What is difference between Adcom GFA-545 and II?

sdurfee

Hi. I bought a used Adcom GFA-545 to drive a pair of Polk LSi-15's. In the manual, it only mentiones a reference to 100w x 2ch at 8ohms. The GFA-545II mentions 150w x 2 ch at 4ohms. The Lsi-15's apparently need 4-ohm power. I'm assuming that the GFA-545 will do me okay but could you verify?

Also, this is the first time I've hooked up an amp. I have a Pioneer Elite 35tx
receiver (90w x 5ch) that has RCA outputs for additional amps? Once I hook up the Adcom to my main 2 channels and the speakers to the Adcom, how doe the Pioneer interact with the amp? Does it completely bypass it's own 8-ohm power for those channels and just let the Adcom take over? I'm assuming I'll still be able to do 5 channel audio just that my surrounds and center will handled by the Pioneer while the Lsi-15s by the
Adcom?

Extremely novice at audiophile stuff so forgive the ignorance ....


- Steve

PolkWannabie

I haven't looked at the details but here are the manuals ...

http://www.adcom.com/pdfs/gfa545manual.pdf

http://www.adcom.com/pdfs/gfa545iimanual.pdf

It appears the manufacturer describes the differences early on in the 545 II manual.

disneyjoe7

>>Does it completely bypass it's own 8-ohm power for those channels and just let the Adcom take over?<<

Short answer is YES.

Another way to look at it would be, the power not needed on the fronts channels may help the other channels make power.

VR3

Adcom, IMO, downgraded the 545 II over the 545 original.

The original uses blue caps! , bigger terminals (accepts up to 12 awg wire), everything about it seems to be better. The 545 II, I have had alot of problems with it distorting, etc.

The original line, 535, 545, etc seem to be better to me.

Just my opinion, the original line also has a 'sweeter' sound to me.

The 545 and the 545 II can and will drive the LSi line without any problems. Over-heating? hehe, Adcom runs hot anyways. You can cook an egg on Adcom amps, so make sure they are well ventilated!

sdurfee

Thanks for the reply. I have descent thick set of Monster speaker cables that have built-in banana plugs for both input and ouput. Does the GFA-545 have multiple types of connections? Just wondering if I should sell the Monsters on eBay and get ones with bananas on one end (for the Lsi's) and something else on the other.
I mean I could hack one end up myself but there's something to be said about something engineered by a professional.


- Steve

VR3

yes, the 545 II accepts nanners, and I believe the 545 does too. Pretty sure.