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Adcom 555 plus tube pre VS. Audio Analogue Puccini SE???

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Posted on August 28, 2002 at 14:57:23
Jonathan
Audiophile

Posts: 620
Location: NE Ohio
Joined: April 10, 2000
 Just curious if anyone has an opinion as to what I might be gaining or giving up by swapping out my AA Puccini SE integrated amplifier (non-remote) for my old Adcom 555 with an as-yet-to-be-named tube preamp?

I'm hoping that the added wattage of the Adcom might give me better bottom end control and extension, but will that benefit be negated by the negative qualities of the amp? And would a tube preamplifier in the $600-$700 range (used) combined with the Adcom sound better than the lower powered, but refined sounding Puccini SE?

Speakers are Reference 3A MM De Capos, sources are Pioneer PD-65 for CD, Sony NS500V for SACD, and NAD 533/Sumiko BP for analog. Thanks!!

Jon

 

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Re: Adcom 555 plus tube pre VS. Audio Analogue Puccini SE???, posted on August 28, 2002 at 15:55:07
TL
Audiophile

Posts: 305
Location: California
Joined: March 31, 2000
 The 3As are easy to drive so I don't think you have much to gain by going with the Adcom. I had the 555 and found it to be harsh and grainy, even when matched with a tube pre.

Thomas

 

I had a 555 hooked to a Luxman tube pre somewhere around, posted on August 28, 2002 at 18:38:13
driver
 '84 or so using some Shahinian speakers & MC TT. As I remember it, I had many great hours of listening on that rig.

I swapped the Luxman for a Cary but the Luxman is still in use at a good friends house playing nightly.

Since you have the Adcom already it's a good way to get in the door & you can upgrade down the road if you want but you'll never know how it sounds unless you give it a shot. Part of the fun of this hobby is trying out lots of combinations.

 

With a speaker as easy to drive as yours problem may lie elsewhere., posted on August 30, 2002 at 07:13:45
rasmussen


 
As TL observed the De Caprios should be a very easy load. I use the
Puccini SE with Merlin TCMs and have driven Sonus Faber Concertos with
it as well, both run full range. The amp never breaks a sweat. Are you dissatisfied with the bass of your speakers and maybe looking to the amp to fix? Is your room huge? I'll bet if you posted your location there would be someone with a more powerful amp you could get together with. Just some thoughts, and I do understand that your integrated is rated a few watts less than my SE version.
Larry

 

Re: Adcom 555 plus tube pre VS. Audio Analogue Puccini SE???, posted on August 31, 2002 at 12:24:37
edta


 
I used to have the Adcom 555 II. It was a powerhouse, but grainy and unpleasant on some stuff using the Adcom pre of that era, don't remember the no, 565? A Bryston 4BST would be a minimum IMO if you want more punch and power, as well. Reviewers like the new Marsh amps of that power range.

I'm not familiar with your speakers, but I can't imagine using the Adcom in a system of today's topnotch components. I'm sure you can sell the amp to someone who only listens to headbanger music.

 

GIbe an audition to a tube pre and th Adcom GFA-555 I had an Adcom 555 and, posted on August 31, 2002 at 22:01:58
Slant


 
I changed out my whole system selling the 555 and the GFP-565 which at the time was very highly rated. I was driving the B&W 801 Matrix Series 2 which require a LOT of power. The sound was very clinical.

I still have the 801 which have been tranformed into living breathing sounds with an AI-3A pre and a Simaudio W-5. However I never tried a different Pre with the Adcom. Its quite possible that the AI-3A has made the bigger change in my system than the amp did.

A foolproof answer. Take a preamp test and evaluation audition unit home and pair it with the Adcom. Be sure your'e getting a good pre. The AI-3 or 3A used which will come in somewhere between 700 and 1.3 k will definetley answer your question. Even if you decide against the AI it absolutely will tell you what your 555 can do!

If you are in the Northeast try John Rutan at Audioconnection who is as good as it gets and will treat you well regardless of how many 0's are in your bank balance. He is extremely knowledgeable and does a lot with AI and may have a good used or demo around.

Best of luck!

Johns website:
http://www.audioconnect.com/

 

Re: Adcom 555 plus tube pre VS. Audio Analogue Puccini SE???, posted on September 3, 2002 at 14:03:20
doug s.
Audiophile

Posts: 1004
Joined: August 12, 2001
 dunno why ya wanna do that - the de capo's are supposedly an easy, relatively efficient load. but, if it were me, i'd do it! ;~) why? since i'vetried a toob pream, i couldn't imagine going back. i can be happy w/a solid-state amp, if i have a toob pre. i can't afford toob amps that i could be satisfied with...

re: adcom amps, i had the earliest iteration 555's (non-mosfet), driving thiel 3.5's for a long time, & the issue w/harsh grainy treble was overblown for *both* those products, imo... ya, i liked the electrocompaniet amps on 'em better. and, ya, i like the more detailed sound i get w/my present meret re monitors. but, hook that old adcom up to a pre like the melos sha-gold-r & a decent fono-stage, & i don't see how you could get more of an improvemenrt for the money spent...

doug s.

oh yeah, don't forget to buy an art di/o dac for ~$100 from samash.com or fullcompass.com, either! ;~) a few mods will make your digital world-class. or, yust run it stock w/a better power supply ($5-$20), & i'd bet it wood still be a big improvement over yer pioneer.

 

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