Adcom GFA-5503 vs Emotiva XPA-3

2.0 va sounds really, REALLY weak Do you mean 2000 VA? That would be a massive transformer.

Amps do seem as if they can last 10+ years. One mode of failure is that the capacitors can go bad over time.

I could never find any explanation of why they call it secondary capacitance. It seems to refer to the amount of filter capacitance, and nothing else. I know that the output of a transformer is called the secondary, so perhaps that's where the term comes from. There's a law of diminishing returns in adding more capacitance to improve power supply rejection (decrease power supply ripple.) So the large capacitance would offer more dynamic power. But I don't know how much.

One interesting point is that Adcom uses MOSFET output transistors. Probably does not amount to any real difference, but I thought I would mention it.

If it was me, I would consider the newer amp, with the 5 year warranty. The 850 VA transformer in the XPA-3 is probably good enough. Unless you listen at extremely loud levels, most of the amps power is for peaks. For example, if you agree that movies have a 20 dB peak to average level, power needs for peaks are 100 times power needs for average levels.

It would be useful to know what speakers you are going to drive with the amp.

you beat me to it!

You certainly don't need the Adcom to drive those. I would go with the XPA-3. My mains are 8 Ohm nominal, (center is 4ohm). I detected a decent improvement. THe thing is, you really don't know how the Adcom is going to be down the road (it is much older). The XPA does have the 5 yr warranty, as was already mentioned.

I have an XPA-3. I have decided not to stay with separates...Warranty can be passed on to new owner...PM if interested.

A very quick google search showed 5503 reviews from 1996 to 2002. Capacitors fail (get leaky) in all electronics over time; the question is, how much time? A lot depends upon how the equipment was used, and a lot to do with how hot it was run. Adcom amps are known to run hot (at least were last I looked at them, long ago -- but, this amp could be from then!) I believe they were a Nelson Pass design (? memory -- anybody confirm) and he tended towards heavy class A bias for sound -- one of the things that made Adcom a good amp. But, ten years is not all that long for most electronics, leaving you with a tough decision....

Thoughts, random order:

1. I suspect the Adcom is OK, but will need some TLC before too many years go by.
2. I suspect the ADcom is a better amp, but that I probably would not hear much difference between it and the Emotiva.
3. The Emotiva is new, I have two that work and sound good to me, and have had good customer service from them.
4. I never had a 5503 (that I recall) but had a 555 to review for a while. If memory serves, that 555 ran way hotter than my XPA-3. Good amp, though (not up to what I had in my system at the time, at a much higher price point).
5. At the same price point, with relatively efficient speakers, I would waffle a while then order the Emotiva. At least that's what I think I would do. I have some fantastic old gear that I simply do not have the time to restore, way better than anything in my system now (except my speakers), and decided to put my money into new gear instead of restoring my vintage gear despite knowing my old gear is much better than the new. Too many hours over the years fixing things up only to have something else break down; now, I just want to hear the music and watch the movies! When I retire, then maybe I'll have time to piddle with my old stuff (if I haven't sold it).

FWIWFM - Don

That model Adcom was not the model with the leaking (defective caps) it was the 555 and only some of them.

Maybe there's Depends brand, cap diapers, just in case?

I would buy any electronics older than 5 yo either if price is low enough to consider it disposable or have easy means to repair it. This is just like with used cars, you don't know how long it would take until major failure happens.

Adcoms are of uncommon design based on MOSFETs, they remind tubes in distortion spectrum. But they run hot and are not suitable for very low impedance loads. Emotiva design is much more traditional.

If I get 10 yo power amp, I would replace filter caps upfront as preventive measure.