Adcom GFP-555-II and GFA-555-II preamplifier and power amplifier

Adcom is an american brand that started in the seventies by building phono cartridges. Turning the eighties, they started providing audio components. We have the luck to present you here the coveted combo topping the line: the 555 series, appeared in 1985.

We are mid of the eighties, so the look is minimal and dark. But the sound is absolutely not minimal nor dark. With this set, they literally won dozen of awards around the globe.

The preamplifier GFP-555-II

A look under the hood of the GFP-555-II shows it to be designed around an extremely simple layout. 
From the original design, this mk.II has a beefier power supply and some signal path upgrades, and top-notch output coupling capacitors. Only two pairs of short ribbon wires, a blue one for each of the selector knobs, and a black pair for the phono section, and that’s it. 

The simple gain-path philosophy is readily apparent. There really are not many components soldered onto the board, and a noticeable point is the inner quality of the mechanical parts that still operate firmly and without oxydation issues. Unlike some models lower on the range there is still a phono entry.

The amplifier GFA-555-II

For this power amplifier, Adcom hired Nelson Pass as a consultant, which did a tremendously good job, breaking ground when it came out in the 80’s, getting rave reviews and providing tank-like reliability at a decent price. 
Users were considering buying this amplifier in comparison to McIntosh units, so you have an idea of the league we are in. 

This massive piece delivers tsunamis of pristine, clean and mastered current, it enlives any good speaker, a special mention to the 43x JBLs they were so often paired with. Without any doubt, even electrostatic panels like Quad, Magnepan, Acoustat, Martin Logan… will not dry out this Adcom when their impedance dives.

The amplifier is still on sale today under the name GFA-555se, with a very close design. Only the budget is way more … like "today".

A rare opportunity to acquire a top quality set that may seriously shake poseur talk around Accuphase, McIntosh, Bryson…