Preramp for Adcom GFA 565's

Dsper,

I have also heard good things about both Wred4Sound and the Cary 500 MB amps but have never heard either of them. The Wyred4Sound also have an in home demo period so you could return them if you don't like them.
Sorry, don't know much about the Prima Luna 3 preamp except that it's tubed and may be a good match with any of the amps you're considering. Just make sure the output impedance of the preamp is about 1/10th the input impedance of the amp you choose.
Sounds like you\re widening your search which is probably a good thing but it does make it harder to make a decision. Good luck.

Dsper,

I have a nice used Adcom GFP565 preamp I can sell you.I have not put an ad out for it yet but will soon. It is in very good condition and I have the original box and manual. It was a Stereophile reccomended component when I bought it new. Let me know and I'll give you a good price, probably less than $300 and you pay shipping from Indiana. It was about $900 new. Thanks

Dsper,

Ckoffend makes a good point in suggesting that the Adcom GFP565 preamp and Adcom GFA565 monoblocks combo may be a bit bright, especially with a digital source.
That was my experience when I used the Adcom preamp with an Aragon 4004 solid atate amp. I solved this issue by switching to a tubed preamp (VTL 2.5). So, the Melos preamp that Ckoffend reccomended or a tubed preamp may be a better solution for you, depending on your sound preferences.

However, my offer still stands (atleast for a week or 2) in case you decide to give the Adcom a try. Good luck in your search.

Dsper,

What speakers will you be using? I think the Adcom monoblocks would drive almost any speakers easily enough but they may be overkill for some. Thanks

Dsper.

The Adcom monoblocks would supply the power that the 1.7's likely require, if they are anything like other Magnepans. My concern is the same as some of the other posters on this post and your other posts: the sound may be too sterile and neutral for your tastes.

A tubed preamp. with the exception of a few newer models, would help add some texture and dimension to the sound. But I would definitely try out the Adcoms prior to purchase if at all possible. You may also want to look at some high powered used amps like McCormack and Classe. Good luck on your search and let us know what you wind up with. Thanks

Hi Dsper,

Looks like you made a good choice going with the Wyred4Sound amp and special-edition preamp. From what I've read, the amp may sound a little thin right out of the box and can take about 300 hours to fully break in.

If after break in you find you want a warmer more textured sound, you could always try substituting a tubed preamp and return the Wyred4Sound preamp. The amp should supply plenty of power, over 1100 watts per channel @ 4 ohms, to drive your Magnepan 1.7 speakers. You've got me curious about how this amp would sound driving my power hungry Magnepan 2.7 spkrs.

Please post again, after you get them set up and the amp has broken in, to let us know the results. Thanks and good luck.

Hi Dsper,

I also noticed a large improvement when I went from an Adcom GFA555 with 200 watts to an Aragon 4004 MKII with 400 watts. The sound was better and cleaner from top to bottom.
But, as you know, wattage is only part of the answer with quality being the other key ingredient. I think the improvement I experienced was a change in the sound quality more than just the increased wattage. By quality I'm not only referring to the quality of the parts in the amp but also the inherent sound characteristics of the amp/brand. I hope you experience both an increase in wattage and change in sound quality that matches your taste. Good luck.