Price Paid:  $200.00 from From Family member

Summary:
Recently my surround receiver just died, and I had to have something to power my speakers!! I purchased this from my grandmother (who is also an audio enthusiast, and a head banger!!!! LOL) This is tagged along with an Adcom stereo pre amp. I'm using this back and forth on a pair of JBL CF150's (325 watts max, 98db sensitivity 3-way w/15" woofer 8 ohms) and a pair of JBL E100's (250 watts max, 91db sensitivity 3-way w/ dual 10' woofers 8 ohms). With an optimus 10 band eq hooked into the ext. processor input on the pre amp (bass stays up!)

On the CF150's - At low to medium volume this amp does really good. high end is very crispy! This can really push the bass, but as soon as you hit high volume, when the bass hits, the distort light comes on and you can tell it's distorting! Now with the eq turned off, The volume can go much louder! Once it hits the loud point on these speakers, it truly distorts (not just from bass) It doesn't have enough wattage to get loud enough to pierce your ear drums, but if you don't need it that loud, It's perfectly fine.

On the E100's - Pretty much same as above, but these speakers really show you how clean the power is from the amp. The high end is perfectly clear and realisticly smooth! Midrange is realisticly warm, Bottom end is super deep, not exaggurated. But these speakers clip the amp a little sooner, even with the eq off. But wow, The clarity!!!

I did try it paired with a set of JBL CF100's and a set of JBL E50's - verdict on that--- All the good things from above, minus all the bad things. Perfect for small and medium speakers!

I guess this turned out to be a quadruple review, But you still get the idea of what the amp can do. It sounds beautiful, It's just not made for the flagship model speakers!! If you want extreme volume from this amp, you need highly efficient speakers, or smaller ones, or if you dont need it that loud, I guess go for it no matter what you got!

Strengths:
Super clean power when paired with the proper speakers.

Weaknesses:
Not bridgable.

Price Paid:  $175.00 from Local CL site

Summary:
I bought this for $175 a couple of weeks ago, and it is a total value at that price. Mine has the fixed cord and I bet the sound difference reported by disgruntiled users is purely subjective. Invest in a line conditioner if you want to make a difference in front of an amp.

I have been an audio enthusiast for many years with many systems, and I know good sound. I own Krell, Bryston, various single ended and PP tube amps, and can say that this little Adcom does plenty right and nothing wrong. This amp is in my second system, and I have paired the GFA 5300 with 1970's A/D/S L630 three-way speakers, which are a touch warm of neutral. The bass is full and tight, and has great resolution at it's price. It's shortcomings only become evident in direct comparison to my Krell KST-100 ( which has a more liquid coherent sound and WAY more bass impact at 6 times the price). When played loud, the Adcom gets a little compressed, but again only in comparison to much more expensive amps, and the sound never gets irritating unless it's running hard and the recording is bright. It is a bit cold sounding compared to my Golden Tube SE amp, but those sell for 3 times what I paid for the GFA 5300.

Build quality is high for it's pricepoint. Massive torroid tranny, heatsinks, and discrete components and boards. Mine never gets beyond barely warm, contrary to other's reports of hot operation. Can't do better for the money.

Strengths:
Build, overall sound

Weaknesses:
None for under $200.

Similar Products Used:
Krell, Bryston, B&K, various tube amps

Price Paid:  $308.00 from Myer Emco

Summary:
I think I had problem from day one but it always fixed it self so I thought it was fine until the end. The left channel died completely a couple of weeks ago. Thinking of whether to fix it but too costly. It powered my B&W 805 great but had to turn it up at least half way to hear a sound. Now it is dead. Looking on ebay for a replacement but they want as much as I paid for the same model and used. My speakers sounded great but now they set and wait for power. sad

Strengths:
Great while it lasted.

Weaknesses:
Did not last long enough for an Adcom. It should have lasted at least 10 years. What happened to quality without selling your right arm for quality.

Similar Products Used:
First Adcom, sony before but would turn on by it self.

Price Paid:  $400.00 from Simply Stereo

Summary:
This is the newer version w/ detachable power cord. I bought this to use while my Accuphase amp was being serviced,figuring I can use it for front L+R in the home theater room when the repairs were complete. After a couple of months of almost daily use I have to say it performed very well and sounds pretty good. Not quite as rich and full as the Accuphase but that's hardly a fair comparision.
There was no harshness or brittle-sounding charachteristics at any volume and it ran only slightly warm after hours of use. My Meadowlark speakers can be very revealing but there was no unpleasant sounds from this amp. I have no regrets in buying it.

Strengths:
Very solid build. Good all around sound throughout the audible range. I listened for hours with no fatigue or thoughts of turning down the volume.

Weaknesses:
No signal trigger for powering up-but that's being picky. Not the absolute satisfying sound of a world class amp-but tough to beat in it's class.

Similar Products Used:
In this price range: Marantz mono blocks,Denon ss amp, Acurus

Price Paid:  $400.00 from Wild West Electronic

Summary:
Maybe I am not a critical enough listener, but I don't understand where the negative reviews of this amp are coming from. I bought this demo unit from Wild West Electronics (because it is being discontinued) and it does a superb job of driving my Paradigm 9 speakers. I don't here any of the "veilness" or "harshness" that other people write about. It plays all kinds of music very well by presenting an excellent 3-D soundstage and producing a neutral sound.

Strengths:
Excellent performance for the price. Five year warranty

Weaknesses:
Not made in the USA

Similar Products Used:
Adcom 535-II amp,