Adcom powers up with the GFA-555SE amplifier
By Steven Kim 
posted May 23rd 2009 10:35PM
posted May 23rd 2009 10:35PM
Back in the day, Adcom earned itself a solid reputation by delivering audio components that offered champagne-level performance at beer budget pricing; kind of like a brawny NAD. The company is coming back to the market after reorganization with a fitting return to its roots -- the GFA-555SE (Special Edition) amplifier. The outside of the 200-Watt stereo amplifier is a dead ringer for the now classic GFA-555mkII model, but Adcom has updated the circuitry to current-day standards -- you know, for safety's sake -- and the performance has been improved as well. As much nostalgia as we have for the brand and appreciate the utilitarian design, this isn't a great time to be coming into the market, and this $1,299 amplifier is going to have a tough time grabbing hold with companies like Emotiva on the prowl.
I owned an Adcom 545II and a 565 preamp for many years and can attest to the former greatness of Adcom. I've since moved way up the food chain, but were it not for Adcom, I never would have gotten interested in the hobby. I wish them the best of luck and I hope they sell a ton of them.
I too had the GFA-545 II amp with the GTP-450 pre-amp. Both were excellent quality and sounded good in a L/R setup. When I wanted to go to 5.1 I looked back to Adcom, but their processors weren't up to other models. So I ended up going with the Outlaw Audio 950 and 7125, which then upgraded to the 990 and 7500. Adcom needs more than a basic 2ch amp to impress.
"Back in the day, Adcom earned itself a solid reputation by delivering audio components that offered champagne-level performance at beer budget pricing;"
Back in the day, Adcom delivered amps that were at a similar level as other amps in their price range.
I listened to Adcom and they had a lot going for them, but they were way overhyped. They sounded kind of 'rough' in my opinion. For the same kind of money, brands like Parasound, Denon, Rotel were at least as as good.
The problem was they were compared to even more overhyped stuff like Carver. Yea, I'd choose a less expensive Adcom over a Carver. Carver was plain harsh. They weren't tough to beat.
Anyone here old enough to remember the acronym GFA stands for?
I'll wait a few days and post the answer if no one replies.
I used to sell Adcom. I recall the rep telling me that GFA stood for Great F#@#@#N Amp.
We have a WINNER!!!!!!!
I was hoping someone reading this would remember. I thought it was a joke at first, but every person from Adcom has repeated the same phrase.