May not be the best choice, but you need to be the judge of that.
Ok, I can't speak for the Ascents but I do own an Adcom GFA 5800 and SL3s.
Will the Adcom be able to drive the Ascents? Of course. I have yet to come anywhere close to maxing my amp out. Do my SL3s sound good. Oh yeah. On good recordings the soundstage is great. Bass is tight, although a bit lacking (typical gripe of SL3s). I've tamed some of the typical SS high freq harshness by upgrading my pre-amp (PS Audio). Is there something better out there? There always will be. Remember the 5800 is a Nelson Pass design (ok, maybe it's not his best work
).
I purchased my 5800 back in early 90's before I had my MLs and was not as educated on the options that were available as I am today. Personally I do not have much experience with other amplifiers in my system, so really I don't know what I'm missing (if, I'm missing something). I'm actually affraid to start looking at other amps as upgraditus will of couse grab a hold of me. Right now my system sounds pretty darn good. I recently had some friends over that had not heard my system. They were in complete awe of the sound. They repeatedly commented about having the musicians right there in the same room.
Would I like to try something else out? You betcha. I think if you were to ask that question to everyone on this board the only one that might say no is DTB300 with his Plinius (I'm just jealous, Dan
).
As Dan always says, if it's at all possible audition whatever component you are looking at in your system at home. If it sounds good to you, buy it. Your the one that will have to listen to it. Not anyone else on this board.
Just my humble opinion, for whatever it's worth.