As a follow up to my previous review, Adcom has agreed to accept the unit as an RMA and apply a fix which they indicate will rectify this problem. The next production run of the unit should have this fix already installed. I will post the results of the fix when available.

- Christopher.

I've had the Adcom 750 CD player for about six weeks. I love the sound this component creates. This was reaffirmed recently after evaluating the $2000 Pioneer DL-09 CD/DVD player. The DL-09 is an excellent DVD player, but the audio simply was not as enjoyable as the Adcom. The key factor in the Adcom sound is realism. Voices, instruments, soundstage, depth all have a realisticquality I found lacking in the Pioneer.

I had traded up from a Sony 7000 CD/DVD player because of fatigue after only short CD listening sessions. Listening to most CDs with the Adcom is simply enjoyable. Several HDCD CDs (mostly country and western "Wrecking Ball", "Boats to Build") sound sightly more detail using this encoding scheme.

I do believe that adding Tributaries Silver XLR cables created a quieter setting from which the sound emanates. In addition, I placed the Adcom on a Corian shelf sitting on a 3/4 inch slab of foam on a Lovan rack system. I feel that created an improvement in the sound stage and the imaging of individual instruments (complements of th SoundStage "Tweeks" web site).

Not everyting about this unit is positive. Reading the CD track info from the display is difficult from any distance greater than arms length and slightly off from dead center. Any type of racking to the frame causes track skipping. That was one reason why I used the 1/2 inch Corian slab. As mentioned before, the remote is cheap. On some CDs the base seems overdone, but in general it is plentiful and tight. I'm puzzled by the lack of digital out. I tried the Adcom digital in with the Pioneer, and yes with the Pioneer as the CD transport, the sound was very close to that of a Adcom 750 (Burr&Brown DACs).

Eventhough the Pioneer DV-09 player is a unit I'd really like to own, I'm not ready to give up the sound of the Adcom 750. I believe it deserves 5 stars.

Other equipment:
Amp: Krell 300I
Wire: AudioQuest Indigo, Tributaries Silver XLR
Speakers: Kef Reference 3

Epilog: The system has come back from RMA and the problem hasn't been fixed and the sound quality has noticeably deteriorated. Adcom admits this is a design problem. I consider this a defective product in its design, I believe that Adcom's work around doesn't fix the problem and hurts the sound quality, I would strongly urge anyone shopping for a CD player to look elsewhere.

After spending a weekend comparing the Adcom 750 to a Theta Miles, I came to the conclusion that their sound quality was equivalent. One caveat, the Adcom should always be left on. If turned off, it takes quite a while to return to its best (i.e. many hours).

I spent about six months listening to various upper-end CD players to replace the Marantz I had in my system. After listeniing to many CD players and DAC's in the $1,000 - $3,000 price range, I found this CD player to be the best overall. Notice I didn't say "for the money"; just the best. Quite honestly, it is so musical and so good, if I had $10,000 to spend solely on a CD, I'd stick with the Adcom. It's that good, and sounds great on all types of music, including real rock CD's; not the ones Stereophile, etc. write about.

I purchased a GCD-750 which was on sale on consignment at a Audio Store. I listened to the Adcom about 6 months ago, and thought it was very good ; but, thought spending over $2k Canadian was too much at that time. Subsequently, I bought a Harmon Kardon FL8550 , which sounded quite good , and was priced right for what I was willing to spend at that time. It also sounded better than any single disc Cd players in the same price range. My intent was to put it on my AV system after I found the CD player I really wanted. The HK was frustrating untill a fix was delivered for the disk sensor; otherwise it was great in the price range. After purchasing the Adcom and comparing it to the FL8550, I realize you get what you pay for. The Adcom provides better imaging, deeper bass, better timbre, dynamics, more detail, etc . It sounds better to me many ways, than the Classe .5, any Cambridge product (CD4SE,CD6), Marantz (67SE), Rega Planet, Primare, Audiolab (8000), Audio Refinement (CD Complete)that I auditioned.My only complaints; which are minor, considering the performance, are that the remote does not have many functions, and the display could be better.
System consists of Alchemist Forsetti integrated, Totem Rokk speakers, FL8550 and Adcom GCD-750.

I have been with the GCD-750 for two weeks and have thoroughly enjoyed it. Low level detail is reproduced much more like high quality analog systems. Ambient information,image focus,neutral tonal balance,dynamics,and tangible soundstage all create a very involving musical experience. HDCD is the most significant improvement in digital playback now available in mid-priced systems. Adcom has a great product that deserves audition when shopping in this price range. The decision to change this link was easy after only a few minutes of listening time. My last player was a "recommended component." It now goes to the office for background music. With the GCD-750, I am much more satisfied with music reproduction from my system. I believe that is what we are all seeking.

Sound, detail, timbre, smooth vocal

Hard to read display

David!

How can you give the GCD750 a 2 stars ? Have you actually listen to this unit ? I do an A/B between the Rotel 971 and the Adcom, in a blind listening test with a group of friends, the Adcom is the clear winner in every way. When it compare to the Rega, there are some different opinion, the Rega has deeper bass, but the vocal and the high is no where near the Adcom performance. In either cases, the Adcom is still the winner. If you give the Adcom 4 stars as compare to the Rotel or the Rega then I may understand it (because you may have different opinion). In my opinion, it is extremely hard to find a CD player that is less than $US 1200 that can beat the Adcom. I have tried and I could not find one. If you can please let me know.

Similar Products Used:

Rotel 965SE, Rotel 971, Rega Planet

Superb CD Player with HDCD and first rate D/A.

You better be looking at that display head-on or forget it!
Come on guys :(

After about 30 hours of listening the GCD-750 really came alive! At first the mids were really laid back with overwhelming bass. Now it sounds beautiful. Compared this unit with Arcam Alpha 9, Rotel 991, and the NAD Silbver Series. Only the Arcam came close but it didn't have the headroom I was looking for. For the $1050 I paid for an Oct. 1999 model from Shelly's Stereo there isn't a CD Player that compares with performance and price.

Similar Products Used:

Sunfire Vacuum Tube Preamp with Remote
Sunfire Signature Power Amp
NHT 2.9
Tara Lab Air interconnects
Tara Lab Time&Space phase II speaker wire
Lovan stand

I auditioned an AR CD2, Rega Planet, Marantz 63 SE, and Sony XA7ES in my system before I bought the Adcom 750. Through the RCA outputs the AR and Sony bested the Adcom in most areas except the top end. The Adcom's treble has always been open and airy in my system. The Rega and Marantz are a step below. But when I used the balanced outputs and ran it totally balanced through my preamp and amp the Adcom really came on. In my opinion, in balanced mode, the Adcom is better than the Sony from top to bottom. The Adcom doesn't quite equal the CD2 in sure musical enjoyment - the CD2 just seems "right" - its hard to explain.
Now the kicker. My dealer, who obviously treated me very well by letting me take these units home over a course of a month, thinks the Adcom totally sucks and is dropping the Adcom line. Just goes to show don't listen to the talk just listen with YOUR ears and in your system. He sold me the Adcom for well under $1,000. At that point, I couldn't justify paying over $3,000 for the CD2 even though it was the best player in my system. It certainly wasn't three times better than the Adcom, as the price was going to be.

Some people have expressed quality problems with the Adcom. All I can say I'm listening to the one I took home and eventually bought. I have had no problems what so ever. Its a solid unit.