- Completely Neutral - Dead Silent - Simplicity in deign - Sturdy, reliable

- poor remote - poor passive mode performance. My Associated gear is NHT 3.3s Adcom GFA 5500, Philips SACD 1000, MIT Terminator 2 cables, DH Labs ICs, Marantz 10 B Tuner

This is my second review of the 750. After using this for over two years, I have changed some of my opinions on this pre-amp. I think this is a fantastic piece of equipment for the price, and I really doubt if any of the higher priced alternatives can do "better". This is simply because the 750 is entirely transparent and it simply dissapears from the chain. To be fair I cannot benchmark this against others because I have not tested any alternatives - but if this pre-amp is neutral - just a passtru - which it is supposed to be - then what more would I look for? I have come to the conclusion that if I have to spend my annual budget on improving my musical experience, I would then go for better speakers, or bigger amps - where the return on your investment is audible (and visible). This said, the 750 does have a crappy remote and a passive mode that I cannot imagine pleasing anyone. But overall - I think this is a superb product, and spending more money on a more "designer" brand would please your ego, not ears (unless you are talking tubes...)

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None

Neutrality, certainly. Odds are that it will be the least obtrusive component in your audio chain. Ask yourself before buying: Are you comfortable with a pre-amplifier that pretty much disappears once it's plugged in?

Stuff that everyone's been complaining about. Too bright LEDs. Sticky volume knob. Almost unusable remote. What do you expect for $1,000? :-)

Think that some folks have an animus toward Adcom? Read a lot of the reviews below! As for me, I've been indifferent to their stuff. I heard the GFP-750 in a dealer's showroom, driving a McCormack power amp. (Interesting coupling or what?) I'd never liked the sound of McCormacks before, but -- in this setting – found the sound strangely listenable. (Speakers were B&W Nautilus 804s, which I’d heard in several different configurations and been only marginally impressed.) It didn’t make sense, but I figured that it could be the pre-amp, and arranged to take home a GFP-750 as a loaner. A couple of years later, I still have my "loaner," although I've since payed for it. For a little bit more than $1,000, it was a steal. Reviewers have stressed the neutrality of this thing's sound. It is very neutral, but I don't know what to make of claims that it delivers the "pure" signal. I doubt that some of these people have been doing sine wave comparisons between a source signal and the GFP-750's output, for example. :-) I will say that it sounds pretty darned undiluted to me, and I also believe that it does not much color the sound of the signal that it reproduces. So if you like the way that your CD player or source component sounds when it's plugged directly into your power amp (if you have some way to attenuate its output level, that is :-), then you'll probably love this pre-amp. If you don't like the sound or tone of your CD player or other source component, don't blame this amp! I listen to a lot of different music on this pre-amp, and I've found that bad recordings still sound bad and that good recordings sound good, perhaps a little better, even. I think that it is as close to a passive attenuator as you can come, without actually swapping passive attenuators in and out. For those of us who like to stay seated during our listening sessions, that’s a good thing! :-) The way I figure it, the GFP-750 can be a blessing or a curse. If you like the tonality of a CD player’s sound, why ruin it by introducing another component in the chain with its own obvious tonality? Ditto for your power-amp or speakers: The GFP-750’s neutrality is a blessing. If you expect your pre-amp to have a characteristic sound of its own, however, this isn’t the right choice for you. You’ll rue the day that you bought it and probably come on here to write a bad review of it! :-) Anyway, that’s my $.02. Hope that you enjoy. My Gear Sony SCD-777ES SACD Meridian 508.24 Adcom GFP-750 Plinius SA-100 (high-pass of NHTs) Plinius SA-250 (low-pass of NHTs) NHT 2.9 loudspeakers Goertz speaker cables, Tara interconnects

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Too many to mention. Highlights include the old Threshold FET pre-amp, Plinius M-16 and CD-LAD, loaner AR LS-15. All great sounding amps, I just liked the GFP-750 for my system.

Clean & transparent sound, trouble free operation, build qualiy, compares favorable with very pricey preamps

Remote volume control

This product has certainly generated a lot of attention (and scrutiny) since its very favorable review in the March 1999 Stereophile. I have owned this preamp for over 5 years (since 1/98), and it has performed flawlessly. As a long-time audio enthusiast, experience has led me to believe that preamps, unlike most audio products, are not as system dependent. The main role of the preamo is the get out of the way of the source signal on its way to the amp. In short, this amp does it better than most. Over time, I have listend to a number of preamps, ranging in price from $600-$10,000. I noted that preamps under $1,000 generally "cloud" the music signal, while more expensive preamps generally have a cleaner, more dynamic sound. I found its performance (read, getting out of the way of signal)comparable to solid state Mark Levinson and Ayre preamps I tested at the time. I preferred it's performance to high priced tube preamps, such as Audio Research. Tube amps had to much impact on the sound. I would highly recommend the product. It is easy to use, well-made, and has excellent sound quality. For reference, it is used in the following system: Adcom GCD750 CD Classe CA100 Amp Mirage OM9 Speakers Monster Power HTS 2500 Audioquest Python Interconnects Audioquest Gilbratar Bi-wire cables

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Mark Levinson, Ayre, Krell, B&K, Audio Research, NAD, Rotel, Plinius

Sound quality. Two preamps in one (active or passive). The ability to easily integrate a processor for home theater.

None at this price point.

This is an excellent solid state preamp! I would compare this favorable to the ARC LS3! Both are Stereophile class A recommended components and have excellent soundstaging as well as well as great acoustic & ambience recovery. However the GFP-750 takes it one step further and provides a passive mode for the purist of heart, allowing the 750 to be no more then a switching component between cd,tuner, & tape player, providing the purist signal possible without connecting the components directly to the amp. I have read some of the minor quibles on previous posts about this preamp. Let me say this, if Adcom added every bell & whistle to this pre, you and I would be shelling out alot more money for this fine product. Finally don't be afraid to compare this with the best SS preamps. It will easily give them a run for their money! I personally prefer a tube preamp or hybrid but if you like solid state and don't want to mess with tubes, this one comes highly recommended!

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Bryston, McCormack, Music Fidelity, Ps Audio

Accurate sound reproduction(based on the recording and other components)Excellant build quality,Huge Soundstage, great $$$ value

Haven't found any, This pre performs just as it should!

Some people like flavored ice-cream, some like plain old vanilla. My analogy is this,if you like "flavored" sound in your stero system DON'T buy this pre-amp. On the other hand if you like tonal and total accuracy inlistening to exactly what is on the recording you're listening to this is DEFENITELY the pre-amp for you. Great build quality, passive mode is just that...NO coloration or gain added to the recording you're listening to. It always amazes me when I read some of these reviews. The fact is either you like the sound a component reproduces,hence good reviews, or you don't like the sound, hence poor reviews. This pre-amp(GFP-750) performs as advertised,accurate,well built, GREAT bang for the buck!

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Too many to list in over 30+ years of loving and listening to music...

very quiet in active mode. great for the price but i suspect you will want to upgrade soon as you are able.

passive mode is useless and substandard.ugly LEDS. No LED in sound dial. crappy remote.

I must say that whilst this is a really fine sounding pre-amp (keeps quiet and lets the music happen), the "passive" mode is really a joke. In this mode the sound deteriorates to a level that i cannot imagine liking - both in terms of clarity and loudness. I think Adcom rather not have included this option given the poor result. Secondly, you cannot see the sound level in dark (the way i like to listen to music) and thats plain stupid - it wud have cost nothing to include an LED in the sound dial. The point is, Adcom folks surely see these comments in Audireview.com (if they don't, they surely should), but do nothing about it. Overall - the pre-amp does a GREAT job and I would buy it again. But if my budget permits (soon it will, I hope), I will upgrade to something that has not just the sound but also the finesse of a truly high end product - clearly something that the GFP 750 falls short of.

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Bryston

You hear exactly what is on the recording.

You hear exactly what is on the recording. UGLY!!!

I came back to post my tweaks for the GFP-750. Seeing some of the bad reviews below, I want to counter some of the bad reviews I have read below. First the GFP-750 adds NO coloration to the sound. As in nothing. So the Adcom IS thin and lifeless compared to a bloomy, bass bloated, distorted brand "X". That's the sound of no distortion and may not appeal to a lot of people. But it's not the 750's fault. That is how it was designed. Even Wes Phillips said in his review "Not everybody prefers their sound so unembellished. I'm not sure I always do - sometimes a little euphony can be very appealing". I would consult Adcom tech service at (480) 607-2277 x 3 in Scottsdale, AZ if you have questions about matching their pre to a suitable amp. I would challenge anyone to tell the difference between active and passive (both broken in and warmed up) IMS. The differences are so small as to be imperceptable connecting my Marantz CDB (2 volt output)to Musical Fidelity amp. My tweaks: 1) cut a thin sliver of a Post-It and put it on the volume knob so you can see where the volume is set. 2) Change those ugly red LED's with cool blue ones from Lumex (847) 359-2790. Adcom told me I can use P/N SSL-LX 20483 USBD 2mm stove pipe lense LED. I have not done this yet. 3) I'm not into changed caps, etc. but you can get suitable Black Gate caps, Roderstein Resista resistors, etc from michaelpercyaudio.com (530) 470-8650. If you want something better than the GFP-750 try Nelson Pass's Aleph "P". He's the guy who did the GFP-750 design. They are $3,000-$4,000 however.

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Musical Fidelity A3cr pre. Audible Illusions Modulus 3A.

see below

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I carefully counted out my characters (3990+), but this darned thing still wouldn't take 'em all. Anywhere, here's the rest of my review (for the first part, see the review that precedes the current one): ...Possibly because the Linn’s output stages – which deliver a maximum of 2 volts RMS to their RCA taps (4 volts on their balanced taps) – weren’t strong enough to effectively drive the power amplifier (CJ MF-2250) that was connected to the Adcom? It’s my opinion, however, that folks who listen to the GFP-750 in passive mode are missing out on the miraculous performance of its active mode. The GFP-750 running in active mode, coupled with my Ikemi and driving any of the amps that I’ve had in my system (CJ MF-2250, ARC VT-150, Plinius SA-250 mk IV) has been a first-rate performer. If anything, I prefer its operation in active mode to its performance in passive mode: It doesn’t seem to detract _anything_ from the purity of the source, but, paradoxically, _enhances_ it (vocalists become even more palpable, instruments are imaged with greater precision and depth). The Stereophile Class A rating has been a curse to this amp. It’s attracted many snobby types with axes to grind and pent-up vitriol to spew. If you’re in the market for a pre-amp, do yourself a favor and at least _listen_ to the GFP-750. Try to take it home, if you can, and hook it up in your system. If you like it -- if it engages you -- you’re all the wiser and happier for the experience. If you hate it -- if it enrages you -- hop online and try to sublimate some of that bad karma by writing a scathing review of it. One thing, however: Try to be certain that your review starts out with “Having just read the Stereophile review….” My B system: GFP-750 GFP-565 (phono stage) CJ MF-2250 (sometimes) ARC VT-150 (sometimes) Sonographe SG-3 turntable/Koetsu Std. Rosewood cartridge Linn Ikemi Magnepan MG 3.3R Cables by Linn and Siltech

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Excellent active mode: Doesn't detract from the purity of the source signal, paradoxically enhances it. Vocalists become fleshed out and step into the center of a soundstage. Instruments are precisely positioned and localized. Sound is neutral to a fault -- sounds warm but not overly luscious with my CJ and ARC gear. Just the way I like it.

None at this price point. Okay: The remote. It's crappy. And its manipulation of the volume knob -- which has a tendency to overdrive or "stick" -- leaves a lot to be desired.

I don’t know ‘bout y’all, but it’s been my experience that some folks in the audio world have an axe to grind with Adcom. Don’t get me wrong: There are a _lot_ of legitimate complaints that can be levied against the company. First of all, it’s whorish, insofar as it doesn’t have its own in-house design team but, rather, outsources the design of many of its best components (to Nelson Pass, among others). Secondly, many of its early amplifiers (I’m thinking specifically of its power amplifiers) were on the uber-bright side. Third, its later power amplifier designs haven’t been all that impressive, either. Finally, its overall build quality has sometimes been spotty – especially lately. But at least two of its pre-amplifier designs – its under-rated GFP-565 (which _didn’t_ merit a Stereophile Class A rating) and its late 90’s GFP-750 (which was _cursed_ with a Stereophile Class A rating) – have more than delivered the goods. The GFP-565, for those of you who remember, was something of a giant killer (it was priced at around $800 MSRP). It was a very neutral pre-amp that was blessed with one of the best phono stages that I’ve ever heard. I still have one in my B system, along with my GFP-750. The GFP-750 does not deserve a lot of the ire heaped on it below. Folks who say that its passive mode sucks should make sure that (a) the output stages of their CD players have power enough to effectively couple with it in passive mode and (b) are of complementary impedance to ensure a successful such coupling. For example, I’ve heard the GFP-750 paired with Adcom’s GCD-750 – which puts out about 6 volts RMS in passive mode – and the passive coupling between the two was in this case positively euphonious. The GFP-750 produced a warm, compelling sound with deep and wide soundstage. Additionally, its localization of vocals – vocalists as disparate in range as B.B. King (*Live at the Regal*, MFSL UDCD-548), Joni Mitchell (*Blue*, DCC GZS-1132) and Sarah Vaughan (*How Long Has This Been Going On?* JVC XRCD JVCXR-0038-2) were fixed and immutable in the centre of an almost palpable soundstage – rivals that of many fine pre-amps costing several times its fetching price. On the other hand, coupled in passive mode via RCA cables with a Linn Ikemi, it produced a lean and altogether anemic sound. Why? Possibly because the Linn’s output stages – which deliver a maximum of 2 volt

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ARC LS3, Threshold FET 10, Adcom GFP-565 (hella phono stage!)

None that I can find. The 750 can't be built by the same company that builds the 5500's.

Right out of the box the vol. knob fell off. The balance control had to be set at two o'clock for the channels to be balanced using a mono source and an spl meter. The sound was extremly bright, but improved with breakin, less so in passive mode. The sound stage and dynamics were missing in active mode and worse in passive mode. You cannot set the volume or balance control from memory. The logic of a red light coming on when in passive mode and off in active mode and then staying on when the unit is turned off makes no sense. It cost me a $200.00 restocking fee to send this unit back and I was glad to pay it. DO NOT BUY THIS UNIT unless you can return it for a full refund.

I have two Adcom GFA 5500 amps in my system and have been very satisfied with them. The build quality is excellent except for the on/off switch. Because of this experience I did not hesitate to buy the Adcom GFA 750. The 750 was a different matter.

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I went back to my old AVA Omega III pre-amp, I thought I needed a pre-amp with remote control. I don't! If your experience was different than mine more power to you. I trust my ears and know what I wa