2. amps-preamps
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What is my weak est link...? Suggestions please.

So here it is: I have a budget of $4000 to upgrade one of the following:

Speakers: Hales Concept 2 (one tweeter - one 7" driver)
Pre: Adcom GFP-750 (Nelson Pass design)
Amp: Adcom 5800

My Thoughts:

Speakers are built like tanks - solid walnut & concrete. Although they lack bottom end.

Bought the Pre years ago; A/B'd them to a Krell Pre ("lower line") which I was prepared to buy. Based on my audition at that time, I picked the Adcom.

Originally, I was thinking about a McIntosh 300 watt amp to replace the Adcom. However, does anyone have any experience with the Adcom GFP-750 as compared to other pre-amps? Also, do you think $$$ would be better spent replacing the Hales with a pair of BW801? I could add a subwoofer, but I kinda like the simplicity of the two speaker set-up.

Thanks for any positive feedback! It is great to have a support community out here in iPod world...

ABP
abp689
buconero117
2,311 posts
 
The room. Best to allocate some money to room treatments for in the end it is the 'room' that you are listening to. Most people ignore this element as they can't just open a box and there it is. Takes serious thinking and research.
marakanetz's avatar
marakanetz
5,473 posts
 
801's are unique in the sense of whatever you're going to try to set them up with they will never sound right. mediocre the best.
syntax's avatar
syntax
2,193 posts
 
Sell all, buy a cable for 3k first and start again.
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,158 posts
 
What's your source component(s)?

From the little info you have provided you probably might not need to change anything. If bass is all you think is lacking you should experiment with speaker/listener positioning before changing any equipment. If that doesn't get you where you want to be, then you can get a really good subwoofer for $2k. Either direction is a better use of money than replacing the Hales or Adcoms.
liquid-smooth
48 posts
 
I prefer Kef 107 speakers to B&Ws, and they can be had for a fraction of the cost. They are on sale here now:

http://app.audiogon.com/listings/full-range-kef-107-speakers-in-black-107-2012-11-11-speakers-96003

You can sort of hear them on the Youtube, if you have a good computer based system.

I would also add power conditioner to Adcoms - it made a difference in my system. Even an affordable oneac one like this would be an improvement:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/OneAC-CP1110-PN-006-232-8-4-AMPS-WORKS-GREAT-Power-Line-Conditioner-4-Outlet-/190749980276?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2c6995b674
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