Mods for the Adcom Gfa 555 ?

faster100
faster100 Posts: 6,124
edited December 2004 in Electronics
I just sold my rotel amp and purchased a Adcom 555 power amp.. i have read online where people have done all kinds of mods, change the input jacks, binding posts, running a solid wire across the inside fuse holders, amongst many other complicated mods, i care not to do... anybody do these, heard of them or know people that have? The input jacks cracked on me right after i got it, so i replaced the jacks with gold plated standard jacks for now... any other idea's? or what is the reason for bipassing the fuses?


any help appreciated
MY HT RIG:
Sherwood p-965
Sherwood sd871 dvd
Rotel 1075 amp x5
LSI15 mains
LsiC center
LSIfx surround backs
Lsi7 side surrounds
SVS pb12/plus2

2 Channel Rig:

nad 1020 Pre-amp
Rotel 1080 stereo amp
Polk sda 2B
kenwood grunt Tuner
realistic lab 450 TT
Signal cable IC
Post edited by faster100 on
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  • faster100
    faster100 Posts: 6,124
    edited December 2004
    guess no one knows.... oh well back to a more reliable source, Yahoo :D
    MY HT RIG:
    Sherwood p-965
    Sherwood sd871 dvd
    Rotel 1075 amp x5
    LSI15 mains
    LsiC center
    LSIfx surround backs
    Lsi7 side surrounds
    SVS pb12/plus2

    2 Channel Rig:

    nad 1020 Pre-amp
    Rotel 1080 stereo amp
    Polk sda 2B
    kenwood grunt Tuner
    realistic lab 450 TT
    Signal cable IC
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,986
    edited December 2004
    Oh, we know. We just don't want to tell YOU.

    You should have kept the Rotel.

    Cheers,
    Russ
    Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
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  • shiu
    shiu Posts: 169
    edited December 2004
    I had my 3805 working with a GFA-555 for quite some time, it sounded very good in 2 channel music, without any mods.
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  • faster100
    faster100 Posts: 6,124
    edited December 2004
    Yeah actually it sounds pretty good...

    Russ,
    I knew you knew mods on these as i seen your comment in another thread, However i knew you would be a dick and not tell me, :D
    MY HT RIG:
    Sherwood p-965
    Sherwood sd871 dvd
    Rotel 1075 amp x5
    LSI15 mains
    LsiC center
    LSIfx surround backs
    Lsi7 side surrounds
    SVS pb12/plus2

    2 Channel Rig:

    nad 1020 Pre-amp
    Rotel 1080 stereo amp
    Polk sda 2B
    kenwood grunt Tuner
    realistic lab 450 TT
    Signal cable IC
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited December 2004
    There is always a voltage drop across a fuse and standard fuses with thin metal strip inside causes noise. Never short fuses unless you are the only one ever using your system AND you are always present when powered up AND the amp is in a safe fireproof area. A great alternative is to us a ceramic fuse. Usually they are white in color. This is a big tweak in a lot of equipment. They can be had from RS. If they don't have the proper one then check digikey, they have a good selection.
    madmax
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • bigsexy1
    bigsexy1 Posts: 557
    edited December 2004
    Originally posted by faster100
    Yeah actually it sounds pretty good...

    Russ,
    I knew you knew mods on these as i seen your comment in another thread, However i knew you would be a dick and not tell me, :D

    That's because he's probably too busy scouring the landfills local to his area looking for some piece of crap 20 year old pair of speakers somebody else threw away so he can come back here to post pics of them and tell us all how they were such great classics back in the day and how somebody was so stupid to get rid of them because all they need is refoaming.:p

    However, I do agree with him that you should have probably kept the Rotel instead of the old Adcom. OTOH, I've also heard that Rotel actually made Adcoms first generation amps in that series (555, 545, 535, etc.). Can anybody confirm or deny this for sure?
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited December 2004
    Hey, Bigse...errr, I feel really **** calling another man, your username, anyways.......Dude, did you ever ride a Yamaha Road Star motorcycle by chance? Your username is the same as a guy I knew some time ago on the Road Star forum....
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • faster100
    faster100 Posts: 6,124
    edited December 2004
    Originally posted by madmax
    They can be had from RS. If they don't have the proper one then check digikey, they have a good selection.
    madmax


    Thanks Max as always... will check out the fuse thing..
    was thinking of an IEC socket but the metal plate is pretty thick that the current cord go's into... and think cutting would be difficult..
    MY HT RIG:
    Sherwood p-965
    Sherwood sd871 dvd
    Rotel 1075 amp x5
    LSI15 mains
    LsiC center
    LSIfx surround backs
    Lsi7 side surrounds
    SVS pb12/plus2

    2 Channel Rig:

    nad 1020 Pre-amp
    Rotel 1080 stereo amp
    Polk sda 2B
    kenwood grunt Tuner
    realistic lab 450 TT
    Signal cable IC
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • HBombToo
    HBombToo Posts: 5,256
    edited December 2004
    Originally posted by bigsexy1
    That's because he's probably too busy scouring the landfills local to his area looking for some piece of crap 20 year old pair of speakers somebody else threw away so he can come back here to post pics of them and tell us all how they were such great classics back in the day and how somebody was so stupid to get rid of them because all they need is refoaming.:p


    and your point is????

    I thought that was what this hobby was all about; furthermore, I had the great fortune of listening to some of those throw aways and was very impressed. To have the talent, wisdom and know how to take something that was great and turn it back into something again has to be admired.

    HBomb
    ***WAREMTAE***
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  • faster100
    faster100 Posts: 6,124
    edited December 2004
    Thats about the only thing i can agree on, with Russ.. the fact of getting trash or vintage stuff and turning it into treasure or revenue for my family.. i do it for a living and enjoy it. nothing wrong with that,
    MY HT RIG:
    Sherwood p-965
    Sherwood sd871 dvd
    Rotel 1075 amp x5
    LSI15 mains
    LsiC center
    LSIfx surround backs
    Lsi7 side surrounds
    SVS pb12/plus2

    2 Channel Rig:

    nad 1020 Pre-amp
    Rotel 1080 stereo amp
    Polk sda 2B
    kenwood grunt Tuner
    realistic lab 450 TT
    Signal cable IC
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,986
    edited December 2004
    Sorry, I was at the landfill all morning, what was the question again?
    Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
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  • danger boy
    danger boy Posts: 15,722
    edited December 2004
    just don't get your boys to close to all those magnets.. you're likely to go sterile or something.

    Take it from Doro. wear lead underwear. :p
    PolkFest 2012, who's going>?
    Vancouver, Canada Sept 30th, 2012 - Madonna concert :cheesygrin:
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  • Toxis
    Toxis Posts: 5,116
    edited December 2004
    I take it I'm the only one here thinking it was a good idea to sell the Rotel? Maybe because it fits better in my rack than in his. hahaha j/k I'd still like to get my hands on a 555 to do a true side by side comparison.
    Never kick a fresh **** on a hot day.

    Home Setup: Sony VPL-VW85 Projo, 92" Stewart Firehawk, Pioneer Elite SC-65, PS3, RTi12 fronts, CSi5, FXi6 rears, RTi6 surround backs, RTi4 height, MFW-15 Subwoofer.

    Car Setup: OEM Radio, RF 360.2v2, Polk SR6500 quad amped off 4 Xtant 1.1 100w mono amps, Xtant 6.1 to run an eD 13av.2, all Stinger wiring and Raammat deadener.
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  • faster100
    faster100 Posts: 6,124
    edited December 2004
    we both got what we wanted, thats all that matters.. unfortunatly i have to sell stuff to buy and cant ever demo gear side by side.. i think the Rotel is top notch and this adcom is right behind it....
    MY HT RIG:
    Sherwood p-965
    Sherwood sd871 dvd
    Rotel 1075 amp x5
    LSI15 mains
    LsiC center
    LSIfx surround backs
    Lsi7 side surrounds
    SVS pb12/plus2

    2 Channel Rig:

    nad 1020 Pre-amp
    Rotel 1080 stereo amp
    Polk sda 2B
    kenwood grunt Tuner
    realistic lab 450 TT
    Signal cable IC
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • bigsexy1
    bigsexy1 Posts: 557
    edited December 2004
    Originally posted by steveinaz
    Hey, Bigse...errr, I feel really **** calling another man, your username, anyways.......Dude, did you ever ride a Yamaha Road Star motorcycle by chance? Your username is the same as a guy I knew some time ago on the Road Star forum....

    Nah, that wasn't me. There is at least one "bigsexy" on virtually every board of every kind on the internet. I have 2 Harleys. I won't even ever own another piece of Yamaha audio gear, much less a motorcycle.

    Also, considering the state you are in, you had better be careful saying that you feel that way.

    The question still stands, does anyone know for sure one way or the other if Rotel actually made Adcom's first generation amps or not?
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  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,986
    edited December 2004
    As far as I know the GFA series were all Nelson Pass designs (short of the triple digit MKII's ie 555 etc), made right here in the good ole USA.

    Cheers,
    Russ
    Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,093
    edited December 2004
    Hmmmm, Russ, maybe we have been mistaken.

    Perhaps we should ditch our tubes and classic gear for an AVR and some RTi's.

    What are we THINKING?

    BDT
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,793
    edited December 2004
    So the GFA 545 II was made by a different person all together?

    There are some distinct differences between the 535, 545 and the 535, 545 II - they have alot sweeter sound and don't sound as 'cold' - atleast to my ears...

    But according to some, the 555 was Adcom's attempt to produce a high powered amp at a low price - which they did - but it lacked the overall fidelity of its lower models....

    Is this true?
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • faster100
    faster100 Posts: 6,124
    edited December 2004
    Originally posted by TroyD
    Hmmmm, Russ, maybe we have been mistaken.

    Perhaps we should ditch our tubes and classic gear for an AVR and some RTi's.

    What are we THINKING?

    BDT

    was this in left field or what? LOL... where did this come from?
    MY HT RIG:
    Sherwood p-965
    Sherwood sd871 dvd
    Rotel 1075 amp x5
    LSI15 mains
    LsiC center
    LSIfx surround backs
    Lsi7 side surrounds
    SVS pb12/plus2

    2 Channel Rig:

    nad 1020 Pre-amp
    Rotel 1080 stereo amp
    Polk sda 2B
    kenwood grunt Tuner
    realistic lab 450 TT
    Signal cable IC
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • George Grand
    George Grand Posts: 12,258
    edited December 2004
    I have a 27 year old pair of speakers. I didn't rescue them from the landfill or anything like that. They'll cave your chest in and make you wish you had a pair.

    George Grand (of the Jersey Grands)
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  • Mjr7531
    Mjr7531 Posts: 856
    edited December 2004
    Originally posted by George Grand
    I have a 27 year old pair of speakers. I didn't rescue them from the landfill or anything like that. They'll cave your chest in and make you wish you had a pair.

    George Grand (of the Jersey Grands)

    I do wish I had a pair...
    Oh... speakers... ;)

    Vintage? The only vintage I have seen are full rangers with fake tweeter domes glued on.
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  • bigsexy1
    bigsexy1 Posts: 557
    edited December 2004
    Originally posted by RuSsMaN
    As far as I know the GFA series were all Nelson Pass designs (short of the triple digit MKII's ie 555 etc), made right here in the good ole USA.

    Cheers,
    Russ

    That's what I thought. I'm going to try to dig up and post here where I saw that about Rotel. Probably nothing to it though.
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  • bigsexy1
    bigsexy1 Posts: 557
    edited December 2004
    Originally posted by George Grand
    I have a 27 year old pair of speakers. I didn't rescue them from the landfill or anything like that. They'll cave your chest in and make you wish you had a pair.

    George Grand (of the Jersey Grands)

    Are you talkin' to me GG?

    If so, that's a pretty bold statement when you don't even know what I may have and already be used to. All I can say is whatever you're going to bring had better be REAL strong if it will "cave my chest in" as you say.
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  • George Grand
    George Grand Posts: 12,258
    edited December 2004
    Heard it all before. You ride Harleys and own big dogs. Who would've guessed?

    George Grand (of the Jersey Grands)
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  • mantis
    mantis Posts: 17,204
    edited December 2004
    Just as expected.......
    Dan
    My personal quest is to save to world of bad audio, one thread at a time.
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  • bigsexy1
    bigsexy1 Posts: 557
    edited December 2004
    Well that's all well and good GG, but you are the one who first claimed to have a 27 year old pair of speakers that would "cave my chest in and make me wish I had a pair".

    If you are going to talk the talk, you've gotta walk the walk (and I'm not talking about walking the path that is different than just knowing it either). So go ahead and hit me with it. What are they? Don't hurt me too bad now!
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,793
    edited December 2004
    I believe hes talking about the AR 9

    But hey, what do I know?
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • bigsexy1
    bigsexy1 Posts: 557
    edited December 2004
    Yeah Sid, that's what I thought. I vaguely seemed to remember him saying he had some old ARs that would reach down to the the high 20 HZ range.
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  • RuSsMaN
    RuSsMaN Posts: 17,986
    edited December 2004
    Yeah, George seems to be partial to 12" woofers, can't say I blame him. Those AR9's have 2 in each cab, and acoustic suspension loading at that.

    They are 3db down at 28Hz, if I recall correctly - and that's chamber loaded - no room gain added, which mean the typical living room will only make things better.

    Plus, the biggest benefit to sealed box, acoustic suspen. bass - is you don't get the typical 'waterfall' drop off in response at the 3db down point, as ported designs do. Properly designed and implemented, acoustic suspen. will roll off at 6db/oct.

    You don't need to have a degree in mathematics, to see they are easily subsonic, at a useable level.

    Cheers,
    Rooster
    Check your lips at the door woman. Shake your hips like battleships. Yeah, all the white girls trip when I sing at Sunday service.
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  • bigsexy1
    bigsexy1 Posts: 557
    edited December 2004
    Well I just killed two birds with one stone. Here is where I saw about Rotel making Adcom's original series amps.

    There's probably nothing to it, this guy probably doesn't know what he's talking about, but at least here is a link for the mods for you Faster.

    This was posted by someone on Home Theater Forum very recently in a thread called Rotel VS Adcom:
    Rotel makes their own stuff in their own factories. The orignal Adcom 555 was made by Rotel (I own a 555 in a secondary system). I think the newer Rotel amps since then sound a bit better but they're likely to be more. I am not familiar with speakers nor their impedence curve. Perhaps you have a link? If you decide to go with the 555 and want to mod it down the line, there are places like: http://www.musicaldesign.com/adcom.htm
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