Adcom

[Dharris]

Looking at maybe buying the GFA-5300, anyone have anything good to say about these amps? I have not heard them before, are they a warm sounding amp? Is it a deal at 499.00?

[hifitommy]

its a goodie! the 5400 is the most powerful sounding 125wpc i have ever heard. the 5500 is even moreso at its rated 200wpc.

i am using a 555II with great results, and it drives very low impedances easily.

[Feanor]

its a goodie! the 5400 is the most powerful sounding 125wpc i have ever heard. the 5500 is even moreso at its rated 200wpc.

i am using a 555II with great results, and it drives very low impedances easily.

Contrary to the assertions others have made here, I found the 555II to be fairly warm and rather "earthy" sounding with my Maggy 1.6's. I bought the amp for $305, (hull of a bargain), and sold it for $350.

Relative to more expensive amps I've own, (Bel Canto and Monarchy), the 555II was a tad grainy and lacking detail on the top end, but there was nothing raunchy about that I could hear.

Today I run the GFP-750, (top of the line), preamp, mainly in passive mode. The only thing wrong with it, IMO, is a rather boring appearance. I like the balanced outputs that I use to drive my current Monarchy amps.

[jamie_the_dude]

I have not heard them before, are they a warm sounding amp?

Warm?.............................UH- No.

In your face?...........................Yes!

Natural?.......................................Arg uable.

Adcom makes good gear- I owned some fo their stuff, but their amps are very up front and BAM right at you. Rotel is far more natural and laid back. Any other gear I have heard has been more $ and unfair to compare.

[Mr Peabody]

I get the model numbers mixed up. I have the 125w version 52 or 5300. If you are looking at the 125w version $499. is not such a good price. This amp is a couple years old and MSRP was only $699. If it's the 220w version you had better jump on it. That's a good buy. The 220w version has more output devices and sold for over $1k. You would still be hard pressed to find a better 125w amp at $499. I use mine on a second system to drive some Dynaudio 62's. My impression is these amps have a bass hump that is nice if you are into Rock and Pop. They tend to get grainy long before they should when turning up to high volumes. My Adcom don't have any problem driving my 4 ohm Dyns. I don't find this a particular strong 125w as far as remaining clean power. I wish you would have told us what other gear you have.

[spacedeckman]

Adcom is a "wham bam, thank you ma'am" product. The only exception I have found is their "high end" stereo pre-amp...as long as you keep it OUT of passive mode.

Rotel is more laid back, but I think it is hard to beat Parasound as an "all arounder". Their entry level piece is right around $500 if I remember right.

I can't back tommy with his 555II. I had a 545II and it was bright and "in your face" on Maggies. Happy to get rid of it. Did real well on resale though. Adcom was still a hot property when I dumped it. Not like today, then they were still kind of a Stereophile darling.

[jamie_the_dude]

Adcom is a "wham bam, thank you ma'am" product. The only exception I have found is their "high end" stereo pre-amp...as long as you keep it OUT of passive mode.

Rotel is more laid back, but I think it is hard to beat Parasound as an "all arounder". Their entry level piece is right around $500 if I remember right.

I can't back tommy with his 555II. I had a 545II and it was bright and "in your face" on Maggies. Happy to get rid of it. Did real well on resale though. Adcom was still a hot property when I dumped it. Not like today, then they were still kind of a Stereophile darling.

Yep! I just got some Dynaudio 82's and thinking about Mr. Peabody- he said he haid Dyn 62's. So- matching an in your face amp with a laid back speaker may not make it as n oticable. SO, that combo may be ok, but I find that a laid back sound makes you just want to keep listening. In your face makes you get bored and turn the stereo off faster. My experience at least. Dramatic does not always mean better.

[Sealed]

ADCOM does not necessarily stand for "Another Damn Company Offering Midfi"

Nelson Pass helped design the GFA-5800 and the revision is the 5802. This is a very nice amp. It is well superior sounding to any of it's predecessors.

The GCD-750 is a very good cd player, and the GFP-750 is a very good preamp.

[brigrizzme]

Warm?.............................UH- No.

In your face?...........................Yes!

Natural?.......................................Arg uable.

Adcom makes good gear- I owned some fo their stuff, but their amps are very up front and BAM right at you. Rotel is far more natural and laid back. Any other gear I have heard has been more $ and unfair to compare.

I agree. Nice for the price. Stay away from the higher priced SS stuff if you're happy with Adcom.

[CARLOS]

I was reading the concerns about Adcom amps. My 2 cents...keep looking. I bought one and thought the bigger one might be better. Bought a second...same thing, so I got a third bigger yet. Few weeks later, they all went back to the store. Just wasted my time believing the hype some people told me about Adcom being good. Could have done just as well buying a Bose table radio. Again...just my 2 cents and sometimes the truth hurts.
Carlos

[CARLOS]

Brigrizzme....you did say owned...as in the past? You moved on?
Carlos

[Geoffcin]

ADCOM, the worlds most expensive amp; http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...&category=3280

[brigrizzme]

Brigrizzme....you did say owned...as in the past? You moved on?
Carlos

Yes. I owned (2) 535's, the 555, and the 555II. I've also owned an old Belles Model One, a McIntosh 2505, a McIntosh 250, and now use a Jolida 1501. The Adcoms I've owned, between other peices of equipment. Most of the Adcoms I owned came off the used market. I used the different Adcom amps with a variation of preamps ranging from Adocm GFP555 to a McIntosh C36. The Adcoms were all VERY forward and harsh to my ears regardless of the pre-stage used. If a forward sound is what you enjoy, then great. This is only my opinion. Everyone has different ears. I'm in no way trying to insult Adcom owners. After multiple auditions and multiple lines I've decided they are not for me. I used the Adcoms with KEF 140's, Magnepan SMGa's, Dunlavy SC-1's and Klipsch Forte II's.

[AudioBack]

I actually own the amplifier in question. Even though this thread is a couple years old now, I wanted to put this in for people who may wonder about this amp or adcom in general. I paid 450 for my 5300. This amplifier has gotten slammed time and time again by all kinds of people on the message boards. It seems you either love or hate this amp. I think it is absolutely useless to listen to anyone says either way due to the fact that whatever preamp, cd player, cables, speakers, room people use all make massive differences in the way they all sound. I was ready to sell my 5300 just recently due to me thinking that it was the problem in my system. Didn't find out that the adcom was innocent until i replaced my Harmon/Kardon cd player.

[Mr Peabody]

I have to admit that after putting a Conrad Johnson DAC in the chain of my Adcom system I gained new respect for my 5400. The gfp450 I'm using is the weak link now but I won't do anything about it since it's a second system. Also, the 5400 is driving Dynaudio Audience 60's and not breaking a sweat. It didn't impress as being above average strength but with a more efficient speaker.....All in all, for the price the Adcom is at it's hard to beat. I wonder how much more they would be if Adcom added some more clarity?

[hifitommy]

try a tubed preamp (such as an ARC sp9 0r 3a1 or 6) in front of that 5400!

[JoeE SP9]

try a tubed preamp (such as an ARC sp9 0r 3a1 or 6) in front of that 5400!

That's exactly what I do! The ARC and modified Adcoms sound very good.

[hifitommy]

i would probably have ended up with one after hearing my friend's sp9/classic 60/vandy IICEs but i got a steal on the sp3a1 and was stunned. its been sent to arc for update to sp3c status, still stunned.

say what they may about adcoms, they ARENT bright. if they sound that way, its something else in the system; they werent bright on martin logan reQuests with counterpoint preamplificatoin nor nad 1020 preamping either.

yipity yap as they say.

[JoeE SP9]

In 1982 I bought an ARC SP-3A-2 and a D-76. Selling them was a very large mistake. I'm not unhappy with my SP-9. It has been brought up to ARC's latest specs. That SP-3 and D-76 were my first high end preamp and amp. Those and some MG-1's were super sound for 1982. I could kick myself for selling those ARC products.

[hertz]

At this price point, won’t the c272 power amp from Nad outperform the adcoms ?

[kexodusc]

At this price point, won’t the c272 power amp from Nad outperform the adcoms ?

The C272 I've played with was around $600-$700, and isn't bad at that price. I have gear from both companies now...different sound. I think Adcom builds a slightly better product, especially in recent years, but NAD isn't junk by any means. Adcom has a neutral sound (some interpret as bright, analytical or whatever), my NAD stuff all has warmer sound compared to my Adcom stuff that I find pleasing, but less real. I'm sure your other gear and personal preferences could sway you to either side. Point is their different and should be heard first. Not sure one could be said to outperform the other.

[pkats]

This thread mentions using a tube pre to go with Adcom amps, specifically ARC products. I am using a 555II with a GTP 500II pre and since the FM went out on the pre I have been thinking of going with something different. Any suggestions besides ARC for tube pre-amps to go well with the 555II?

Thanks!

[Feanor]

This thread mentions using a tube pre to go with Adcom amps, specifically ARC products. I am using a 555II with a GTP 500II pre and since the FM went out on the pre I have been thinking of going with something different. Any suggestions besides ARC for tube pre-amps to go well with the 555II?

Thanks!

As a former 555II owner, it remains my opinion -- despite some comments here -- that that amp doesn't need the smoothing, softening effect of tubes. I suggest you get yourself a later model GTP, new or used.

[pkats]

Thanks Feanor, haven't definitely decided on a tube pre, I need to upgrade my speakers first. Just kicking the idea around and looking for suggestions. One guy I talked to said they stopped selling Adcom products - especially their later model pres and HT stuff - because of too many problems showing up, repairs and such. On the other hand, I see the term "synergy" used quite often. I need to do more research and decide on some quality speakers. Other suggestions/comments appreciated.

[hifitommy]

"I suggest you get yourself a later model GTP, new or used." i do not. as the purchaser of a new gfp655, i expected to hear what was related in its review in Stereophile, that is much like an ARC preamp.

i was happy for a long while until one day i was in the right place at the right time. to shorten the story and not bore you with details, i came home with a SP3a1 that one time was tate of the art ('79) and was completely changed in my thinking in terms of tubes.

i expected the stereotypical soft top, round full lows, and liquid mids. the liquid mids were there alright BUT the top extended out to daylight, and the lows were TIGHT and deeper than i thought possible with tubes. the gfp never saw the light of day in my system again. it isnt worthy!

my advice is to look for an sp9, sp6c, or sp3a1. if phono isnt needed, then look at the tubed line stages from arc or cj. the regular cj preamps are also a consideration as would be VTL.

feanor is right about the 555 not being in need of smoothing. thats a false opinion that has been repeated by those who just havent heard adcom amps. i have heard the 555II in my system, and on my friends system-the 5400 and 5500 plus the 5802 driving martin logan reQuests via counterpoint preamplification.

you cant go wrong with the ARCs, youll get back what you paid if you dont like it, but i dont think you'll be wanting to let it go.