If you have $1000 in your budget for the amp, I'd strongly suggest you buy a "low mileage", used Adcom GFA 5500. It has 200 wpc, and substantially better sound quality than the 5400. I have owned Adcom amps and preamps since the late 1980's, and just sold my GFA-555II. You can get an Adcom GFA 5500 through Audiogon's classified ads for around $800. Adcom amps have excellent build quality, and therefore are a very good buy as used equipment. I say with strong conviction that the quality of your sound system will be much better with the 5500 rather than the 5400. With regard to the Music Fidelity, I cannot offer first-hand experience. Based on the articles I have read, however, and experience selling high-end audio gear, I think the Adcom 5500 is a better buy, particularly if you buy a used unit.
Music Fidelity or Adcom
Hi everyone, have a question regarding an amplifier purchase. I would like to spend approximately $1000 on an amplifier and have narrowed it down to the Music Fidelity A3 (85W) or the Adcom 5400(125W amp) & GFP 710 (preamp)combo. Both can be had for $1000. I will be driving a pair of B&W Nautilus 805s without a subwoofer. I enjoy listening to everything from Jazz to Rock to Techno and therefore thought that the more watts I get the better. The room is medium sized, roughly 25ft x 12ft x 10ft. I have a couple of questions. Has anyone set up the 805s with either of these amps? Would the 85 watts of the Music Fidelity be sufficient to drive these speakers at sufficiently high volumes? Any advice would be much appreciated. thanks. vir