Which adcom sounds best?

I'm happy to say that the Adcoms were my first venture into separates and after hearing most all of them I can easily recommend the GFA-555 MKII as being the better sounding amp overall.

OK Wolf, I was too harsh. My apologies. Years ago, I had my amp in for service, and the dealer gave me an Adcom GFA 555 as a loaner. I remember it as having all of the qualities that I associate with bad sounding transistor amps. Of course, that doesn't mean they all sound that way.

I now have a 545 Mk II as a loaner while my AudioValve tube monos are being repaired. It's hard for me to come up with words to describe the 545. There are many words in the Eskimo language for snow, and probably as many words in audiophile language for "awful." My description of the 545 II would be in there somewhere.

But, I have a modded 535 and moved it from the theater/TV system to the main system, driving Ascendo System MS Mk II speakers. The 535 sounds fantastic. With the mods, the 535 sounds damn close to my tube monos. The mods were done by John Hillig, musical design.com. Highly recommended! It'll cost at least $400, which may seem absurd considering the cost of the amps, but it is a quantum improvement. At $150 amp + $400 mods, it's he best $550 amp I've ever heard. I'd love to listen to a modded 555.

I've owned both the GFA 5500 and 555 II. Without any doubt, the GFA 5500 and GFA 5802 both throw a wider, deeper image with better low level detail while delivering this with a slightly less bright sound, than the GFA 555 II. I also owned a pair of mono block GFA565s. The Adcom GFA 5802 was far more musical with more low level detail. The GFA 565s did rock the house hard. The GFA 5802 never ran out of power but was a bit more polite when loud.

Of the older 3 digit models, IMO the only amp worth a damn is the 535. I owned the 555 and thought is was not even close to the 535 in all aspects but power. I also owned a pair of 565s which were mediocre but powerful.