Amp/Preamp Asylum: REVIEW: Adcom GFA-5500 Amplifier (SS) by mr.bear

Model:	GFA-5500
Category:	Amplifier (SS)
Suggested Retail Price:	$1499
Description:	2-Channel Amlifier, 200w/ch
Manufacturer URL:	Adcom

Review by mr.bear on June 15, 2015 at 11:57:18
IP Address: 108.23.163.104 Add Your Review
for the GFA-5500

Responding to a perceived need for more dynamic realism and "punch" in my system I considered the following three, vintage, two-channel amplifiers, variants of which all have had some experience in my system: Bryston 4B, Parasound (various models), and Adcom's 5500/5802. The amp is driving my Thiel CS3's (sans bass equalizer- LF output is augmented by a JMLabs subwoofer); the primary selection criterion was performance with 2-channel music. It was my intent to purchase only a used unit.

Elaborate descriptions of subjective experiences listening to a bunch of LPs and CDs that you probably never heard- using the heady terms found in reviews of fine wines- don't really tell you much about an amplifier in an honest light. At home, I spend a regrettably small amount of time critically listening in a way that subtle sonic shadings occur to me. But over time an amp's shortcomings take their toll. The bottom line how an amp really sounds in day-to-day use reveals itself after a week or two listening to a wide range of material. Different kinds of program material challenge different amps in different ways.

The Adcom GFA-5500 warmed up (no signal) on my bench for a week to let the capacitors form, before replacing my previous amplifier (Carver TFM-45). The big Adcom overcomes the worst problem I faced in my system, that of dynamics and maintaining composure (without mushiness/harshness) when turned up loud with large orchestral works, big-bands and heavy soundtracks. It's a champ in this arena- the dynamics seem limitless. I can turn it up to the highest level I can comfortably tolerate in a room 20 x 30 x 10' = 5000ft^3. It sounds the same playing loudly as at low levels, shows no harshness, nor makes any bad noises.

The Adcom's toughest test though is probably the way it represents small ensembles and voices recorded in a small spaces. My first reaction was to note the loss of some of the seductive sweetness the Carver has in the small-room scenario. My perception of the Adcom's performance in that scenario has improved over time. This is probably due to retraining my ear after the Carver more than any long "break-in period" for the amp. After a few weeks I'm satisfied with its performance, considering that at its price point there must be some trade-off between the big-dynamics and the small-room scenarios. Very few amps can deliver both scenarios beautifully.

The big Adcom is just a very "uninteresting" amplifier, having almost no sound of its own. I think that may have been the source of some of its contemporary criticism. It plays what's there- no zip, no zing, no softening, no sweetener. The dynamics side of the equation, control of the bass, and the amazing ease with which it renders dynamic shading are quite wonderful. The Adcom has whatever magic it is that makes for a very solid, realistic image (maybe close tolerance, channel-to-channel matching independent of frequency?)

The amp is extremely quiet, runs fairy cool, looks great (as far as the big-black-box school of design goes) and pairs nicely with the Adcom GFA-5200 biamping my center channel. Many such combinations are possible as there are numerous Adcoms for sale used, which also keeps prices down. Looking inside the parts quality and general construction seem very good and it should have more usable life. I feel it was a good deal at around 600 for a very nice used unit; prices seem to run from 400 up. It's an amp that a Bear on a budget can stop growling, relax, and enjoy.

Product Weakness:	No %22wow%22 factor at all.
Product Strengths:	Price, solid performance.

Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: Adcom GFA-5500
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Threshold Forte 2, Lexicon MC-12
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Various, VPI TT, Sony CD
Speakers: Thiel CS3
Cables/Interconnects: Kimber Kable 8PR
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Various
Room Size (LxWxH): 20 x 27 x 10
Room Comments/Treatments: None
Time Period/Length of Audition: 4 weeks
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): None
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner
Your System (if other than home audition): Home

Amplifier:	Adcom GFA-5500
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Threshold Forte 2, Lexicon MC-12
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Various, VPI TT, Sony CD
Speakers:	Thiel CS3
Cables/Interconnects:	Kimber Kable 8PR
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Various
Room Size (LxWxH):	20 x 27 x 10
Room Comments/Treatments:	None
Time Period/Length of Audition:	4 weeks
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	None
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner
Your System (if other than home audition):	Home