Upgraditis. Some advice needed

JPete

Hey guys,

I've been hanging around here for over 2 years but have not posted much. The advice given on the forum is typically top notch, especially SDA upgrades. I have utilized this information recently to upgrade my 1986 blade/blade CRS+ speakers to nearly the full extent, and I'm very pleased with the results to say the least.

Most recently I upgraded cables with some Furez 10/2 that Doug sold me. Another nice improvement and I'm even happier.

So now, with good connections and great sounding(to my ears) speakers I feel like my preamp and amp are weak links. I'm running an Adcom GFA-555 that I've owned for about 5 years now. Bought in mint condition and it still is.

Preamp is an Adcom GTP500... I know these don't get ANY love on the forum, but compared to the rest of my mid-fi pre's, it takes the cake. I've swapped in a Kenwood C1, a Carver C1 and an NAD 1155. I always go back to the Adcom, and not just because it has a remote, but that is a nice feature.

So... For around $1000 - $1500, new or used, what's everyone's advice on a good step up?
I feel like the preamp should go first, but there is a Parasound 2250 fairly local to me for $650 in mint condition. Specs look good, but not quite HCA or A21 current and damping levels. An A21 would blow my budget so I can't go there right now or else I'd be stuck with the same pre.

Would Para 2250 blow the 555 out of the water? If so, what pre would you recommend to pair with it and staying in budget? Or should I stay with the 555 for a while and throw in a much nicer pre to get things rolling?

Thanks in advance for any kind responses.

-Jeremy

honestaquarian

Oh this is the part where any and everyone with an opinion will tell you what THEY think is best and blah,blah,blah!!
Ultimately iss YO MONEY
YO HOUSE
and YO EARS which will make the final decision as to what is best.

agfrost

I'm not experienced with Parasound, so I'll leave comments to others on that.

If you'd consider going integrated (and don't need an internal phono pre), the Plinius 9100 that's for sale in the Flea Market might be tempting...

JPete

Yeah, I know how it works. But there's probably some stuff out there that I haven't thought about, or someone that has something they're ready to move off at a decent price... Just throwing it out to field suggestions.

By the way, how's that M-400a working for you? Any problems? I've got one sitting around doing nothing if you're interested in another...

cnh

Yeah, look around! Maybe consider a tube pre-amp for the Adcom (warm it up a little).

Possibly a Dared if you just want to get your toes wet and not get soaked (budget wise) doing it? Then save some coin to roll tubes-talk with Brock (H9) he has a lot of experience in this area!

JPete

agfrost wrote: »

I'm not experienced with Parasound, so I'll leave comments to others on that.

If you'd consider going integrated (and don't need an internal phono pre), the Plinius 9100 that's for sale in the Flea Market might be tempting...

I saw that Plinius. Looks like a really nice piece, but I'm still favoring the separates thing right now.

honestaquarian

@jpete
The M400a is STILL in service!!
The damn thing is over thirty years old (*and I've had it for more than twenty*) and it's still chugging along. I use it for my height speakers.

JPete

cnh wrote: »

Yeah, look around! Maybe consider a tube pre-amp for the Adcom (warm it up a little).

Possibly a Dared if you just want to get your toes wet and not get soaked (budget wise) doing it? Then save some coin to roll tubes-talk with Brock (H9) he has a lot of experience in this area!

Dared tube pre is a cool suggestion. Thanks.

I was actually hoping that H9 would eventually throw some feedback in this thread since I've seen that he is a bit of an Adcom advocate. I almost threw down the money on a blue board GFP 750 last night, but decided to not be so impulsive and play the field before changing anything.

For the record, I am really happy with the way my room sounds right now, but after the speaker and cable upgrades and the differences I heard, I can't help but think that there is room for more in some electronic changes.

honestaquarian

Come to think of it have you compared the Adcom to the Carver?
They have similar power output.

JPete

honestaquarian wrote: »

@jpete
The M400a is STILL in service!!
The damn thing is over thirty years old (*and I've had it for more than twenty*) and it's still chugging along. I use it for my height speakers.

That's good to hear. Someone gifted me mine a while back, even came with the Carver Z-1 coupler. Pretty cool piece, but I noticed some low level clicking coming from the right channel when I tested it. Just set it to the side and haven't touched it again. I think the M-400a matched with my Carver C1 pre will make a nice garage system with my Monitor 10s.

honestaquarian

Oh wait you can't use it with Polk SDA's unless you have no common ground interface cable capability

JPete

@honestaquarian
The Carver is not common ground, so can't use it on the CRS system.

JPete

honestaquarian wrote: »

Oh wait you can't use it with Polk SDA's unless you have no common ground interface cable capability

Unfortunately that is the case. It sounds good with my 10s and 11s, but I like the sound of my Kenwood M1A a little better, but even that is temporary until the M2A gets out of a 2 month long rehab..

honestaquarian

Hey using my name got you a name dropper badge!
Congrats

JPete

I saw that. I'm moving up in the world. One day I may be able to try to sell some of my extra stuff on the flea market...

honestaquarian

A hundred posts or more or something like that

honestaquarian

To your original post question
NAD
Proton
Carver TFM series
Onkyo
Parasound
Musical Fidelity
Denon
Pioneer
Adcom GFA-5802
Rotel

JPete

Thanks @honestaquarian

Parasound seems to be a common recommendation around here, and I'm sure for good reason. Hoping someone with first hand experience of differences between GFA 555, HCA 1500, A21, and 2250 will chime in. Parasounds have peaked my interest, but I just don't know how much of a step up it would be from the Adcom.

Some days I wish I never stumbled onto this forum, then I go home and listen to some music and I'm glad I did...

honestaquarian

@jpete
Me being a stereotypical Aquarian I NEVER follow the other sheep!!
I have been a fan of Bob Carver for three decades and currently own FOUR of his amps. All of which are in service on both of my systems.
I have also had experience with most if not all of the brands that I suggested.
Either owning, selling,or having listened to extensively. That is why I suggested them. Not putting down Parasound as that is one of my recommendations. I just STRONGLY recommend you use YOUR OWN EARS and DO NOT FOLLOW THE CROWDS JUST BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT THEY ARE DOING.
I have watched TOO MANY expensive mistakes being made doing that.

Nightfall

For what it's worth I am happy with my Dared MC-7P. Tubes, phono stage, and three line stages. Uses a 5U4G, a 6V6, a 12AT7 & four 12AX7s

vmaxer

For the record I have followed the advise of several here and am glad I did. Nobody says you have to, just relate their experiences and give advise. I think the OP understands that.

JPete

I appreciate everyone that's chimed in. I'll be researching some tube pres this evening to see if anything strikes me in a reasonable price range.

I've read on here that a lot of folks think the GFA-555 sound stage and musicality is inferior to Parasounds. The sound stage in my room gives the illusion of coming from outside the walls, and from all directions. It's also extremely musical and detailed in my opinion, but my comparisons have been quite limited. I'd really love to hear something better.

A friend of mine has some Carver amps in storage that I'll see if I can try out just for the hell of it. I don't remember the models... I think one is an M500t with the big meters. Carver gear model numbers are like Harley Davidson models to me. Too many to remember which is which.

pumpkinman

https://hollowstate.netfirms.com/#Preamplifiers

vmaxer

JPete wrote: »

I appreciate everyone that's chimed in. I'll be researching some tube pres this evening to see if anything strikes me in a reasonable price range.

I've read on here that a lot of folks think the GFA-555 sound stage and musicality is inferior to Parasounds. The sound stage in my room gives the illusion of coming from outside the walls, and from all directions. It's also extremely musical and detailed in my opinion, but my comparisons have been quite limited. I'd really love to hear something better.

A friend of mine has some Carver amps in storage that I'll see if I can try out just for the hell of it. I don't remember the models... I think one is an M500t with the big meters. Carver gear model numbers are like Harley Davidson models to me. Too many to remember which is which.

Hey @JPete , are you friends with any of the highly established members here??

I would be willing help you but I don't want to risk too much.

I also have an Adcom GFA 555 as well as a Parasound HCA1000A I use.

The HCA 1000A is in a system in my garage and I haven't used the GFA 555 for a long time. I have never compared them in the same system so I can't say how they would compare.

I have evolved from the Adcom to a B&K 200.2 reference to a McCormack amp in my bedroom system.

I would be willing to let you try the amps I have to see what you like, but you would need to PayPal me the money for each, which I would refund except for the shipping to try any of them.

Just trying to help without too much risk.

Nightfall

Very kind offer. Good people here Pete.

TennMan

When I joined this forum about five years ago the Adcom 555 was a highly recommended amp. Now it is Parasound. Next month it will be something else. Don't get too caught up in the flavor of the week when choosing an amp. Do an honest side by side comparison with other amps and let your ears decide what sounds best to you. I think you will find that the Adcom 555 stacks up pretty well against competitors in it's class.

JPete

@vmaxer
That is an awesome offer on your part and I appreciate that. Where are you located? I really don't like the idea of having to ship nice gear around though. You did give me some other options to think as far as amps though.

What preamps are you using? I'm starting to think a higher end preamp is where I should start off.

vmaxer

In my bedroom system I use a Odyssey Candela. In the living room, HT mostly I use a Sunfire TGP 5.

vmaxer

I am in west Tennessee.

vmaxer

I should have asked, where are you located??

This is a hobby I love, but there is no absolute correct answer. If you are happy with what you have, then enjoy it.

I have tried a lot of things based on suggestions here and have a much better system because of it.

Best of luck to you!!

JPete

Thanks again @vmaxer
This forum is excellent and definitely some wonderful people on here. Hope I find myself in a position to be able to help someone here as well one day.

I'm in east TN. Chattanooga area.