Adcom Amp

xjaguar23

Would the Adcom GFA-5503 be a good choice to run my LSi15s and LSiC? I am not wanting to spend over 1000.00 and it seems like it fits the bill. Any better suggestions or would this do the trick?

xjaguar23

or how about an Acurus 200x3? Any +/- to either of these two amps? How would they match up to the LSi line? Will be preamped by a Yamaha RX-v1800

heiney9

Either are a great choice. I know the search function is a bit tricky but this topic has been covered 7 ways to Sunday in many many different threads.

Quick answer is both would serve you well. Both are solid, solid performers that would run the LSi's with out any issues whatsoever.

Here's a recent thread along the same lines.

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=66375

H9

heiney9

Here's an older review of the 5503. They had nothing but good things to say

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_3_3/v3n3k.html

H9

engtaz

Good choice. Go for it.

engtaz

xjaguar23

Would either of these two be considered a better match than the other to the LSi Line? is 200x3 enough for LSi15s?

heiney9

heiney9 wrote: »

Either are a great choice.

Quick answer is both would serve you well. Both are solid, solid performers that would run the LSi's with out any issues whatsoever.

H9

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heiney9

The ADCOM GFA-5503 easily meets the much greater power demands of the new home-theater and surround-sound software such as Dolby AC-3and Pro-Logic by utilizing the same amplifier circuitry and construction as ADCOMS's highly acclaimed GFA-5500 stereo amplifier.With three channels, each producing 200 watts into 8 ohms or 350 watts into 4 ohms, the GFA-5503 is the ideal companion to theGFA-5500, yielding 5 channels of matched output power. It is also a clear answer for those wanting to expand a high-quality stereo system into a state-of-the-art home-theater system, plus an excellent choice for those wanting to upgrade their existing center-channel and both rear-channel amplifiers, or center and front-channels amplifier.

ADCOM'S famous high-power, high-current amplifier design features a highly regulated, single-ended Class "A" front-end for an exceptionally defined and distortion-free signal. Direct coupling provides a high damping factor resulting in proper speaker control for the "tightest" true-to-life sound.

A heavy-duty toroidal power transformer and 120,000 mFstorage-capacitance-bank deliver the large amounts of current demanded by power-hungry, low-impedance loudspeaker systems. This oversized and generous power supply allows maximum power output overa wide and unrestricted dynamic range.

A total of 30 International Rectifier MOSFET output devices give the GFA-5503 a warmth and musicality generally associated with tube amplifiers, yet the dynamics and power necessary to accurately reproduce today's digital recordings. This unique appreciation of art and application of modern science is typical of ADCOM's ability to offer the best of both worlds. Audiophile performance in the world of home theater has finally been realized with the ADCOM GFA-5503.

Performance Features:

* Power output: three channels
o 200 Watts continuous @ 8 ohms (20Hz and 20kHz)
o 350 Watts continuous @ 4 ohms (20Hz and 20kHz)

Jer.War

Sonically what can be expected from the 5500?? Does it trend towards being bright, warm, etc. Anything would help. I am also looking at a B&K 125.2 if that helps for a comparison
Thanks guys

Sami

I'd rather give the Acurus a try than the Adcom, although I am sure both do a great job with LSi's.

ben62670

I prefer the Adcom's. I have never owned Accurus, but the Adcom's are just built like tanks, and are very hard hitting with their bass, nice mids, and highs. The LSI's have a sweet tweeter. No worries with either amp.
Happy hunting
Ben

MKZ

If you just want to give it a try and resell it later, I think Adcom holds the resale value and they sell fast on either eBay or AudioGoN IMO. 3 channels goes a little slower than 2 or 5. I might be wrong. I was looking for 3 and end up 5 and 2.

heiney9

Here you go. Have you tried doing a Google search? Took me all of 5 imutes to find some very helpful user reviews.

http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htf/receivers-separates-amps/148095-aragon-4004-mkii-vs-adcom-5500-vs-anthem-mca-2-a.html#post1684506

http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htf/receivers-separates-amps/148095-aragon-4004-mkii-vs-adcom-5500-vs-anthem-mca-2-a.html#post1684766


The 5500 is Mosfet based and is a very sweet amplifier, smooth, open, lots of power and able to drive very low impedance loads. Check out the link to a review I posted earlier.

Acurus is a great amp as well, but I prefer the Adcom unless you are getting a killer deal on the Acurus.

H9

Sami

Aragon and Acurus are both Mondial amps, that's why I would give the Acurus a try. Aragon's in my experience are much, much better sounding amps than Adcom's, and while Acurus might not be as good as the Aragon lineup, it's certainly worth a try.

heiney9

Sami wrote: »

Aragon and Acurus are both Mondial amps, that's why I would give the Acurus a try. Aragon's in my experience are much, much better sounding amps than Adcom's, and while Acurus might not be as good as the Aragon lineup, it's certainly worth a try.

Which ones have you compared? The top end Aragon's are nicer then some of the middle of the road Adcom's, at a much higher cost though.

I'd put a 5802 up against an 8008 any day of the week .

Acurus is the budget brand of Mondial. Remember early Aragon's were designed by Dan D'agustino (sp) of Krell before Mondial was involved. Mondial bought Aragon and then also produced a budget brand called Acurus. The term "budget" isn't really a fair moniker as Acurus makes solid gear.

To the Op and others, all 3 are great amps and no one here can decide for you. We all have come to our personal opinions by trying several different amps and deciding what we prefer for OUR particular system and situation.

It's like asking should I get a Toyota, Honda or Nissan. All good cars that do what they are supposed to do...................then comes everyone's personal opinion of why they prefer one over the other.

H9

Sami

heiney9 wrote: »

Which ones have you compared? The top end Aragon's are nicer then some of the middle of the road Adcom's, at a much higher cost though.

I own a budget Aragon, 2004, and it has much better tonal quality than the Adcom's I have tried (555, 5500, 535, 545, 7400). Huge PS as well, doubles the power down to 2ohm according to specs. I do remember the Acurus being the lower end lineup of Mondial, but when Aragon is the higher end, it certainly doesn't mean the Acurus' are weak...

Yes, I haven't tried the higher end Adcom's but isn't the 5503 a 3 channel version of 5500?

heiney9

Sami wrote: »

Yes, I haven't tried the higher end Adcom's but isn't the 5503 a 3 channel version of 5500?

Yes, but the 5800 and 5802 are the 'higher end' Adcom's as well as the 585 and 565 mono's.

I wasn't calling you out or anything, I was just curious how you came about your preference. One amp I would choose over a 545 or 555 is the Marsh A400, what a nice sounding amp; quite a bit more pricey than the typical 555. I'd love to hear the Marsh against the Adcom GFA-5802.

Personal preference's is what makes this hobby great and that's why I strongly urge people to listen to as many pieces as possible if you are trying to choose. No one can make the decision for you. But, if you threw all the amps names in a hat and drew one out you couldn't go wrong!

H9

Sami

heiney9 wrote: »

Yes, but the 5800 and 5802 are the 'higher end' Adcom's as well as the 585 and 565 mono's.

Well, my comment was made because the OP was considering a 5503 or Acurus 200x3 (I assume the one on FM right now). Neither are the high end models.

heiney9 wrote: »

But, if you threw all the amps names in a hat and drew one out you couldn't go wrong!

Certainly, you couldn't go wrong with either amp, Adcom or Acurus. Although the old truth about system synergy has to be considered. One amp that works well for speaker A might not be the best choice for speaker B. Quality amp should still sound good, the difference between them usually isn't as large as the difference can be between speakers (although YMMV).

I was going to say something else as well but heavy medication and thinking isn't always a good combination... I can't think of what I wanted to say but I'm sure it gets back to me.

heiney9

Sami wrote: »

Certainly, you couldn't go wrong with either amp, Adcom or Acurus. Although the old truth about system synergy has to be considered. One amp that works well for speaker A might not be the best choice for speaker B. Quality amp should still sound good, the difference between them usually isn't as large as the difference can be between speakers (although YMMV).

Agreed; but the only way to find out is to buy both and compare. For some that's not possible or it may not be desirable to spend so much time trying to figure out small differences. For audio people like you and I, it's worth the extra effort, for some it isn't.

Synergy is numero uno for me and I realize some who don't care for Adcom may not have had that synergy. Same goes for me with Parasound; heard a few pieces on different occasions and they just didn't do it for me; as an example.

H9

Sami

Very true. For LSi's Aragon was the best amp, followed by B&K. Adcom was ok but the Rotel I had was a poor match. The Rotel on the other hand was a good fit with SDA-1C's. DQ-10's, Aragon again, hands down the best option, while Rotel and Adcom didn't really do that well with them (didn't run the B&K at all). I currently have a Sherbourn 5/1500 running the LSi's but I haven't had a chance to evaluate how it does, I don't think it has the warm sound the B&K had but time will tell.