Adcom GFA 545

codycatalist

I might have a lead on a recently professionally recapped Adcom GFA 545 (version 1) for $125. I know that is a pretty good deal but I have read some conflicting reviews and wanted to know if anyone can give me their experience.

The main issue I have heard is harsh high end, I am using my SDA2B with the Rd0194 tweeters, upgraded crossovers (Sonicap for the high pass) and will be throwing my Denon PRA1200 in as my preamp which I feel is pretty neutral and doesn't exasperate any specific frequency.

I do prefer a warmer sound but if the high frequencies are the same as my current Yamaha then no big deal, I just want my sound to be less congested in the sound stage which I contribute to the Yammy being strained once turned up a bit.

Thanks in advance!

heiney9

I had one for years before my Aleph. The 545 is excellent and the sweet spot in the line. $125 for a recapped unit is a good price, go for it.

Never had any issues with it being harsh. I suspect those that did find it harsh had a mediocre pre-amp and/or standard I/C's.

It will be much better in all area's than your Yammy. You'll notice much more tactful and tuneful bass, better image weight as well as an expanded soundstage.

If for some odd reason you don't care for it's presentation, you can flip it for no loss.

H9

VR3

I've always thought that the first series was warmer than the second

heiney9

I always preferred the first series too, as it was the "purest" and simplest.

codycatalist

Thanks for sharing your experiences gents! I have to go Saturday and audition it, will bring my multi meter to ensure I don't see any issues on the output as he stated the recap was done just to the output stage.

PSOVLSK

That's the amp that got me started down the rabbit hole. $125 AND recapped makes it a no brainer IMO.

codycatalist

PSOVLSK wrote: »

That's the amp that got me started down the rabbit hole. $125 AND recapped makes it a no brainer IMO.

The recap is what caught my eye, one less thing to worry about.

skrol

That is the amp that I was seeking until I fell down the Parasound rabbit hole. Not sure how it compares to a souped up HCA-1000A but it is a really nice amp. Just go for it.

mhardy6647

Price certainly sounds right to me.

heiney9

Bottom line, it's an excellent performer, has a great reputation, was made in the hey day of Adcom, it's been recapped and $125 is a great deal and it's should sound better and perform better than the Yammy you have.

Certainly audition if you can, verify the re-cap, but even if you can't audition ideally, go for it for the price.

H9

codycatalist

heiney9 wrote: »

Bottom line, it's an excellent performer, has a great reputation, was made in the hey day of Adcom, it's been recapped and $125 is a great deal and it's should sound better and perform better than the Yammy you have.

Certainly audition if you can, verify the re-cap, but even if you can't audition ideally, go for it for the price.

H9

I should be meeting up with him today after work. I brought my multimeter and plan to have him audition. After that ill bring her home, hook it up to my New Large Advents to make sure I don't have any issues and then hook it up to the SDAs.

Super excited, been VERY patient waiting for the right deal on the right level equipment. Will report back tomorrow on how it all went.


Thank you everyone!

CH46E

I had the mkii and regret letting it go.

codycatalist

la2vegas wrote: »

Forget about buying that one. I found another one with similar upgrades for 5 dollars less. This one is only $120. https://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/ele/d/adcom-gfa-545-stereo/6662422436.html

That's actually the same one I am going to get today! I read $125 but hey I save $5 (we are going to sizzler tonight baby!), he invited me to his place for an audition after work. Adcom pops up from time to time here in Phoenix but usually not at a good enough price for me to want to jump.

Thanks for looking out thought @la2vegas, I appreciate you taking the time to make sure I am getting the best deal possible!

heiney9

Upon power-up a thump is normal and on power down if you don't turn the pre off first, you get a farting/squealing noise, which is normal. That's just the caps draining

This can be avoided by proper start up/power down procedure.

codycatalist

la2vegas wrote: »

I also saw this other ad for a 2535. It looks kinda rough, but it's a hundred bucks. If it were in better shape I'd have more interest in it.https://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/ele/d/adcom-model-2535-multi/6665167116.html

I have heard the earlier models GFA - 5XX are better than the GFA - XXXX models. With that being a 4 channel at 60 watts and bridgeable into 200 wouldn't that cause issues with my SDAs? I didn't think I would be able to bridge amps with the SDA cable and no dreadnaught.

codycatalist

heiney9 wrote: »

Upon power-up a thump is normal and on power down if you don't turn the pre off first, you get a farting/squealing noise, which is normal. That's just the caps draining

This can be avoided by proper start up/power down procedure.

So Start up: Pre on first > turn on power amp

Shut down: Turn off Pre then turn off Power amp?

DaveHo

I currently own the 535, 545, & 555 and have owned numerous of these over the years. I've always turned amp off first & waited for the red power indicator to go out. That way you avoid amplifying any noises the pre might make when it's powered down. Every single one has thumped on turn on & squealed on power down. It won't damage anything.

codycatalist

DaveHo wrote: »

I currently own the 535, 545, & 555 and have owned numerous of these over the years. I've always turned amp off first & waited for the red power indicator to go out. That way you avoid amplifying any noises the pre might make when it's powered down. Every single one has thumped on turn on & squealed on power down. It won't damage anything.

Thanks for the clarification!

codycatalist

Got the amp! Now I am going to give it a few days to mess around and get used to the sound. Initial impressions are meh, although it has finesse with the low end in spades it is a tad brighter than my Yamaha. I had to tone down the treble a bit on the pre to get comfortable.

In the middle of a lightning storm so didn’t have a chance to listen for more than 30 minutes. I’ll report back soon.

rooftop59

Stay safe Cody! Phoenix is nuts right now with that storm!

codycatalist

Thanks @rooftop59! The east valley has rained and flooded for the last three days or so but I haven’t had any issues besides driving unwanted critters in.

rooftop59

That’s good man! I am from the area (now in Texas) and am with the in laws in Colorado who are from way northwest valley. They are reading about everything and freaking out a bit!

Congrats on the amp! I would encourage you to run it flat and give your ears a chance to adjust. I don’t think it’s bright I just think your ears are used to rolled off highs...

codycatalist

I’m getting to the point that I think a lot of it has to do with too small of a room.

mlistens03

Make sure everything is unplugged during the storm. A friend of mine lost a rather expensive gaming computer to a storm. Saved up three years of money for it, gone in a second.
Stay safe.

leftwinger57

You heard it many times for the work done your not going to beat the price unless gifted. I'm an owner of a GFA-555 and yes have heard the rap that it's a bright amplifier. All I can say it sounds great paired w/ my Onkyo p3150v and modded 2Bs. I have not heard any other amps to compare so no opinion there.

heiney9

Give it some time. just because it sounds brighter than the Yammy doesn't mean it's too bright. IMHO, Yammys have always been a bit flat up top, sort of their house sound. It's going to take some time to adjust. If after a couple 3 weeks it's still not a good fit, you'll have no problem flipping it.

All gear is going to sound a bit different, but the key is giving it enough time to see if it fits your preference.

Good luck

H9

codycatalist

I got a good hour or two of listening in today, all I can say is how wrong I was yesterday. Maybe it's due to judging the amp cold where as today I let it warm up.

Soundstage depth, separation and a black background make all the difference.

halo

Congrats on the Adcom acquisition! Glad that you're enjoying it

codycatalist

Now I am new to separates and have a question about volume.

My preamp has output voltage of 1V, the Adcom input sensitivity is 1.25V. I do have to turn the volume up higher than on my Yamaha (I have no problem doing so except no damn remote!) and was curious if the same rule applies to not turn the preamp past noon on the volume controls. I find the best volume for me is around the 1 oclock position and I don't get any clipping indicators or hear any strain on the amp (barely gets warm after an hour). Sometimes after a drink or two I want to jam it and see what it can do but have been too worried about causing issues.

I took the polyswitch off my tweeter circuit so I just don't want to fry anything here.

heiney9

All pre's are a little different. 1:00 is fine as long as the lights aren't flickering and you can't hear any strain. Keep an eye on the distortion alert lights on the amp. When they faintly start to flicker, back it off a bit. Those lights start illuminating at about 1% distortion, but since the signal isn't linear they are a guide to let you know when you are approaching the limits of the amp for that source material.

Each song will be different so where the volume control is in relation to when the lights start to faintly flicker can and will be different depending on source material based on the complexity of the material, how it was recorded and the level it was recorded at, etc, etc, etc.

H9

codycatalist

heiney9 wrote: »

All pre's are a little different. 1:00 is fine as long as the lights aren't flickering and you can't hear any strain. Keep an eye on the distortion alert lights on the amp. When they faintly start to flicker, back it off a bit. Those lights start illuminating at about 1% distortion, but since the signal isn't linear they are a guide to let you know when you are approaching the limits of the amp for that source material.

Each song will be different so where the volume control is in relation to when the lights start to faintly flicker can and will be different depending on source material based on the complexity of the material, how it was recorded and the level it was recorded at, etc, etc, etc.

H9

Thank you! I was thinking well I guess I can turn it up till either the sound starts to degrade or the clipping lights turned on then I can back it off.

I appreciate you all giving me great advice, this amp is night and day difference once I sat down and actually listened. The high frequencies that were bothering me were due to the device I was playing from.