Sorry, I am not taking new Adcom repair or refurbishing clients at this time.
I have a number of Adcom amplifier refurbishments to work through, after that I may not be doing any more, but I will continue to offer Adcom-related circuit boards.
—However, I am taking high-end audio restoration clients, and studio equipment clients. I am hand-picking these jobs, depending on whether I would find it an interesting project or not. Send me an email describing your equipment and what you’d like done with it.
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I had stopped doing refurbs a couple years ago, because my business was not actually making any money, oops! My prices were far too low, and I was trying to crank out two pieces a week, which is just stressful and ultimately impossible. It was actually causing me physical pain trying to keep up that pace.
So now I am doing about one or two refurbished amplifiers per month, and I have to charge more than I used to —A LOT MORE— I was seriously under-charging before, especially considering the level of detail and perfection I get into…. all that labor time… :^/ And parts cost is way up.
In this age of high inflation and $4000 silver-faced receivers from the 70s, it’s not unreasonable to charge more. They are worth it. My amplifiers are unique and awesome pieces that will only get cooler in the future. They are built to last, unlike much modern equipment. I am shooting for at least 30 years reliable service.
I’m only interested in these four models:
GFA-555 I (Including early rack-mount models)
GFA-555 II
GFA-565
GFA-585
If you have an Adcom GFP-555, GFP-555 II, or GFP-565 preamp that goes with your amp, I can refurb that as well, but I’m not interested in refurbishing preamps on their own. I don’t service the GTP series combination tuner-preamps, or any other models not listed, including the GFP-750, sorry. Preamps are refurbished for hourly labor plus parts and it typically comes in around $400-500.
Prices:
These prices are flat-rate and cover everything except blown output transistors. (Which is rare actually.) Replacement output transistors are $15/ea plus labor, and they must be replaced in sets of four.
All amps get a new Hoppe’s Brain input board. Upgraded power supplies are optional.
GFA-555 I or GFA-555 II:
See here for work example: https://hoppesbrain.com/2022/09/26/another-tour-of-a-hoppes-brain-adcom-gfa-555-restoration-5-years-later-with-better-technology/
Base-refurb: $930
New Hoppe’s Brain BFA-555 input board. The entire amp is disassembled and cleaned, the output sections refurbished and inspected, etc etc, All the obsessive details I’m known for… Original power supply capacitors are retained. (They are usually just fine.)
Base-refurb + New 22,000uF power supply capacitors: $1130
Kemet ALS30, 22,000uF. This is the maximum capacitance possible without upgrading to the Hoppe’s Brain Smart Soft-Start Power Supply
“The Works”: $1530
Base refurb + New Kemet ALS70, 36,000uF power supply capacitors + Hoppe’s Brain Smart Soft-Start Power Supply:
GFA-565:
See here for work example. https://hoppesbrain.com/ebfa-565-assembly-and-installation-guide/
Base-refurb: $1130
New Hoppe’s Brain EBFA-565 input board. The entire amp is disassembled and cleaned, the output sections refurbished and inspected, new binding posts, etc etc, All the obsessive details I’m known for… Original power supply capacitors are retained. (They are usually just fine, I have never encountered a bad one, but if needed I have spare original capacitors you can have for free.)
“The Works”: $1540
Base-refurb + New Kemet ALS70, 36,000uF power supply capacitors + Hoppe’s Brain BFA-565 Power Supply:
GFA-585:
Details mostly the same as GFA-565, but with two channels, two new input boards. See EBFA-565 for work example. https://hoppesbrain.com/ebfa-565-assembly-and-installation-guide/
Base-refurb: $1380
Two, new Hoppe’s Brain BFA-585 input boards. The entire amp is disassembled and cleaned, the output sections refurbished and inspected, new binding posts, etc etc, All the obsessive details I’m known for… Original power supply capacitors are retained. (They are usually just fine, I have never encountered a bad one, but if needed I have spare original capacitors you can have for free.)
“The Works”: $1950
Base-refurb + New Kemet ALS70, 36,000uF power supply capacitors + Hoppe’s Brain BFA-585 power supplies. (Similar to BFA-585 power supply.)
Power Cord Options:
Let me know what kind of power cord you want, there is no price difference or added charge. There are three options: In all cases, a three-conductor. 14ga power cable is provided. It’s not magic audiophile power wire, just basic SJOOW type portable appliance power cable, as commonly used in professional audio.
- Neutrik PowerCon. (My preference) A reliable, locking, high-current connector that is the standard in professional audio, and gaining popularity in home audio. The only caveat; There are few choices in aftermarket audiophile power cables with this type of connector, they mostly use IEC plugs.
- Hard-wired 14ga cable. Fewer mechanical connections.
- IEC jack.
Personally I hate these things, and worry that the cord is going to fall out the back. They’re only rated 12A. The reason they’re popular is that they’re cheap. But for people who want to use audiophile type power cords, it’s by far the most common type. I install a basic nickel-plated jack. If you want a fancy after-market jack, with gold or rhodium contacts or whatever, go ahead and purchase one and send it to me to install.
Turn-around time:
Refurbs are not my primary business. I have to prioritize shipping circuit board orders over all other work. At times I will be busier than others.
But your amp will not sit in my shop for months on end. I will let you know when I am ready to actually start work on your amp and have you send it in then. A $300 deposit is required once you ship.
Contact me through link at the top of the page.
Thanks!
Chris