Amplifier upgrade suggestions


Greetings, my system consists of a Rega P25 turntable audio-Technica Cartridge: 150 MLX a Conrad Johnson PV-2a preamp Adcom GFA-555ii amplifier Martin logan CL-II's and a Velodyne HGS-12X subwoofer

The adcom amplifier starts to clip at high passages and I am looking at suggestions to replace it

I was thinking about getting another 555 but Ive read that they dont perform well on bridge mode,
my budget is around 300-600
and I have seen some Carver amps on that price range..

Thanks and Happy Holidays
dinkylink
given your budget range, and if you really do like your 555ii, one option is buy another one as you're contemplating, but rather than run it in bridged, run each of them in "single stereo". This is where you only use one channel of each for each speaker. I'm not familiar with the Adcom, but believe it's using only one PSU for both channels. Running only one channel buys you more current supply, and effectively more power. Parasound claims their HCA1000a drives 40% more power in single stereo vs rated stereo output. Of course, if you bought the second, you could try the bridged mode, but I would be really careful with impedance dips.

A second option is to sell the 555ii and find a pair of 656 mono blocks.

In something not Adcom, a Parasound HCA2200 (mk I or mk II) can be found used a little higher than your budget, but selling the Adcom will cover this. Both are true dual mono (dual transformers), ultra high current, rated at 240 watts, and drive super low impedance. A HCA3500 may be found for $1100-1200 putting it out of your range probably

Finally - - these B&K M200's may be worth a try. Rated at 240, with tons of current and low impedance stability. I'll be surprised if the auction tops $500 by much is at all.
by the way, I should have said that don't know nor am I associated with the seller of the M200's.
Divest yourself of the Adcom brand period and stay away from Carver amps.Save an extra $500,at a $1000 price point you will be able to find an amp that will do justice to the ML's.
Many years ago I owned the Adcom GFA 555 MKII. When higher volumes were demanded, it would clip and I even had efficient speakers. Back then going from the Adcom to a McCormack amp was a revelation for me in all areas.