FS:ADCOM GFA-565 Monoblock Amplifiers

dorokusai

ADCOM GFA-565 Monoblock Amplifiers - SOLD - 9/10

These define manly amplifiers and would be quite possibly, the last ones you'll need for a very long time. I would keep them, but the pile of equipment here is getting ridiculous. They are very similar in specifications to my CTC BBQ, albeit in monoblock form.

I cannot include shipping for these as they are simply too much for me to eat personally, so work with me. The pictures will follow, as I have to dig them out and get them shined up for the press release. Here are some spec's:

Frequency Response: 20Hz to 20kHz, 0.005% IM Distortion (SMPTE), 1W to 300W into 8 ohms, 0.005% Distortion.

-More than 300 Watts output into an 8 ohm load.
-The ability to drive low impedence loads.
-Instantaneous Distortion Alert which indicates when distortion products are above the 1% level.

I'm going off of memory for the power figures...so they are roughly accurate if not better than my memory. The figures are per monoblock, just for clarification.

300x1@8
450x1@4
850x1@2

I think DarqueKnight owns a pair of these for his SVS subwoofers...or used to at least, so please correct me if I'm wrong Raife.

Either way, these are MONSTERS and you better have some space available as they are real estate eaters....as should any hardcore amplifier. They also generate some heat, so if you have a cold room, no worries, they will warm it up all year long.

Adcom also produced a Limited Edition GFA-585, at some point, which was a stereo version of these same two monoblocks...talk about hardcore. That's just FYI.

Stereophile reviewed these in two issues, XIV 4 & 6...but they are sold out thru SP Back Issue Online.

If anyone has these issues, it would be a neat addition to the amplifiers if you're not using them any longer. I'll pay for them in order to pass them along to the new owner, just let me know via PM.

Adcom GFA-565 Owners Manual

Includes: Original boxes, original packaging and original owners manuals.

heiney9

Cream of the crop Adcom. Brute force and delicate all at the same time. My bro has a pristine GFA-585 and it is an excellent sounding extremely capable amp. He and I both want to own a pair of 565's, but don't have the space available. Whoever gets these will have to get naked and touch themselves....ala...Doro. They are that good!!!

H9

P.s. No pics please (of the touching)

dorokusai

H9 - Thanks for the extra cool info and no worries, I keep those photos private...truck stops only.

unc2701

Ahhhh.... the black beasts. Doro is wise to not pay for shipping 'cause those **** are heavy. I had these driving the 25's, a 585 on the surrounds and a 555 biamping the center... still hate that I sold them when I went to the Brystons.

One thing I might add is that they've got dual binding posts, so if you're into biwiring, you can easily mix & match wires for the high's & lows.

I think I have some dirty photos of mine on the work computer. Will post if I can find 'em.

heiney9

I know this is Mark's thread and he probably doesn't need any help.....but I couldn't resist.

H9

EDIT: It appears these photo's are of modded/ slightly altered or repaired GFA 565's. In the spirit of keeping this thread on the up and up I removed my naked (the amp, not me) photo's. Mark's look cleaner inside than these and now I can't remember where I got these photo's from.

DarqueKnight

Awesome amps. I still have mine.

venomclan

Doro, PM sent

dorokusai

Here's some more data that I found in my files via an original document from "Audio" magazine.

Trivia: When did this publication, Audio magazine, cease? You old timers may know this easily, as it was one of the better magazines at that time.

Anyways, here's the extra data:

1.25-kVa Toroid Transformer
70,000uF Capacitance

Just as a side note, these figures are in the Parasound JC-1 Monoblock arena, 14 years its senior @ 1.2-kVa & 100,000uF.

Signal to Noise Ratio - >106dB
Input Impedence - 50k(Unbalanced)
Input Sensitivity - 130mV @ 1w, 2.15V @ Full Rated Power
Dynamic Headroom @ 4ohm - 1.6dB
Damping Factor @ 8ohm - >1000
Weight - 45lbs.
Dimensions - 17 x 8 1/4 x 11 1/2

Here are some comments from the article:

"Many manufacturers claim high-current capability for their amps; however, the GFA-565s deliver the goods even into 1-ohm loads. Equally important, they meet the real world test: They easily cope with even the most demanding Apogee, Infinity, Spendor and Thiel speakers."

"High powered amps like the GFA-565 can overdrive many speakers."

I'll photocopy this review and include it with the unit. There is an additional review for the matching pre-amp, GFP-565, and that will be included as well.

When you look at the internal pictures...envision 16oz. beer cans as the two Blue Caps in the pictures. They are just shy of the height, but pretty close. The toroid, for comparison, is as large as the JC1 Monoblock, just not "encapsulated", which means it has an aluminum cover. The amplifiers are taller than my CTC BBQ(7 3/4 vs 8 1/4) and combined, as deep as the same amp at 22"...that's hardcore in my book.

Another cool thought is that the Adcom + BBQ picture is 2 horsepower worth of amp @ 4ohm...as in 746 watts = 1 Horsepower.

dorokusai

UNC - It's funny but did you realize that you are the last person to comment on these particular amps on Audio Review? I was floating around and noticed that, kinda neat.

Heiney & DK - Thanks for the comments...and H9 for the pre-sale pics

heiney9

dorokusai wrote:

UNC - It's funny but did you realize that you are the last person to comment on these particular amps on Audio Review? I was floating around and noticed that, kinda neat.

Heiney & DK - Thanks for the comments...and H9 for the pre-sale pics

No Problem, check my edit though. I took down the photo's because those I put up looked altered compared to yours. Your's are nice and clean and uncluttered inside. Damn if I had the coin and more importantly the room, I'd be all over them. Those are nice examples, it's always nice to see original packaging and owners material.

Any chance you will or did put these up against the CTC for sh*ts and giggles?

H9

DarqueKnight

Doro,

Check your comcast email.

dorokusai

H9 - Sure, I love to play with gear, in addition to myself. The Adcoms also have bottomless power but they just don't have the magic of the CTC sonically. I've been happy with this amp since I picked it up 3+ years ago and it doesn't look like it's leaving anytime soon. I actually defined the amp in my living will for a fellow Polkie, so it will probably outlive me.

This is yet another Adcom offering that has added to my ongoing, altered perspective on the manufacturer, as I used to somewhat dislike them. I can't do anything but appreciate the build quality, topology, reliability and power of the brand....as there's not much argument to be had. I think it's a much better choice than Carver when it comes to used, affordable gear for example. This particular pair isn't exactly in the affordable category per se, but the 535, 545 and 555 are really solid amps and are always a great value.

RuSsMaN

Just look at em. What a statement. John Curl = No ****. That's raw power.

starchaser

Sweet mono blocks Doro! If a good tubed pre wasn't a step ahead, i'd take very, very good care of these ladies. Gear like this, makes me regret I started at the the lower end of the spectrum... ever so slowly, getting my learn on.

madmax

This sale is TOTALLY unfair! Why do YOU get to keep the big one in the middle...

unc2701

dorokusai wrote:

UNC - It's funny but did you realize that you are the last person to comment on these particular amps on Audio Review? I was floating around and noticed that, kinda neat.

heh... wrote that when I was getting ready to ebay my pair. I think I ended up getting about $950 for 'em, but they weren't in as good a shape. I have to say that I am tempted- I do miss the monoliths.

dorokusai

Thanks gentlemen for the positive comments

These are still available....just drop me a line if you're interested.

dkg999

Are those real audiophile bricks holding down those Mye stands I had a lot of trouble finding audiophile sand to fill the struts on my Mye stands

dorokusai

DKG - They are Oxygen Free Concrete. The MYE gear is top notch man, glad to see another user.

dkg999

Oxygen Free Concrete - I am very impressed:cool: Someday I will be able to play in the high end audio equipment. You are my new hero

dorokusai

Raife - Thanks alot for the very cool brochure....I just printed it to add to the amps.

DarqueKnight

You're welcome. I would have bought your 565's if they had the balanced input option. My 565's can't be converted to balanced operation because Adcom no longer makes the conversion kit, which contains a completely different input circuit board.

unc2701

Yeah, I tried to get mine switched over, too. No dice... but Adcom does still have rackmounts available for them.

Strong Bad

dorokusai wrote:

Raife - Thanks alot for the very cool brochure....I just printed it to add to the amps.

Printed on Oxygen Free paper? Better be you cheap F***!!!

dorokusai

Last call....off to Ebay tomorrow. Thanks for the interest either way.

dorokusai

Just in case....$900? I get corporate shipping rates, so it wouldn't be as much as you think....just a last minute thought.

dorokusai

SOLD. Thanks James....they are going to heat up those Magnepans like you wouldn't believe.

jdhdiggs

NP, the mags need a little boost in the butt.

ohskigod

staying in the family? excellent!

faster100

Nice amps!! Good score james

jdhdiggs

Now someone buy the counterpoint....