Adcom GFA 555SE vs. Emotiva XPA-2
DMara
Posts: 1,434
Guys, I have been looking for a kinda-new, value amp to run my Zone 2 lsi9's. Today I have a lead to acquire a 3-month-old Adcom GFA-555SE for $900. That's just a little bit more than the price of a brand new Emotiva XPA-2 ($825 shipped). Which would win out between these 2 amps? By the way, my receiver is a Denon AVR-2808ci; I currently run an XPA-5 for my main zone. Thanks for any advice.
Gears shared to both living room & bedroom:
Integra DHC-80.3 / Oppo BDP-105 / DirecTV HR24 DVR /APC S15blk PC-UPS
Living room:
LSiM707's / LSiM706c / LSiM702 F/X's / dual JL Audio Fathom F113's / Parasound Halo A51 / Panasonic 65" TC-P65VT50
Bedroom:
Usher Dancer Mini 2 Diamond DMD's / Logitech SB Touch / W4S STP-SE / W4S DAC-2 / W4S ST-1000 / Samsung 52" LN52B750
Other rooms:
Audioengine AP4's / GLOW Audio Sub One / audio-gd NFB-3 DAC / Audioengine N22
audio-gd NFB-10.2 / Denon AH-D7000
Integra DHC-80.3 / Oppo BDP-105 / DirecTV HR24 DVR /APC S15blk PC-UPS
Living room:
LSiM707's / LSiM706c / LSiM702 F/X's / dual JL Audio Fathom F113's / Parasound Halo A51 / Panasonic 65" TC-P65VT50
Bedroom:
Usher Dancer Mini 2 Diamond DMD's / Logitech SB Touch / W4S STP-SE / W4S DAC-2 / W4S ST-1000 / Samsung 52" LN52B750
Other rooms:
Audioengine AP4's / GLOW Audio Sub One / audio-gd NFB-3 DAC / Audioengine N22
audio-gd NFB-10.2 / Denon AH-D7000
Post edited by DMara on
Comments
-
Overkill? Can you REALLY have too much power?
BDTI plan for the future. - F1Nut -
I'm thinking xcap's alternative suggestions would save you lots of $$, while yielding excellent results. While you can't ever have too much power, sometimes you can have enough...
I've heard others who've been plenty pleased with the UPA/LSi combo. Wish I had it... -
I would say adcom as I didn't care for the sound of the emotiva products
-
Adcom gets my vote,if you like your lower end go Adcom.
-
Guys, I have been looking for a kinda-new, value amp to run my Zone 2 lsi9's. Today I have a lead to acquire a 3-month-old Adcom GFA-555SE for $900. That's just a little bit more than the price of a brand new Emotiva XPA-2 ($825 shipped). Which would win out between these 2 amps? By the way, my receiver is a Denon AVR-2808ci; I currently run an XPA-5 for my main zone. Thanks for any advice.
I think it would come down to personal preference. I don't see either one outgunning the other.
I agree with XCapri you could most likely get away with lower cost 2 channel amp. Even though I use Adcom I think you would be happy with either. -
Well I have put my adcom's (5802 / 585) next to the XPA2 / XPA3 with my 2 channel and my HT setup with my Pioneer SC-07 and the Adcom's won hands down, and this was with the RTiA9's and my SDA's. Your rig and ears may very in opinon.
-
+1 for the Adcom but you might be able to find one for much less if you look around a bit.
Like this for instance: http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=97568____________________________________________________________
polkaudio Fully Modded SDA SRS 1.2TLs + Dreadnaught, LSiM706c, 4 X Polk Surrounds + 4 X ATMOS, SVS PB13 Ultra X 2, McIntosh C2300, Marantz AV7704, Bob Carver Crimson Beauty 350 Tube Mono Blocks, Carver Sunfire Signature Cinema Grande 400x5, ADCOM GFA 7807, Panasonic UB420, Sim Audio Moon 380D DAC, EPSON Pro Cinema 6050 -
DMARA you already have an Emotiva product. Do you like the sound, if so stick with Emotiva. If not, for two channel gear you can go with many fine used power amps for much less than a new Adcom. Older vintage gear such as Yamaha, Luxman and Carver are only a few choices that are great bang for the buck. If you want to go with an Adcom, you can get a higher end model used at a lower price. Point is to keep your eyes open for a good deal. There are many to be found if you look for them and are patient.Polk HT system 1: LSIC, LSI25 mains, LSI F/X rears, Lsi F/X rear centers,
Yamaha RX-V2500 System, Carver A753 3 channel amp.
Polk HT system 2: , SRT system with f/x 1,000's rear speakers on 7.1 system currently using Onkyo TX-RZ820 receiver, powered by Sunfire Grand Theater amp
Polk Speaker collection: SDA SRS 1.2tl x 2, SRT system, SDA SRS 2 P/B, SDA 2A, SDA 1C Studio, SDA CRS+, Monitor 7B & 4, SRS 3.1tl, RTA 15tl, LS90, LSI 9 -
DMARA you already have an Emotiva product. Do you like the sound, if so stick with Emotiva. If not, for two channel gear you can go with many fine used power amps for much less than a new Adcom. Older vintage gear such as Yamaha, Luxman and Carver are only a few choices that are great bang for the buck. If you want to go with an Adcom, you can get a higher end model used at a lower price. Point is to keep your eyes open for a good deal. There are many to be found if you look for them and are patient.
+1, only 'your' ears can tell 'you' what 'you' like. Blue is right. If you like your Emotiva sound just beef that up, if not there's a lot to choose from.
If you're interested in an Adcom...save your money and get a used original Adcom 555...they were the best of that series! And you can get them for 3 bills used? In fact Dawgfish is selling one on this SITE...go take a look!
I'd listen to some before buying though. Just because some people like those doesn't mean 'you' will!
Good Luck...
cnhCurrently 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] -
The Emo XPA-5 drives my lsi15's + lsiC + lsiFX's beautifully. However, running the bedroom lsi9's directly into the Denon AVR made the sound quite muddy.
I don't want to purchase too old of an amp because of worrying about heat/time abuse/depreciation.
My first thought was to acquire the Emo XPA-2 because of my positive experience with the XPA-5 . However, seeing that there's an alternative in the Adcom GFA-555SE which can help broaden my horizon experience-wise, I wouldn't mind trying it. Therefore I am asking for opinions from those who have had a chance to run either or both of these separates to to help me come to a conclusion. Adcom GFA-555SE and the Emotiva XPA-2, is one better than the other? Or is the difference so slight that I shouldn't care about?
By the way, in either case, once purchased, should I move the living room lsi15's to the 2-channel amp and leave the living room's center & rear channels plus the bedroom's lsi9's to the 5-channel XPA-5? Would that make the lsi15's perform any better?Gears shared to both living room & bedroom:
Integra DHC-80.3 / Oppo BDP-105 / DirecTV HR24 DVR /APC S15blk PC-UPS
Living room:
LSiM707's / LSiM706c / LSiM702 F/X's / dual JL Audio Fathom F113's / Parasound Halo A51 / Panasonic 65" TC-P65VT50
Bedroom:
Usher Dancer Mini 2 Diamond DMD's / Logitech SB Touch / W4S STP-SE / W4S DAC-2 / W4S ST-1000 / Samsung 52" LN52B750
Other rooms:
Audioengine AP4's / GLOW Audio Sub One / audio-gd NFB-3 DAC / Audioengine N22
audio-gd NFB-10.2 / Denon AH-D7000 -
If your already using an XPA-5, I'd go with the Adcom, it would give you a chance to see which sonic signature you like better.
-
I think the person your buying it from has an xpa-5 to compare it to. I inquired about the amp I'm 99% sure it's the same one being your in Katy Tx. I would go with the adcom over the emo.
-
Adcom by far"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!
-
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 680d DSD
“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? -
I own both the Adcom and the Emotiva. They both do things I like and things I dislike. That's why I am putting one up for sale and using the other in my home theater rig while using a B&K in my two channel set-up. You need to listen to both and see what your ears prefer. I don't find the Adcom to be a slam dunk over the Emotiva unlike a lot of the posters here and in fact find the Emotiva to be superior in some categories such as bass response and detail, soundstage, dynamics, and imaging. I do like the highs in the Adcom slightly better though, which is why I tend to lean towards it for two channel purposes and lean towards the Emotiva for home theater.
The thing is though, it's all about your ears and synergy. I was using these amps on RTi-12s, RTA-12Bs, and more recently SDA-1Cs (with RDO-194 upgrade). All of these speakers have tweeters that are more forward and more on the bright side than the ring weeter on your LSIs. I have heard Emotivas with the LSis and they are a good match. The ring tweeter on the LSi does a great job of taming down the brightness of the Emotiva top end. I have not heard an Adcom on the LSIs, so I can't comment on how that sounds.
One thing you could try doing is pick up a used Adcom 555 (I'm not just saying this because I have one for sale), and also picking up an XPA-2 from Emotiva if funds permit and doing your own shootout in your system and room. If you don't like the Emotiva, you can send it back before the 30 day grace period, and if you don't like the Adcom, you can always sell it and get out of it what you paid for it and keep the Emotiva. Just my dos centavos.
Steve -
I think the person your buying it from has an xpa-5 to compare it to. I inquired about the amp I'm 99% sure it's the same one being your in Katy Tx. I would go with the adcom over the emo.
BTW, I think there are 5 or 6 of us from Katy on this forum. And, CL35 used to be. Not that big of a town, either.
If you want to try a NAD 2700, let me know as I'm not using it right now - I live near Seven Lakes HS. -
Interesting. How did either compare to powering the RTiA9's directly off the SC-07?
I am powering my Rtia9s off my SC-27, which is the new version of the sc-07. The results have been excellent for movies; however, at times I feel the speakers are underpowered for music. Of course, it's probably not so much about power as it is quality of watts. The SC-27 is an amazing piece that does the Swiss Army role better than anything I have ever used, but it cannot compare with my separates plain and simple. The difference is not about power; it's about quality. -
Im running rti12s w/ an xpa-2 and i am completely satisfied.
It provides so much lowend w/ my towers i now keep the sub off unless im watching a movie.Also noticed improved clarity throughout all volume levels.It might be overkill for a bedroom setup but overall is one badass amp(imo)!
In the end i think both amps would do their job just fine,Ive heard adcom before and it sounded great....if you go adcom nuy used to save if not get the emo and do the thirty day demofronts=rti12s(cherry)
center=csi3(cherry)
sub=psw125(cherry)
emotiva xpa-2
harmon kardon 354
sony cdp
ipod 8gb
audioquest diamondback 1m
"Maesto" straightwire cables
pangea ac-9
playstation3/120gb=blu-ray/media server
monitor=lg 55inch lcd(1080p)
TT Set-up=Pro-Ject RM 1.3
Kenwood Phono
bren1 Clamp
Herbies Slipmat
"It doesnt mean that much to me,to mean that much to you" -
I own both the Adcom and the Emotiva. They both do things I like and things I dislike. That's why I am putting one up for sale and using the other in my home theater rig while using a B&K in my two channel set-up. You need to listen to both and see what your ears prefer. I don't find the Adcom to be a slam dunk over the Emotiva unlike a lot of the posters here and in fact find the Emotiva to be superior in some categories such as bass response and detail, soundstage, dynamics, and imaging. I do like the highs in the Adcom slightly better though, which is why I tend to lean towards it for two channel purposes and lean towards the Emotiva for home theater.
The thing is though, it's all about your ears and synergy. I was using these amps on RTi-12s, RTA-12Bs, and more recently SDA-1Cs (with RDO-194 upgrade). All of these speakers have tweeters that are more forward and more on the bright side than the ring weeter on your LSIs. I have heard Emotivas with the LSis and they are a good match. The ring tweeter on the LSi does a great job of taming down the brightness of the Emotiva top end. I have not heard an Adcom on the LSIs, so I can't comment on how that sounds.
One thing you could try doing is pick up a used Adcom 555 (I'm not just saying this because I have one for sale), and also picking up an XPA-2 from Emotiva if funds permit and doing your own shootout in your system and room. If you don't like the Emotiva, you can send it back before the 30 day grace period, and if you don't like the Adcom, you can always sell it and get out of it what you paid for it and keep the Emotiva. Just my dos centavos.
Steve
Thanks so much for advices, especially Steve (Dawgfish) who had the inside scoop since he owns both the Adcom and the Emotiva.
The Adcom was sold to another guy, d@rn it :mad: I guess the dude's willing to pay more than me
Today I called Emotiva to inquire about the XPA-2, Vincent of the Technical Support group actually hooked me up with one of the re-stocked ones for $699, $100 less than the normal price, with full warranty. I couldn't resist to take it, so it's on the way to my rig
When I questioned him if I should move the Main Zone lsi15's to the new XPA-2 and let the XPA-5 take care of the Zone 2 lsi9's as well as the Main Zone lsiC & lsiFX's, his answer is DEFINITELY YES since the XPA-2 is more powerful. I will try that to see if it makes the lsi15's perform any better.Gears shared to both living room & bedroom:
Integra DHC-80.3 / Oppo BDP-105 / DirecTV HR24 DVR /APC S15blk PC-UPS
Living room:
LSiM707's / LSiM706c / LSiM702 F/X's / dual JL Audio Fathom F113's / Parasound Halo A51 / Panasonic 65" TC-P65VT50
Bedroom:
Usher Dancer Mini 2 Diamond DMD's / Logitech SB Touch / W4S STP-SE / W4S DAC-2 / W4S ST-1000 / Samsung 52" LN52B750
Other rooms:
Audioengine AP4's / GLOW Audio Sub One / audio-gd NFB-3 DAC / Audioengine N22
audio-gd NFB-10.2 / Denon AH-D7000 -
Congratulations on your entry into the separates, it's a slippery slope from here:D
-
Congrats! I can't wait to hear your thoughts on it.
You might want to keep a close eye on your bank account though from now on...because we're going to be spending your money left and right once you discover how awesome separates are.;)
edit-
Wow...I finally got some blue letters under my name...AND a promotion to Polk Master!!:eek:
-wipes tear-
What a long strange trip it's been.:D
Where and when do I pick up my official audiophile card?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 -
Poast ****!!!! I don't read the newsssspaperssss because dey aaaallllllllll...... have ugly print.
Living Room: B&K Reference 5 S2 / Parasound HCA-1000A / Emotiva XDA-2 / Pioneer BDP-51FD / Paradigm 11se MKiii
Desk: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / ISK HD9999
Office: Schiit Magni 2 Uber / Schiit Modi 2 Uber / Dynaco SCA-80Q / Paradigm Legend V.3
HT: Denon AVR-X3400H / Sony UBP-X700 / RT16 / CS350LS / RT7 / SVS PB1000 -
congrats!!!!!!!
the xpa-2 is built like a tank,wAaaaaaaay heavy(be prepared)
It definitely will make your speakers sing especially @500 a channel at 4ohmsfronts=rti12s(cherry)
center=csi3(cherry)
sub=psw125(cherry)
emotiva xpa-2
harmon kardon 354
sony cdp
ipod 8gb
audioquest diamondback 1m
"Maesto" straightwire cables
pangea ac-9
playstation3/120gb=blu-ray/media server
monitor=lg 55inch lcd(1080p)
TT Set-up=Pro-Ject RM 1.3
Kenwood Phono
bren1 Clamp
Herbies Slipmat
"It doesnt mean that much to me,to mean that much to you" -
Congrats on the new amp and let us know what you think!
Steve -
Question: my APC S15blk power conditioner is listed with "Output Power Capacity 900 Watts / 1500 VA --- Max Configurable Power 900 Watts / 1500 VA." Is it OK for me to plug both Emo XPA-5 and XPA-2 to it?Gears shared to both living room & bedroom:
Integra DHC-80.3 / Oppo BDP-105 / DirecTV HR24 DVR /APC S15blk PC-UPS
Living room:
LSiM707's / LSiM706c / LSiM702 F/X's / dual JL Audio Fathom F113's / Parasound Halo A51 / Panasonic 65" TC-P65VT50
Bedroom:
Usher Dancer Mini 2 Diamond DMD's / Logitech SB Touch / W4S STP-SE / W4S DAC-2 / W4S ST-1000 / Samsung 52" LN52B750
Other rooms:
Audioengine AP4's / GLOW Audio Sub One / audio-gd NFB-3 DAC / Audioengine N22
audio-gd NFB-10.2 / Denon AH-D7000 -
This might be a stupid question but is that rating for 'everything' or 'each' unit plugged into it...that would make a difference.
cnhCurrently 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] -
This might be a stupid question but is that rating for 'everything' or 'each' unit plugged into it...that would make a difference.
cnh
I'm not sure. That's why I asked. Here's a vague paragraph from the APC manual:
Unit Power Capacity
The S10 Power Conditioner is rated for 700 watts (continuous), and the S15 is rated for 900 watts (continuous). They have been designed, however, to support component inrush currents that are much higher than their continuous power rating.
The S10 and S15 are capable of supplying the dynamic peak current draws required by any component designed to work on a 15 amp circuit. Despite their nameplate power ratings, high performance AV equipment draw much less than their listed power ratings. The S10 and S15 can inform the user how much of the power capacity is available as equipment is connected to the unit.
Gears shared to both living room & bedroom:
Integra DHC-80.3 / Oppo BDP-105 / DirecTV HR24 DVR /APC S15blk PC-UPS
Living room:
LSiM707's / LSiM706c / LSiM702 F/X's / dual JL Audio Fathom F113's / Parasound Halo A51 / Panasonic 65" TC-P65VT50
Bedroom:
Usher Dancer Mini 2 Diamond DMD's / Logitech SB Touch / W4S STP-SE / W4S DAC-2 / W4S ST-1000 / Samsung 52" LN52B750
Other rooms:
Audioengine AP4's / GLOW Audio Sub One / audio-gd NFB-3 DAC / Audioengine N22
audio-gd NFB-10.2 / Denon AH-D7000 -
I can't tell from that write-up but the simple thing to do is, if you can....add the wattage or amps 'in' from the back of both units.....15 amps assumes that whatever you have it 'better' NOT exceed the circuit! So 15 amps combined or 120 V x 15 amps or no more than 1800 watts on that circuit.
I have no idea what Emotivas ratings are but I suspect those two units together exceed the circuit value?
cnhCurrently 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] -
It will be fine to plug both in. No amp I know draws 900W continuous at the power chord. I believe the unit shows the total draw all components are using (like my H15). If it's too much the S15 will shut down. I can assure you your Emo amps won't really come close to drawing 900W at the outlet.
I have almost all the outlets used on my H15 used and my amp draws 200W at idle most typical amps like Emo's draw about 10% of that. My draw meter is at 18%.
cnh brings a good point but the ratings on most equipment is a max value so just adding those ratings together will give you a hugely inaccurate number because you won't run something like an amp wide open continuously.
Plug everything in and see how it works noting the draw on the front panel. You won't do any damage because the UPS will shut down if it's over loaded.
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! -
I'm not sure. That's why I asked. Here's a vague paragraph from the APC manual:
Unit Power Capacity
The S10 Power Conditioner is rated for 700 watts (continuous), and the S15 is rated for 900 watts (continuous). They have been designed, however, to support component inrush currents that are much higher than their continuous power rating.
The S10 and S15 are capable of supplying the dynamic peak current draws required by any component designed to work on a 15 amp circuit. Despite their nameplate power ratings, high performance AV equipment draw much less than their listed power ratings. The S10 and S15 can inform the user how much of the power capacity is available as equipment is connected to the unit.
This is why you won;t have an issue. Now if are also plugging a powered sub in as well, then you might be approaching the limit.
Try it and see.
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!
