Pair Adcom GFA-565 Mono block Power Amps

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  • SLOCOOKN
    SLOCOOKN Posts: 704
    edited March 2008
    heiney9 wrote: »
    It's called the economy..............it sucks right now and most are tightening their belts. If I had the cash I would have bought them when they were at $675. $599 is an insane price for a working pair. :)

    H9

    +1...This is a great deal...I have passed on a few things so far. This IS VERY tempting though....
    :eek: From the bottom it looks like a steep incline, From the top another down hill slope of mine.:mad: But I know the equilibrium's there!:cool: .."Faith No More" :D
    Sony cx985v (for now)
    BBE 482i
    B&K AVP 1030
    Adcom GFA 555 mk 2
    AudioQuest Crystal 2 spk wire
    Nordost RCA
    SDA 3.1 tl RD0 tweets
    Belkin pf60
    Carver TFM 55x
    Signal Analog 2 RCA
    AudioQuestType 4
    VMPS Original Tall Boy (Mega Woofers soon)
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  • John in MA
    John in MA Posts: 1,010
    edited March 2008
    I have an original AI-1 isolation cable that I use. No need to bother with ground issues, the previous owner had them rigged with monoblocks in fact.

    Other than financial, the only reason I wasn't leaping after this is that I'd prefer an amp with a reputation for a warmer sound.
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,419
    edited March 2008
    John in MA wrote: »
    I have an original AI-1 isolation cable that I use. No need to bother with ground issues, the previous owner had them rigged with monoblocks in fact.

    Other than financial, the only reason I wasn't leaping after this is that I'd prefer an amp with a reputation for a warmer sound.

    Have you heard them, or any Adcom? Just wondering because against most amps I've heard side by side (Outlaw, Parasound, Carver, Sunfire, Marsh, B & K) I just don't find Adcom to be bright. If you haven't heard one give it a try you might see the "reputation" has little foundation.

    YMMV

    H9

    EDIT: I find pre-amps have just as much of a sonic signature as the amplifier. Some times the "brightness" comes from the pre-amp.
    "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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  • jakelm
    jakelm Posts: 4,081
    edited March 2008
    H9, you found the B&K brighter than the Adcom?
    I find pre-amps have just as much of a sonic signature as the amplifier. Some times the "brightness" comes from the pre-amp.


    And I agree, except I will go a step further and say, 90% of the time its the pre thats the cause of brightness. Especially in the digital world.
    Monitor 7b's front
    Monitor 4's surround
    Frankinpolk Center (2 mw6503's with peerless tweeter)
    M10's back surround
    Hafler-200 driving patio Daytons
    Tempest-X 15" DIY sub w/ Rythmik 350A plate amp
    Dayton 12" DVC w/ Rythmik 350a plate amp
    Harman/Kardon AVR-635
    Oppo 981hd
    Denon upconvert DVD player
    Jennings Research (vintage and rare)
    Mit RPTV WS-55513
    Tosh HD-XA1
    B&K AV5000


    Dont BAN me Bro!!!!:eek:
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  • John in MA
    John in MA Posts: 1,010
    edited March 2008
    I have an Adcom GFA-1 I don't use, but that doesn't count in this conversation since it's an early bridged-only design, first amp they sold I think.

    The majority of what I've heard from more modern Adcom users is pretty consistant. 535/545 are widely loved, 555 has a few people who think it's a little grainy, 565/585 has a larger harsh vote. Without demoing a bunch of amps side-by-side on my speakers, user opinions are all I have to go on.

    You're right about preamps having more of an impact, but I can assure you at least the power amps I've been through recently have their own distinct sound, on the same preamps. The day I first tried my current power amp I noticed it wasn't the sound I was looking for.
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  • bdaley6509
    bdaley6509 Posts: 1,167
    edited March 2008
    so much for my forsale thread... ;) These are still available, btw.
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,419
    edited March 2008
    jakelm wrote: »
    H9, you found the B&K brighter than the Adcom?




    And I agree, except I will go a step further and say, 90% of the time its the pre thats the cause of brightness. Especially in the digital world.

    No about the same. The only amp that bested the Adcom 555 was the Marsh A200. It did most things as well as the Adcom and a couple things a bit better. IMO, the others didn't compare, the Adcom sound was more pleasing in most area's. In the case of the Parasound* and especially the Outlaw, Adcom was hands down a more musical amp.

    I agree about the pre-amp being the culprit more often than not. Careful pre-amp selection is very very important.

    *this was but one model Parasound amp

    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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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,419
    edited March 2008
    bdaley6509 wrote: »
    so much for my forsale thread... ;)

    Thought it was a done deal, also I'm giving props to Adcom amps, trying to give a little encouragement for the sale ;)

    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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  • jakelm
    jakelm Posts: 4,081
    edited March 2008
    bdaley6509 wrote: »
    so much for my forsale thread... ;) These are still available, btw.


    Hey man...we are keeping it at the top of the list.:p

    All you have to do now is pop in every now and then and say just that, "These are still available...":D
    Monitor 7b's front
    Monitor 4's surround
    Frankinpolk Center (2 mw6503's with peerless tweeter)
    M10's back surround
    Hafler-200 driving patio Daytons
    Tempest-X 15" DIY sub w/ Rythmik 350A plate amp
    Dayton 12" DVC w/ Rythmik 350a plate amp
    Harman/Kardon AVR-635
    Oppo 981hd
    Denon upconvert DVD player
    Jennings Research (vintage and rare)
    Mit RPTV WS-55513
    Tosh HD-XA1
    B&K AV5000


    Dont BAN me Bro!!!!:eek:
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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,419
    edited March 2008
    John in MA wrote: »
    I have an Adcom GFA-1 I don't use, but that doesn't count in this conversation since it's an early bridged-only design, first amp they sold I think.

    The majority of what I've heard from more modern Adcom users is pretty consistant. 535/545 are widely loved, 555 has a few people who think it's a little grainy, 565/585 has a larger harsh vote. Without demoing a bunch of amps side-by-side on my speakers, user opinions are all I have to go on.

    You're right about preamps having more of an impact, but I can assure you at least the power amps I've been through recently have their own distinct sound, on the same preamps. The day I first tried my current power amp I noticed it wasn't the sound I was looking for.

    I do prefer my 545 to a 555. The 565 and 585 are special amps and are still cream of the crop for Adcom. GFA 1 was just not a great sounding amp compared to later Adcom models.

    If you do get a chance (like in this case) give them a personal try. You might be surprised.

    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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  • John in MA
    John in MA Posts: 1,010
    edited March 2008
    heiney9 wrote: »
    I do prefer my 545 to a 555. The 565 and 585 are special amps and are still cream of the crop for Adcom. GFA 1 was just not a great sounding amp compared to later Adcom models.

    If you do get a chance (like in this case) give them a personal try. You might be surprised.

    H9


    Anyone wanna donate half a grand to the "Let John Hear a Big Adcom" fund? In-depth review promised in return. :)

    Seriously, if I had the money I'd most likely buy these regardless. Gotta finish selling off the old gear pile I guess.
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  • whitetruk
    whitetruk Posts: 311
    edited March 2008
    dorokusai wrote: »
    You can strap the negative binders together for SDA use.

    what if i/you have a ai1 cable?

    nevermind when i was reading did not see two pages.
    I thought it was fairly amusing also. The Polk Ogre doesn't always get 'it'
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  • SLOCOOKN
    SLOCOOKN Posts: 704
    edited March 2008
    p.m. sent
    :eek: From the bottom it looks like a steep incline, From the top another down hill slope of mine.:mad: But I know the equilibrium's there!:cool: .."Faith No More" :D
    Sony cx985v (for now)
    BBE 482i
    B&K AVP 1030
    Adcom GFA 555 mk 2
    AudioQuest Crystal 2 spk wire
    Nordost RCA
    SDA 3.1 tl RD0 tweets
    Belkin pf60
    Carver TFM 55x
    Signal Analog 2 RCA
    AudioQuestType 4
    VMPS Original Tall Boy (Mega Woofers soon)
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  • whitetruk
    whitetruk Posts: 311
    edited March 2008
    put me in line for these,if the other deals fall through.

    scott
    I thought it was fairly amusing also. The Polk Ogre doesn't always get 'it'
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,576
    edited March 2008
    Is someone wants pics of these inside, do a search for me and these amps. I took pics of minw when I sold them.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • DeusExa
    DeusExa Posts: 491
    edited March 2008
    How are these compared to Carver m1.0T/1.5T?

    Powering a pair of LSi15s
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,576
    edited March 2008
    Your Carver amps would be up for sale.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • 4406bbl
    4406bbl Posts: 194
    edited March 2008
    Put me in line if the other deals fall through.
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  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 29,399
    edited March 2008
    Will all the people in line, Ill pass. I have no immediate need for these. THanks
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
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  • SKsolutions
    SKsolutions Posts: 1,820
    edited March 2008
    John in MA wrote: »
    Anyone wanna donate half a grand to the "Let John Hear a Big Adcom" fund?

    On the half-grand, no. A demo with some 9's is doable, if you are in the metro area.:D

    555
    -Ignorance is strength -
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  • John in MA
    John in MA Posts: 1,010
    edited March 2008
    SKsolutions wrote: »
    On the half-grand, no. A demo with some 9's is doable, if you are in the metro area.:D

    555


    I'll keep that in mind.

    I'm really hoping a McIntosh MC2205/2300/2500 will fall into my lap at some point, but I won't hold my breath.
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  • SKsolutions
    SKsolutions Posts: 1,820
    edited March 2008
    You won't have to worry about breathing, that thing could kill you!
    -Ignorance is strength -
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  • bdaley6509
    bdaley6509 Posts: 1,167
    edited March 2008
    Amps are sold.
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited March 2008
    bdaley6509 wrote: »
    Amps are sold.

    For six bills I would hope so. If anyone had the coin, needed amps, and didn't buy these they should be slapped, and sterilized so they do not reproduce:D
    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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  • whitetruk
    whitetruk Posts: 311
    edited March 2008
    got my amps,bulletproof packing,thanx

    man this is my third set of mono`s, these things are huge(love it)

    later scott
    I thought it was fairly amusing also. The Polk Ogre doesn't always get 'it'
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  • engtaz
    engtaz Posts: 7,669
    edited March 2008
    ben62670 wrote: »
    For six bills I would hope so. If anyone had the coin, needed amps, and didn't buy these they should be slapped, and sterilized so they do not reproduce:D

    If anyone had the coin. That's the key phrase.

    engtaz
    engtaz

    I love how music can brighten up a bad day.
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