Adcom 555 -2 vs McIntosh?

erniejade
erniejade Posts: 6,321
edited February 2010 in 2 Channel Audio
I have a chance to pick up a Adcom 555-2 local to me. I have not heard one. How would it stack up against my McIntosh 2105? I know on total RMS the Adcom is higher, Rated at 200 per vs the McIntosh at 105 per ( 133 w/o distorting at the last time it was tested :) BUT not being able to hear them side by side or on my own rig...


I have always heard great things about the Adcom 555 but I don't hear too much about the series 2.. In overall smoothness or musical ability, NOT in sheer volume, what amp of the 2 listed would me more musical sounding?
I like a solid tight bass hit that the McIntosh has but I have never heard the 555.

How much of a difference is there beteen the 555 and the 555 -2?


Rest of the system carver C-19 tube pre, Jolida cd100, polk 1.2 polk 2.3 and carver amazings for speakers.

Thanks everyone for an opinion that chimes in on this.
Post edited by erniejade on
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Comments

  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 26,040
    edited February 2010
    I would lean toward the Mcintosh personally, but only because of reputation as I have heard neither amp. I have heard other Mac's and Adcom's in the past and just think the Mac has a cleaner, more accurate sound.
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2800 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon MiND2 Shunyata Triton/Typhon Rotel RP9400 Turntable

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson

    How many flies need to be buzzing a dead horse before you guys stop beating it?
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  • erniejade
    erniejade Posts: 6,321
    edited February 2010
    nooshinjohn wrote: »
    I would lean toward the Mcintosh personally, but only because of reputation as I have heard neither amp. I have heard other Mac's and Adcom's in the past and just think the Mac has a cleaner, more accurate sound.

    That is exactly what I was also thinking. I do own the Mac. but as we all know,,, we always "try" out different gear thinking one might be better then the other. I did hear a lower powered Adcom amp and I did not care for it compaired to the 2105 I have. I thought it was a bit thin sounding but, I keep reading raving reviews on the 555. so my still has peaked my interest.

    I might just save up and go tube on the amp anyway lol. Although right now, I do like the tube and SS combo I have. One day I need to throw the sunfire sig on the 1.2's and do a head to head at " normal" volume 2105 vs Sunfire Sig II.


    Thanks for the opinion. I think i might pass on the 555 -2 on craigslist here.
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  • nooshinjohn
    nooshinjohn Posts: 26,040
    edited February 2010
    I would be very afraid of the Sig II on the TL's... I would ecourage you to set it up in bi-amped mode with the voltage taps to the highs and the current taps on the mid/bass. This combination will probably bury the Mcintosh in all respects.
    The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, Mcintosh C2800 Arcam AVR20, Oppo UDP-203 4K Blu-ray player, Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk Audio Legend L800 with height modules, L400 Center Channel Polk audio AB800 "in-wall" surrounds. Marantz MM7025 stereo amp. Simaudio Moon MiND2 Shunyata Triton/Typhon Rotel RP9400 Turntable

    “When once a Republic is corrupted, there is no possibility of remedying any of the growing evils but by removing the corruption and restoring its lost principles; every other correction is either useless or a new evil.”— Thomas Jefferson

    How many flies need to be buzzing a dead horse before you guys stop beating it?
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,549
    edited February 2010
    Pass on it if you didn't like the lower powered Adcom. Which Adcom was it? I prefer the Adcom 545 to the 555.

    The 5802 would be a better choice.

    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 | Roon Nucleus 1 w/LPS - Tubes add soul!
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  • erniejade
    erniejade Posts: 6,321
    edited February 2010
    It was a 535. When I heard it around a year or 2 ago, I had it up against my Integra amp. The Integra was much fuller sounding at low to med. volumes on my system. I just keep hearing great things on the 555 or in this case the 555-2 so I just always wonder how it would do against the McIntosh.
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited February 2010
    The Mac will sound warmer. Otherwise, I have no idea.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • jz0h4d
    jz0h4d Posts: 33
    edited February 2010
    I have both and prefer the Mac. The Adcom seems a little shrill on the extreme high end. Both are fine amps though.
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  • erniejade
    erniejade Posts: 6,321
    edited February 2010
    Thanks everyone for the input. I will pass on the Adcom.
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