Amp

codyc1ark

Seemingly, I've had a channel die on my amp. So this is going to be a 'where do I go from here' question.

The amp is a Adcom GFA-7000 which has been solid for a few years, I picked it up here I believe and I've been fairly kind to it. So, do I send it off for repairs/recapping or do I sell it as-is and move onto something else. It's tax/bonus season, so I'm open to suggestions. I'm not opposed to the idea of grabbing a two channel amp for now and letting the avr drive the center/surrounds for awhile. I'm also in no rush, since the rig spends 75% of it's time doing music.

This is the related gear that it will be used with-

Elite SC-25, Oppo for movie duty, Squeezebox for music, Lsi9s/C.

gudnoyez

There is a shop here in the Quad Cities he's worked on a couple of amps for me and services Adcoms. I could give you his number. I could meet you in Iowa City, or the company I work for has a location in Des Moines you could box it up we have drivers that go to Cedar Rapids, Des Moines, Iowa City, and here in the QCA we could work something out. I would be more than happy to help you out even if your a cowboy fan.

ZLTFUL

I am going to make an against the grain suggestion here Cody...but if you liked how the GFA-7000 sounded with the LSis, I think you would be very pleased with the Emotiva XPA-3.

The 2nd Gen XPAs are an improvement over the original generation. Then aren't the best amp out there but the bang for the buck level is pretty solid. Especially with the 5 year warranty.
I just don't think the investment in repairing the 7000 is worth it but if you do decide to go that route, Big Sky also does Adcom work.

Still need to get you over to check out my setup. The local AVS group is looking to do a home theater crawl in late March and I offered to host one stop (they have 5 volunteers right now to host but depending on my surgery date, I may have to give up my slot...but they only want to do 4 anyway since there are folks coming from Nebraska, Missouri, Wisconsin and Illinois)

codyc1ark

My first thought was Big Sky, I'm going to entertain the idea of an upgrade. Emo just gets such a bad wrap around here, but then again I've never had my ears on any of their gear. The idea of a few more watts doesn't hurt the argument for them. I'll take my time, i've always wanted to run a rotel or parasound through the rig and I'm not opposed to buying used.

@gudnoyez Thanks for the offer, I'll keep that in mind as I'm in Iowa City quite a bit. I've found a place in DM on the web, so I may talk to them first.

@ZLTFUL We need to get together, you name the day and time and I'll be there. I'd be interested in checking that HT crawl out. We need to do an Iowa Polkfest, I think you should host it.

ZLTFUL

Who are you looking at in DSM?

I will see what we can come up with in the near future. I am running an Emo XPR-5 in my HT setup. It is quite a step up from the XPAs but I felt the XPAs were on par with, if not slightly better than my Adcoms (GFA-555, GFA-5500, GFA-5503)

gudnoyez

I sure am liking my 5503 thanks to Ryan. I could host a little get together perhaps this fall after my basement flooded its back together got a plumbing project up next that's gonna cost but should be back on my feet in a bit would like to have a pair of SDAs moded by then also. A mini Iowa Polk fest is long over due. Decisions Decisions huh Cody on that Amp.

ZLTFUL

I don't think so Skip. But it could be. I have been through the whole gamut of Emotiva amps with the soul exception being the LPA series.
The UPA is on par with the D3 and Ice amps in the Pioneer Elites (not topography...they are A/B amps) in the sound quality department.

The XPAs are a bit bright on the top end (Gen 2 softened this a hair) but when coupled with a warmer speaker (LSis), they are a decent combo.

The XPRs are surprisingly warm. And with my LSis, I think I found a good match. I played with the new Rotel RMB-1585 (the new A/B not the class D ones) and a couple of others that didn't blow my skirt up.

I know that there are better options out there...but for the money, I have been very pleased with the XPR. My Musical Fidelity will beat it out in musicality and just sounds all around better but then I paid nearly as much for that 2 channel as I did for the XPR 5 channel.

codyc1ark

Bingo Ryan. You said it, my need is for a five channel amp right now, I want a nice two channel, but until I have the space again for a second rig I need to keep the overall goal of the system in focus. I can live with running a rear channel off of the Pio, so I'll keep an eye out for a killer used deal or maybe audition the Emo. The second gen is getting some pretty good reviews.

Ronster267

I have to say my new XPA-5 Gen 2 has blown my mind so far.
a lot better than I expected. For the price, I don't think you can beat it. I had considered getting a used Parasound, but getting a five year transferable warranty sealed the deal for me. I figured even if I HATED it, it would be easier to resell. They also have a thirty day no questions asked audition period when you buy.

codyc1ark

@F1nut Any thoughts?

ZLTFUL

LOL Jesse loathes Emotiva. And isn't really a fan of Adcom either.
As much as we chat via PM, I am surprised he has never chastised me over it. Hehe.