Adcom GFA-535MKII Amplifiers

Adcom GFA-535MKII Amplifiers 

DESCRIPTION

60 watt, high current amplifier

USER REVIEWS

Showing 1-10 of 36  
[Jan 02, 2022]
my3sons90


Strength:

Excellent build quality, dual mono construction, more powerful than its 60 watt a channel rating would indicate Bought used to power zone 2 for outdoor speakers. Arrived DOA seller gave full refund, told me keep it , throw it out. Tells me it was in a closet for 20 years. Brought it to a local shop, for $140 i had it back working. Sounds great 3 years already

Weakness:

Could have 5 way binding posts.

Price Paid:
135
Purchased:
Used  
Model Year:
1984
OVERALL
RATING
4
[Apr 11, 2020]
jeff89


Strength:

Just bought this 535II on Ebay to use as a temporary amp until I can replace a Denon that died of old age. This amp was a surprise considering it cost very little. This is a serious dual mono amp that produces remarkable clarity and sound stage for it's size. I can now take my time finding a replacement for the Denon. I can listen to this Adcom without any major complaints. This amp is an incredible value.

Purchased:
Used  
OVERALL
RATING
4
[Nov 29, 2019]
Jackrabbit


Strength:

Plays whatever you give it without coloration. People on this site have said it has soft base? What does that mean? If your source has base it puts it out there the way it is on the recording. You can up it in the pre-amp bass controls but I wouldn't recommend it unless you get a kick out of thumping the walls. Only time I've clipped it was at very high levels on the theme from jaws. Little read lights came on telling me to back off a little. My ears were overloading so it was probably a good idea to back off.

Weakness:

No weakness that I've found. Still working perfectly after over 25 years of use.

Price Paid:
$299
Model Year:
1992
OVERALL
RATING
5
[Dec 25, 2015]
William Stevenson
AudioPhile

For $100 used off of Craigslist this amp is an excellent bargain. I chose it over Hafler's in the same price range because I knew the sonic character of the amp--having owned this and the 555, 555 mk2 and 545 previously. For anyone unfamiliar with the Adcom 535 I would characterize it as forward or bright sounding and it will be on the shrill side till it has warmed up after a couple hours. Once it has warmed up it smooths out and provides detail without being too bright or harsh. For me it mates best with a laid back preamp--I've not liked the results using Adcom, Bryston and other brands which tend to be on the bright side. Of course what sounds best to you is subjective and your speakers and room acoustics will come into play.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Sep 05, 2012]
figaro
Audio Enthusiast

Just bought this 535II on Ebay to use as a temporary amp until I can replace a Denon that died of old age. This amp was a surprise considering it cost very little. This is a serious dual mono amp that produces remarkable clarity and sound stage for it's size. I can now take my time finding a replacement for the Denon. I can listen to this Adcom without any major complaints. This amp is an incredible value.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Sep 16, 2009]
Steve
Audio Enthusiast

I purchased the Adcom GFA-355 mk2 on craigslist for $ 70. I did not hear it upon purchase and I
was furious when I arrived home to realize that it was blown. I took it to an audio tech shop and
he said he could fix it if I went for lunch somewhere ( about 2 hours ). It cost me $110. I got home
and connected it to a pair of old Bose 301, I could not beleive how GREAT it sounded. What a little
MONSTER amp.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jun 20, 2009]
jeffspeak
Audio Enthusiast

This little amp saved me. Bought new speakers and old classic Parasound died on me. HELP! Need something cheap and listenable. Adding Adcom to my tube preamp I got 80 to 90% of my high-end sound back. At moderate listening levels almost no difference. Parasound was twice as powerful. Only $100 on ebay, are you kidding me? A steal for $$. Match with modest (used) tube pre-amp and your set

OVERALL
RATING
4
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jan 31, 2008]
jikester
AudioPhile

Strength:

Musical, transparent and revealing. Sonically comparable to the best transistor amplifiers I've used.

Weakness:

None, although if it were bridgeable, that would be a nice feature.

The Adcom GFA-535 (and its successor, the GFA-535 Mk II) is truly one of those rare, amazing values in audio. I’ve used it to drive my Acoustat 1100, Magneplanar 2.6, NHT 3.3, B&W 801 Matrix II, and Martin Logan Sequel II loudspeakers and not once has it disappointed me or left me wanting. It may not have the power of my Krells or Aragon amps, but it can stand with them on clarity, timbre and presentation. It’s uncoloured without being cold or sterile; transparent while avoiding transistor shrill; and it is revealing enough to reveal very subtle differences in recordings as well as cable and equipment combinations.

One thing I’ve found is that like other good equipment, it is sensitive to cabling, interconnects and warm-up. Some of those who haven’t been pleased with it, I can only imagine that they either have a bad combination or maybe it’s a defective unit. Of the half dozen 535 amps I’ve used, one did fall into the latter category.

Loudspeakers: Martin Logan Sequel II, NHT 3.3, B&W 801 Matrix II
Source: Krell Digital, Adcom
Preamp: Audio Research, Adcom, Mark Levinson
Cables: AudioQuest, Monster Cable, KimberKable

Similar Products Used:

Audio Research, Aragon, Krell, Mark Levinson, Sunfire, NAD, other Adcom

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Jan 31, 2008]
Craig Luna
AudioPhile

Strength:

Musical, clear and transparent, comparable to the best transistor amplifiers I've used, thus it is an amazing value.

Weakness:

None, however if it were bridgeable, that would be a nice feature.

The Adcom GFA-535 (and its successor, the GFA-535 Mk II) is truly one of those rare, amazing values in audio. I’ve used it to drive my Acoustat 1100, Magneplanar 2.6, NHT 3.3, B&W 801 Matrix II, and Martin Logan Sequel II loudspeakers and not once has it disappointed me or left me wanting. It may not have the power of my Krells or Aragon amps, but it can stand with them on clarity, timbre and presentation. It’s uncoloured without being cold or sterile; transparent while avoiding transistor shrill; and it is revealing enough to reveal very subtle differences in recordings as well as cable and equipment combinations.

One thing I’ve found is that like other good equipment, it is sensitive to cabling, interconnects and warm-up. Some of those who haven’t been pleased with it, I can only imagine that they either have a bad combination or maybe it’s a defective unit. Of the half dozen 535 amps I’ve used, one did fall into the latter category.

Loudspeakers: Martin Logan Sequel II, NHT 3.3, B&W 801 Matrix II
Source: Krell Digital, Adcom
Preamp: Audio Research, Adcom, Mark Levinson
Cables: AudioQuest, Monster Cable, KimberKable

Similar Products Used:

Krell, Aragon, Mark Levinson, NAD, Carver, other Adcom

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
[Dec 17, 2006]
Tony Patterson
Casual Listener

Strength:

Packed with crystal clean power, does everything it is supposed to do. Very seamless. Excellent value and bang for the buck. Small compact size, with very attractive design.

Weakness:

None. Exceeds all expectations.

Very impressed with the GFA 535 II. Very powerful. Delivers extremely clean sound reproduction. The bass is tight, the mids and treble are crystal clear. Plenty of power on reserve. You probably won't need it. I'm using an Adcom 506 Pre Amp Tuner, with a new Denon CD DVD player. The speakers are B&W bookcase.
I love it.

OVERALL
RATING
5
VALUE
RATING
5
Showing 1-10 of 36  

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