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My system is getting worse - now what?

Hi all,

First post and I need some guidance. My system started out in the mid-80s with a Hafler DH-500 amp, Adcom GFP-1A preamp and ADS 810-2 speakers. I was perfectly happy with this system for 15+ years except for the occasional cut-out of the Hafler during high-volume sessions, which it did for protection. Eventually the Adcom had a channel signal drop happen enough I had to retire it. I replaced it with a Paradigm as it was one of the few affordable preamps with a phono section. I am nowhere as pleased with it musically as with the Adcom. Recently I grew increasingly frustrated with the Hafler cutouts at volume as well is its general fan noise during low volume operation and sold it. I replaced it with an Adcom GFA-555 based on friends having them and reviews, but I am not happu with it. My ADS speakers hate it at volume, resulting in woofer distortion and it just sounds far less musical. So now I am in a quandary. I can tell the Adcom is more of volume amp and I think I can live with it after I get my ADC equalizer set, but I don't think the ADS speakers will ever take what it gets handed. So I think I want an affordable floor standing speaker that will take whatever I can throw at it. I will even consider getting another GFA-555 and bridge to mono if that will help. So ... is there any affordable ($1000-1500) speaker that will sound as acoustically beautiful as my ADS's and be allowed to be driven to extremely loud volumes when the occasion arises?
hhlodge

Showing 1 response by mlsstl

mlsstl
1,391 posts
 
...But a light tap on a couple woofers produces an obviously bad sound, what research is indicating might be voice coil scrape.

If your speakers are damaged, you're wasting time and money monkeying with the other components. A damaged woofer is going to sound nasty no matter what you do.

It also sounds like you frequently listen at high volume. The ADS, even though an efficient speaker, is a 4 ohm unit and this can be difficult for many amps, but that really shouldn't be an issue for your Adcom. That leads back to a suspicion of speaker damage. Get your speakers checked.
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