What is it thats good about the adcom 750 preamp

polkfarmboy

I know there are many who own these units but my question is, whats so good about them? They are older and carry a high price tag.

FTGV

Well basically the simple single ended design results in a very musical pre.All the gain is provided by a single differential pair of MOSFET's.

polkfarmboy

I have never tried a passive pre and I am excited to try this one out with a nice pair of balanced cables. I got one to try and then sell if I dont like it because I am not really into solid state preamps anymore but hoping this one may change my mind.

FTGV

Uniquely it is switchable between active and passive modes.

B Run

I've heard nothing but good things and they definitely hold their value, interested to see what you think if you snag one.

decal

Don't break it if you buy one !!!!!!!!!

tonyb

polkfarmboy wrote: »

I have never tried a passive pre and I am excited to try this one out with a nice pair of balanced cables. I got one to try and then sell if I dont like it because I am not really into solid state preamps anymore but hoping this one may change my mind.

It won't...you had some very nice pre's roll threw your living room. Don't think this one will make you stop and rethink everything.

cnh

Tony is right. The 750 is probably the "best" pre-amp Adcom ever made courtesy of Nelson Pass. As explained above it's most important feature is that it can be run in the passive mode with a minimum of nonsense between it and your source. It is dead quiet, ruler flat and adds almost nothing to your amp. Oh, and the BLUE BOARD 750 is the most desirable. Open her up and look inside to see what your board looks like!

Also, at $600-$700 used, it's not really that expensive compared to what TOTL pre-amps can run. Don't know where you're coming from there, especially since you seem to spend small fortunes on gear all the time and rush to this site to display them like a child in "show and tell".

It's obvious that you come from "money" even though you refuse to admit it. No problem. It's the American way to not tell people what we make. It's considered rude. In China though, it would be rude NOT TO TELL someone who asked you! lol Those Americans, so protective of their "value", their "money", their "stuff".

cnh

gudnoyez

I want to try one my 555ii and 545ii are not going anywhere except to Big Sky to be gone over, I have been wanting a tube Pre and will end up getting one, however if a 750 crosses my path I would get one.

polkfarmboy

cnh wrote: »

Don't know where you're coming from there, especially since you seem to spend small fortunes on gear all the time and rush to this site to display them like a child in "show and tell".

It's obvious that you come from "money" even though you refuse to admit it. No problem. It's the American way to not tell people what we make. It's considered rude. In China though, it would be rude NOT TO TELL someone who asked you! lol Those Americans, so protective of their "value", their "money", their "stuff".

cnh

Well Cnh I got the impression that folks may share your belief about coming here to show of gear so now I dont even mention what I have snagged. I really do not have any money despite what you think I do not come from it either. If I mention something audio related then I now generally only mention pieces I have a genuine interest in. Same goes for stuff I sell, I never try push gear on here with a good profit margin because I do not wish to rip off my fellow polkies.

NJPOLKER

The Adcom GFP-750 is good. I listened to it in my system for a few days. It can't in no way compete with the Anthem PRE2L I was using at that time. Not even the same planet.

And if Sal wants to chime in that would be interesting. Like I said the 750 is adequate I guess. Separation, detail, sound stage, warmth, everything sounded in my opinion the way it was meant to be.

tonyb

polkfarmboy wrote: »

I never try push gear on here with a good profit margin because I do not wish to rip off my fellow polkies.

OUCH....care to clarify that statement ? Because on the surface you make it sound like it's ok to "rip off" other unsuspecting buyers.

polkfarmboy

Not that I rip people off tony but rather I would not feel comfortable coming here and frequenting a profit from other members on the forum.

polkfarmboy

NJPOLKER wrote: »

The Adcom GFP-750 is good. I listened to it in my system for a few days. It can't in no way compete with the Anthem PRE2L I was using at that time. Not even the same planet.

And if Sal wants to chime in that would be interesting. Like I said the 750 is adequate I guess. Separation, detail, sound stage, warmth, everything sounded in my opinion the way it was meant to be.

NJ your Anthem was a tube pre I think and its a different kind of comparison.

NJPOLKER

polkfarmboy wrote: »

NJ your Anthem was a tube pre I think and its a different kind of comparison.

I fully understand that. That's why I even mentioned it. Tubes rule!!

Why buy a SS pre-amp if your looking for better sound quality? I'll venture to guess you'd have to spend a pretty penny to find a SS pre that competes with a good tube pre like the Anthem PRE2L

I do like the looks of the 750 and the remote is better than the Anthem remote.

What do you mean by a different kind of comparison? They are pre-amp's right? Maybe your looking to compare only SS pre's?

Funny thing is I almost bought a 750 and happy I didn't and bought the PRE2L. Like I said no comparison.

bthogan

cnh wrote: »

Also, at $600-$700 used, it's not really that expensive compared to what TOTL pre-amps can run.

cnh

Prices have actually been going up for these - they're hitting $800-$900, and getting sold. Not sure what's going on, other than (I guess) simple supply and demand. Glad I got mine for $750.

I love mine, but I can only compare it to my old(er) GFP-565 (my "starter" pre). Much bigger soundstage, much more "analytical", more holographic, cleaner. Actually took a little getting used to. The 565 actually had a bit of warmth that I was not opposed to. However, when I swapped the 565 back in to compare...no choice, really.

And I would not disrespect my McCormack with anything less (SQ-wise) than a 750.

tonyb

bthogan wrote: »

And I would not disrespect my McCormack with anything less (SQ-wise) than a 750.

Spoken like a true audio nut...I dig it.

PFB,
In a SS pre, maybe turn your eyes towards Cary or Anthem, bought as close as you'll get to that tube sound that I can think of. Also the Dodd passive pre is no slouch either.

cnh

Gotta agree with NJPOLKER about a good "tube pre-amp". Mostly because I'm a "warm" guy. BUT, there are guys on this site who would NOT prefer a tube pre-amp over a quality SS that was super neutral and detailed to the point of laser etching your eardrums. I've met a few at P-Fests. They love that "detail", EVERY detail, even the ones these older ears most definitely can't hear. To each their own. There have been speakers that made my ears bleed that a couple of guys "loved". lol

Cayman Island accounts anyone?





cnh

polkfarmboy

Well I do have 3 tube amps sitting here but only 2 solid state pre's so I needed the adcom so that I can even the numbers up cnh.

NJPOLKER

I like the 750 don't get me wrong and for a SS I am pretty sure it is good.

One of the great things about making wise used purchases is that you can flip them with little to no loss.

danz1906

NJPOLKER wrote: »

I like the 750 don't get me wrong and for a SS I am pretty sure it is good.

One of the great things about making wise used purchases is that you can flip them with little to no loss.

Agreed, The 750 holds it's value on the used market. I felt that the 750 had a Punchy Detailed sound with great Low-end.

Toolfan66

I loved it when I had it but I have no regrets moving it, it is a fantastic pre..

tonyb

cnh wrote: »

Gotta agree with NJPOLKER about a good "tube pre-amp". Mostly because I'm a "warm" guy. BUT, there are guys on this site who would NOT prefer a tube pre-amp over a quality SS that was super neutral and detailed to the point of laser etching your eardrums. I've met a few at P-Fests. They love that "detail", EVERY detail, even the ones these older ears most definitely can't hear. To each their own. There have been speakers that made my ears bleed that a couple of guys "loved". lol
cnh

Yeah man, us older dudes definitely seem to gravitate to the warmer side of things. What is good about any piece ? Value is in the eye of the beholder....or should I say ears ?

NJPOLKER

tonyb wrote: »

Yeah man, us older dudes definitely seem to gravitate to the warmer side of things. What is good about any piece ? Value is in the eye of the beholder....or should I say ears ?

Tony
I have no idea how old you are but.............wonderful sounding music is warm. The young people today LOVE ****ty sound music. I just don't get it. I guess we are 1%ters

RamZet

I toss these things into the garbage, why do polk forum members like these? Should I be selling these things here? ( toss out adcom products not this pre)


edit:
They aren't bad (pre)amps and they last forever but I wouldn't go out of my way to buy one.