definition to make my speakers and music really sing in our 25x15 living room. The speakers can likely handle a bit of brightness. On a sparse budget I figured I'd move up to more power in a 545 or 555, or go for the similar setup from B&K, which is presently being offered on Audiogon. I have also considered cheap used integrated amps, such as an Acurus DIA 100, Audiolab 8000, Onix 120 - the list keeps growing and I keep coming back to sticking with what I have. The Creek 5350 is too expensive, the 4330 is too underpowered. I also use the tuner in the GTP500, only really need a CD input, can forego a remote and everything other than a volume control, and have kids, pets, and a wood stove. I don't think I want to venture into tubes, but I do think I want to biwire, as it seems to make a difference. My source, cables, and interconnects are mediocre at best (Marantz, Tara, ?) - an audiophile's nightmare perhaps. I am open and curious to all opinions about whether I should move on from my Adcom gear, and what to - perhaps the B&K is only a sideways move. Thanks.

Hi Hapdog,Looking at your system, it reminded me of a very similar set up I had. It consisted of a Marantz CD player,Hafler 945 Pre amp, Adcom 555 Amp, and Apogee Ribbon/cone speakers it was my first serious rig. At the time I had read many rave reviews about the adcom, so I tracked down a used one. When first heard it I was so disappointed I almost gave up this whole hobby thinking it was just hype or some minor difference in gear that was glorified. With the Adcom driving the speakers the sound was cold and lifeless. Part of the broblem was my speakers are a little bright in the treble added to that was the adcom's tizzy treble and hard midrange. Ribbons are very sensitive to brightness. When I upgraded to a krell amp the difference the detail, depth and involvement was dramatic. Escpecially the soundstaging depth the soundstage extended to the rear another 5 feet or so. Also the seperation of instruments. If you could spend a little more I would go with a used Krell ksa 100, they are so much more refined will match well with your ribbons. They are available for about $1200 and worth it in the long run. Later if your budget allows get a used VTL delux preamp ($400) used) and wow you very a very musical system.Looking back I would have saved so much money buying these component in the first place.Good luck