New (used) Adcom GFA-535 MK2 sounds really good to me

Timothy Smith
Timothy Smith Posts: 764
edited March 2014 in 2 Channel Audio
I received a free "broken" Adcom GFA-535MK2 from my brother that someone had given him.

Opened it up and one 50 cent fuse later it is working.

Hooked it up to a Eastern Electric Min/Max preamp, a NAD CD player, and some A/D/S L-810's speakers last night and was immediately impressed by the sound. Maybe better than previous GFA-555 and GFA-545 that I owned, but "remembering" how something sounded is sketchy at best.

It replaced a highly regarded B&K amp of 200 watts/channel that I was using vs. "only" 60 for the litttle Adcom.

Anyone else like/dislike this amp?

I can't wait to get home and listen some more.
Norh ACA-2B tube pre, Sumo Andromeda SS amp. Magneplanar MMG speakers, M&K MX1250 Subwoofer, Pro-Ject RM1.3 Genie TT with Sumiko Pearl MM cart., Keces DAC, Cambridge Audio Azur 640c CD player
Post edited by Timothy Smith on
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • polrbehr
    polrbehr Posts: 2,830
    edited March 2014
    Sure do, mine drives a pair of 2Bs to sonic heaven without breaking a sweat.

    I never had it tested, but I'd say it outputs more than 60wpc too. JMHO.

    If you can roll different power cords, a Magic Power from Signal Cable will take this "little" amp further up the ladder.
    So, are you willing to put forth a little effort or are you happy sitting in your skeptical poo pile?


    http://audiomilitia.proboards.com/
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited March 2014
    IIRC the 535 is a dual mono-- sweet little amp-- plays much larger than its' size--enjoy!
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Timothy Smith
    Timothy Smith Posts: 764
    edited March 2014
    Thanks,

    I think it is a dual-mono design. So by definition not "common-ground".

    Doesn't that present a problem with SDA's like the 2B's if you use the interconnect cord?
    Norh ACA-2B tube pre, Sumo Andromeda SS amp. Magneplanar MMG speakers, M&K MX1250 Subwoofer, Pro-Ject RM1.3 Genie TT with Sumiko Pearl MM cart., Keces DAC, Cambridge Audio Azur 640c CD player
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • polrbehr
    polrbehr Posts: 2,830
    edited March 2014
    Good question. I actually have two 535s, the one I use now says GFA535ll on the faceplate. Maybe it's not a MKll? I didn't know there was a difference. But it is definitely common-ground, I think I would have found out it wasn't before now LOL.

    This is what the back looks like -> http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=48103&d=1271007387
    So, are you willing to put forth a little effort or are you happy sitting in your skeptical poo pile?


    http://audiomilitia.proboards.com/
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • polrbehr
    polrbehr Posts: 2,830
    edited March 2014
    deleted
    So, are you willing to put forth a little effort or are you happy sitting in your skeptical poo pile?


    http://audiomilitia.proboards.com/
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited March 2014
    It has two IE transformers, but it isn't dual mono is the traditional sense.

    Great little powerhouse amp that in it's day when I would demo it, embarrassed many other pricier and much more powerful (on paper) amplifiers. I bet it sounds fantastic with the EE Mini Max Pre.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • RamZet
    RamZet Posts: 792
    edited March 2014
    I dont like it or hate it ( goes for all Adcom products for me).
    But what a great deal. That amp for 50 cents is a great deal.
    This is how I got my Genelec sub and one HT209 studio monitor ( Gave the monitor to a buddy as a center).
    We had dead EQ in the garbage pile at work. I swapped out the fuses and took it home...
    B&W CM9Classé Sigma
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter