Is this Adcom combo a good deal and a good system?

pglbook

There is an Adcom combo located not too far from me.
The seller is asking $400 for an Adcom GFA 555 power amp and Adcom GTP 450 pre/tuner combo.
Is that a good deal? Would this be a good system? Is a pre/tuner combo ok or is it better to get a stand-alone pre?
The units seem to be in nice cosmetic and working condition. No issues.

I have been looking to get into the world of separates to better power my Polk SDA 2B TL and Dahlquist DQ 10 speakers and was wondering if this Adcom combo would be a good system for me to get and jump into the world of separates.

I was looking for a Parasound HCA 1200 but had no luck finding one and I have heard good things about the
Adcom GFA 555. I do not know the GTP 450, however.

Also, one concern I have heard is that the Adcom power amp lacks a protection circuit (sorry, I do not know technical term) which could put speakers at risk. is that correct? Is that a big concern and a possible deal breaker?

I'd appreciate any information.

Thanks.

ZLTFUL

That's the high end of eBay pricing on just the GFA-555 alone. You can find then now and then for $300-350...typically without shipping which will add another $30-$50.

The GTP-450 isn't bad by any means and they go from about $75 to $150 depending on condition, box, etc etc.
Personally, since I am in the market for more GFA-555s, I would go for it, try out the GTP-450 and if I didn't like it, flip it on eBay to recoup some of the initial investment.

DaveHo

These days a 555 by itself generally goes for $300 - $350. Some can be found cheaper. I owned an Adcom GTP-500, as my first real pre-amp. Now that I'm more experienced in separates I would rate it as just OK. If it were me, I'd try to get the seller to split up the pair & go for just the amp.

The 555 has no output protection relays. There are some out there who think the amp will suddenly send massive amounts of DC out & fry your speakers. I've personally never been concerned about that with the 555 I own & have never known anybody who had that happen to them. Since it is a local sale, I would take along a multi-meter & check the DC levels on the speaker outs if you can before purchasing. Anything under +- 50 mV & I'd have no fear of buying the unit.

cnh

DaveHo wrote: »

These days a 555 by itself generally goes for $300 - $350. Some can be found cheaper. I owned an Adcom GTP-500, as my first real pre-amp. Now that I'm more experienced in separates I would rate it as just OK. If it were me, I'd try to get the seller to split up the pair & go for just the amp.

The 555 has no output protection relays. There are some out there who think the amp will suddenly send massive amounts of DC out & fry your speakers. I've personally never been concerned about that with the 555 I own & have never known anybody who had that happen to them. Since it is a local sale, I would take along a multi-meter & check the DC levels on the speaker outs if you can before purchasing. Anything under +- 50 mV & I'd have no fear of buying the unit.

+1, everyone on AK thinks Adcoms are Doomsday Machines and almost NO ONE here has ever had a pair of speakers damaged by any Adcom, and that includes me. They're built like tanks, ESPECIALLY the old two channel Nelson Pass models (I am not going to endorse the multi-channel units because they seem to have more problems). Can they spike? Yes. Will they, most likely NOT and let all the naysayers at AK be damned (those guys are like a "broken record").

Adcom pres, excepting the GFA-750 and maybe the 715, the lower models are just OK (nothing special). But 400 is a GOOD price for BOTH and you can always flip the pre if you don't like it.

My suggestions for a stand alone pre for an Adcom 555 (see my Nakamichi below, Onkyo P-30X series, and any good Hafler--all of these are very very "affordable" pre-amps that sound good; the Nak and Onkyo also have very good phono-stages).

cnh

cnh

Thanks Sal,

That's what I meant above, TYPO! GFP-750. And still "acceptable" GFP-715.

cnh

falconcry72

i think 400 for the combo is a good deal, especially if everything's in excellent shape, and a REALLY good deal if he has the original boxes.

Any single dollar you could negotiate down is just icing.

I say go for it! A great intro to separates! Then... if you feel that you are "lacking" in any way... you can sell the pre and try a new one.

What are you using as a source?

gudnoyez

I have my 2B's running off a GFA555II with a GTP400 nice combo I think, I also have a 545II and a GTP450 running a pair of CRS+'s
I 'am happy with how each system sounds. This is my first fling with seperates, and SDA's and have acquired these all since joining the forum. I think you should try it out, the advantage you have is that your 2B's are already upgraded, so with the money you save not having to do that, you can save up for a tube preamp for later on. Price seems fair for that combo try it out. I also see Geppy has a 555II up for sale that probably wont last long.

leftwinger57

It's a good price.The 555 alone is a solid $300 all day as was mine. The pre is a toss up but again if they are in good shape it's a
good deal.As they tell me here all the time condition is everything and if they look as they do in the add go for it. I believe I saw the add in Freehold.

pglbook

Thanks for all of your comments. It sounds like a good deal. I know the Adcom GFA 555 sells for at least $300 but I did not know anything about the pre. The pre does not sound too great from your opinions but I can of course upgrade later on and move the Adcom pre at a later date. I will look into this. Thanks again for all of your very informative feedback. Much appreciated.

daboyz

Forget the pre. Get the amp.

KLapinas

Like others have said, buy them and if you don't like them you should be able to sell them and at least get your money back. I would offer $350 and see what he says.