2. amps-preamps
  3. 1116439486

new at this...which amp?

I have B&W htm1 center, cdn nt9 front, cdm nt7 rear with Adcom 7500 150 by 5 amp and Adcom pre amp. The mids and highs are harsh beyond half volume. Speaker cables are the good stuff, but interconnects are Radio Shack's best sheilded cable. I have been told here that while interconnects could be the problem it is more likely lack of power. Would Adcom 7805 300 by 5 be a reasonable choice for a new amp? Is there a better choice for around 2500.00? If the 7805 is not enough I am considering bi amp with the 7500 and 7805 as the final solution. If so, would the more powerful amp go on the bottom end? Your comments are greatly appreciated.
baffled
tgrisham
1,291 posts
 
I second the post from brownsfan. The room is very important-taming resonances, toning down harsh reflections, taming bass modes, etc. I had an ADCOM amp and sold it. I thought it was too brilliant on the high end, and that was a "soft" room. I really don't think its a power issue, but more of an amp issue. I bought Outlaw M200s for each channel and they really "disappear". I don't perceive any harshness or ear fatigue. I think there are many amps in your price range that you would be happy with, but, again, you may want to work on your room first. Good luck!
baffled OP
106 posts
 
Not so sure it is the room. This system has been in three rooms and had the same problem.
Muralman1, is that to say that Adcom is not good stuff? I have a Rotel 200 by 5 available to me at a good price. Is that a better choice than the Adcom 300 by 5? I will look at that review for the Signature.
snofun3
601 posts
 
Adcom is decent stuff - I doubt whether you'd hear any significant difference with a Rotel. Amps are not where your problem is. What's your front end?
muralman1
1,527 posts
 
Yes, Adcom is good suff - just good. Like Tgrisham says, it is exacerbating the brightness in his system. The H2O is in a class of it's own. My last solid state were Pass Labs X600 monos. It was no match for the H2O. The Adcom isn't on the same page of either amp. A single H2O S-250, at $2K is all that's needed power wise for any speaker.

The Radio Shack interconnects are big culprits as well. For ultimate clarity in speaker cables, try Speltz's Anti-Cable. It's as cheap as Radio Shack, and better than - well, read the testimonials.
baffled OP
106 posts
 
Snofun3.....by front end I suspect you are asking about the source? I have a 250.00 Denon cd player and usually listen to music through Comcast cable's digital music stations. I hear no difference between them. Having said that, you are probably thinking I have a tin ear. Probably right about that. Now consider how harsh my system must be if I can hear it! I am going to see if my local high end store will let me audition interconnects and a bigger amp. If that does not do it I will move on to fixing the room. I want to thank each of you for your help.
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