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.
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!
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!
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- 14 posts total
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 |
If you are picking up Revel Concerta M12 speakers I would not go for Odyssey or Musical Fidelity. I still have a Adcom 545 in my home studio. I have owned the Odyssey and my bro-in-law owns MF stuff. Both of these will be too bright for those speakers, although they are both excellent amps, but not for your setup. I would get a warmer sounding amp like a used CJ MF series, The McCormack stuff, Classe, even the newer Adcom 5802 will sound much better and warmer. All of this stuff can be found used under $1K. Any of these amps will be a BIG leap over the Adcom 555MkII (and my Dad owned that one)! Not to sound like a saleman, I will be selling my CJ MF-200 soon on Audiogon, and that would work for you also. |
- 14 posts total