Adcom GFA-5500 User Manual

UNPACKING
Before your new GFA-5500 left our factory, it was carefully inspected for physical imperfections and tested for all
electrical parameters as a routine part of ACCOM's systematic quality control. This, along with full operational and
mechanical testing, should ensure a product flawless in both appearance and performance. After you have unpacked the
GFA-5500 inspect it for physical damage. Save the shipping carton and all packing material as they are intended to
reduce the possibility of transportation damage, should the amplifier ever need to be shipped again. In the unlikely event
damage has occurred, notify your dealer immediately and request the name of the carrier so a written claim to cover
shipping damages can be initiated
THE RIGHT TO A CLAIM AGAINST A PUBLIC CARRIER CAN BE FORFEITED IF THE CARRIER IS NOT NOTIFIED
PROMPTLY IN WRITING AND IF THE SHIPPING CARTON AND PACKING MATERIALS ARE NOT AVAILABLE FOR
INSPECTION BY THE CARRIER. SAVE ALL PACKING MATERIALS UNTIL THE CLAIM HAS BEEN SETTLED.
INSTALLING THE GFA-5500
During normal home operation the external heatsinks of the GFA-5500 will become warm. However, there are instances
during high-level playback into low impedances when the heatsinks will become much warmer than usual. To ensure the
amplifier’s long-term, trouble-free operation it is necessary to provide adequate ventilation for the heatsinks. Therefore,
the GFA-5500 should be kept away from external sources of heat such as radiators and hot-air ducts. The GFA-5500
should never be placed with other heat-producing components in a cabinet or enclosure lacking free air flow.
If you require that the GFA-5500 be mounted in an enclosed cabinet, it is recommended that the rear panel of the cabinet
be provided with ventilation openings at the top and bottom to allow air to circulate freely in the cabinet. The top and
bottom panel of the amplifier's chassis have been provided with vents to allow the necessary cooling of the internal
components. It is imperative that these vents are not obstructed in any way.
We recommend that you do not stack other components on top of the GFA-5500. This is particularly important If your
system includes low-impedance loudspeakers which are difficult to drive, or if you will consistently demand high volume
levels from the amplifier and speaker system. Not only will heat generated by the amplifier affect the performance of
equipment stacked on top of the GFA-5500, but the free flow of air through the ventilating slots in the amplifier may be
partially obstructed.
If you observe these recommendations, the GFA-5500 will perform reliably in any reasonable environment. You should
also pay attention to such normal considerations as protection from excessive dust and moisture. Occasional vacuuming
of accumulated dust on the chassis, heatsinks, panels and around the ventilating slots should be all that is required.
The optimal performance of your new GFA-5500 will ultimately depend on the care with which you make the connections
between the amplifier, preamplifier and the loudspeakers. All input and output signal connections should be made only
with high quality, low-loss, low capacitance cables following the recommendations in the following relevant sections.
Please refer to the rear panel diagram to identify all the connector locations.
WARNING
DO NOT EXPOSE THE AMPLIFIER TO RAIN, WATER, OR MOISTURE OF ANY KIND.
RIGHT/LEFT INPUT (D
The audio inputs to the GFA-5500 are through two high quality, gold plated RCA jacks to minimize high frequency losses,
noise, etc. They will accept standard RCA type plugs, one for each channel, LEFT and RIGHT, usually supplied at the
ends of interconnecting cables. To ensure that the performance designed into the GFA-5500 is realized, you should use
the highest quality cables feasible. There are many cables which are designed specifically for these applications and
your ADCOM dealer can be of help in selecting the best cable for your application. Whatever cable you finally select, it
should have low capacitance. This is particularly important if you use a long run between the preamplifier and amplifier.
Generally speaking, a cable with a capacitance of less than 100 pF will work best
The load impedance which the GFA-5500 inputs present to the source preamplifier or tuner-preamplifier is 49.9k ohms.
This load impedance results in minimal amplifier noise when used with a source component of low output impedance
such as an ADCOM preamplifier or tuner/preamplifier.
To preserve the correct stereophonic effects, please be certain to connect the left output of the preamplifier or tuner-
preamplifier to the RCA jack on the GFA-5500 labeled LEFT INPUT and the right output of the source component to the
RIGHT INPUT jack.
2

Adcom GFA-5500 Specifications

General

Impedance	8 Ω
Audio output channels	2.0 channels
Connectivity technology	Wired
Product color	Black
Power requirements	115 V, 50/60 Hz
Power consumption (typical)	1440 W