Adcom GFA 535ii Amplifier Vintage Review: The Mini-Sledgehammer

[@chrislj2890]

I still have my GFA-535 II and the GTP-500 II tuner/pre-amp I used together, along with a GFA-555 II that I used to power my Magnepan MG-1.5/QR speakers in the '90s. It was all stored until recently when I got them all back out and everything is fine except one channel is out on the pre-amp. It was all great value for the money back then.

[@adsph]

Thanks for the trip down memory lane. Own a 535, 545ii, and a GTP-400. Late 80’s purchases. All working fine. Great gear for the money back then. Enjoying your channel. Keep it up.

[@stereofanoregon6481]

I have one piece left to video in the Adcom series, hopefully by this weekend.

[@adsph]

@@stereofanoregon6481 I look forward to it.

[@donalddeorio2237]

I picked up a 535 , dual mono design . It was a little beast. Use it for my zone2 speakers and it kicks ass

[@RanTausi]

Many thanks for your inputs, I have a Mint GFA 555 mk2 and 545 mk2 with GFP 565 PRE , regarding the GFA 555 I think it is more aggressive, the 545 is more sweeter sound but regardless I love them both ! recently I've got minty BOSE 501 Series 4 and it sounds incredible with the 545 , I haven't tried it with 555 yet. Thank you

[@stereofanoregon6481]

Besides all three of the GFA ii series amps, I also have the GFP-565. What a sweetheart unit that is, especially the phono section.

[@Exgol2005]

Spewing with passion just like the amp's sonics

[@7688redsox]

Just bought one for my basement set up. Gonna power some DCM26 tower speakers. Just have to be patient and wait until I can grab a 500 plus TT.

[@AlanFenick]

I upgraded my two Adcom 535’s with new caps and a volume pot. A good cleaning and now have two new 535’s. For just over $300.00 the sound is actually better than before! Much more dynamics, imaging and less heat. Guess this is due to much better and larger caps. I have the Adcom 535’s, Pre-amp 500 and the CD 600 Player (5) disc. The CD player is next to have the caps and updates done.

[@stereofanoregon6481]

Great to read what you have done. Enjoy!

[@rudykraker4905]

Just bought adcom gfa-535ii amplifier and the adcom gfp-450 preamp with the original remote control eBay today they should be here Friday

[@plcamp1]

If you get one of these, take the time to … I) Clean the PCB’s with alcohol, esp in vicinity of diffpair and the offset control opamp II) Take out the signal transistors, test their gain and find a matched pair for the diffamp …once you do this you’ll get a powerful low distortion and dead quiet amp that rivals anything new you can get today. In my experience (I have reconditioned several) the capacitors are just fine and don’t need change or upgrade.

[@hartsickdisciple]

I'm still using a GFA-535 (original, not a II) as the primary amp in my 2-channel system. It sounds fantastic with a good pre-amp, and has plenty of balls. I'm not a huge fan of Adcom's pre-amps, as I've found they're not transparent enough. Luckily we have plenty of good modern pre-amp options to pair with amps like the 535. My dad is using a GFA-555 to drive a set of Tekton Lores, and that sounds tremendous.

[@stereofanoregon6481]

Good for you! I owned the original 535, and enjoyed it, sans the speaker twist knobs. I will say the Adcom GFP-565 has a much better sonic signature than their other preamps. Thanks for watching!

[@Exgol2005]

Didn't have luck with 535 ii + LRS matching. Distorts at my louder listening level. But impressive with other boxed speakers 88db lowest

[@trevorbartram5473]

I bought my 535 in 86. It was used for 15 years (powered 24/7) connected directly to a Denon DCD1500 mkIV CD player, that included an output volume control & remote. I pulled the 535 from storage recently, the power supply caps have no bulge or leakage. The caps are 6800uF 63V custom to Adcom, with three pins & small size, has anyone identified replacement caps? What is the pin spacing of the two active terminals?

[@thorseim7177]

It's a rocker switch, not a toggle switch.

[@OscarSanchez-tk3hx]

Thanks for the review l have this little monster with the original instructions sorry don't have the box that has been stored for years and has only been fired two to three times what kind of bookshelf speakers do you recommend

[@stereofanoregon6481]

How big is your room? How far away will your listening position be? What kind of music do you listen to? Finally, what is your budget?

[@OscarSanchez-tk3hx]

Hey thanks for the reply my room is average size I don't listen at loud volume my main interest is easy going music and jazz my budget for bookshelf speakers are about one thousand bucks

[@stereofanoregon6481]

@@OscarSanchez-tk3hx I would suggest you watch my review of the LSA Signature 60's. I tried them with the 535ii as well as the 545ii. A worthy match.

[@rudykraker4905]

Is the adcom GTP-502 preamp any good?

[@MrWHeffern]

I have a 535 mk2 but it has those horrible twist and lock speaker connectors where can i get a decent pair of 5 way binding that I can install that will fit the back ?

[@stereofanoregon6481]

Try the Adcom group on Facebook. I know it's been done. I never heard of a MKII having the twist locks.

[@rudykraker4905]

Is this amplifier a dual monoblock

[@GeorgeKitrou-dx8et]

Sir, still have the 535, my brother the 545, years back had the 555. My experience ? One of the most honest value for many amps I ever had, or still use.

[@stereofanoregon6481]

Excellent, keep on enjoying your Adcom!

[@doperider85]

so i just snagged one from goodwill for $20 bucks i dont have a preamp or speakers to pair with it yet but itll sit in the attic until i get some good pairing gear for it any suggestions would be appreciated

[@stereofanoregon6481]

Nice score!! Here in the Pacific NW, the Goodwill's are know as "Good Profit", as they research stereo prices before putting anything out. Make sure to pop the hood and check for leaking capacitors. If a channel is out, it may be just a blown fuse. Enjoy! Thanks for watching and please subscribe.

[@stereofanoregon6481]

The GFP-555 preamp and be found for about $150 on eBay. Avoid the GPT's with the built-in tuner, as many have a problem with sound bleed-thru from the tuner. Don't be afraid to peek in at electronic repair shops for a preamp. I've had luck there in the past.

[@doperider85]

@@stereofanoregon6481 I'm an electrician and pc building and electronic repair is my favorite hobby and I love learn so I will definitely be popping the hood and poking around

[@doperider85]

@@stereofanoregon6481 I'll definitely sub also I live in south Florida and the goodwill is a treasure trove of great stuff I've found rare Playstation 1 games worth over 100 dollars for 2 or 3 bucks a piece, a klipsch quintet set for $20 some real nice Klipsch bookshelf speakers 50 watters for 6 dollars a piece some weekends ill just cruise around to 4 or 5 locations it's a lot of fun

[@AB-zw5xx]

What audiophile blather.

[@viktor277li]

can you review gca 510? its very rare and similar to gfa 535

[@stereofanoregon6481]

I don't have access to one.

[@barbedwirerat661]

The nice thing about going to the more powerful 545 or the 5300 that replaced the 535 mkII is you get the toroidal transformer. Just something to consider since all these amps are really a great value. I do like the rocker switch on the ones that have them; very satisfying, tactile click to power them up.

[@rudykraker4905]

Is the adcom gpt600 and the gfa-535ii worth 250 for both

[@stereofanoregon6481]

Absolutely (with two caveats). One, they are working. Two, you have looked under the hood and made sure no capacitors are not leaking.

[@rudykraker4905]

does adcom amplifier sound better then carver amplifiers.

[@rudykraker4905]

I picked up the adcom gpt-600 preamp and the adcom gfa-535ii the preamp is making a loud buzzing sound from the frount output rear output sounds good using on a denon avr receiver

[@stereofanoregon6481]

@@rudykraker4905 I owned the GTP-600. Unfortunately, some production runs of this model suffered from multiple bad parts. Mine was one of them. When I took it in for repair, the tech (who loved Adcom) correctly told me what he bet was wrong before I was able to tell him. Told me the cost, but also said that chances are I'd be bringing it back for more repairs. I quickly sold it "as is" on eBay. Too bad, as it's features for simple HT setup. My advice, take it to a tech that knows Adcom. Best of luck.

[@rudykraker4905]

@@stereofanoregon6481 Okay, thanks, I think he'll let me get a refund. I'll have to see. I just get a refund on the amplifier right away too.

[@charliemendez1479]

Hello, is it normal it get really warm?

[@stereofanoregon6481]

A little warm, yes it's normal. Hot to the touch, definitely not. You may wish to unplug, pop the hood, and look (don't touch) for any leaking capacitors.

[@cbayardelle]

I bought my gfa 555 ll new, now it needs to be recapped, the loud pops when the amp is turned off, will fry my magnepans.

[@stereofanoregon6481]

It's worth getting recapped, and if you want to kick it up a notch, the Hoops Brain upgrades are highly regarded.