dlb945

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
3 Months to 1 year

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1.00 votes

Price Paid:  $100.00 from eBay

Summary:
I placed bids on eBay for a GFP-555II for several months finally winning this unit for my $100 limit. I wanted to try an Op-Amp based preamp to see how the sound compared to vintage solid state and tube preamps in my modest collection.

It sounded very good at first listen and the equal to a modified Marantz 7T SS unit but without the warmth of a Dynaco PAS-3X. After a few days, the depth of the soundfield increased with improved side-to-side image. After a couple of weeks, the GFP-555II became a keeper and my favorite preamp.

It works best with a tube amplifier and the favorite here is a vintage Conrad Johnson MV75A1, 6550-A based 75 w/ch driving Klipschorns. Wow!

Highly recommended for those who love the advantages and mix of solid state and tubed components.

Strengths:
Soundstage depth and width.

Weaknesses:
Ugly face.

Similar Products Used:
Marantz 7T
Dynaco PAS3X
NAD 1020
Dynaco PAT4

jwsb

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 2 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Price Paid:  $300.00 from Private

Summary:
Had this in my place with a matching Amp the GFA 555Mk II. I have to say that I've always been an Adcom fan due to their price to performance ratio. i've had many experiences with their amps particularly the 545 and the 555 which I always recommend w/o hesitation. This preamp? well....... It's Ok but couldn't really say it was at par with some of the other products i've tried from their company. I matched it with the gfa 555 and my Audio definition floorstanders and compared it later on with a budget tube preamp the Dynaco PAS3. The result was not good. It GFP55 was annoyingly Dull and Veiled. Yes it handled the extreme really well and not as annoyingly bright as most SS preamps but it just didn't have that life giving magic. Details were not as crisp and transients was like watching a boxing match where fighters had pillows on their fists. Maybe I just got a tired example. I couldn't find any redeeming quality. I would recommend other vintage SS products within the price range that could pull it's panties down. Such as: Used Sonographe, Any Superphon especially the revelation, NAD 3020 used as pre and the Metaxas Marquis

Strengths:
Reasonably cheap

Weaknesses:
Dull, Doesn't have that Hi Fi sound

Similar Products Used:
All the preamps mentioned above including ARC-LS2, LS7, SP9Mk 2, Audible Illusions Modulus 2A, Le Tube, Paragon, CJ PV10A and the lazarus

brigrizzme

Overall Rating
 2 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5, 1.00 votes

Price Paid:  $150.00 from Private

Summary:
Ouch. The only preamplifier I’ve owned that sounded worse was a Carver C-2. This makes my speakers sound like tin cans on wax strings. The sound is too forward for my taste. Maybe it sounds good with heavy metal or rap?

Strengths:
Cheap

Weaknesses:
Sound

Similar Products Used:
McIntosh C-36, Mcintosh MX-113, Carver C-2, Adcom GFP-555.

Price Paid:  $300.00 from RAF Lakenheath UK

Summary:
Outstanding unit. Being used with 2 GFA-555II''s. The sound and versatility is astonishing.

Strengths:
Simplicity, aluminum construction, gold plated outlets

Weaknesses:
None that I know of...

Similar Products Used:
2ea GFA-555II''s, HK7600II CD machine, Polk RT1000i, Monster Z-cables

Price Paid:  $200.00

Summary:
Four stars for a fine budget performer that might be a little veiled in comparison to the newer stuff, but a bargain to look for nonetheless.

Strengths:
I'm using the 555II in conjunction with another vintage piece of audio gear, an NAD 2400 PE amp. I replaced my second system which consisted of a Creek 5250 integrated, Stereophile and Fi recommended. The Creek had great resolution and good clarity, but was ultimately lacking in soundstaging, bass and dynamics. I've been very happy with the Adcom, it allows much more bass extention and soundstage depth through my Paradigm 9SE speakers than the Creek could produce on its own, and the dynamics are incredible. It has a fine phono stage and the headphone out allows for a much richer and fuller sound through my Grado 125 headphones than the Creek ever produced.

Weaknesses:
For 200.00, I don't see that the Adcom can be bettered. It allows the power of the NAD amp to really come through, with clarity, richness and dynamics. It is a full featured preamp with Lab output to bypass the tone controls and comes with an excellent phono stage. Beware of modern integrateds that cannot match the sound of cheaper, older separates.