I'm writing about the GTP 400 that I own. It's similar to the 450 except the 400 has a phono section and no remote. The only problem with this unit is the controls need to be cleaned with deoxit every few years, All the connections need to be clean and high quality interconnects used. You have to treat this unit like high end equipment or it will spit in your face. I cap all the unused outputs with gold plated non shorting caps. When it's tweeked it's as lush a sounding preamplifier as you will find at any price. So smooth warm lush liquid immediate airy seamless and tonally neutral. Completely grainless like you get from tubed gear. Let it warm up for at least a half hour before doing serious listening. The longer it's on the better it sounds.Also great headphone amplifier built in. FM is almost as good as it gets.The GTP 400 received rave reviews in it's day from Stereophile. You get the sense from them on some of their reviews that they would like to tell you there's no need to spend more but if they did that would piss off a lot of the manufacturers of the really expensive gear when something affordable knocks the socks off their expensive gear, These were designed by the great Walter Jung who was inducted in the engineering hall of fame in 2002. The price you can get these units used today are an absolute steal. If it doesn't sound good it's because it needs to be cleaned, it's damaged,(unlikely because it's built like a tank) or there's something wrong with your equipment or ears..

None. Just keep it clean, use good connections to your equipment and let her warm up. She will sooth your ears.

I have used this adcom pre for about 8 years , have been very happy with it the entire time. It delivers rich ,transparent, natural sound . Clean without being sterile , smooth deep bass , crisp and articulate highs. Currently in combination with a 5m21 lab reference luxman power amp and Platinum Audio duos.
Dollar for dollar , you can't touch this , especially at the typical used price.

I paid 175$ used from a dealer.

Sound Functions Remote Tuner

Remote volume adjustment not fine enough.

First of all let me say that poor reviews based on what a product does not have or the reviewer wish it had should have no baring on the review itself. Do your research before buying something so you'll know what you're getting. No this preamp does not have balanced outs, phono, nor tone defeat....but guess what, I knew that going in. Base the review on what it sounds like in your system based on other SIMILAR products you have heard.....that means keeping it in the same price range as well. Okay, that's all for my rant. I've only been using it a few weeks, but so far so good. I've not used too many preamps in my day, so basing it on what I've heard before. I like the Tuner, although I don't listen to much FM....I may just start. It sounds nice and full, clear, clean and with good imaging. One complaint might be the remote's volume does have some pretty big leaps...oh well. Might not be the last preamp I own, but worth the $$$ I spent on it.

Initially I thought that the highs were rolled off. After sufficient warmup (3 days) the highs extended themselves and the midrange and lower treble became smooth and sweet. I don't use the tone controls so I can't support others reports of boomy bass. The bass that I hear is smooth deep and powerful. The midrange seems to have remarkable depth for a Pre-Amp in this price range. The extreme highs seem to be a little down but this may be my speakers. The tuner section is very clean and picks up all the local stations with a smooth noise free signal. I have heard no bleed through from the tuner to the CD input or any other input. The remote is something that took no time at all getting used to. The mute button on the remote is a nice feature (the GTP-500 remote does not have mute). This unit has 2 full tape loops plus an EPL loop for a total of 3 tape loops, CD input and Video/Aux input, but no Phono input. If vinyl is important just use an outboard phono pre-amp. Although this unit is no longer available new you can find them on E-bay and Audiogon for very reasonable money. This is a lot of performance for the money ($500 new, $200 used). If you are looking for a tuner pre-amp

The only weakness I can think of is that this is no longer in production. What do you want for $200.

This is a temporary replacement while I complete the building of my version of Aunt Corey's pre-amp. It replaced my radically modified Hafler DH110 after it expired in the middle of a listening session. I am using a fully POOGED Hafler DH200 with full bore CAT-5 speaker cables into Acoustat 2-SW's. All interconnects are made by yours truly using Belden cable and Cardas plugs. I must thank Mr. T for the loan/gift of this unit.

Similar Products Used:

I have used and have access to other Adcom's, Parasound's, Hafler's, AMC's and my old ARC SP-3

Highly sensitive tuner-Quiet operation-Remote controlled-Nice presentation of music (not in your face) like some preamps)-Adcom quality

None

The GTP450 is a great preamp/tuner and it sure doesn't deserve a rating less than 4. The tuner built into this unit is excellent alone and the preamp section is just as good. I have used this unit on a Conrad Johnson power amp and it produced a great soundstage wide and deep with articulate detail and does so without harshness or glare. I realize this unit is midfi and it doesn't take the purist approach but i simply like the way it allows me to enjoy my music and that is the bottom line. Also i would like to point out that the new Adcom preamp/tuners do not sound as good as these older models because i have tried one.

Similar Products Used:

Bryston, McCormack, B&K, Adcom, Conrad Johnson

price, good sound stage

remote control volume

I was using a Keenwood C-2 at the time with a dynaco st120 & heresey II''s. I got the gtp-450 & the gfa-7300. The improvement was beautiful, nice sound stage , very good musical pre-amp. I didn''t however like the volume control on the remote it was either quiet or loud. But over all a very good pre-amp

Similar Products Used:

crown, nad, mcintosh,hafler

NOT ONE

PLENTY-OVERPRICED,MUFFLED BASS,JUST CHEAP !

I still say this particular preamp is probably the lousiest sounding piece of overpriced garbage I ever bought.HECK,I could not even sell it so I finally gave it away for free to a friend that had no choice but to use it since his preamp died on him and he even said that if he had the cash to spend it certainly would not be this brand or model--I am definitely not an advocate of ADCOM !

Similar Products Used:

NAD,LUXMAN

Clear and Transparent. I think it looks good.

NONE.

I love this Preamp. I''ve heard preamps costing 5 times as much that where not as transparent. I think a preamp should be as nuetral and as passive as possible. I have connected many different sources into it and it always has let the source come through without adding any charictoristics.

Similar Products Used:

Tons of mid priced gear.

lots of hook ups and flexablity

none

had the unit and with no flaws so far, nice unit and very quiet. the unit tunerpicksup ststion with eaze and where i live in the desert that good for me .

Similar Products Used:

the 400

as i mentioned in my review of the 5400 amplifier, i am very pleased with all features of this pre-amp. it is a simple, clean looking piece and my fm tuner works exceptionally well. i have not experienced any bleed-through as some reviewers have mentioned. again, great value.

nothing yet. no phono capabilites for the vinyl heads, however.

value is the key adjective hear. it seems that too many reviewers attempt to compare adcom stuff in general with equipment that costs twice as much--even more.

Similar Products Used:

gfa 5400 amp
gcd 700 cd