Adcom Gfa-5300 for $150 on the Bay

aaharvel

no affil. I already have one. That's a great deal.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Adcom-GFA-5300-Two-Channel-Amp-NR_W0QQitemZ5808125077QQcategoryZ71543QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Mike682

very good price.

TomR72

What would I do with this? LOL? I am serious too, isn't that scary. I have only dealt with recievers lik emy denon 3802. Would this adcom be good for stereo only? How is it usually used? Why are they considered so good by some but others say their quality has gone down? I have no experience, just curious to the thoughts on this.

Thanks,

Tom R

aaharvel

TomR72 wrote:

What would I do with this? LOL? I am serious too, isn't that scary. I have only dealt with recievers lik emy denon 3802. Would this adcom be good for stereo only? How is it usually used? Why are they considered so good by some but others say their quality has gone down? I have no experience, just curious to the thoughts on this.

Thanks,

Tom R

I have a 5300 for my front stereo pair. Yeah- it kicks ****. Better than the amps in my H/K receiver and that's saying something. However I wouldn't subscribe to just hooking up a separate amp for just a couple of speakers and letting the receiver power the rest- don't think it would match up sonically. If you go separates- you should go for ALL channels. I looked up your DENON. That is one NICE receiver.

This 5300 first and foremost was designed as a 2ch. stereo amp with it's MOSFET circuitry but would suit just fine to power a pair of surrounds as well.

As far as Adcom's quality going down- I don't understand that argument whatsoever. To me it's based on people that are fruity over "vintage" models and think that the phrase "They just don't make 'em like they used to" applies to EVERYTHING. The older Adcoms had a somewhat aggressive, bright, in your face sound- less refined than their newer gear. I like the older gear ok- but not as much as their new stuff. Imo the new Adcoms are much more laid back, more neutral and thanks to the MOSFETS in their 2channel amps- can be warm sounding depending on other factors like speakers and preamps used with it, which is beneficial for music/2ch.

edit- welcome to the jungle TomR.

TomR72

I'll be trying to learn more and more. I still as of yet dont understand that pre amp, amp thing lol. For some reason my r50's or rti1000p just dont sound all that great to me at higher levels. I was thinking that might have been because of the receiver, what is your thoughts? I went with denon because many people swear by them and figured since I know nothing I'll try it. Maybe I am just too picky.

Tom R

aaharvel

Your Denon has preouts- that is what you hook up an external amplifier to.

unc2701

The old vs new w/ Adcom has a lot to do with their switch from bipolars to mosfets. Depending on what sounds good to you, you'll probably have a strong preference one way or the other.