Price Paid:  $160.00 from Audio Store

Summary:
Having compared this passive pre-amp to a few active designs, I actually liked it better in every sonic way. For someone like me who has one line stage source with plenty of output, why pay more and get less?

I will admit that with a CAL Aria in front, and a Krell KSA-200 after, I experienced a bass roll off. So be careful when using with tube gear. But in my present system (Rega Apollo cd player / Classe CA-100 power amp), I dont experience the bass roll off problem at all.

Strengths:
Low price, great sound quality

Weaknesses:
no tape monitor functions

Summary:
I have spent big bucks on "esoteric" pre-amps that promise to bring you to nirvana! Well, the only thing it brings is a huge chunk of change missing from your bank account! If you don't need a phono section, this little gem from Adcom will make you very happy. It is a "passive" pre-amp which means it does not have its own power supply. It relies on the source component, i.e. CD Player, Tuner, CD-R, etc. to provide output level-gain. Most decent or better source components produce at least 2 volts output. The SLC-505 is very transparent-no colorations added to the music, is built like a tank, has a copper shielded chassis, gold rca's, aluminum front panel. Adcom does not make this unit any longer, but there are quite a few for sale out there and available for generally under $100. I give it a 5 out of 5 for value, and a 4.5 out of 5 for performance. Happy listening!

Summary:
I have spent big bucks on "esoteric" pre-amps that promise to bring you to nirvana! Well, the only thing it brings is a huge chunk of change missing from your bank account! If you don't need a phono section, this little gem from Adcom will make you very happy. It is a "passive" pre-amp which means it does not have its own power supply. It relies on the source component, i.e. CD Player, Tuner, CD-R, etc. to provide output level-gain. Most decent or better source components produce at least 2 volts output. The SLC-505 is very transparent-no colorations added to the music, is built like a tank, has a copper shielded chassis, gold rca's, aluminum front panel. Adcom does not make this unit any longer, but there are quite a few for sale out there and available for generally under $100. I give it a 5 out of 5 for value, and a 4.5 out of 5 for performance. Happy listening!