Adcom GFA 545ii Amplifier Vintage Review: Secretly Good?

[@archivestereo]

My 535 has a few issues but it’s one of the best amps I’ve ever heard. Thanks for the video

[@johneichmann1028]

I have this amplifier with a GFP-555 II receiver. Got it in 1995. Still working great to this day.

[@MAScurious]

I still have the same two pieces as you do! Bought them new in 1994 overseas. I had them with a pair of klipsch chorus 2s! Great sound but had to sell the klipsch later! Now I have a better cd player and run AR holographic speakers with them! Won't trade these components in for anything !

[@JustEnoughHope]

Thanks for the review…I have a pair of these running vintage Klipsch LaScala and absolutely love the sound. Like you said we all have our favorites (also running a pair of Adcom GFA-5475 mobile audio amps in the daily driver) and I was hooked on McIntosh (MC502 and MC275) for some time…there was even a Marantz phase and that amp is now with my in-laws and they love it. Again appreciate the review

[@jojogun1957]

I have had the 555 and 545 with Polk monitor 10's from around 1990.I wanted the Klipsch Chourus's bad,but they were about double the price of the Polk's.You hit it on the head,the Adcom sounds great for music of that era.

[@stereofanoregon6481]

Thanks for commenting and watching!

[@barbedwirerat661]

Has to be one of the best values in audio.

[@stewnelless2416]

Mark, as alway informative and to the point, including a little bit of context for the component. So much has been hyped about class D amplifiers (pun intended) that many forget class AB amps have been around forever. That means (for those that don't know) that an amplifier operates in class A for a few Watts, then operates in class B for the remainder of the output. If listening to mid and high efficient loudspeakers at reasonable levels (not loud but listenable), many with class AB amps are listening to class A amplification for a significant amount of time. This has been the design goal of Nelson Pass' "First Watt" designs. I have an old GFT-1A tuner somewhere... ...but have wanted a GFP-750 Preamp and one of the Pass designed Adcom power amps. All the Adcom stuff I've heard never failed to impress. Keep up the good work, Mark.

[@markmarcantonio2796]

Thanks for the compliment and extra information, much appreciated!

[@RanTausi]

The GFA 545 mk2 is the sweet spot between 535 and the beast 555 , I have them both and love them both The 545 and 555 mk2 in mint condition, I must say I like the layout build of the 545 more, as you mentioned more simple and straightforward build and sure all of this Adcoms power house with good separate preamp from 90s era eat for breakfast most peace of junk receivers from this days. I smell your next review will be the GFA 555 😉. Good job

[@stereofanoregon6481]

Yep, the 555ii in two weeks. Thanks for watching!

[@RanTausi]

@@stereofanoregon6481 You welcome.

[@netseraph08]

I have the 5400. I think it is the successor of this amp. Sounds great.

[@marcmccormick2343]

Thanks for the review. Fitting the purchasing model, purchased my GFA 545ii + GFP 555ii + Nakamichi CD player + B&W DM640 as a parting gift to myself (ex got the kenwood rack mount system in 1992). It was a big upgrade! After many years and moves that system ended up in the upstairs attic. Realized I missed good music and set it up upstairs, but the CDP died. Finally moved it downstairs and got a Node 3 years ago (original equipment). Forgot how good it sounded. Got upgradeitis and replaced the B&Ws with Maggie.7 with the intention of getting a Hegel H390. Had several weeks with the.7s, and the 545ii handled them with ease! Really great equipment!

[@PhillioDoede]

I grew up with a GFA-545, Apt Holman pre, and DCM Time Windows system in the house. Took a long time till I heard anything better, and needless to say non of my friends parents had anything remotely close. About 6-7 years ago I sourced a 535 II for myself but didn't really like it all compared to my late model Pioneer A9 integrated (class AB 65 watts I think) which surprised me. Not sure if its because my speakers are more neutral and comparatively forward than the Time Windows but I also read a Stereophile didn't care for it either (the only review I could find). I may have to find a 545 or 555 just to see.

[@stereofanoregon6481]

The Apt Holman was legendary back in the day. Was going to pick one up about 15 years ago, but when I opened the case, it was a mess, and the cost would have been too much.

[@rickmarshall6397]

I got 2,love em

[@scottclawson9684]

I love adcom , The 4 digit adcom's is were its at, the mosfet sounds !!!!

[@g.fortin3228]

10b's were not too easy to drive.. must have been a different model. I got rid of a set because a Pioneer sx-3700 couldn't make them happy. Nice review of the amp ... I just picked one up. I have it driving Cambridge tower ii's and it seems to be a nice match. What are the updates i should be looking at... just the few e-caps or more items ?

[@jmagruder7796]

Thanks For the Video I know Doug Audio Specialties Is There a concern about speaker relay problems

[@stewnelless2416]

PS: it might be nice to consider looking at the Hafler equipment in a similar fashion as you have begun with the Adcom gear..... just a thought

[@stereofanoregon6481]

Stew, if I had a Hafler around, I definitely would do a review. But it's a bit hard to source one without dipping into the wallet with living in such a remote area.

[@ratpinscher]

where are you located?

[@stereofanoregon6481]

Deep in Oregon canyon country.

[@marknickells6097]

I owned the original 545. Matched to a pair of ADS 810 series II. The AMP brought out details ,and nuisances I had never heard before. Unfortunately, the AMP had quality issues, and was consistently burning CAPS. And after, being repaired twice, THE AMP short circuited , and burned out my Tweeters. So, that cost my 150.00 get replaced. After that incident, and going through three repairs, I said, "No more. I couldn't afford to have an AMP that had damaged my equipment. Maybe, It was a lemon, or perhaps simply was a bit of bad luck? ANY comments, regarding quality issues? I went to a DENON 5.1 receiver , which I had for nearly twenty years, and never gave me any trouble.

[@stereofanoregon6481]

Sorry you had trouble with your original 545.

[@AndrewTa530]

No judgement of taste re Blue Moon shirt

[@stereofanoregon6481]

The husband of a high school classmate is the creator of Blue Moon. Thanks for watching!