Rich sound at a rewarding price

When I was 15 I thought I was rich. I had saved two years worth of my paychecks from my first job and decided to blow a big wad of it to buy a stereo. I paid in cash. That was the first time that I was introduced to Adcom. It's sleek construction and rich sound made me dream about what I could afford in the future. That day I settled for a Sony, but I never forgot how good that Adcom sounded. Well, boys grow into men but men never outgrow their toys (they just get more expensive).
Now (thanks to online shopping and a bit more resources) I can finally afford that stereo that I've always dreamed about. I bought my Adcom last fall and I must say it still sounds wonderful. Here's what I like:

1. The Design

All of the circuitry is constructed onto a single board with a ventilation system on top. This keeps the machine very cool and allows for easy repairs and adjustments. Each channel is protected by independent wires and guards. This reduces distortion or the chance for any electronic overloads.

2. The Power

With 200 watts going into 8 ohms or 350 watts into 4 ohms, this machine can churn out some sound! To maximize its efficiency make sure you buy some quality cable (i.e. monster cable) and run this machine into some nice speakers. Remember, that its nice to have a great amplifier, but if you play it into a $200 set of speakers your just cheating yourself.

3. The Sound

It's amazing how rich and full the sound is from this amplifier. Adcom attributes it to a lower gain path compared to other machines in the industry (consult their website). The lower gain path reduces feedback and creates a purer sound. I really enjoy listening to music with cleaner sound such as jazz, vocal, or moderate rocks so I appreciate this design.

4. The Price

Adcom seems to price at a level similar to Harmon Kardon, Carver, and some of your higher end Kenwoods. I'd imagine that this particular unit would run around $1000 dollars in a store or less online. For the money though, I haven't heard anything comparable. I think it sounds better than many of the super high-end amplifiers ($2000).

If your looking to spice up your stereo, or merely want to start building up a new unit the right way consider the Adcom 5500 series. It's a worthwhile investment.