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Adcom gfa 555 or 5400

Hi, new here and new to the stereo hi-fi world. I'm looking to get my first separate amp to run my two front speakers off my Denon 4400 a/v receiver. So did some research and heard good things about Adcom, and their prices seem pretty affordable for a beginner. I have a chance to buy either a 555 or a 5400 both for about $300. My speakers are Monitor Audio silver 8's. The 555 has been with the seller for ten years and he says its running great, while the 5400 is being sold by an audio technician and he claims that he's just serviced it and that its also running great. I'm not looking for booming bass....just a nice warm clear sound from my two front speakers. Can anyone point out the cons/pros between these two older Adcoms, I know that the 555 has more power, but I'm more interested in the musical aspects of either amp. Cheers and thanks!
vinnyjr70
b_limo's avatar
b_limo
2,277 posts
 
I had a 535, a 545, and a 555. I thougt the 535 sounded best.  Im not so sure though that Adcoms are going to pair well with your monitor audios though.  The sound may go to lean and bright...

I fried my 535 by accidentally touching the positive and negative speaker wire leads together while the amp was on, by the way.
I always felt that B&K amps, especially the reference ones, to be the best sounding / bang for the buck amps in that $300-$400 range.

I’d look at B&K, Parasound and NAD amps in that price range too!
vinnyjr70 OP
6 posts
 
Thanks very much guys. Looks like I can get my hands on a parasound hca 1000a for about the same price. 
jdane
183 posts
 
I had the 535 paired with the 400 (which I still use as a phono pre-amp and radio).   I more or less agree with the previous posters. At first I heard plenty of detail I wasn't used to w/ my old system, but then "lean" "too bright" "sizzle"--whatever. A lot of my music (particularly voice/choral) became unlistenable.  The best thing about that amp was that it inspired me (in some desperation) to try out an entry level tube amp, which I have been using ever since.  I gave the Adcom away.
hilde45's avatar
hilde45
4,999 posts
 
I kept my 535 because it's not worth much and still sounds better than a receiver. I don't have a receiver, but if I inspire a friend to jump ship and go more toward audiophile gear, it's an easy re-gift! Good luck, OP!
vinnyjr70 OP
6 posts
 
Thanks everyone ended up grabbing that parasound hca1000a for $260, so didn't have to choose between the adcoms, the parasound is sounding good, very "clean" sound and it's running very cool, looks like it's running my silver 8s easily
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