Adcom Output

kp1706
kp1706 Posts: 37
edited April 2010 in Electronics
Picked up an Adcom GFA 555 a few months ago on Ebay-cheap (you get what you pay for...). I am using it to drive the two front mains (M70's). Took it to Just Audio in Baltimore and they fixed it up (made it safe to operate and replaced a couple of resistors). My question is-how do I determine how much power I am really getting out of the 200 watt/channel amp? I thought I would be wowed by the power but I am hearing/feeling only a "modest" increase. I would like to quantify it, but electronics is not my strongest area. :confused:
KP

Receiver: HK 354
Amp: Adcom GFA 555
Front: Polk Monitor 70
Center: CS2
Sub: PSW 125
Surrounds: Old Yammi's
CDP/DVDP: Sony DVP-NC600
Blue Ray: Samsung BD-D5700
TV: Sony 50" SXRD
Post edited by kp1706 on
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Comments

  • cstmar01
    cstmar01 Posts: 4,424
    edited April 2010
    just wondering how do you feel the amp is "lacking" or better how did it not wow you? were you looking for just more volume? and in what way were you using the amp such as was it in HT setting or 2 channel listening? Just wondering.
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  • sda2mike
    sda2mike Posts: 3,131
    edited April 2010
    i got my 555 to give my marantz receiver a break...i too, was not wowed at first with the adcom...until i moved to a much bigger place, that is! they now produce concert level volumes that are clean and clear. the best part is, during a cranking session, when a difficult musical section comes up, the amp loves it! point is, give the amp a chance, it will grow on you;)
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  • seeclear
    seeclear Posts: 1,244
    edited April 2010
    What were you using before? Just the HK avr? Try switching back to what you had before and see if you don't appreciate more what the adcom can do. Sometimes the improvement is tough to appreciate, but removing it can give you more feel for what the component has added. Like the saying goes, you don't know what you've got til it's gone.
    "Don't forget to change your politician. They are like diapers they need to be changed regularly, and for the same reason."
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  • rcrook317
    rcrook317 Posts: 280
    edited April 2010
    kp1706 wrote: »
    Picked up an Adcom GFA 555 a few months ago on Ebay-cheap (you get what you pay for...). I am using it to drive the two front mains (M70's). Took it to Just Audio in Baltimore and they fixed it up (made it safe to operate and replaced a couple of resistors). My question is-how do I determine how much power I am really getting out of the 200 watt/channel amp? I thought I would be wowed by the power but I am hearing/feeling only a "modest" increase. I would like to quantify it, but electronics is not my strongest area. :confused:


    sell it......get a xpa-2......adcoms good product but i owned same model...and heavily demoed similiar model...wasnt blown away...but have heard great things bout the 58** series.
    almost bought 1 when i jumped on my emo.Been loving it ever since


    nofanboy here just stating my opinion/preference to op
    fronts=rti12s(cherry)
    center=csi3(cherry)
    sub=psw125(cherry)
    emotiva xpa-2
    harmon kardon 354
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    monitor=lg 55inch lcd(1080p)
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    "It doesnt mean that much to me,to mean that much to you"
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  • tonyb
    tonyb Posts: 33,080
    edited April 2010
    You might notice some tighter bass notes in the mid and lower levels,but other than that,were you expecting concert level volume ? The M70's can only do so much regardless of whats driving them.
    HT SYSTEM-
    Sony 850c 4k
    Pioneer elite vhx 21
    Sony 4k BRP
    SVS SB-2000
    Polk Sig. 20's
    Polk FX500 surrounds

    Cables-
    Acoustic zen Satori speaker cables
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited April 2010
    Agreed,

    I've run that same amp with M70s and definitely heard and improvement over my Denon...the kind tonyb is describing above. In fact the M70s will give you quite a bit more than expected with that very amp. The image better, have tighter bass, cleaner highs and generally sound more authoritative. If you want to be wowed...you need to at least quadruple the M70s MSRP budget if not more? But for the price, they ain't bad with that Adcom.

    The other thing that will make a real DIFFERENCE is spend about 600 on an Adcom GFP-750 to go with that Adcom and then listen to it?


    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,470
    edited April 2010
    cnh wrote: »
    Agreed,

    The other thing that will make a real DIFFERENCE is spend about 600 on an Adcom GFP-750 to go with that Adcom and then listen to it?


    cnh

    One sold on ebay yesterday for $900 :eek:
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  • kp1706
    kp1706 Posts: 37
    edited April 2010
    seeclear wrote: »
    What were you using before? Just the HK avr? Try switching back to what you had before and see if you don't appreciate more what the adcom can do. Sometimes the improvement is tough to appreciate, but removing it can give you more feel for what the component has added. Like the saying goes, you don't know what you've got til it's gone.

    Good point! I'll have to go back and compare without the Adcom. I could pump another $400 into it with some mods and upgrades: http://www.musicaldesign.com/MC_AdcomAmp_mods.html but not sure if it is worth it.
    kp
    KP

    Receiver: HK 354
    Amp: Adcom GFA 555
    Front: Polk Monitor 70
    Center: CS2
    Sub: PSW 125
    Surrounds: Old Yammi's
    CDP/DVDP: Sony DVP-NC600
    Blue Ray: Samsung BD-D5700
    TV: Sony 50" SXRD
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  • kp1706
    kp1706 Posts: 37
    edited April 2010
    rcrook317 wrote: »
    sell it......get a xpa-2......adcoms good product but i owned same model...and heavily demoed similiar model...wasnt blown away...but have heard great things bout the 58** series.
    almost bought 1 when i jumped on my emo.Been loving it ever since


    nofanboy here just stating my opinion/preference to op

    Seeing that you have the same AVR, what crossover setting do you use on the mains and sub for music?
    KP

    Receiver: HK 354
    Amp: Adcom GFA 555
    Front: Polk Monitor 70
    Center: CS2
    Sub: PSW 125
    Surrounds: Old Yammi's
    CDP/DVDP: Sony DVP-NC600
    Blue Ray: Samsung BD-D5700
    TV: Sony 50" SXRD
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  • kp1706
    kp1706 Posts: 37
    edited April 2010
    cnh wrote: »
    Agreed,

    I've run that same amp with M70s and definitely heard and improvement over my Denon...the kind tonyb is describing above. In fact the M70s will give you quite a bit more than expected with that very amp. The image better, have tighter bass, cleaner highs and generally sound more authoritative. If you want to be wowed...you need to at least quadruple the M70s MSRP budget if not more? But for the price, they ain't bad with that Adcom.

    The other thing that will make a real DIFFERENCE is spend about 600 on an Adcom GFP-750 to go with that Adcom and then listen to it?


    cnh

    Imaging is definitely better especially Diana Krall and Duke Ellington. I like the GFP idea especially since I am looking at setting up a separate 2-channel system. Stereophile gave the GFP-750 a great review back in 1999.
    Thanks,
    KP
    KP

    Receiver: HK 354
    Amp: Adcom GFA 555
    Front: Polk Monitor 70
    Center: CS2
    Sub: PSW 125
    Surrounds: Old Yammi's
    CDP/DVDP: Sony DVP-NC600
    Blue Ray: Samsung BD-D5700
    TV: Sony 50" SXRD
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  • cstmar01
    cstmar01 Posts: 4,424
    edited April 2010
    TOOLFORLIFEFAN wrote: »
    One sold on ebay yesterday for $900 :eek:

    They have been popping up lately on the gon for around 600-900. the 900 I think had blue boards in it. I had been looking to maybe get one to pair with my 5802 if I didn't care for the Parasound 2100.
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  • kp1706
    kp1706 Posts: 37
    edited April 2010
    This kinda clears up my original question.
    http://hometheater.about.com/cs/audiocomponents/a/aapowermada.htm
    "In other words, the relationship between volume and wattage output is logarithmic rather than linear."
    KP

    Receiver: HK 354
    Amp: Adcom GFA 555
    Front: Polk Monitor 70
    Center: CS2
    Sub: PSW 125
    Surrounds: Old Yammi's
    CDP/DVDP: Sony DVP-NC600
    Blue Ray: Samsung BD-D5700
    TV: Sony 50" SXRD
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