Adcom Amps GFA-535 vs 545

skrol
skrol Posts: 3,375
edited December 2009 in 2 Channel Audio
I am looking at a couple Adcom amps and need a quick education. Other than rated power, are there sonic differences between the GFA-535 and 545? I seem to recall some saying that the 545 was not as refined as the 535.

What is the difference between the GFA-535 and GFA-535 II? Is one more desirable?

Also, is an NAD pre-amp a good combo with the Adcoms?

Thanks
Stan
Stan

Main 2ch:
Polk LSi15 (DB840 upgrade), Parasound: P/LD-1100, HCA-1000A; Denon: DVD-2910, DRM-800A; Benchmark DAC1, Monster HTS3600-MKII, Grado SR-225i; Technics SL-J2, Parasound PPH-100.

HT:
Marantz SR7010, Polk: RTA11TL (RDO198-1, XO and Damping Upgrades), S4, CS250, PSW110 , Marantz UD5005, Pioneer PL-530, Panasonic TC-P42S60

Other stuff:
Denon: DRA-835R, AVR-888, DCD-660, DRM-700A, DRR-780; Polk: S8, Monitor 5A, 5B, TSi100, RM7, PSW10 (DXi104 upgrade); Pioneer: CT-6R; Onkyo CP-1046F; Ortofon OM5E, Marantz: PM5004, CD5004, CDR-615; Parasound C/PT-600, HCA-800ii, Sony CDP-650ESD, Technics SA 5070, B&W DM601
Post edited by skrol on
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Comments

  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited December 2009
    That's hard to believe the 545 and 555 originals are the prefered amps...I haven't heard the 535 but the higher models supposedly have better detail, sound stage, etc.

    Brock (heiney9) knows a lot more...I'd search for his threads on Adcoms and you'll find a wealth of information there.

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited December 2009
    NAD should play nicely with Adcom's. The 545 is a very straight forward amp. The difference in price I would suggest the 545. I am not a huge fan of the MKII series, or the 5xxx series except the 5800, and 5802.
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • skrol
    skrol Posts: 3,375
    edited December 2009
    What about Adcom vs Carver? Years ago (early 90's) I compared the two and I liked the character of the Carver over the Adcom. I don't recall the models.
    Stan

    Main 2ch:
    Polk LSi15 (DB840 upgrade), Parasound: P/LD-1100, HCA-1000A; Denon: DVD-2910, DRM-800A; Benchmark DAC1, Monster HTS3600-MKII, Grado SR-225i; Technics SL-J2, Parasound PPH-100.

    HT:
    Marantz SR7010, Polk: RTA11TL (RDO198-1, XO and Damping Upgrades), S4, CS250, PSW110 , Marantz UD5005, Pioneer PL-530, Panasonic TC-P42S60

    Other stuff:
    Denon: DRA-835R, AVR-888, DCD-660, DRM-700A, DRR-780; Polk: S8, Monitor 5A, 5B, TSi100, RM7, PSW10 (DXi104 upgrade); Pioneer: CT-6R; Onkyo CP-1046F; Ortofon OM5E, Marantz: PM5004, CD5004, CDR-615; Parasound C/PT-600, HCA-800ii, Sony CDP-650ESD, Technics SA 5070, B&W DM601
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited December 2009
    Personally I like the older Adcom's over most of the Carvers. Carver to me seems more system dependent.
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • Knucklehead
    Knucklehead Posts: 3,602
    edited December 2009
    I have an Adcom535 with my R50's...just what they needed.:D
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited December 2009
    Stan the differences have been answered in detail several times. Just don't have the energy to type it once again.

    The 535 is a super amp and a true dual mono design. The 545, IMO, is the gem of the line. It has all the power reserves you could ask for and overall I feel it's a bit smoother than the 555.
    "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 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • skrol
    skrol Posts: 3,375
    edited December 2009
    Thanks all, this is very helpful. Now if only the guy that is selling would get back to me. :)
    Stan

    Main 2ch:
    Polk LSi15 (DB840 upgrade), Parasound: P/LD-1100, HCA-1000A; Denon: DVD-2910, DRM-800A; Benchmark DAC1, Monster HTS3600-MKII, Grado SR-225i; Technics SL-J2, Parasound PPH-100.

    HT:
    Marantz SR7010, Polk: RTA11TL (RDO198-1, XO and Damping Upgrades), S4, CS250, PSW110 , Marantz UD5005, Pioneer PL-530, Panasonic TC-P42S60

    Other stuff:
    Denon: DRA-835R, AVR-888, DCD-660, DRM-700A, DRR-780; Polk: S8, Monitor 5A, 5B, TSi100, RM7, PSW10 (DXi104 upgrade); Pioneer: CT-6R; Onkyo CP-1046F; Ortofon OM5E, Marantz: PM5004, CD5004, CDR-615; Parasound C/PT-600, HCA-800ii, Sony CDP-650ESD, Technics SA 5070, B&W DM601
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,165
    edited December 2009
    The nicest thing about the 535 MK II is it has "proper" speaker binding posts and nicer Teflon/gold RCA connectors. I always hated the original 535's twisting binding posts which you can't use anything but bare wire. The 545 and 555 of all generations had proper binding posts.

    Something to think about.

    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 | Pangea AC14SE MKII | Legend L600 | BlueSound Node 3 - Tubes add soul!
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited December 2009
    I had a 535 (original, not the MKII) and wasn't really happy with it. Too bright for my tastes. But I guess it's a solid amp - just system dependent.
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