General Asylum: REVIEW: Adcom GFA-5400 Amplifier (SS) by Tuneman

Model:	GFA-5400
Category:	Amplifier (SS)
Suggested Retail Price:	$300
Description:	Stereo amplifier 125 RMS X2@8ohms
Manufacturer URL:	Adcom
Manufacturer URL:	Adcom

Review by Tuneman ( A ) on February 13, 2002 at 13:51:05
IP Address: 64.12.105.42

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for the GFA-5400

Always on the lookout for a deal, I ventured into the used equipment section of my favorite audio store and noticed an Acdom GFA-5400 for 300 dollars, so I bought it. I had been looking for an amp to drive the bottom half of my Studio 100's which tend to be a bit power hungery at times. When I let the GFA-5400 warm up for a half hour I noticed that it was a bit warm to the touch always a good sign to begin the listening process. I Proceeded to play some Otis Redding as it was the last thing I heard before I bi-amped my Studio 100's. While not an "audiophile" quality recording, I noticed a bit more detail and more slam in the bass. This got my Curiosity stired up, so I switched to the Dixie Chick's "Fly". I heard more detail on "without you" then when did before I bi-amped the Studio 100's. The real test came when I played "One" from Metallica at 105Db's and the Studio 100's showed no sign of being underpowered, a feat that they could not Accomplish without the GFA-5400. I then switched the GFA-5400 to the tweeters. It was a bit edgy on a few recordings and seemed to lack the Subtle details in comparison to the first set up. I switched it around and did the remainder of my listening with the GFA-5400 on the lower half of the Studio 100's. I listened to a few other CD's and then switched to the Original set up I was using for a while, then back to the GFA-5400 and VSX36tx combo. While I did not like the GFA-5400 driving the tweeters on the Studio 100's, on the lower half of the speaker, it made a definite improvment. While the GFA-5400 may lack the Delicacy and control to drive tweeters, it makes a good woofer amp for hard to drive speakers.

Product Weakness: A bit harsh at times.
Product Strengths: Inexspensive Great amp for driving woofers

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Pioneer VSX36tx
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	none
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Pioneer PD-F1039
Speakers:	Studio 100
Cables/Interconnects:	Monster M550i, Monster MCX2s
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Everything I got
Room Size (LxWxH):	20 x 12 x 7
Room Comments/Treatments:	1" thick granite slab under A-ES
Time Period/Length of Audition:	3 weeks
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Premire A-ES expansion shelf for stand, Monster HTS 1000
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	A bit harsh at times.
Product Strengths:	Inexspensive Great amp for driving woofers