2. amps-preamps
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Looking to Upgrade Amp & Preamp

I'm looking to upgrade my amp and preamp.

Amp: Adcom GFA-555
Preamp: Adcom GTP-400
Speakers: NHT 3.3
CD: Rotel RCD965BX

I listen primarily to rock, jazz, and electronica. The Adcom amp and preamp have been solid workhorses for me since 1990, but if they can be improved upon significantly within my budget, then I'm interested in upgrading.

Preamp requirements: (1) phono section unnecessary but if it's there, it's a bonus; (2) integrated tuner would be a plus, but not necessary; (3) five or more line-level inputs; balanced input/output a plus for future flexibility; (4) this being 2004, a remote would be nice; (5) solid construction; something that will last for decades, ideally; (6) good ergonomics and stylish appearance a plus (prefer black to silver); (7) surround sound is completely unnecessary and undesired. And, it need hardly be said, I want the best sound I can buy within my budget, given the above constraints. I'll spend up to $1500 for the preamp.

Amp requirements: enough muscle to drive the NHT 3.3's at least as capably as the Adcom GFA-555. Substantially better sound than the Adcom (otherwise there's no point to upgrading). [Inasmuch as the Adcom does not have any glaring deficiencies that I can hear, I cannot specify what 'better sound than the Adcom' means, but surely some of you have opinions regarding what specific improvements are achievable at my price level.] Ideally, it should be built like a tank, just as the Adcom is, and should be something that will easily last for decades. I'm willing to go as high as $2000 for the amp, *if* I am convinced that the sound improvement is substantial relative to cheaper equipment.

So, any and all recommendations are welcome. I'm perfectly happy to buy used equipment in order to get more bang for the buck. So far I have been looking into various models by Rotel, Adcom, Classe, Krell, and others, but there must be hundreds of manufacturers out there, and I need to narrow the scope to a handful of choices that are likely to be among the best bets given my requirements.

Thanks in advance for all suggestions.

-jbiii
jbunniii
driver's avatar
driver
750 posts
 
Given your total budget, I'd skew it a little & go for a used Ayre V-5x and either an ARC or Classe pre. There are several models available & I haven't tried many of them but they work nicely together & there are no gain/impedance issues. I strongly suggest if you go this route you take advantage of the balanced circuitry.

I also listen to the same type of music you do w/large floorstanders & the only reason I sold my V-5x was to upgrade to the V-1x, both which are heads & shoulders above the Adcom in terms of sonics. I also owned the Adcom & have been on the upgrade path for many years.

Good luck!
cytocycle
1,043 posts
 
As a prior owner of NHT 3.3's, get yourself an NHT SA-3 sub amp (1 or 2) and biamp those speakers.. the results are amazing!!! plus the flexibility is also amazing. Then you don't need a high end high current and you can use a lower more reasonable priced amp! I used an EAD Powermaster 2000 with 4 channels of 400 watts each to biamp the NHT's with the crossover in my EAD Signature. This really opened up the soundstage on the speaker. I also used an ARC D400 MkII amp that had amazing control and liquidity with these speakers.
tobias
1,534 posts
 
My very humble opinion is, look for a Klyne SK-5A like mine. It will take some looking, but I believe this unit is still a contender today, twenty years after it was introduced. It contains an excellent phono preamp.
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