Are any of these power amps a good match for RTA-12a's?

[steelglam]

Hello,

I have recently come across a pair of Polk RTA-12a's in great condition. I have an ADS Atelier A2 amp right now, and it's rated at 80 wpc. The speakers sound like they are struggling when hooked up to this amp, but I hooked them up to my friend's 250 wpc amp and they sound awesome (smooth and detailed in the highs and mids, good soundstage, but with an overall nice warmth and tight bottom end that I especially like). I called Polk, and they recommended using an amp that is at least about 200 wpc for the RTA-12a's. So, I think I want to use the ADS as a preamp (it's got pre-outs and good flexibility) and add a power amp.

I found the following two power amps locally used and for good prices, and I was wondering if either of them would work well with the Polk RTA-12a's and the ADS A2 as a preamp:

1. Crown DC300a
2. Adcom GFA-555

I'm on a tight budget ($250 or less), so used gear is probably the best bet for me.

Thanks!

[ben62670]

The Adcom is a better choice of the two. Crown is more for Pro audio. Not HiFi.
Welcome to Club Polk
Ben

[leroyjr1]

The Adcom 555 is a great amp with alot of power. I have 2 and like Tony the Tiger says
" THEY'RE GREAT".

[steelglam]

Thanks! Yeah, I really want to bring out the bottom end of the speakers more than what the ADS does. Is the Adcom good for that?

One thing to note: the Crown is a lot cheaper than the Adcom ($125 vs. $250), so that's also something I've been considering. And yeah, I've heard that the Crown was used for both pro audio and hi-fi.

[leroyjr1]

$250 is a great price for the 555. The Adcoms are known for having great low end that's why people love them. The good thing about that Adcom is if your not happy with it you can always sell it and get your money back. The average price for the 555 is about $300 and about $350 for the 555II.

[ben62670]

Crown is not a HiFi amp. $250 for a 555 is a real good price.

[dkg999]

The Crown would be good for driving a subwoofer. For your situation the Adcom is the way to go.

[steelglam]

Thanks to everyone!

I'm going to try and check the Adcom out this weekend.

Do you think it's a good match with the ADS A2 used as a preamp?

Also, having explained the issue in my original message, do you think the solution is that I need to add more power? The problem is definitely not the speakers, as they sounded awesome in a different context.

[ben62670]

Having more power will control the woofers better than running them with low power. ADS makes great stuff, but I am unfamiliar with that piece.
Ben

[BottomFeeder]

I had RTA12's as well & when I bought a 200 wpc Adcom, the thing that I noticed the most was the bottom end! I suddenly knew what "slam" was!

Go Adcom.