Adcom GFA 555ii Amplifier Vintage Review: Sheer Horsepower Beast

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  • Опубликовано: 8 янв 2025

Комментарии • 79

  • @RightHandShot
    @RightHandShot Год назад +4

    My GFA-555 and the GFA-555II paired with the GFP-555II area great combination. After 30 years their still going strong.

  • @5675492
    @5675492 Год назад +7

    Still using my GFA 555 Mk I that I purchased new in the late 80's . I can't say enough good things about this amp !

    • @RanTausi
      @RanTausi Год назад +2

      In the pandemic I had time to spend, found new GFA555mk 2 never opened in the box and in 2017 I have bought used but in mint condition GFA545 mk2. I don't think I will ever sell them.

    • @5675492
      @5675492 Год назад +2

      @@RanTausi Lucky you lol !

    • @RanTausi
      @RanTausi Год назад +1

      @@5675492 Yep, thank you.

  • @shannondavis4380
    @shannondavis4380 Год назад +9

    I came into a 555ii in really nice condition and working flawlessly for $100.

    • @Zimmy_1981
      @Zimmy_1981 Год назад +1

      I'm truly happy for you, congratulations

  • @MrRonnmaui
    @MrRonnmaui Год назад +6

    Great to cover this amp! I had one for 25 years and drove (3) sets of speakers. I finally sold it for B&K 125.2 S2 amp which was much smoother, but with half the power.

    • @stereofanoregon6481
      @stereofanoregon6481  Год назад +2

      Thank you, appreciate your viewership.

    • @johnnewcomb5162
      @johnnewcomb5162 Месяц назад

      This is why I'm on this video wondering if I can hook up 2 sets of Henry kloss tower 2 speakers and a set of ads speakers.
      I didn't want to ruin anything.
      I got super lucky on an adult owned adcom 555 amp a adcom tuner and ads L520 speakers for $150 in mint condition.
      I listened to Pink Floyd the Wall CD and it was amazing.
      I'm looking to hook up the other speakers.
      I even have a pioneer elite vsx -21txh , was not sure if I should bridge everything together.
      I'm a newbie to this gear.
      Any help is appreciated.
      Thanks

  • @briarboy8959
    @briarboy8959 Год назад +3

    I purchased my GFA-555 II and the GFP-555 II new back in the day, $800 and $500 respectively, paired it up with a pair of Cerwin-Vega AT-15’s that I got on a buy one get one free promo. A match made in heaven IMO. Still have all to this day, Fantastic equipment, thanks for the video.

    • @stereofanoregon6481
      @stereofanoregon6481  Год назад +2

      The CV's were rock & roll budget heaven speakers. Thanks for watching!

  • @leoriskind4623
    @leoriskind4623 Год назад +3

    I have one, but i only use it for low end in active be-amping, and i use GFA-535II for tweeters.

  • @julian65886
    @julian65886 4 месяца назад +1

    I have the same amp, 33 years old. Never replaced the caps and it runs great. As you said, it does not get very hot. I also have the Adcom preamp GTP-500 II with the built in tuner. The system came with an Adcom power conditioner A-515. I have old B&W 802s from the same era. Looking to replace with Magnepan. Great video!!!!

  • @pmventura41
    @pmventura41 Год назад +3

    An absolute Adcom Fan. I still have their CD player.

  • @DesmondBorcherds
    @DesmondBorcherds Год назад +1

    Great. Brought back memories. In the mid 1980's I used an Adcom GFA 1A paired with a counterpoint SA1 Pre ; Linn Sondek LP12 turntable and Dahlquist DQ 10 speakers.

  • @jeffhayes4845
    @jeffhayes4845 Год назад +2

    I still have one I bought new over 30 years ago and use it daily to power my main speakers.

  • @royshaul2392
    @royshaul2392 Год назад +1

    I used to have 2 of these driving 4 JBL 4312b's ..... amazing combination for someone who loves rock. Love seeing this vintage stuff.

    • @stereofanoregon6481
      @stereofanoregon6481  Год назад

      Thanks for detailing your experience. Appreciate your viewership.

  • @AudioElectronicsChicago
    @AudioElectronicsChicago Год назад +5

    solid powerful amp

  • @stewnelless2416
    @stewnelless2416 Год назад +4

    As always Mark, a review worth watching. I do have an old Nakamichi Stasis receiver ( xxx) that uses the licensed by Threshold and designed by Nelson Pass

  • @sammygaudye2183
    @sammygaudye2183 10 месяцев назад +1

    What a nice review and a wonderful person ,thank you very much❤

  • @adsph
    @adsph Год назад +4

    One heck of an amp. Well done.

  • @tabl10s
    @tabl10s Год назад +2

    I had the 565's in '91 for $1100 military while in Japan. I used them until '95 when I bought a Classe 15 which had the bass of the Krell KSA-250, was rated@175 w, better built and rated Class B in Stereophile!

  • @RanTausi
    @RanTausi Год назад +2

    What an intro 😮 been waiting patiently.

  • @f430ferrari5
    @f430ferrari5 6 месяцев назад +1

    I have a GFA-5500 which is the newer generation. It has the MOSFET vs bi-polar transistors.

  • @AllboroLCD
    @AllboroLCD 2 месяца назад

    Much thanks for the share. Very surprised how they sounded worse in mono operation, but I'll def take your word on it. I urge you consider a Hafler amp for your Maggies, as they were designed specifically to drive panel speakers, have the same quality and price point of Adcom as well. Consider a DH-500, XL-600, P9505, youll find em in nice shape around $1k

    • @stereofanoregon6481
      @stereofanoregon6481  2 месяца назад

      I currently use the Emerald Physics 600.2SE with 700wpc @4 Ohms and has a pair of tubes for warmth. Back in the '90's a friend ran Hafler with Maggies.

    • @AllboroLCD
      @AllboroLCD 2 месяца назад

      @@stereofanoregon6481 Very nice, an amp like that will set you for life! I finally got me an ST-70 for tube sound, paired with my Hafler 9505 I'd like to think I have a perfect setup for bi-amping traditional speakers, time will tell : D

  • @robertbarcus1963
    @robertbarcus1963 3 месяца назад

    I bought a brand new reissue 565se. Not here yet😒 Its a steal at under 2grand in todays market for that amount of power 250 into 8 ohms 350 into 4 ohms , I need that kind of power and current to drive The new Maggies LRS+ that I just got as well. Am a Klipsch fan, but the LRS is more refined IMO. If I had of know sooner I would have bought the Maggies years ago. They truly are a incredible speaker.

  • @-loki-7727
    @-loki-7727 5 месяцев назад

    I had one of those. My favorite trick was to listen a bit with a friend and then shut the amp off. It would play for a while at the same volume and went quiet.

    • @stereofanoregon6481
      @stereofanoregon6481  4 месяца назад

      Releasing the stored energy does take a few seconds. Thanks for watching!

  • @JJ-lj7lr
    @JJ-lj7lr Год назад +2

    I’m running a Denon AVR-X3600 with three KEF speakers (Q750 towers + Q650c center). I’m thinking I’d like to add the 555 to power my fronts. Do you think this would be an obvious upgrade, or something more subtle?

    • @stereofanoregon6481
      @stereofanoregon6481  Год назад +2

      The bass will be more aggressive, no question. Watching action movies will be a real treat.

  • @debeye13
    @debeye13 Месяц назад

    Thanks for this video. We have a GFA-555 Amp and GFP-555 Preamp. Do you know if it’s possible to connect a iPhone to this package? TY in advance for your reply.

  • @SamuelViviescas-j2t
    @SamuelViviescas-j2t Год назад +1

    I recently bought an Adcom Gfa 555 (the first model) in perfect condition and I was thinking of pairing it with a parasound P6, do you think it's a good idea?

    • @stereofanoregon6481
      @stereofanoregon6481  Год назад +1

      My experience with a 555ii and both a P5 and a P6 is/was very positive. Enjoy!

  • @scottlowell493
    @scottlowell493 Год назад +1

    The 555 came along at a time dominated by Japanese brands and Carver. The 555 delivered more current and with far superior stability at 4 ohms than Carver. This amp could man handle speakers that would clip Carver.

  • @JonathanTorney
    @JonathanTorney 2 месяца назад

    555 ii and a set of Klipsch Chorus ii monsters... Recommended.

    • @WD-sr8qz
      @WD-sr8qz 4 дня назад

      Yep.....runnin the same!

  • @carlosoliveira-rc2xt
    @carlosoliveira-rc2xt 6 месяцев назад +1

    Actually the power switch is a rocker switch and not a toggle switch as stated.

  • @groundz3ro4
    @groundz3ro4 Год назад +1

    i once put mine in 1 channel 600 watts configuration and blew for Klipsch woofer on my Klipsch forte II

  • @AN-ce1nd
    @AN-ce1nd 15 дней назад

    The speaker fusion amp!

  • @johnnewcomb5162
    @johnnewcomb5162 Месяц назад

    Would you add the gfa 5300 to it to run 6 speakers total?
    Or just use the 555 by itself and the gtp-450 tuner? Or run the amp with the pioneer elite vsx -21txh?
    Trying to figure out the best sounding way to hook everything up.
    Thanks for any information.

    • @stereofanoregon6481
      @stereofanoregon6481  Месяц назад +1

      I never recommend running more than one pair of speakers on an amp, unless designed for multiple pairings. Also keep in mind whether you are using a single model of speakers or different.

  • @alwayslearningthefacts5881
    @alwayslearningthefacts5881 7 месяцев назад

    I had a gfa 555 and traded it for 2 NAD 2200 PE amps. Much more musical Power, at least driving my Infinity 8 kappa`s, just my opinion. I went all in in 95 with Cary Audio CAD 40m`s and Cary tube preamp.

  • @slowestrider4918
    @slowestrider4918 Год назад

    Totally agree on do not go with the mono bridge mode. I did got another one home years back but end up returned the second one. My unit is out of commission for some time now. One channel burned/went silent. I brought it to a repair shop and that cost me about $300 about 12 years ago. It then went bad again. I do miss the gusto bottom end this amp provided. The Parasound A21 is better than the Adcom in many ways but it has no match for the Adcom shear control of the bottom end. Do you have a service manual for this unit?

    • @stereofanoregon6481
      @stereofanoregon6481  Год назад

      Thanks for commenting! No question that the Parasound A21 or A23 in my case, are cleaner amps with less grain. I also agree that my GFA-545ii has a more powerful bottom-end than my A23. No, I don't have a service manual, but you may want post a request on one of the Adcom Facebook groups.

    • @nathantw
      @nathantw Год назад

      I’ve owned a GFA555 since 1989 and the one thing I’ve had to change at least 3 times is one of fuses for one channel. I always keep a spare just in case it goes out again.

  • @repsych
    @repsych 6 месяцев назад

    Hello, is that a Nakamichi RX-202 on the rack?

  • @Jo34457
    @Jo34457 Год назад

    It’s not ii . its call series 2 😊

  • @enriquejackson2843
    @enriquejackson2843 Год назад

    I have this amplifier what a keeper, another great amplifier in another room I have a ROTEL RB-1090, I'm in heaven with both, my next move is to find me a vaccum tube amplifi😮er.

    • @stereofanoregon6481
      @stereofanoregon6481  11 месяцев назад

      I like Rotel gear as well. If I had more space I'd get an RB-1090 and matching pre.
      Thanks for watching!

  • @zeusapollo8688
    @zeusapollo8688 Год назад +1

    When they go bad they can take your speakers out. Ask me how I know...

    • @stereofanoregon6481
      @stereofanoregon6481  Год назад

      That's why regular checkups with vintage gear is critical.

    • @johnnewcomb5162
      @johnnewcomb5162 Месяц назад

      ​@@stereofanoregon6481So if my amp and tuner is working perfectly take it in for a check up to save any future problems with speakers ect. ?

  • @iankemp73
    @iankemp73 Год назад

    Vintage is best....Rotel RB991 Power with a Quad Artera Pre . Spendor S8e . As with Vintage Kit dont forget you may need a Service..

  • @paulguranich8086
    @paulguranich8086 10 месяцев назад

    Stay away from this amplifier. It is an absolute Sonic disaster. Like I said in my last post I owned one of these and it was one of the worst amps I've ever owned.

    • @paulguranich8086
      @paulguranich8086 8 месяцев назад

      @@vegaslimoguy2376 are you kidding That's the best you can do. Keep directing the Kool-Aid you mind those fool.

    • @paulguranich8086
      @paulguranich8086 8 месяцев назад +1

      @@vegaslimoguy2376 I had a Carver 1.0 t amp that made an absolute disgrace out of the outcome. iPhone 100 Johnson threshold corral and on. The car for ants I've owned or 99% as good of any of them. The adcom was a pile of garbage I don't give a care who reviews it. I've owned everything from a to z and again that was the worst the adcom

    • @paulguranich8086
      @paulguranich8086 8 месяцев назад +1

      Sorry for for all the autocorrect but I'm sure you can understand what I was getting at. The adcom was a piece of garbage. This blended really nice again anything car for made at that time especially for the price point destroyed everything. And yes I've owned Conrad Johnson. Threshold. Krell so I moved from a and so on. I still own my Carver 90 transistor amps that puts majority of these ants a new ones to shame. The definition of the new audio file is I have too much money and no brain. You probably believe putting a battery on a speaker cable makes a difference. Keep drinking the Kool-Aid you douchebag.

    • @paulguranich8086
      @paulguranich8086 8 месяцев назад

      Again sorry for the autocorrect. Carver 9 t. 570 5 watts into 8 ohms and almost doubled into four. Again I still own it and it puts every high end amp I know to shame. At 1:10 the price.

    • @vegaslimoguy2376
      @vegaslimoguy2376 8 месяцев назад

      @@paulguranich8086 Learn how to spell tool bag first

  • @paulguranich8086
    @paulguranich8086 10 месяцев назад

    I own this amp with the rare rack mount handles. This app was one of the worst amps I've ever owned. This app is a horrible piece of garbage.

    • @stereofanoregon6481
      @stereofanoregon6481  10 месяцев назад

      Is it as sonically clean as amps today? No. If you are driving speakers that are very bright on the top-end (Paradigm, Totem) you will hear the noise.But it still has more grunt horsepower to handle the difficult passages with hard-to-drive speakers. In addition, all amps in the budget world have trade-offs. Adcom is no exception. But, for those willing, there is the Hoppe’s Brain upgrade, that from everything I have heard cleans up the noise issue. Thanks for watching!

    • @vegaslimoguy2376
      @vegaslimoguy2376 9 месяцев назад

      Learn how to spell first there buddy

  • @paulguranich8086
    @paulguranich8086 10 месяцев назад

    This amp was the worst amp i have ever owned. quit drinking the Kool Aid. 95% of high End audio is full of crap! I have owned Conrad Johnson,Threshold,Krell, Mark Levinson,GAS,Carver and a dozen more. All these products are good but there is no reason they sould cost so much. $26.000 for speaker cable!!!!? Facts do not care about you feelins.High end audio is a disgraceful joke.