Adcom GFA-2535 Amplifiers

Adcom GFA-2535 Amplifiers 

DESCRIPTION

Preamp/processor

USER REVIEWS

Showing 1-8 of 8  
[Jun 25, 2019]
erique51


Strength:

1st let me say this is my first realm into separates. From my perspective, after trying a multitude of receivers (Marantz, Onkyo and a vintage Denon - last 2 were 2 channel only)... this makes a huge difference. More balance highs, and great channel seperation. Using it as a bi-amp config into 2 speakers... this thing is plenty loud with no distortion that i can notice... couldn’t take it as far as the amp could go without causing my ears to ring for the remainder of the day. Love that the 2 amps have separate adjustable gain, which allowed me to control the low frequency volume for my over bassy speakers, dir to my room set up.

Weakness:

None so far

Price Paid:
250
Purchased:
Used  
OVERALL
RATING
5
[May 11, 2005]
lmtran
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Details Bi-amp Very reasonable price

Weakness:

Soft on bass

I bought this amp after seriously read reviews of others. I found your info is really valuable for my decision and the amp is as good as you have valued. Detail in treble and mid and it really bring me a new idea on how a good sound stage is. However, as others reviewed, 2535 is soft on bass. One good point is I can bi-amp my speakers within a narrow budget. I have used a Audio Premier Alice amplifier(US product but I could not find any info regarding this on the net) before turning to 2535. This one is not as good as 2535 that I found smoother treble with the 2535. In sum, really good amp for entry level as I am. Budget equip to try bi-amp.

Similar Products Used:

Audio Premier Alice Sansui Marantz receiver Pioneer receiver

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
[Sep 02, 2002]
Jim Matthews
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Excellent power, clarity (transparency) and flexibility.

Weakness:

No remote on/off capability.

The Adcom GFA-535 represents one of the all time best bargains in reasonable high-end audio, and the 2535 puts two in one chassis with the flexibilty to operate in two useful modes. The low price and modest power rating are deceptive, as it can out-perform high-end amplifiers with much higher rated output sold at many times the price. Using a B&K Reference 30 as the preamp (recently replacing a Carver CT-17, and before that an Adcom GTP-400), my GFA-2535 drives four AR-3a speakers, which are 4 ohms nominal and notoriously inefficient (I used to drive all four in parellel (i.e.- 2 ohms per channel) with a _single_ GFA-535 - no problem!). The sound quality is outstanding with all types of music and the amp can support volume levels higher than I can stand. Highly recommended!

Similar Products Used:

Adcom GFA-535, GFA-535II

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Apr 01, 2002]
earwax
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Volumn controls on rear.

Weakness:

60 watts but high current.

I have used this amp for the last 30 months with my XA Snell speaker system to power the rear speakers with no problems. Since my Adcom 5800 blew the left channel and my left speaker again I have moved my Adcom 555mkII from the center to the mains and bridged the 2535 to 200 watts on one side. Now I have to contend witht he Adcom 5800 being fixed then I am going to sell it. It has blown one Snell Type D speaker, one Snell Q speaker and one Polk SDA 1 speaker. F@#k it.

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jul 16, 2001]
jtd
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

This amp is great for center , and rear channels in a pre-amp setup. Inexpensive and great quality. Craftsmanship built like a brick sh,t house.

Weakness:

None that i can think of.....

I got this amp for winning a sales contest. Actually i think I had to shell out like $200 for the amp. Anyway, Overall this amp is great for the home theater enthusiast. I have not used the rear channels yet so untill i get around to installing my inwall speakers, I'm not sure how they will sound. The front center channel (200 watts mono?) sounds great with the GFA5800 driving the mains. I will be picking up the new 5.1, 7.1 GFP-830 to use with this combo. I will be submitting a review shortly after this.

Similar Products Used:

Denon, Adcom,

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
[Mar 28, 2001]
The Defiler
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

An excellent all round amplifier which can be used in a variety of situations.

Weakness:

The GFA-2535 lacks the detail and force that can be found in electronics costing 2-5 times.



Although it's not quite as advanced powerful or refined as the equipment I use today the Adcom GFA 2535 still brings a smile to my face when I think about it. This amplifier represented my first serious foray into high end multi-media/audio and probably gave me far more happiness than the high powered Rotel or Hafler amplifiers that I use today. This amplifier's main strength is it's neutrality and pleasant voicing,although the details were not always present in my music or computer gaming the music or sound affects produced by the amplifier were always tolerable if not pleasant. In addition although the GFA 2535 is rated for a mere 60 watts it's more than capable of playing at loud volume levels,a feat that I would atribute to it's 4 separate transformers(one for each channel). Although not in use in my personnel audio system both of my GFA-2535 are still in service,one is being used by a friend of mine in his home/stereo movie system to actively amplify the mids and high via a Rane Mojo MX-23 active crossover. The GFA-2535's performance in the active system is superb, voices especially are not only clear and concise but rich with color and texture that change drastically from one person to another. Musical backgrounds and the violence of battle are rendered with many colors and hues by the GFA 2535 when it works hand in hand with the Rane Mojo active crossover. In passive mode although I haven't heard it recently my cousin,who happens to now own my other GFA 2535, tells me that the GFA-2535 is more than adequete powering his surrounds and a single subwoofer in bridged mode. Despite the fact there are certainly more capable and expensive amplifiers on the market today the GFA-2535 is an unbeatable value ,especially when purchased used,and an extremely versatile amplifier that is capable of operating in a wide variety of roles for reliably and dependably.

Similar Products Used:

Onkyo 838, Adcom GFA 7500, Hafler 9500, Rotel RMB 1095, Rotel RB 1090

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Mar 27, 2001]
Adji Pramono
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

- Dual mono block & dual transformer at one case
- Bridgeable into 200 watt Amplifier B
- Thermal & distortion alert indicator (they won't kill your speakers)
- Can operate up to 85`c

Weakness:

- A bit heavy (Hey they are 2 in 1)
- Getting hot after play in a few minutes
- No electrical short fuse for speakers

The sound is a bit bright even in low level. So I prefer to use without preamp (adcom GTP-400). The sound is more natural, open, clear, tight, not fatiguing. I used to hear jazz (Fourplay, syrogyra, Sadao Watanabe, etc) and they looks play in front of me...:)

My system:
-Adcom GCD600
-Adcom GFA2535
-Sony MDP??? (LD player)
-Paradigm PDR-10
-Bose Music Monitor
-Soundstream interconnect
-DIY LAN-data speaker cable

Similar Products Used:

I have listened to Marantz (not open & muddy)

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[May 29, 2001]
Dominic Cardon
Audio Enthusiast

Strength:

Awsome sound range and depth. Very clean sound.

Weakness:

Only when standing like RIGHT next to it you can hear the
transformer - just a slight buzz.

Seems to have it's way with my DCM CX-17's, and B&W 601 S2's.
Excellent build and quality. Later I plan on using the mono
side for my center channel and the other two for surrounds. This amp is rated at(60 X 4) or (60 X 2 and 200 X 1). However it seems to be really under rated giving more than expected.

Using Pre-amp PT 2500 from Harman/kardon
CD - CX90ES 200 changer from Sony
Cables - Spellcaster II from audio magic
EQ - technics SH - 8017
book shelf speakers 2 X DCM CX-17's, and 2 X B&W 601 S2's.

Only the beginning

Similar Products Used:

NA-

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
Showing 1-8 of 8  

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