Adcom GFA 5802

Toolfan66
Toolfan66 Posts: 17,490
edited August 2009 in Electronics
Is anybody using this amp or have used this amp?If so what do you think of it, as I am thinking about giving one a try.

I have the GFA 585, I was wondering if one is better then the other.

I gave the XPA-2 a try, and well you see how long I kept it. I think the Emotiva AMP's are great for HT but for 2 channel IMO the Adcom killed it.

Thanks for any help on the GFA 5802,


Larry.
Post edited by Toolfan66 on
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  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited August 2009
    I don't have any personal experience with them, but I've heard very good things about them. It's a Nelson Pass design. The 5802 paired with the GFP-750 is supposed to be an incredible combination.

    The 5802 is most likely going to be my next amp. It won't be coming along for quite some time yet...but I like to think ahead.;)
    The nirvana inducer-
    APC H10 Power Conditioner
    Marantz UD5005 universal player
    Parasound Halo P5 preamp
    Parasound HCA-1200II power amp
    PolkAudio LSi9's/PolkAudio SDA 2A's/PolkAudio Monitor 7A's
    Audioquest Speaker Cables and IC's
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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,490
    edited August 2009
    comfortablycurt wrote: »
    I don't have any personal experience with them, but I've heard very good things about them. It's a Nelson Pass design. The 5802 paired with the GFP-750 is supposed to be an incredible combination.

    The 5802 is most likely going to be my next amp. It won't be coming along for quite some time yet...but I like to think ahead.;)

    Thanks,

    I have the GFP-715 I love it. Plus it has a phono input.;) I have my eye on the 5802 big time.
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  • agfrost
    agfrost Posts: 2,432
    edited August 2009
    Hey Curt, you been looking at the one in the Chicagoland Craigslist? He just dropped his price $100 after it went untouched for several run-throughs.

    Jay
    Jay
    SDA 2BTL * Musical Fidelity A5cr amp * Oppo BDP-93 * Modded Adcom GDA-600 DAC * Rythmik F8 (x2)
    Micro Seiki DQ-50 * Hagerman Cornet 2 Phono * A hodgepodge of cabling * Belkin PF60
    Preamp rotation: Krell KSL (SCompRacer recapped) * Manley Shrimp * PS Audio 5.0
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited August 2009
    What's up Larry? I currently have the 5802 it's IMO the best I've heard out of the Adcom series. I've ran it on my SDA's and RTI's and it does a great job. I would describe it as a neutral amp. On my RTI's it took the harsh top end away. On the SDA's make sure you strap the grounds together because it's a non common ground amp. It also gets hot so I wouldn't stack anything on top. Give it plenty of air to keep cool.

    I've dealt with mostly Adcom and Rotel gear so hopefully someone with more knowledge can compare them to a couple more amps. Also look at the Rotel 1090, it's a great amp with lots of power and it's common ground.

    You might want to contact BIZILL and DK as they both ran the 5802 with the 1.2tl's. Do a Google search, there's plenty reviews out there.
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited August 2009
    agfrost wrote: »
    Hey Curt, you been looking at the one in the Chicagoland Craigslist? He just dropped his price $100 after it went untouched for several run-throughs.

    Jay


    That amp is damaged in the rear.
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  • agfrost
    agfrost Posts: 2,432
    edited August 2009
    leroyjr1 wrote: »
    That amp is damaged in the rear.

    Good info to know! I've seen it listed for a while, but haven't investigated.
    Jay
    SDA 2BTL * Musical Fidelity A5cr amp * Oppo BDP-93 * Modded Adcom GDA-600 DAC * Rythmik F8 (x2)
    Micro Seiki DQ-50 * Hagerman Cornet 2 Phono * A hodgepodge of cabling * Belkin PF60
    Preamp rotation: Krell KSL (SCompRacer recapped) * Manley Shrimp * PS Audio 5.0
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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,490
    edited August 2009
    leroyjr1 wrote: »
    What's up Larry? I currently have the 5802 it's IMO the best I've heard out of the Adcom series. I've ran it on my SDA's and RTI's and it does a great job. I would describe it as a neutral amp. On my RTI's it took the harsh top end away. On the SDA's make sure you strap the grounds together because it's a non common ground amp. It also gets hot so I wouldn't stack anything on top. Give it plenty of air to keep cool.

    I've dealt with mostly Adcom and Rotel gear so hopefully someone with more knowledge can compare them to a couple more amps. Also look at the Rotel 1090, it's a great amp with lots of power and it's common ground.

    You might want to contact BIZILL and DK as they both ran the 5802 with the 1.2tl's. Do a Google search, there's plenty reviews out there.



    Thanks Leroy,

    Thats what I wanted to hear.
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,249
    edited August 2009
    Yep, the 5802 is a great f*cking amp (GFA) the best in the series and of course another Nelson Pass inspired design. If it wasn't for my Pass Aleph 30 I'd probably have the 5802.

    The 585 is no slouch either but I feel you'll find the 5802 has all the great attributes of the 585 but it's more refined and "grown-up" still beefy, but a little more polite and pleasent.

    Enjoy

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Puritan Audio PSM136 Pwr Condtioner & Classic PC's | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,490
    edited August 2009
    Thanks H9,

    Now I really want it.

    The 585 is the one Ben had for a few years, I know he put alot of work in it and your right it is no slouch. Sound wise it just killed the XPA-2 I really thought it might out do the 585 but no way. I had it up and running for a week and thats all I could take. I had to put the 585 back in. So now I want to give the 5802 a shot.

    If the 5802 works out then the 585 will go upstairs with the 1C's.
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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,490
    edited August 2009
    Adcom GFA 5802 on it's way:D
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited August 2009
    Congrats.... What about the GFP-750 pre?
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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,490
    edited August 2009
    leroyjr1 wrote: »
    Congrats.... What about the GFP-750 pre?

    Working on it.:cool:

    Do you want my 715 if I get one?
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited August 2009
    TOOLFORLIFEFAN wrote: »
    Working on it.:cool:

    Do you want my 715 if I get one?


    Yes I need another pre
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  • rroobbcc
    rroobbcc Posts: 10
    edited August 2009
    I don't visit here often, but happened to stop by and notice this thread. My $.02 ... you will LOVE the GFA-5802. I have two of them bi-amping a pair of Infinity 9 Kappa "amp killers". The GFP-750 and GCD-750 round out the system, all connected together with balanced cables.

    BTW, the GFP-750 is really an excellent pre-amp. Combine it with the GFA-5802 and you will be at the point of diminishing returns where it will take a very significant investment to achieve only moderately improved sound.

    Rob
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  • hearingimpared
    hearingimpared Posts: 21,136
    edited August 2009
    Welcome to Club Polk and thanks for the info.
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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,490
    edited August 2009
    rroobbcc wrote: »
    I don't visit here often, but happened to stop by and notice this thread. My $.02 ... you will LOVE the GFA-5802. I have two of them bi-amping a pair of Infinity 9 Kappa "amp killers". The GFP-750 and GCD-750 round out the system, all connected together with balanced cables.

    BTW, the GFP-750 is really an excellent pre-amp. Combine it with the GFA-5802 and you will be at the point of diminishing returns where it will take a very significant investment to achieve only moderately improved sound.

    Rob


    Thanks for the info Rob,

    Now I am really excited, I am sure it will be a good match with the 715 till I get the 750, but I am working on that now with a guy on audiogon.

    Monday the 5802 will be here. Wish I would have just gone this route in the first place over the XPA-2. Not that it was a bad AMP, Maybe it was just not a good match with the 715 i don't know. With what little experience I have in this "quest" it was just not working for me. It seem to work well on the highs but not the lows, if that makes sense.

    Personally i still think the Emotiva amps are a better fit for HT, But this is only from my own experience, Maybe if I had the Emotiva Pre I may have had a better experience with it.

    Thanks again,

    Larry.
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited August 2009
    What kind of CDP are you running?
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  • rroobbcc
    rroobbcc Posts: 10
    edited August 2009
    Let me say one more thing about the GFA-5802. I used to not give much consideration to those who said that equipment sounds better when warmed up, but the GFA-5802 changed my mind. I don't want to say that it sounds bad when cold (it still sounds really good), but I do find it noticably smoother about 30 minutes after it is turned on.
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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,490
    edited August 2009
    leroyjr1 wrote: »
    What kind of CDP are you running?

    Pioneer BDP-51
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  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited August 2009
    Larry, one minor point...

    I don't believe the 5802 is a common ground design, so the negative terminals will have to be strapped together if you're running it with SDA's.

    I'm not 100% positive of that...but I'm pretty sure.



    Also, if you get a GFP-750 and decide to sell the 715, let me know. Lee's got first dibs, but I'm jumping in line for second dibs if it's not too much trouble.;) I just got this Acurus L10 pre-amp, which I'm enjoying...but it has some attributes that I don't really like so far. I've only had it for a week or so though, so I'm giving it a bit more time before any real decisions are made.
    The nirvana inducer-
    APC H10 Power Conditioner
    Marantz UD5005 universal player
    Parasound Halo P5 preamp
    Parasound HCA-1200II power amp
    PolkAudio LSi9's/PolkAudio SDA 2A's/PolkAudio Monitor 7A's
    Audioquest Speaker Cables and IC's
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited August 2009
    comfortablycurt wrote: »
    Larry, one minor point...

    I don't believe the 5802 is a common ground design, so the negative terminals will have to be strapped together if you're running it with SDA's.

    I'm not 100% positive of that...but I'm pretty sure.



    Also, if you get a GFP-750 and decide to sell the 715, let me know. Lee's got first dibs, but I'm jumping in line for second dibs if it's not too much trouble.;) I just got this Acurus L10 pre-amp, which I'm enjoying...but it has some attributes that I don't really like so far. I've only had it for a week or so though, so I'm giving it a bit more time before any real decisions are made.


    Yes sir you have to tie the grounds together.
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  • BIZILL
    BIZILL Posts: 5,432
    edited August 2009
    yup. neg left n right strapped. what can i compare mine to? dunno. this is the first amp i've ever had for home audio. i crank my tunes damn loud without clipping or other issues. clean all the way to high db levels. i'm sure most all amps are this way, but i love "discharging" my caps by turning off the amp and letting it run the sda's for like 25-30 seconds after having flipped the switch. massive power reserves. good times.

    POLK SDA-SRS 1.2TL -- ADCOM GFA-5802
    PANASONIC PT-AE4000U -- DIY WILSONART DW 135" 2.35:1 SCREEN
     ONKYO TX-SR805
    CENTER: CSI5
    MAINS: RTI8'S
    SURROUNDS: RTI8'S
    7.1 SURROUNDS: RTI6'S
    SUB: SVS PB12-PLUS/2 (12.3 series)
    XBOX 360    WiiPS3/blu-rayTOSHIBA HD-A35 hd dvd

    http://polkarmy.com/forums/index.php
    bobman1235 wrote:
    I have no facts to back that up, but I never let facts get in the way of my arguments.
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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,490
    edited August 2009
    Thanks guys,

    But I did know about strapping the negs together. Adcom even make a common ground amp?

    When I get the 750 Pre I will have to be on the lookout for a phono pre to tie into the mix as the 750 don't have a phono input, That is my only **** about the 750.

    I love my vinyl. after I get this far I will finally pull the trigger on a VPI record cleaner.
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,249
    edited August 2009
    All the older 5xx series are common ground. There is no issue with strapping the negative speaker terminals. Just be sure to use nice thick wire/cable

    Once you hear the 750 you won;t be bitching about not having a phono pre :D. You'll be better off getting a nice dedicated phono pre anyways.

    You are in for a treat!

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Puritan Audio PSM136 Pwr Condtioner & Classic PC's | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,490
    edited August 2009
    heiney9 wrote: »

    Once you hear the 750 you won;t be bitching about not having a phono pre :D. You'll be better off getting a nice dedicated phono pre anyways.

    You are in for a treat!

    H9

    I was wondering if that might be the case what phono pre would you suggest?

    Looking forward to monday.;)
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  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited August 2009
    TOOLFORLIFEFAN wrote: »
    Thanks guys,

    But I did know about strapping the negs together. Adcom even make a common ground amp?

    When I get the 750 Pre I will have to be on the lookout for a phono pre to tie into the mix as the 750 don't have a phono input, That is my only **** about the 750.

    I love my vinyl. after I get this far I will finally pull the trigger on a VPI record cleaner.

    Yep...the 535, 545 and 555 were all common ground.

    External phono stages are better anyway...so I wouldn't really call it a gripe. I'd call it a plus side.;)

    If you get a 750 and decide to sell the 715...let me know. I'll probably take it...assuming that Lee passes on it of course.
    The nirvana inducer-
    APC H10 Power Conditioner
    Marantz UD5005 universal player
    Parasound Halo P5 preamp
    Parasound HCA-1200II power amp
    PolkAudio LSi9's/PolkAudio SDA 2A's/PolkAudio Monitor 7A's
    Audioquest Speaker Cables and IC's
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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,490
    edited August 2009
    What phono pre would you suggest? tube maybe?

    Thanks.

    I will let you know what Lee wants to do when I am ready to swap. The 750 will happen and soon.
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  • comfortablycurt
    comfortablycurt Posts: 6,745
    edited August 2009
    TOOLFORLIFEFAN wrote: »
    What phono pre would you suggest? tube maybe?

    Thanks.

    I will let you know what Lee wants to do when I am ready to swap. The 750 will happen and soon.

    Cool, keep me posted.

    I've been shopping around for phono pre's lately myself. I'm getting my first TT pretty soon, and my Acurus L10 doesn't have a phono stage.

    I've received several recommendations for this Hagerman phono pre. It's supposed to be a fantastic sounding phono stage. It's a bit of a DIY'er though.

    No experience with any of these...but I've also been looking at the Cambridge Azur 640p, the Vincent Audio PHO-111 and the Rega Phono Mini. I'm not sure what your price range is...but those are all pretty affordable.

    I'm going to hold off a little bit on getting a phono stage though, because I'm not sure how long this Acurus L10 will be sticking around.
    The nirvana inducer-
    APC H10 Power Conditioner
    Marantz UD5005 universal player
    Parasound Halo P5 preamp
    Parasound HCA-1200II power amp
    PolkAudio LSi9's/PolkAudio SDA 2A's/PolkAudio Monitor 7A's
    Audioquest Speaker Cables and IC's
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