Hi
I believe Adcom is a good mid-fi brand comparable with Rotel. Many user reviews of Adcom can be found on the audio reviews website. There certainly seem to be an abundance of them on e-bay. B&K is, I believe a couple of notchs above the Adcoms. Perhaps some of the higher end experts will chime in. If you are looking for used consider Parasound as well in that price range. Carver was before my time in audio but the man has a great reputation and Classe I know nothing about.

Good luck and may the stars shine on you bid.

Aloha!

I am an Adcom fan. I think they are eerily similar to Parasounds. Also in the sound family of Aragon, Bryston, and a few others that will come to me once I try to go to sleep.

I admit to letting my mod-crazy friend make parts recommendations, but even stock, I liked the way that they approached driving my speakers: They don't seem to have anything of their own in mind for the sound. They get out of the way. Maybe even a little laid back. Not slow, just like they wanna do their thing with no other agenda.

I've brought home some hot new things to compare with in the past, but I always end up sticking with my Adcoms.

I use a pair of 585 something or others for a biamped pair of Apogees and can sit for hours and be happy. The wife can, too, and I believe women have better ears than men.

I have a Krell integrated that I love, but the Adcoms seem to have that certain something that makes me love them more.

I think it's their giant transformers, but who knows.

So, a vote for Adcom here!

I think Nelson Pass spent some time at Adcom back when they were starting out. I've always liked Adcom as well. In fact, my very first high end experience was with Adcom, Rotel and Sonus Faber. Completely by accident and my jaw flung open...followed by my wallet. LOL, I distinctly remember asking the sales guy, "how many speakers do you have turned on?"

I read a review of an adcom amp recently that touched on the idea that Adcom's are so good, so reliable, and so "not fussy" that audiophiles often stay away from them. They just don't have a lust factor associated with them. They sure do their job well though.

One you may have overlooked is Bryston. I think Bryston and Audire are superior to the ones you named. Audire is out of business now but the Audire Forte I have had for 20 years is outstanding. I have audtioned many other amps including Classe and Adcom in my home, and they are not as good-sounding as what I have.

I used to sell both Adcom and Aragon and have owned both. I think that the Aragon is the better sounding amp. I think it's smoother than the Adcom, but I do like the Adcom, too.