2. amps-preamps
  3. 132439-2291

Adcom?

Does ADCOM still make products and most importantly sell products?

I bought a amp/pre-amp combination (710 for the preamp and maybe 5300 for the stereo amp), and it was the worst electronics I have had in my house in 40 years, that is, beside NAD.
Both components started to malfunction majorly just after a few months (pre-amp volume control having a mind on its own, amplifier was discharging loud every couple minutes).
They both times promised me that they would exchange mine for new, so after agreement, I sent my gear back to them, and they sent it back to me with the same problems... we did that a couple times.... I think the tech guys were billing the department for new units, kept them for themselves, and sent me back the same crap untouched.
I could tell both times that the gear was untouched by adcom as I had marked the units on frames.

I feel like this kind of fraud is happening a lot, especially this time of the year when audio gear dealers offer "black friday deals", but in fact, they sell refurbished units thinking you won’t see anything.

Adcom, dealers selling refurbished as fresh from factory, thoughts?
128x128chrisr
jhills
610 posts
 
@ mesch
It does pair well very well with the Adcom. The Adcom can sound a bit edgy, especially if not given a long period of warm up. Dollar for dollar though, the Adcom sounds pretty darn good. I had the Audible Illusions paired with a friends Ayre V-5xe Evo for a couple of months and the sound was incredible - very smooth and detailed, with a beautiful large stage.
While not quite in the same league as when paired with the Ayre or the Brystons, It’s always good to know - I can count on the trusty old AI and the Adcom to keep the music flowing, if something else lets me down...Jim

mesch
3,394 posts
 
I once owned a Audible Illusions Modulus 3A. Very good preamp. I wasn't using it for it's phonostage, which I believed to be a waste of a fine stage so I sold it. Went line level. 
kjlgpw
3 posts
 
Regarding the volume control on the 710 preamp being affected by a CFL...the answer is yes. When I bought my 710 years ago I had the problem but after a couple days I realized the volume control would only go nuts if a particular light was on in my family room. It was a CFL bulb. I change to another brand of CFL and the problem went away.
kjlgpw
3 posts
 
I have a question for all the Adcom power amp users. Do any of the Adcom amps generate audible turn-on or turn-off transients? Transients (pops, thumps, whatever) are particularly annoying for me. I've been using a Hafler DH-200 for 39 years and it finally has developed problems. I want to replace it.
213runnin
914 posts
 
Thanks, kjl, too bad Adcom didn't spread the word on the cfl bulb issue.  I actually communicated with them directly when I was considering whether to get the first pre replaced.  

As for turn on thumps, I think most of the older Adcoms did have a turn on thump because Adcom didn't have speaker protection.  On the current line up, I think it depends on the model, because I've noticed that their higher up models mention speaker DC Servo and OMRON 20 Amp speaker relay protection circuits.  At least the GFA 575SE.  

I'll be receiving the 555SE in a week or so and can report back, but I'm fairly sure it'll thump upon turn on.
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