2. amps-preamps
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Need help choosing a power amp

Hey fellow A'goners,
Well, I have another selection question for all of you. I am going to upgrade my power amp and need some guidance. My current system is an Adcom GFA-555 mkII amp, Adcom GFP-750 preamp, and I will be picking up the Revel Concerta M12 speakers. I've been trying to find something that will mesh well with this set-up, but have been just overwhelmed with the choices. I'm thinking I'll probably pick something up used (so pretyy much off Audiogon), in the sub $1000 range. Any ideas? Oh also, I would like to stick with solid state rather than tubes.
Thanks!
autre
clio09
3,355 posts
 
Odyssey makes some fine solid state amps in your price range. You may want to check them out.
phd
1,315 posts
 
Ditto on clio09's post. Also check out the McCormacks, both are head & shoulders above the GFA-555mkII. By the way, my first amp was this Adcom power amp. Once I pulled away from the 555mkII power amp it was audio nirvana.
rar1's avatar
rar1
1,770 posts
 
For 13 years, I had an ADCOM GFA 545 power amp paired with an ADCOM GTP 500 II preamp/tuner and decided to replaced the set-up when the power relay started to go on the preamp. I first introduced a vintage Marantz receiver into the mix just to use its preamp and the overall sound was noticeably more musical than it ever had been. From there, I purchased a Musical Fidelity A3 integrated amp and once again, I noticed and liked the differences almost immediately ... I felt like the MF was much more elegant and refined sounding than the ADCOM set-up had ever been. I walked away with the belief that what held back the ADCOM combo, was the ADCOM preamp.

I say all that to ask are you really dissatisfied with the power amp, because I would look to replace the preamp first or even consider going with an integrated, as they have improved that much over the years. I like the Musical Fidelity line, so a preamp like the MF A 3 or A3.2 would be nice. Upscale Audio has some new ones in your price range. Today I use a MF CDPRE 24 (A3.3 preamp/cd combo) with a Prima Luna tube power amp. Can not say enough good things about the sound.

Regards, Rich
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