General Asylum: REVIEW: Adcom GFP-750 Preamplifier (SS) by DaveinFremont

Model:	GFP-750
Category:	Preamplifier (SS)
Suggested Retail Price:	$1,250.00
Description:	Line Stage, Solid State, Remote included
Manufacturer URL:	Adcom
Model Picture:	View

Review by DaveinFremont on November 02, 2001 at 13:58:41
IP Address: 152.163.206.204

Add Your Review
for the GFP-750

I've had the GFP-750 in my home for a few months now, after having gotten a new unit on ebay from a warehouse distributor for $1100. Even at the MSRP of $1400 I can see how this unit would be considered a good value.
But a 'giant killer'? Hard to say. It does do everything a high quality preamp should do: control all the basic functions, and pass on the audio signal with an absolute minimum of fuss, coloration, distortion, etc. It doesn't have a lot of bells and whistles, but connectivity options, build quality, and sound quality are all very good.
Aesthetically, the GFP-750 is somewhat more attractively styled than the usual ugly black boxes Adcom puts out for their normal line. The unit feels solid, and the volume and source selection knobs in particular seem to be of very high quality and feel. Major functions are remote controlled, and the volume control motor is completely silent and very responsive from a number of angles and distances.
There are enough inputs for five source components if you count a tuner, tape deck, and up to three CD/phono type inputs. You will need to get an outboard phono preamp if you elect to play vinyl on this system.
Another interesting and potentially useful feature is the home theater bypass input. It allows you to use this preamp in a home theater setup via an outboard processor. Very neat function that adds a lot of flexibility for those who don't want to invest in two different systems for stereo and home theater.
Sound quality is a step up from the previous pre/pro that I was using (Parasound AVC-1800). Noise floor is very low, and input switching is nearly silent (small click) and instantaneous.
Having recently switched power amps really showed how the interaction between pre/power can have a surprising effect on sound quality. The 'passive' mode on this amp does have a markedly lower output than the 'active' mode, but the sound quality of both are quite high in my opinion (after adjusting for output level differences between the two). The 'active' mode, while certainly not crap, may seem to have a bit more 'sizzle' and pizzaz than the 'passive' mode, but the difference is actually quite small, and can be more than compensated for by ones' choice in power amplification.
All inputs are unbalanced RCAs, with one set of balanced XLRs for optional use with the CD input. There are also two sets of unbalanced RCA outputs (convenient for biamping), and a set of balanced XLR outputs.
I am quite happy with the Adcom GFP-750, and would not hesitate to recommend it to anyone who wants quality sound from an affordable preamplifier.

Product Weakness: None at this price.
Product Strengths: neutral sound, low noise floor, robust build quality, aesthetically attractive, quiet and simple operation, better than average flexibility of inputs/outputs, and simply great sound!

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Sunfire load invariant power amp
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Adcom GFP-750
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Marantz CDR-500 cd player/recorder
Speakers:	NHT 2.9
Cables/Interconnects:	balanced XLRs, Audioquest Sidewinders, Audioquest speaker cables
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	rock, classical, jazz
Room Size (LxWxH):	18 x 17 x 8
Room Comments/Treatments:	none (hardwood floors and oriental carpet)
Time Period/Length of Audition:	3+ months
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	SL Waber line conditioner and AC voltage regulator
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner
Your System (if other than home audition):	Marantz CDR-500, Sony MDS-JB930 MD player, Onkyo RX-D511 CD Recorder, Adcom GFP-750 preamp, NHT 2.9 speakers, Sunfire 300wpc stereo power amp

Product Weakness:	None at this price.
Product Strengths:	neutral sound, low noise floor, robust build quality, aesthetically attractive, quiet and simple operation, better than average flexibility of inputs/outputs, and simply great sound!