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#1
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Time to Upgrade My Old Adcom Preamp (and Amp?)
I have an Adcom GFA-555 power amp and a GTP-400 tuner/preamp, both
purchased in 1990, that have served as good utilitarian components over the years, driving first Vandersteen 2ci's and later (and currently) NHT 3.3's. Primary source is a Rotel RCD965-BX CD player from 1996. The tuner/preamp has gotten fussy lately (flaky right-channel dropouts), and I do not expect that it is worth paying money to repair it, as its typical price on the used market is not more than $100. Accordingly, now seems like a good time for an upgrade. The Adcoms were purchased on a tight budget when I was a college student, but my means are greater now, so I'm willing to consider a preamp costing up to, say, $1500 *if* spending that sort of money will buy me considerably improved sound (i.e., transparency). Also, this being 2004, it does not seem too much to ask to have a remote control this time. The tuner is optional -- I do not want to limit my choices by demanding that it be integrated with the preamp, but if it's there, then great. Otherwise, I'll buy a separate tuner at some point. Phono input is not a requirement, but if I can get it without compromising other factors, then it's a plus. The more inputs the better, and certainly no fewer than 4 (excluding phono) would be acceptable. Support for anything beyond 2 channels (i.e., surround sound) is completely unnecessary. Aside from those constraints, my primary goals a (1) best (most neutral) sound that I can buy given my budget, and (2) good solid equipment that will be trouble-free for decades. I've only just started looking, having been out of the audio market (aside from headphones) for a long while now. So far, the Rotel RC-1090 seems like a good contender, but I'm sure there are many other options, and I'd like to hear about them! Additionally, I will surely upgrade my power amp as well, if not immediately, then within the next year, so please keep in mind that whatever preamp I buy now will not be tied to the old Adcom GFA-555 for very long. (It is only because my preamp is misbehaving that I wish to upgrade it before the power amp.) I would certainly appreciate suggestions for where to start looking in the power amp arena as well. A good solid 2-channel solid-state amp with plenty of power and better sound than the Adcom GFA-555 would be the requirement here. I'm willing to spend up to $2000, or perhaps a bit more if there's a good reason. Thanks in advance for all advice! -BN |
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#2
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#3
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"Bil Noe" wrote in message
om I would certainly appreciate suggestions for where to start looking in the power amp arena as well. A good solid 2-channel solid-state amp with plenty of power and better sound than the Adcom GFA-555 would be the requirement here. I'm willing to spend up to $2000, or perhaps a bit more if there's a good reason. Since the preamp/tuner is obviously defective, and not worth fixing, you should replace it ASAP. Since Adcom has satisfied you for like a decade, and they still have a good reputation, why not replace the old Adcom preamp with a new Adcom preamp? According to http://www.audioadvisor.com/store/mf...g=ADCOM&Page=3 , the current Adcom products that seem to match your needs are the GFP 715 and GFP 750. You can read more about them at http://www.adcom.com/ownersmanuals.htm . |
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#4
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"Bil Noe" wrote I have an Adcom GFA-555 power amp... so I'm willing to consider a preamp costing up to, say, $1500 *if* spending that sort of money will buy me considerably improved sound (i.e., transparency). How about a used Audio Research or Conrad-Johnson? |
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#5
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(Bil Noe) wrote in message . com...
The tuner/preamp has gotten fussy lately (flaky right-channel dropouts), and I do not expect that it is worth paying money to repair it, as its typical price on the used market is not more than $100. Accordingly, now seems like a good time for an upgrade. Get a can of contact cleaner: http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshow...=341-326&DID=7 Open the case, spray the switches and pots, work them back and fourth. It's easy, really. TB |
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#6
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"Tim Brown" wrote in message
m (Bil Noe) wrote in message . com... The tuner/preamp has gotten fussy lately (flaky right-channel dropouts), and I do not expect that it is worth paying money to repair it, as its typical price on the used market is not more than $100. Accordingly, now seems like a good time for an upgrade. Get a can of contact cleaner: http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/pshow...=341-326&DID=7 Open the case, spray the switches and pots, work them back and fourth. It's easy, really. Good suggestion! |
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#7
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#9
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"Kalman Rubinson" wrote I have an Adcom GFA-555 power amp... so I'm willing to consider a preamp costing up to, say, $1500 *if* spending that sort of money will buy me considerably improved sound (i.e., transparency). How about a used Audio Research or Conrad-Johnson? Excellent suggestion. Yes, although someone who expects to hang onto things indefinitely and expects cheap/free service should also consider Bryston. Excellent quality and a transferable 20 year warrantee. If we're including fall-back offerings (SS)... add to the short list Pass Laboratories and Krell. Also possible, Mark Levinson if you can tolerate funky RCA adaptors  . |
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#10
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Linear Mode
