Adcom GFP-750 - Really disappointed...

CSM41

I appreciate the response. Great synopsis that makes me wonder why I am even curious about another preamp. The Dared is outstanding with my current system. I am using a Brimar rectifier and a pair of Psvane 12AT7's with it. I do wish that it had more inputs.

Thank you.

audiocr381ve

heiney9 wrote: »

A tad more weight, images are carved out a little better, singers and midrange especially have a more liquid 3D quality, recording ambience details are a tad more noticeable. Overall the presentation from lower midrange to the top is much livelier and very 3D compared to the SS playback. Of course the magnitude is based heavily on the tubes you are using. Bass tends to drier and more controlled with the SS, sometimes that can be good depending on the recording.

These things are fairly subtle because the 750 is a really neutral and very good performer. But if I forget to flip the switch to put the tubes in the loop, after awhile of listening and being unaware the SS is playing I always feel like there is something missing, the presentation is just a tad drier and 2D comparatively. Almost everytime I notice this, the SS is playing not the tubes. There are also times when the tubes are brighter and/or have more detail than the SS. Again tube dependant.

I can sit in my listening position and with the volume set the same for each pre-amp can switch the Dared in and out by remote and do a side by side w/o ever moving. I did this a lot the first 3-4 months I had it and I have to say for two channel critical listening, tubes win most of the time.

My brother wonders why I even keep the 750 since almost all my listening is done with the Dared. For one when I watch movies I use the 750 and if I am streaming music from the SQB while doing other things around the house (non-critical listening). It saves wear and tear on the Dared and the tubes. Plus, I like the flexibility of my set-up and if the Dared ever had to go in for repair, I'd still have a stellar pre to listen to.

H9

Buzz kill.

heiney9

Tubes rule!







Tubes add Soul!




The differences are minor and you need to spend time with both to pick up on them. Once you realize they are there, when they go away (taking the tubes out of the mix) it becomes apparent something is missing. I guess it depends on how critical a listener you are. Most times when I have friends over and I A/B they don't hear a difference. I do because I'm familiar with the rig and most of the recordings I play. Because I know how the tubes make a difference in the music, I tend to listen for those cues, someone just coming in to listen may not pick up on those cues until a lot more familiarity sets in.

Think of it as how it relates to your car. You drive it everyday for years, you get to know all the sounds, creaks, smells, nuances of it. Pick someone up for a ride they probably don't notice 1/2 of what you do because of familiarity.

H9

P.s. That is no reflection on the 750 or a weakness of the 750, it's the difference between tubes and SS.

audiocr381ve

heiney9 wrote: »

Tubes rule!







Tubes add Soul!




The differences are minor and you need to spend time with both to pick up on them. Once you realize they are there, when they go away (taking the tubes out of the mix) it becomes apparent something is missing. I guess it depends on how critical a listener you are. Most times when I have friends over and I A/B they don't hear a difference. I do because I'm familiar with the rig and most of the recordings I play. Because I know how the tubes make a difference in the music, I tend to listen for those cues, someone just coming in to listen may not pick up on those cues until a lot more familiarity sets in.

Think of it as how it relates to your car. You drive it everyday for years, you get to know all the sounds, creaks, smells, nuances of it. Pick someone up for a ride they probably don't notice 1/2 of what you do because of familiarity.

H9

P.s. That is no reflection on the 750 or a weakness of the 750, it's the difference between tubes and SS.

He he, I may run a setup like you one day (using the Dared in the processor loop). Cool thing is the Dared isn't ridiculously expensive to try.

heiney9

audiocr381ve wrote: »

Cool thing is the Dared isn't ridiculously expensive to try.

Until you start rolling tubes to find what you like. Dared $300, tube rolling about $500-700. :twisted:

I admit I might be the extreme example, but I've tried a lot of tubes and I'd like to think I've helped other Dared owners by giving them suggestions so they don't have to spend $500 to find out.

I enjoy(ed) it thoroughly.

H9

CSM41

Rolling tubes isn't quite as expensive as "rolling" good mc phono carts on a TT, but it gets pretty damn pricey. By the way, I just picked up a Shunyata Venom 3 power cable and I could tell a definite improvement. Funny how a $100 power cord can make a diff. My gear is revealing enough that little things add up and have sonic impact.

By the way, you suggested the Brimar rectifier for me so, yes, you have helped a lot of us of save a little scratch.