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01-11-2004, 01:04 AM
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#1 of 16 
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What is the "ADCOM sound"?
Just curious. Considering the price of these units (specifically the power amps), I was wondering how these amps sound in comparison to similarly-priced Parasound/B&K/Outlaw/etc. amps.
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01-11-2004, 08:37 AM
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#2 of 16
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This is tough Ray. When you ask a question like this you'll hear some people say that a certain amp has this sound character or that character but their are too many variables to give you a short answer and to describe to you how the amp would sound in your rack, with your matching components, speakers and most importantly your room and it's acoustics.
The thing you should be looking for in an amp if you haven't heard it for your self is build quality, power ratings, bridgability (if you need too), load capacity and warranty. Taking into account the type speakers (load) you'll be using, the rooms size, the type of source material and how loud you intend to play it will take you far in your quest for a new amplifier.
As far as the sound goes, your amp sounds as good as your CD player, your room, the quality of your speakers and how they are placed in the room etc...
If you must have answers on the amp's sound, why not require all who respond to your thread to list their associated components and source material so that you can at least have a better idea of what to consider when getting feedback.
Turn Key Guy!
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01-11-2004, 12:58 PM
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#3 of 16
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I used one(5400--125x2)for my front channels for a little while until I moved it over to power my sub. It is well built and performs solidly. I used it to power B&W CDM 9NTs and felt it was neutral, not imparting any sonic character of its own which differs from my current, warmer amp(Sunfire Cinema Grand).
DJ
Lecktor: Then how did you catch me?
Graham: You had disadvantages.
Lecktor: What disadvantages?
Graham: You're insane.
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01-11-2004, 01:42 PM
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#4 of 16
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I currently have an Adcom 5-channel amp that I would describe as neutral to bright. Very solid and well built amp, and a sound that I love.
"What does God want with a Starship?" - Captain Kirk from Star Trek V: The Final Frontier.
"For the first few minutes of the film, I had accidently listened to the Dolby Digital track." - Ron Epstein (HTF)
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01-11-2004, 02:13 PM
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#5 of 16
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Very good points, Martice, and thanks to all for the responses. Yes, I realize that the tonal quality of one's system is very dependent upon a certain synergy betwen the various components, and especially the speakers (Klipsch Reference 25's all around, in my case). But at the same time, it seems that many agree upon the differences in receivers from 'warm' to 'bright' (e.g. HK to Denon to Yamaha), and since Adcom seems to be a pretty widely distributed brand, I figured there were enough users out there with a familiarity as to how they sound when compared to other brands. I'm looking to pair a five- or seven-channel amp with my Denon 2803, so I don't want to go too bright, since I'm using Klipsch speakers, but I don't want to go too warm and loose the upper detail I like so much with the Denon/Klipsch combo. The Denon sounds great to me, but it's still missing a bit of midrange punch, more apparently for music, but I love the processing, definition, and features of the Denon.
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01-11-2004, 02:47 PM
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#6 of 16
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Well enough Ray. Good Luck with your research and new power amp. However, I would suggest that you at least try to have a listen to an amp or two in your system before you make a choice.
Turn Key Guy!
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01-11-2004, 03:04 PM
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#7 of 16
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Absolutely....that's why it's so important to research dealers and their return policies. There's no way I'll be stuck with a 45+ lb. component that I don't want to keep! Thanx.
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01-11-2004, 11:22 PM
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#8 of 16
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The great thing about adcoms is that if you go on the used market that it should only cost you shipping for trying it out (I bought my 535 about two years ago and it still commands the same price).
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01-11-2004, 11:38 PM
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#9 of 16
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I lived with a friend a few years ago who had an adcom amp and preamp with definitive tower-like mains (don't know the specifics), and the house was big and open with hardwood floors and plaster walls, and I swear I to date haven't heard anything better. Although I'd never tell her that. But dang, that system sounded incredible, particuarly in the low end and especially in the mids. Very full.
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01-12-2004, 10:12 AM
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#10 of 16
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The older Adcoms, 535, 545, 555, 585, all used bi-polar output devices. I believe all their newer amps use FET output devices, which are suppose to be more "tube like". I looked through some reviews of the newer Adcoms, a while ago. There seemed to be a number of people who prefered the older to the newer. But, could be what they were use to. Bottomline, try amps with your system, if possible, before buying or have a good return policy, if not happy.
I have two 545IIs which I am happy with, but don't have experience with other power amps to compare. They do seem to match my HK520 well. Speakers are custom Peerless HDS439/SeasT25, which are a soft domes, and are not bright sounding, on their own.
JohnS
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