Nelson Pass did design the original 555. You may want to read through this thread ... url=http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/solid-state/5280-adcom-555ii-nelson-pass.html.
With that said, I would be asking the question ... does it make sense to rehab 25 year old equipment? Did you like the Adcom equipment that much back in the day? These can be tough questions. Do you want to make major purchases having just retired. I know as I ponder this myself ... I will be 59 and most of my equipment is at least a dozen years old. I sometimes am tempted to sell what I have, buy all new Mcintosh equipment, and let someone else worry about disposing it all in 20 years or so. Such nice thoughts for a Sunday.
None of this negates my feelings about the preamp being the weak link. I don't know your speakers. My inclination would be to start new with the major pieces, buy the best that I can afford, and be done with it. I have been burned with enough vintage and older equipment over the years that I am inclined to buy quality and to buy new.
Rich
With that said, I would be asking the question ... does it make sense to rehab 25 year old equipment? Did you like the Adcom equipment that much back in the day? These can be tough questions. Do you want to make major purchases having just retired. I know as I ponder this myself ... I will be 59 and most of my equipment is at least a dozen years old. I sometimes am tempted to sell what I have, buy all new Mcintosh equipment, and let someone else worry about disposing it all in 20 years or so. Such nice thoughts for a Sunday.
None of this negates my feelings about the preamp being the weak link. I don't know your speakers. My inclination would be to start new with the major pieces, buy the best that I can afford, and be done with it. I have been burned with enough vintage and older equipment over the years that I am inclined to buy quality and to buy new.
Rich