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B&K vs Adcom – opinions please

I 'm looking to put together a 2-channel system with used mid-90s gear – either an Adcom GFA545 amp/GTP500II preamp-tuner or a B&K ST1400 amp (non-series II)/AVP1000 preamp-tuner. Each setup costs about the same. They will be used to drive a pair of bi-wired floorstanding 2-way speakers with 10” drivers and ribbon tweeters. I am looking for tight and full bass, good soundstage, and accurate highs for day in and day out listening. I listen to a range of music – jazz, rock, classical, vocals. I’d appreciate opinions on which amplification setup will give me better sound. Thanks for your help.
harpodog
rx8man's avatar
rx8man
1,355 posts
 
I have to agree with Infinitebaffle, I still have B&K M-200's with Cardas output posts and Cardas cables, Shunyata P/C's, and they sound fantastic, just my 2 cents.
viridian's avatar
viridian
4,184 posts
 
Infinite brings up a great point. So much of this stuff is system dependent and listener dependent that recommendations must be taken with a grain of salt. My fast and direct is his brittle and two dimensional, his musical and warm is my sluggish and glazed. One experience that I found with all of the inexpensive amps was that a tube preamp could really minimize some of the shortcomings of these budget perfomers.
bigkidz
1,784 posts
 
What is your price range? There are better amps for sale here on Agon. For example, look at the Kinergetics KBA-75 amps for sale. I am also going to sell mine if interested. You can get two of these class A amps for $1200 or one for $600 from Katli Audio. I own the amp and it was equal to the Rowland M-112 and gave up nothing to the Specton Musician II amp. The amp was rated B by Stereophile but adding a better power cord really made the amp sing. It is much more musical and dynamic than the two amps you are considering and can drive anything.
unsound
6,115 posts
 
I agree with Infinitebaffle (Great User Name!). Rx8man the B&K M series are a different animal than the B&K ST series. Many people prefer the older 3 digit B&K ST amps over the newer 4 digit B&K ST amps, and the original 70 watt ST-140 in particular. The Adcom's can handle lower impedance loads easier than the B&K ST series. The M series can handle almost anything thrown at them. I suggest you look in the archives on this matter. Amongst the many valued opinions you'll find some good advise from Sean.
rx8man's avatar
rx8man
1,355 posts
 
Yes I did Unsound, your right about the older series vs. the newer & Sean's opinions, he's knowledgeable.
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