levinson 26 to replace adcom 565

canefanmd,

At the risk of opening a big can of worms, it might be time to step back and look at the overall system.  But since no one has responded to you in 3 days, I'll take a crack at it.

The Adcom GFP-565 and GFA-555 are a solid starter system for getting into separates, but start throwing around names like Levinson and you are moving into a completely different league for the electronics.  I would look at replacing both pieces.  Good thing with the Heresy IV's is that they are very efficient, which gives you multiple avenues to go down, including low power tube equipment.  (Heresy's work very well with tube gear.)  There are a multitude of good integrated amps, both solidstate and tube, out there as well, which can help from a budgeting standpoint.

A few questions.  Are the Heresy's the originals or the newer Heritage line? If the originals, what shape are they in?  What are you using for a turntable and cartridge (MC or MM?)  What about digital input (streamer, CD, and DAC)?  Cabling?  And the big question, what is you budget?

- Jeff

the adcom amp and pre are older been recapped had a long time with La Scala speakers which i sold because I had to move in with my mom to take care of. I went 11 years without speakers. Then I got the Hersey's and just got the Rega Saturn MK 3. mI can spend around 3 k and I planned on something used but newer than what I have and wanted just the preamp. I have a technics sl1200 mk2 refurbished with Ortofon Blue MM 

canefanmd,

Without knowing anything about you or more of your history in this hobby, please forgive me if I come off being condescending.  I have been in this hobby since I was 15... and I'm 61 now... (I hate being old...)

With a $3K budget, you have a lot of choices.  Maybe even too many choices...  While I have nothing against your Adcom setup (I had the same two pieces years ago), but you can do a lot better these days at your budget number.  I would still recommend a integrated tube amp with the Hersey's, they would compliment each other nicely.  There are a lot of good choices in the under $2500 used range.  Look into PrimaLuna, Rogue Audio, BAT, and Conrad-Johnson.  Some will include a MM phono stage built in.  Stay with the EL34's or the KT-88 tubes.  With a 99dB sensitive speaker, you don't need to spend the extra $$ for increased power output of the KT-100's. -120's or -150's.   And if you want to really experiment, you could try an integrated with R300 tubes, like a Wellsenton R300 (which you can pick up for about $1200 used).

If you want to go solidstate, there are offerings from Parasound (HINT 6), Hegel (H120 or H190), PS Audio, Musical Fidelity, and even Schiit.  All would be a significant upgrade over the Adcom pieces.  And you can do it without breaking the bank.

If you need to go with a separate phono preamp,  there are plenty of solid units for under $600.  Parasound's zphono, Project, Vincent, and Rega are a few good names.  I wouldn't spend too much here until you upgrade the turntable and especially the cartridge.

And don't forget to put aside some of the budget for cables. You didn't specify what you are currently using.  Interconnects are going to cost between $250 and $350 a pair.  Speaker cables $400 to $600 for an 8 ft pair.  (... and cables DO MATTER!)  Don't worry about spending a lot on power cords right now.  Put the money to the electronics and interconnect/speaker cables.  If you feel you need to spend money on power cords, you might want to start with Pangea for now and upgrade later.

Do your research.  Read the reviews.  Search through the forums for specifics and ask questions. Scan through the for sale listings for ideas and don't rush it.  Build your system in your head first and work to that goal.  (And don't forget to be skeptical. I like to think that most people try to be honest and helpful.  ...and I'll leave it at that.)

Let me, and the rest of us, know how we can help you on the journey.

And don't forget why we all have been gone down this rabbit hole... is to Enjoy the Music.

- Jeff
 

@jeffbij offers good advice here, OP.