rxtscott

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
1 to 3 months

Price Paid:  $230.00 from Audiogon

Summary:
This is a great amplifier. It's well built, powerful and very clean. You need to use high end cables and a good set of speakers to really enjoy it though. It seems to be a little harsh on the high end so soft dome tweaters are probably a better choice. It also has a soft pop during poweroff when the caps discharge. I called Adcom. They said this is normal. For $200.00 I'll live with the soft pop. Hi fi system for less than $1000.00. Can't complain!

Strengths:
Built like a tank, Sounds great even after 15 years, Very powerful.

Weaknesses:
A little harsh on the high end. I'm trying different cables and speaker combinations.

Similar Products Used:
Adcom, QSC, Macintosh, DynaAudio, Bozak, PSB, Polk

Price Paid:  $197.00 from eBay

Summary:
I just bought this amp (actually a GFA-545, non MKll) after reading these reviews and several others and I must say that it certainly gets the job done. It is powerfull, much more powerful than the rated 100wpc indicates. I have my volume down by 75% over what my old 80wpc amp would be and still have the same volume level. The bass is tight and punchy and the soundstage is very full. I have more of a sense of being surrounded by the sound than I have ever heard before. I would compare this to the NAD 2400 power amp in terms of sound quality. Also, it is built like a tank.

Strengths:
Sound quality, build quality.

Weaknesses:
None.

Similar Products Used:
McIntosh, NAD, Carver

Price Paid:  $300.00 from Used

Summary:
This is for the original GFA-545 , not the Mk.II. To put it in a nutshell, I could not live with the 545 in stock form. The highs were unbearable, so I had Wavetrace Technologies (Clearwater, FL) modify the amp ($400) based on circuit designs by Stan Warren of the original PS Audio fame. After the mods, it's an amp I can live with forever! Sounds as good as the NEW A-20 (pure Class-A based on a Nelson Pass design) I later had powering the mids and highs on the Dahlquist DQ-20i's I had at the time with the Adcom powering the lows. Much better sound both highs and lows. The Adcom had been sitting dormant since I switched to active speakers (Paradigm Active 20's) in '99, but just brought'er out of retirement in my HT system. I'm using a Yamaha receiver with Klipsch speakers and wasn't happy with the sound...especially the highs with horn tweeters, so I popped the Adcom in using the preamp outs to power the front mains. All I can say is that 2 channel stereo is back! Now to find a 3ch amp, or go with a 5ch and be done with it. I really can't reccomend the original 545 due to the sterile highs, unless you're using it in a bi-amp configuration powering woofers, some really laid back speakers, or have it modded.

Strengths:
Power and low end

Weaknesses:
High end was very sterile and dry

Xenogear

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
Less than 1 month

Visitors rate this review
2.33 of 5, 3.00 votes

Price Paid:  $260.00 from ebay

Summary:
I bought this product from a seller on ebay. It is connected to a pair of Kef C35s and a 30B subwoofer. The Pre-Amp is an Adcom GTP500II. I have not noticed the brightness that everyone is talking about in their reviews. So far, this combination sounds smooth and warm. I can listen to this system for hours at a time. It's not edgy like my Sony ES receiver.

The speakers have more to do with the sound. But I do notice the difference between this Adcom combination, the Sony ES receiver, and a Harman-Kardon integrated amplifier on the same set of speakers. To me, the Sony and the HK are more punchy and sounds exaggerated compared to the Adcom. At low listening levels, the loudness compensation of the Sony and the HK have a more pronounced effect. The Adcom, having more power and current, can drive the 4 ohm speakers with a little more authority. The sound is also much cleaner at higher volumes. The imaging is much better. I can't really attribute all of the difference to the amplifier since the pre-amp is also in the signal path. One thing I can say though is that this amplifier puts out very clean sound.

I have always liked the looks of Adcom components. They've got a modern, understated design to them. The quality and craftsmanship are very good on this Amplifier.

I want to clarify that the purchase price above is for the amplifier only. I already had the pre-amplifier when I bought the amp.

Strengths:
Neutral, clean sound. Muscular, can drive 4 ohm speakers with ease.

Weaknesses:
Nothing

Similar Products Used:
Sony ES Receiver
Harman-Kardon Integrated Amp (PM 635)

jwsb

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Used product for
More than 1 year

Price Paid:  $300.00 from Private

Summary:
I've owned and just recently bought again! This is an excellent amplifier. I had and reviewed the original 545 and now I have 2 MkII's. This the best amplifier for the money. Open, sweet and detailed. This amp could drive the some of the hardest loads. Planars, Ribbons etc. I had and still have many speakers that go down to 4 ohms. Not a problem with this amp. Very clean and neutral and not as bright as many would think. Bass is tight and authoritative. Highs are extended airy and free from grain. ITS A MUST TRY FOR THOSE GETTING INTO HIGH END AUDIO. I'm in the trade and this is one of the best buys you can get and is readily available. Tried many vintages rivaling the price and performance but could be as rare as hens teeth at the time of this reading. These are the Quad 405.2 CLass A design and the the Sumo 9 Class A. Yes the performance does rival many of the Class A designs. This amp is simply supurb. I also have the GFA555Mk2 it's highly rated big brother and I still prefer the 545. Smoother highs, grainless performance and more liquid. The Hafler DH220 sounds a bit more relaxed but has a tendency to sound veiled. The adcom has a more elegant hi-end sound.

Strengths:
Great Hi End Sound for a budget price

Weaknesses:
None

Similar Products Used:
PSE Dual Mono, Aragon 8008ST, Acurus, Quad 405.2, Hafler DH 220, Adcom GFA 555Mk2 etc. etc.