Introduction Adcom has carved an undeniable niche in this industry by manufacturing rock solid high-end electronics at budget prices. In fact, many music enthusiasts with mega-dollar systems fondly recall Adcom as one of their first high-performance audio investments back in the late 1980s. Decades later, Adcom is still providing consumers with quality components at a fraction of the price of many of its higher-end peers. The GFA-7805 is a 300-watt, five-channel amplifier designed to drive your 5.1 home theater or multi-channel music system, retailing for $2,599. As model numbers go, the GFA-7805 amp from Adcom is one of the easiest to remember. As if it were conceived in bar by a couple of dudes who each had a beer in one hand and darts in the other, GFA simply stands for “Great F’ing Amp.” There’s a model number that will set it apart for an otherwise conservative industry. The GFA-7805 tips the scales at 88 pounds ...

Introduction Classe is one of the top ten most recognizable names in high-end audio history, with a respected lineage that goes back decades. Recently, Classe joined forces in, as some are calling it, a “slow takeover” of the company with the investment firm that owns and operates B&W loudspeakers and Rotel. Their first move was to hire one of Mark Levinson’s big gun executives, Dave Nauber, to run the show. Like Maserati, the newly-reconfigured Classe set out to significantly redesign every element of their product line, from the look of their products to functionality to dealer networks and beyond. Their goal, and I am one who believes they will be successful in this, is to elevate Classe from a Top 10 AV company to one of the most elite brands in the world. One of the new Classe’s first offerings is a reference-level monoblock amplifier system for high-end audio and home theater use. The CA-M400s are ...

Introduction Following in the footsteps of the Anthem D1 Preamplifier Processor Tuner that I recently reviewed, Anthem also augmented the Statement line of electronic components with two series of amplifiers, the lower-powered A2 and A5, and the top-of-the-line P2 and P5. Once again, the design goal for each of these units is to offer the ultimate in performance, with Anthem inviting comparisons to any and all comers, regardless of price. This past summer, I received a huge carton on my doorstep containing the five-channel Anthem Statement P5 multi-channel power amplifier ($4,999), which I immediately inserted into my reference home theater system. Description Physically, the Anthem P5 is a behemoth, weighing 130 pounds and measuring nine-and-three-eighths inches high by 19.25 inches wide by 22.5 inches deep. The overall appearance is less imposing than one might expect because of the elegant black fine-grain aluminum cover, gentle curves on the front panel, and extruded aluminum side handles. There are no fuses ...

Introduction I have always considered Nelson Pass one of the founding figures in high-end audio. He has a long history of innovative amplifier and preamplifier designs, dating back to the ‘70s with one of the first successful high-end corporations, Threshold. I am very familiar with Pass’ amplifiers, and have owned a variety of Threshold components through the years. I have also kept an eye on his very active DIY career, which includes informative design articles and numerous DIY projects. Not having any exposure yet to any of the products from his latest company, Pass Laboratories, I was very curious and enthusiastic about auditioning the subject of this review, the X150.5 stereo power amplifier, and indeed I had high expectations to meet. Although the X150.5 is the baby in the current X series of amplifiers, it is by no means small in any way, specified at 150 watts per channel into eight ohms, and priced at ...

Introduction In America, we love things big. We buy big houses, big vehicles and when we eat, we “super-size” our meals. We like monster trucks and enjoy watching big athletes play in the “Super Bowl” on our big-screen TVs. Therefore it’s no wonder that there is a market for huge audio amplifiers. For over 20 years, Krell Industries has been famous for making some of the biggest, baddest and most powerful amplifiers in the world. The Krell FPB (Full Power Balanced) 700cx is Krell’s latest top-of-the-line amplifier in the FPB stereo amplifier line-up. The amplifier retails for $14,000 and is rated at 700 watts per channel into eight ohms, 1400 watts into four ohms and a whopping 2800 watts into two ohms. Having recently reviewed the Krell FPB 400cx, I was reminded of the Krell’s top build quality. Weighing in at 180 pounds and measuring 19 inches wide, 10.3 inches tall and 25.5 inches deep, makes ...