Just curious if anyone has used a Tube Amp with the Gallo 3.1's? I tried a Jolida 1000rc and it sounded nice. I'm looking to get the most out of my Gallo 3.1's and want to increase the power. I'm currently using a Sherbourn 5210a, which is rated at 5x200. I listen mostly to Rock music at loud volumes.
Would it be better to just stick with a Solid State amp like a Bryston 4bsst? Does anyone have any suggestions on some amps to try? Any thoughts or help on this would be appreciated.
Tube amp, yes. 200W tube amp.....no. A 20W tube amp with decent iron would drive the Gallo's to uncomfortable levels for most. 200w would be louder, but not better. If you only want louder, don't go the tube route.
Hey Nuck! Yes I've haven't been around for a while. I guess I should have worded my post differently. I'm just looking to get the most out of my Gallo's. They play loud enough but I think I could get more out of them with a better amp whether it be Tubes, SS or a Hybrid amp.
There is a large glut of Bryston amps on the market on CAM lately. If you got a 3b or so, run the kit balanced, you might find sonic bliss.
I am just kinda partial to Mac without going to tubes.
However, with the sub amp in play, you need not look at a tube amp with a reputtion for being so very strong in the bottom end, and focus on nice mids delivery.
How much money have you budgeted for this purchase? What will drive the power amp? Are you retaining the 5.1 status of the system or how is this to be configured? If 5.1 remains, how much emphasis will be given to music sound quality vs thermonuclear implosion "wow" factor?
I have run my Gallo's with Carver M-4.0t amps, very loud is really all I got. Then I had a McIntosh MA-6200 on loan and enjoyed the sound enough to pursue and purchase a McIntosh MC-7300 to mate up with my tube pre-amp. Loud and the McIntosh sound which hits my sweet spot, but I played music with the meters as low as 0.3 watts and often at no more than 3 watts.
I have since moved to a pair of McIntosh MC-240 monoblocks which I had a very capable fellow restore to original for me. I am done. There is no need for more power or to foray around looking for a better sound. YMMV.
Not sure what your attention is to the center and rear surround speakers.
I have nothing but praise for the Gallo's with the Cary SLI 80. Of course .. the Saturn source is not to shabby either.
It'd be interesting listening to them via the wide variety of Macs round these parts.
For my listening area and tastes, the 50 wpc in triode mode is more than sufficient. Listening room starts out almost 10' wide x 22' overall length, I'm parked at the 38% distant sweet spot, or would be were I home.
How much money have you budgeted for this purchase? What will drive the power amp? Are you retaining the 5.1 status of the system or how is this to be configured? If 5.1 remains, how much emphasis will be given to music sound quality vs thermonuclear implosion "wow" factor?
Jan, I don't think I need a Tube amplifier. I think I can drive my Gallo's with better amplification. I have a budget of $3000-$3500 for this purchase. I will be using an Bryston SP2 processor and the source is a Bryston BCD-1 CD player. I will be using them in a 5.1 configuration as well. The Sherbourn will be used for the center and rears and the other amp would be for the fronts. I am mainly concerned with sound quality, especially for 2 channel listening.
DMc, I am not familiar with Sherbourn but would think you would want something that manages the same sound characteristics for your fronts as you have for you center and rears.
How do you like the synergy with the Brsyton gear and the Sherbourn today if that is how you have it running?
