New Finds

[luvtolisten]

Me too! I'll check it out, thanks!

[Mr Peabody]

JoeE, what speakers were you using with the Adcom? With my Dynaudio the gfa-5500 was better than the 5400 in every aspect. Unless you wanted a brighter amp. Actually, the two sounded quite a bit different. I know the 5500 had more output devices and used MOSFET but I can't remember if the 5400 was MOSFET, if not, could account for some sound difference. I would not jones for a 5400 but would take a 5500 if I had the chance just to have one. For you guys considering Adcom the 5400 is a good amp, it just isn't a 5500. As mentioned I believe the 5400 was conservatively rated on power. It rocked my 4 ohm Dyn's and didn't break a sweat. At extreme volumes it did show some distortion. With the 5500 I backed down before it did. From what I've experienced though Adcom are my favorite over Rotel and NAD.

[JoeE SP9]

JoeE, what speakers were you using with the Adcom? With my Dynaudio the gfa-5500 was better than the 5400 in every aspect. Unless you wanted a brighter amp. Actually, the two sounded quite a bit different. I know the 5500 had more output devices and used MOSFET but I can't remember if the 5400 was MOSFET, if not, could account for some sound difference. I would not jones for a 5400 but would take a 5500 if I had the chance just to have one. For you guys considering Adcom the 5400 is a good amp, it just isn't a 5500. As mentioned I believe the 5400 was conservatively rated on power. It rocked my 4 ohm Dyn's and didn't break a sweat. At extreme volumes it did show some distortion. With the 5500 I backed down before it did. From what I've experienced though Adcom are my favorite over Rotel and NAD.

I used it on my ESL's first. It ended up driving my subs. I have two that I'm not using. I drafted a Crown XLS402 to drive my subs.
There's no doubt the 555 is more powerful. IMO it doesn't sound as sweet. One of my buddies is using a 585 to drive a pair of Maggie 3.6R's it sounds very good.

[frenchmon]

JoeE, what speakers were you using with the Adcom? With my Dynaudio the gfa-5500 was better than the 5400 in every aspect. Unless you wanted a brighter amp. Actually, the two sounded quite a bit different. I know the 5500 had more output devices and used MOSFET but I can't remember if the 5400 was MOSFET, if not, could account for some sound difference. I would not jones for a 5400 but would take a 5500 if I had the chance just to have one. For you guys considering Adcom the 5400 is a good amp, it just isn't a 5500. As mentioned I believe the 5400 was conservatively rated on power. It rocked my 4 ohm Dyn's and didn't break a sweat. At extreme volumes it did show some distortion. With the 5500 I backed down before it did. From what I've experienced though Adcom are my favorite over Rotel and NAD.

The 5500 is 200 watts and the 5400 is 125 watts per both @ 8ohms. They both are MOSFET.

I have the Rotel 1080 and the Adcom 5400. I believe the Rotel is better than the Adcom. I dont feel the 5400 is bright at all. At 4ohms the 5400 is 200@channel. The 5500 is 350 watts per channel @ 4 ohms.

[Mr Peabody]

Well, the 5400 certainly isn't warm by no means. It may also be system set up, I was useing Transparent cables. I didn't mean to imply the 5400 was overly bright just brighter than the 5500. The 5500 has a warmer more balanced sound.

JoeE, I think you are talking about the 555 and I'm talking about the 5500. The 5500 is a very good sounding amp, much more than the 5400. I have not heard the older 545/555. When you hear the 5500 it has a very dark character sort of like older Krell gear has, I hate to say it was warm but it does have a nice balance and comfortable feel to it. The highs weren't rolled off but much smoother than the 5400.

[JoeE SP9]

That's true. I have little experience with the XX00 series. We're both being a little "high endish". The real issue is that Adcom gear is a step above most receiver based gear. I'm sure we agree on that.

[frenchmon]

Well, the 5400 certainly isn't warm by no means. It may also be system set up, I was useing Transparent cables. I didn't mean to imply the 5400 was overly bright just brighter than the 5500. The 5500 has a warmer more balanced sound.

JoeE, I think you are talking about the 555 and I'm talking about the 5500. The 5500 is a very good sounding amp, much more than the 5400. I have not heard the older 545/555. When you hear the 5500 it has a very dark character sort of like older Krell gear has, I hate to say it was warm but it does have a nice balance and comfortable feel to it. The highs weren't rolled off but much smoother than the 5400.

P...I get the impression you really like dark sounding gear? Nothing wrong with that. We all like different things.

[Feanor]

Well, the 5400 certainly isn't warm by no means. It may also be system set up, I was useing Transparent cables. I didn't mean to imply the 5400 was overly bright just brighter than the 5500. The 5500 has a warmer more balanced sound.

JoeE, I think you are talking about the 555 and I'm talking about the 5500. The 5500 is a very good sounding amp, much more than the 5400. I have not heard the older 545/555. When you hear the 5500 it has a very dark character sort of like older Krell gear has, I hate to say it was warm but it does have a nice balance and comfortable feel to it. The highs weren't rolled off but much smoother than the 5400.

Mr P, you quoted me as saying that the 5500 was "earthy"; actually it was the 555II I was referring to. But not matter: a bit "dark" would also apply to the latter. So what's "dark"? Well I think we probably agree ... not "warm" but certainly not "forward", (much less "bright"). Perhaps a little reticent in the lower midrange but subtly so.

The 555II was a relaxing sound next to the Bel Canto eVo2i I'd been using which was slightly forward and dry in the midrange. An instrument analogy would be an oboe vs. a flute or clarinet. My current Monarchy SM-70 Pro's are the most perfectly balance amps I've heard -- granted, I haven't heard 'em all.

[poppachubby]

Ya don't sweat it Peabody. Historically, the dark side has had alot of very influential supporters...

[frenchmon]

Ya don't sweat it Peabody. Historically, the dark side has had alot of very influential supporters...

lol!!!! Man you crack me up!

[poppachubby]

lol!!!! Man you crack me up!

Glad I could help you out with that. Look at the thing on his chest. Seems reasonable that it could be a Bose Wave Radio w/ custom GPS and Sirius radio. Anyhow, I think that joke has lost it's steam.

Frenchie, keep an eye on the analog forum. I will be posting something very funny there.

[frenchmon]

I really cant see why the 2 amps...the 5400 and the 5500 would be so different in sound seeing they are almost identical in the stats. IF you are talking about that Adcom I listened to at your house they pretty much sounded a like to me. OR was that a different amp we had connected to my Rotel preamp that day? On the other hand, I've hooked both the Adcom and Rotel amps up to my system here and there is a difference. Neither amp is dark nor very bright but the Adcom seems to be a bit more heavy with the bass put out with a more robust sound where as the Rotels bass out put is not as punchy but full. I do have A+ cables which are a warmer cable so they could be holding down some of the brightness if they are bright, but I doubt it.

http://www.adcom.com/data/compare/Ho...Power-Amps.pdf

[Mr Peabody]

Frenchmon, you are correct, I do like a dark background. I was able to pull the 5400 out of my system and directly replace it with the 5500 and there is definitely a sound difference. I really can't remember which amp we used with the Rotel preamp. I would agree with your assessment of the difference between the Rotel and Adcom amps.

JoeE, my good man, we can certainly agree the Adcom is a large step up from receivers. I can't understand why they don't hold value on the used market but it makes a hella deal for the wise.

[dakatabg]

I haven't gotten anything new lately so today I grabbed one Pioneer SX-737 Receiver. The only thing that bothers me is that it has a big brown spot at the top! I guess the previous owner was a painter or something because it is paint! Overall the receiver is good and it has very good sound.

[thekid]

I haven't gotten anything new lately so today I grabbed one Pioneer SX-737 Receiver. The only thing that bothers me is that it has a big brown spot at the top! I guess the previous owner was a painter or something because it is paint! Overall the receiver is good and it has very good sound. The AM sounds so nice on it!

Congrats Dak.

A little Howard's Restor-A-Finish and 0000 steel wool should remove that paint and restore the wood cabinet.

[dakatabg]

Well I have some paint remover somewhere in the garage but I have to check. I like the sound on that receiver. It is my first vintage Pioneer. I like how the AM radio band sounds!

[thekid]

Well I have some paint remover somewhere in the garage but I have to check. I like the sound on that receiver. It is my first vintage Pioneer. I like how the AM radio band sounds!

I would try the Howard's and steel wool before you put paint remover on the case. Chances are that the paint reomover will damage the cabinet stain. A can of Restor-A-Finish and steel wool can be found at your local Home Depot for about $10. It is a must have to bring back the finish on any wood receiver cabinet or speaker cabinets.

[thekid]

While I am trying to reduce my gear pile I could not walk away from this $5 beauty. It is a Nakimichi CR-2A from the late 80's and works flawlessly. It came with the original owner's manual and a tape catalog listing tapes in the Nakamichi Reference series. The pic is a little fuzzy but here is a link that can give you some info and a better pic.

http://www.vintagecassette.com/Nakamichi/CR-2

Not quite sure what the difference is between the CR-2 and the CR-2A but I am sure the owner's manual can help there.

[02audionoob]

While I am trying to reduce my gear pile I could not walk away from this $5 beauty. It is a Nakimichi CR-2A from the late 80's and works flawlessly. It came with the original owner's manual and a tape catalog listing tapes in the Nakamichi Reference series. The pic is a little fuzzy but here is a link that can give you some info and a better pic.

http://www.vintagecassette.com/Nakamichi/CR-2

Not quite sure what the difference is between the CR-2 and the CR-2A but I am sure the owner's manual can help there.

The A designates the models intended for North America.

[poppachubby]

dak I have the SX-650 and I absolutely love it. Sounds way better than it should. That's a keeper...

[Mr Peabody]

Who would just dump a Nakamichi.....

I was just reading an interview with Nelson Pass today and learned Nakamichi at one point built some amp replicas of his Threshold Stasis series. Nak sent the design to him to tweak before production. I wish he had given some model numbers that would be something to watch for.

[thekid]

Who would just dump a Nakamichi.....

I was just reading an interview with Nelson Pass today and learned Nakamichi at one point built some amp replicas of his Threshold Stasis series. Nak sent the design to him to tweak before production. I wish he had given some model numbers that would be something to watch for.

Well I am glad they did....

Just finished listening to some classical pre-recorded tapes and it is a great sounding deck-similar to my 480. Will try to record something on it tomorrow and see how that goes.

02- Thanks for the info. The owner's manual did mention that the A does mean it was desinated for the North American market and an E is for the European market.

[E-Stat]

Who would just dump a Nakamichi...

How much time do you spend listening to cassettes? I still have an old Sony unit, but keep it only to convert cassettes to CDs for family and friends (which I last did over the weekend).

...and learned Nakamichi at one point built some amp replicas of his Threshold Stasis series. Nak sent the design to him to tweak before production. I wish he had given some model numbers that would be something to watch for.

Actually, you have that backwards, Like Adcom, Nakamichi simply licensed his design (schematics) and was completely responsible for all aspects of execution. The PA series of Stasis amps were nice, but not built to Threshold standards. They used smaller transformers, fewer output transistors, lower quality parts and were significantly lighter than the Threshold equivalent. You can regularly find them on Agon and there are a couple there now.

A couple of years ago, Texas Instruments licensed his current "Super Symmetry" design, but as yet has not put it into production as far as I know.

rw

[poppachubby]

A couple of years ago, Texas Instruments licensed his current "Super Symmetry" design, but as yet has not put it into production as far as I know.

rw

Scary. TI will surely botch it up. How does it work E, regarding licensing? Can any company spend the cash and get one, or does the license holder have power of selection.

Honestly Nelson Pass is a big shiny audio god. Has he ever done any wrong? Anyone have any dirt on him, or maybe some crumby product that he built?

[dakatabg]

Today I got in the store Marantz SP2010 speakers. Those are probably the worse speakers Marantz has ever made. They sound horrible and look like KLH speakers!