ADCOM GFA-7605 - yay or nay???

[KASR]

So I'm in the market for an amp to go with my H/K AVR 154 - just saw a spill about ADCOM - anyone have an opinion and/or experience (good or bad) with ADCOM amps??

 

[tomd51]

I've got an older Adcom GFA-555 I picked up off of Craigslist and it does just fine. I'm only using it for rear surrounds, but I let a friend borrow it for a while to use as a subwoofer amp and it did the job well. If you can get them at a decent price, I think they're as good as any other reasonably priced amp.

The main problem I see for you is the AVR-154 doesn't have preamp outputs, which is necessary in order to add outboard amplification to an AV receiver. I believe you'd have to step up to the AVR-254 to get that functionality.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, KASR... -TD

 

[CraigV]

My experience with Adcom is they have a rather “dry” sound quality.

 

[tomd51]

It's funny you mention the "dry" thing, I've always wondered what people mean when they describe an amp as having a "warm" or "dry" quality.

The only thing I could think of when I hear the term "warm" used is it could possibly make the sonic signature slightly toned down in the mid to higher frequencies. Most amps that I've listened to over the years, assuming they weren't defective or stressed beyond their limits, have produced very much the same result, which is signal amplification without coloring the sonic signature.

Can you elaborate on the "dry" sound quality? -TD

 

[KASR]

The main problem I see for you is the AVR-154 doesn't have preamp outputs, which is necessary in order to add outboard amplification to an AV receiver. I believe you'd have to step up to the AVR-254 to get that functionality.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, KASR... -TD

You mean, I have to upgrade my receiver??? Oh DARN!!
Muwahahahaha!!!!

 

[CraigV]

It's funny you mention the "dry" thing, I've always wondered what people mean when they describe an amp as having a "warm" or "dry" quality.

The only thing I could think of when I hear the term "warm" used is it could possibly make the sonic signature slightly toned down in the mid to higher frequencies. Most amps that I've listened to over the years, assuming they weren't defective or stressed beyond their limits, have produced very much the same result, which is signal amplification without coloring the sonic signature.

Can you elaborate on the "dry" sound quality? -TD

That’s easier said than done, but I’ll try.

If you live in an area that has all 4 seasons, try to think of it this way – it’s the middle of summer, and you pick a leaf off a tree branch. The leaf feels smooth and silky to the touch. No imagine a leaf from the same tree in late fall. It’s off the branch, and is laying dried up on the ground. You try to pick it up, but it’s so brittle it breaks apart in your hand.

Now try and translate that to the sound an amplifier puts out. In my opinion and experience, the Adcom sound is “dry & brittle”, whereas the sound I perceive from my B&K amp is “warm, smooth & velvety” like the green leaf. Does that make sense?

As for those who say they can perceive no difference, in a way, I’m envious. I would love to be satisfied by the sounds made by any old receiver & speaker combination. But alas, I’m so picky & particular about things I buy the more elaborate amplifiers, cables, speakers, cameras & lenses, cars, beer, chicken at the grocery store…etal.

 

[tomd51]

I see your point CraigV and can understand to some degree. The only time I've witnessed anything similar to that behavior is when I've taxed an amplifier or receiver beyond it's capabilities. I don't frequently listen to music and movies terribly loud, but there is the off occasion I want to crank it up and in some instances, I believe I may have experienced what youv'e described here.

Is it possible you may have either heard a particular Adcom under these circumstances or it may possibly have been defective? I know at one point I picked up a Carver AV-705X that seemed harsh on the upper frequencies, but only when getting above a certain volume level (~80+db?).

I've since owned a few amps, Outlaw, B&K, Adcom, Sunfire (as well as a Behringer A500 pro amp at one point) and all of them exhibit similar sonic characteristics to one another with very little difference between them. I could just be lucky, but usually if there's a problem or defect to be found, I'm the one to find it... -TD

 

[tomd51]

You mean, I have to upgrade my receiver??? Oh DARN!!
Muwahahahaha!!!!

Okay, so I'm not the bearer of bad news... -TD

 

[CraigV]

I see your point CraigV and can understand to some degree. The only time I've witnessed anything similar to that behavior is when I've taxed an amplifier or receiver beyond it's capabilities. I don't frequently listen to music and movies terribly loud, but there is the off occasion I want to crank it up and in some instances, I believe I may have experienced what youv'e described here.

Is it possible you may have either heard a particular Adcom under these circumstances or it may possibly have been defective? I know at one point I picked up a Carver AV-705X that seemed harsh on the upper frequencies, but only when getting above a certain volume level (~80+db?).

I've since owned a few amps, Outlaw, B&K, Adcom, Sunfire (as well as a Behringer A500 pro amp at one point) and all of them exhibit similar sonic characteristics to one another with very little difference between them. I could just be lucky, but usually if there's a problem or defect to be found, I'm the one to find it... -TD

I wouldn’t characterize the sound quality as distortion in any way – it’s present at any volume level.

 

[tomd51]

I wouldn’t characterize the sound quality as distortion in any way – it’s present at any volume level.

Good to know... -TD

 

[PENG]

I see your point CraigV and can understand to some degree. The only time I've witnessed anything similar to that behavior is when I've taxed an amplifier or receiver beyond it's capabilities. I don't frequently listen to music and movies terribly loud, but there is the off occasion I want to crank it up and in some instances, I believe I may have experienced what youv'e described here.

Is it possible you may have either heard a particular Adcom under these circumstances or it may possibly have been defective? I know at one point I picked up a Carver AV-705X that seemed harsh on the upper frequencies, but only when getting above a certain volume level (~80+db?).

I've since owned a few amps, Outlaw, B&K, Adcom, Sunfire (as well as a Behringer A500 pro amp at one point) and all of them exhibit similar sonic characteristics to one another with very little difference between them. I could just be lucky, but usually if there's a problem or defect to be found, I'm the one to find it... -TD

I think this sort of dry, warm, dark and bright things are just hearsay stuff that typically (like anything else there may be exceptions) do not apply to mid range receivers/amps priced at say >$1,500. One person started it and others follow. If such things are real, they would have been proven in blind tests. As you indicated before, an amp's so is to simply amplify the signals faithfully, without warming it up, cooling it off, sharpening it or softening it. Any amp that color the signal by warming, cooling, softening, brightening etc., will bound to please some people but turn off others. I have a few receivers, an Adcom and a Bryston amp, they don't sound that much different at my normal listening level. That is not just to me, but to others in the same room.

I admire your diplomacy. I would simply and respectfully agree to disagree.................

 

[radridd]

Been using one for years as a sub amp. Does the job well.