I owned two Adcom GFA-5802 power amps. I used an Adcom GFP-750 preamp with them. There was a great synergy with these units.
The Adcom GFA-5802 is a great sounding amp, especially for its asking price! Better than I expected!
It had a smooth, open, warm, and very natural sound in my system. One area where it really excelled in my particular system was in midrange presence, clarity, and vocal reproduction, especially on female vocals. It also seemed to have a sort of a BIG sound to it. The treble was also very smooth, and grainless in my system. The bass was very good, but not outstanding.
In terms of midrange and vocal presence and clarity, they rival or beat any amp I have ever listened to in my system, including the Carver A-760x, McCormack DNA-225, Parasound HCA-3500, Pass Labs X-350, and even my Parasound Halo JC-1 mono-blocks! With a few improvements to its basic design and some higher quality parts, this could be a KILLER AMP!
The only real weaknesses in my system were the bass tightness and extension, a slight lack of snap, extension, and sparkle in the top-end, a slightly narrow soundstage, and just a tad too much warmth.They also get HOT to the touch.
Keep in mind that these results were with its matching Adcom GFP-750 preamp. The results may vary greatly with other preamps, speakers, or in other systems.
I came EXTREMELY CLOSE to keeping this combination! I still miss the EXCEPTIONAL midrange naturalness, openness, and vocal presence they produced in spades! I wonder if I'll ever achieve it again? It was that good!
Has anyone else out there who has owned the Adcom amp and preamp noticed these same strengths with this combo?
The Adcom GFA-5802 is a great sounding amp, especially for its asking price! Better than I expected!
It had a smooth, open, warm, and very natural sound in my system. One area where it really excelled in my particular system was in midrange presence, clarity, and vocal reproduction, especially on female vocals. It also seemed to have a sort of a BIG sound to it. The treble was also very smooth, and grainless in my system. The bass was very good, but not outstanding.
In terms of midrange and vocal presence and clarity, they rival or beat any amp I have ever listened to in my system, including the Carver A-760x, McCormack DNA-225, Parasound HCA-3500, Pass Labs X-350, and even my Parasound Halo JC-1 mono-blocks! With a few improvements to its basic design and some higher quality parts, this could be a KILLER AMP!
The only real weaknesses in my system were the bass tightness and extension, a slight lack of snap, extension, and sparkle in the top-end, a slightly narrow soundstage, and just a tad too much warmth.They also get HOT to the touch.
Keep in mind that these results were with its matching Adcom GFP-750 preamp. The results may vary greatly with other preamps, speakers, or in other systems.
I came EXTREMELY CLOSE to keeping this combination! I still miss the EXCEPTIONAL midrange naturalness, openness, and vocal presence they produced in spades! I wonder if I'll ever achieve it again? It was that good!
Has anyone else out there who has owned the Adcom amp and preamp noticed these same strengths with this combo?