It's possible and likely you'll hear a difference, but there are too many variables involved to know exactly what improvements you'll hear. Which you'll prefer is subjective. What speakers are you using?
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Either will be a large improvement in SQ but the SST2 has refinements to produce less noise providing a blacker background, clearer presentation, and increased detail over the SST. Initially, some people perceive less slam, but to me dynamics are more realistic than the SST. To me, the SST is more refined and musical. To each their own so use your own ears. |
fyi, The Adcom GFA 555 II is very good high current amp from the 90’s. I have a GFA 585 and a GFA 5503 for my home theater setup. I am the original owner of both of them. They have been in service since new. The caps went bad on the GFA 585 and the GFA 5503 also had to be serviced about 10 years ago. For me, the sound of your 555 II will directly correlate to the condition of the vintage caps inside. If your GFA 555 II is running to spec, then, it will be hard to hear a difference with a similar rated amp at modest volume. If it is not running to spec, it will be easy to beat with almost any decent running amp. |
I am a long time ProAc owner. I'd be concerned that the Bryston (my experience is with older Bryston amps) amps might be a little on the bright side for the ProAcs. I use a Cary CAD 200 Solid State. The amp is neutral toward warm sounding and matches my ProAcs well. I tried lots of amps that were neutral to bright (in the treble). None of them were a good match for my ProAcs.
Enjoy |
Well friend I have to admit that BRYSTON audio is and has been a top tier of the amplifier world. Speaking from many, many years of experience in the music and audio field I have found one truth. Every amplifier I have ever owned always showed me something I have never heard previously. Especially when it comes to solid state vs. tube amps. One thing that effects the listening experience has much to do with your taste in music. If your tastes follow modern trends in popular music, you might definitely be drawn into solid state products. I personally come from the early days of audio development, which of course proceeded the development of solid-state audio. I guess I'm just trying to say that my trends in music listening came from a professional background in the classical venue. Over the years I have also grown to love jazz and the musicians that composed and played it. That being said, my personal tastes in audio equipment have mostly trended toward tube-based equipment. What I'm trying to say here is that the appreciation of a given style of music, is an important driving consideration when listening to, and choosing audio gear. There are many, many fine audio products out there. If I had to make a choice when upgrading my system, I would try my best to audition as many well reputed amps as I could get my hands on. BRYSTON is also a fairly upscale priced brand. That's not to say that it isn't deserved. If you are also giving any credence to price vs. performance, my I be so bold as to recommend SCHIIT AUDIO. When it comes to value, meaning price vs. performance, I'm reasonably certain that you might be amazed at most of their products. Enough to give them consideration while saving you a few bucks. Secondly, should you desire considering tube-based amps, the only one I would recommend is PRIMA LUNA. When it comes to price, vs. build quality, vs class leading performance, you can't go wrong. Especially if your musical tastes run along the same line as mine. Hopefully, somewhere along the line I hope this helps you make a well-considered choice. GOOD LUCK |
You're not going to have a problem hearing the differences between the Adcom and Bryston. You'll hear it in the first 10 seconds. The real question is, will you like the Bryston better? I can only guess, but I would be surprised if you prefer the Adcom. Also, Bryston isn't your only option. If you are willing to go with tubes, Audio Research is a great choice for ProAc. I had a VT100 on my ProAcs, and it was an excellent match. For solid state, the Bryston is a good choice, but I prefer Rowland. If you can find a used Rowland in good shape, I would consider it. |
I had the Adcom and the Bryston 7Bst, and 7Bsst2 (super Stewart Taylor after the inventor). I have never owned a 4B in any iteration but I can say that the 7Bsst was warmer and faster than the Adcom. I drive Maggie 3.7s- the first gen and the X. For my liking the Bryston solid state sound is better than my Pass 600s were and better than the Audio Research VT130 was (mostly because tubes can have flabby bass with Electronica). If you have low efficiency speakers and like volume Bryston has the guts to drive them hard for long listening periods. |
In my opinion, the Bryston will make you never look back at the Adcom. I have had Adcom amps for 40 years, converting most of the generations of the amp line. When I switched it was night and day. Definitely not shrill in the upper end, or sterile. The low end absolutely came alive with so much more depth and emphasis. i am currently running Bryston 7BSST Monoblocks from an Adcom preamp (which will be upgraded soon) into B&W Matrix 801s3. |
Going by memory. 32 years ago in a controlled environment at my Dealers showroom in Hamilton, Ontario. On a pair of Mirage M7si’s that I was going to purchase. He played tracks from On Every Street on two separate Preamp/Amp combo’s He knew my budget would allow for Adcom not Bryston and I was curious about ROI between the brands. I could not hear a difference ! Being Canadian (but living in Phoenix for the last 10 years). I’ve basically written off Canadian Audio Electronics brands since then (plus none of them would hire a freshly minted Tech from my local CC). I enjoyed that Adcom GFP-345 w/phono preamp option and GFA-545II (later traded up to a 555II 7 years later. Selling the preamp during the home theater craze of the early 2000’s was a mistake but the 555 (used) got another 15 years of use before it went “up in smoke”. |
I had the 2B SST on demo in my system and although good and very neutral I found the treble a bit tipped up and overall a bit thin sounding relative to my McCormack 0.5 Rev A amp (now upgraded with their later G22 upgrades), so I’d definitely focus on the SST2 as that’s supposedly a bit more refined up top. That said, I brought my amp to my friend’s house who has a 3B SST2 and both of us much preferred mine as it had better tonality, dynamics, and an expanded soundstage. In short, my amp sounded more natural, robust, and refined despite being the lower-powered amp on paper. I bring this up because this DNA 1 with the same upgrades as my amp just became available for $2400, which is basically the price for the G22 upgrades so you’re basically getting the amp for free, and it’s about the same price as a used 4B SST2. Without hesitation I would jump on this amp as SMcAudio-upgraded amps are considered near SOTA, and you’re basically getting a near new amp as the upgrade basically just keeps the case and all the internals are new and likely done within the past five years. Bottom line — I’m confident this would blow away your Adcom on every level. Just my $0.02 FWIW, and best of luck.
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@solartea123 Depending on your preamp/front end, it might be beneficial to upgrade further up the chain. What goes in, comes out. Just a thought. |
I’d consider doing something like this that’ll give you a better streamer, DAC, and preamp and then address the amp after that. Right now I’d say the amp is the least of your worries https://www.amazon.com/Eversolo-DMP-A8-spectrums-Parametric-PCM768kHz/dp/B0CQX2X5HP |
