fabulous bargain, 60 truly clean watts of power

it just can't handle big speakers at volume, runs awful hot for a little amp

I haven't noticed the necessity to warm up the amp that everybody else has. Probably because I never cranked it as soon as I got home. I have been very happy with this, my first seperate amplifier. I realize my tax bracket does not correspond with my ability to appreciate good stereo. ARRGH!! I figured I couldn't go wrong with a couple of Adcom pieces, so I went shopping on Ebay. I also got an old Adcom Preamp/tuner. I can't remember the model#, but's also a low-end piece. I'm driving very old, recently re-coned, fabulous sounding but ineffecient AR 38s, with 10 1/2 inch woofers. In my microscopic NYC apartment, the speakers are rediculously large, but at moderate volumes the Adcom makes them sing! It's very easy to make the amp distort, but that's only when I truly don't care about the neighbors. I would highly reccommend this amp to someone with modest power needs and an even more modest budget.

Similar Products Used:

none personally owned

dual mono construction, high input impedence, high dynamic headroom, good low impedence power

none

Originally purchased for the mid and highs in a bi-amp setup in 1994. What I wanted was a smooth clean top end and ability to drive a 4 ohm load at high levels. Worked extremely well and was a very nice match the the Onkyo that was driving the bass. Now used in my smallish den (in a condo) for serious listening with a pair of Paradigm Studio/20s (originally) and now JBL L-110s. High input impedence prevents any interaction with the preamp, and low output impedence (DF = 160) means no interaction with the speaker and no cable problems. Amp has been absolutely reliable. I happen to believe in the benefits of dual mono construction for better imaging, and the 535 is dual mono back to the power switch. A very nice and very underated amp.

Similar Products Used:

Dynaco, Hafler, Marantz, Carver

Clean, detailed sound. Good construction. Amp react well when overloading/cliping.

Highs are somewhat fatiguing at high listening level. My unit runs very hot even at idle.

This is the perfect entry level amp to go into real hifi. It blows away any receiver with its clean and full sound. Even the upscale Sony, Pioneer or Denon units aren't as musical as the Adcom.

My 535 II replaced a Fisher receiver in my system a few years back. Driving Paradigm 7SE Mk II speakers, the improvements were better resolution, better low bass extension and damping, more natural sounding mids and highs, lower noise floor.

Now that I have upgraded my CD player, pre-amp and speakers, I find the 535 II more limited. My speakers are not very efficient and they have a tough low impedance curve, all of which suggest that a much bigger amp would be beneficial.

The 535 II now powers my main speakers above 120 Hz and I have a separate sub/amp combo for the low range. I plan on going to active tri-amplification using a Bryston trio (2B hi, 3B mids, 4B lows), a second sub (for stereo bass!) and a yet-to-be-found active crossover in the next year or two. The 535 II will be reassigned to rear suround duty. They are going for under 200$ on eBay now which makes them a killer deal if you don't need hi-power.

At the time of writing, my system was :

Arcam Alpha 5 CD
Adcom GFP-565 pre
Paradigm X-30 crossover
Adcom GFA-535 II mid-hi amp
LXI AM4222 low amp
Home made main speakers using Dynaudio 15W75 low-mid and SEAS tweeter
Home made sub using a NHT 1259 12 inches woofer in 6 ft-cu enclosure (big!)
Lexicon CP-3 + THX surround processor
Paradigm CC-100 center
Paradigm Atom rear surrounds
LXI AM4222 amp for center
Marantz model 140 amp for rear surrounds
JVC HR-S7800 s-vhs VCR
Technics SL-D1 turntable
Technics RS-B555 cassette deck
Harman Kardon TU 610 tuner
Revox G-36 open reel tube tape deck (alas, not working right now)
PowerMac G3 (Blue & white) with Korg 1212 pro audio card
Gemini PL-201 power conditioner

The system is used about 50% casual mp3 listening, 40% serious CD listening and 10% movies. The Adcom 535 II sound appreciation for this review was judged with CD playback, of course :)

Similar Products Used:

Marantz model 140, LXI AM4222, fisher receiver...

Extremely Robust!! Adequately drives 6 Ohms.

Not all that great for full range use especially with today's large S/N ratios and dynamic range.

Mate extremely well with the Vandersteen 1Bs. However, I do use an external crossover (Audio Art AEC250) at 80Hz with 12dB per octave slope. The self designed sub is powered by a mono block amp (Marantz MA700) with a slight 40Hz boost (~+3dB).
As I said above, build quality is excellent. I read in another review that the fuses are difficult to get to. I agree, however, one should never have to access them. After I first received the unit I put it under some extreme testing in which I blew the fuses. There are four of them, which can be easily replaced if you look under the hood. Since then, I have had nothing but great success with this piece.
This amp would work well on most subs if bridged, great for bookshelves or surrounds, or mains if not run full range.

Similar Products Used:

Alesis, Crest, Luxman, Mackie, Marantz, NAD, and SAE

Wonderful clarity in the Medium and Highs.

Fuses not accessible from outside. A little bit "light" in the low range. Speaker posts too small. Only one pair of speakers. No headphone output.

Excellent for the price, especially if you are after a high level of clarity. BETTER in the medium-high range than the more expensive Adcom GFA-545-II. Well built.

Similar Products Used:

NAD 214, Adcom GFA-545-II, Quad 405

highs

slightly soft bass

I purchased this amplifier to use for my surround channel. However, I used it for my front channels to compare it to the Adcom 555. I actually felt that the highs on the 535II were slightly less bright and forward, less fatiguing. However, I found the bass to be slightly softer and less taut.

I do not think I would choose this amp as my main amp because of the bass issue, but as this amp can be purchased second hand for a very reasonable price, I do not know of anything at that second hand price level which can touch the sound and build quality of this amp. If you are in the market for an inexpensive amp, this is it.

Similar Products Used:

Adcom 555, Pioneer integrated