Gallo Reference 3.1; What integrated amp?


Hello,

I am a proud owner of a pair of Gallo Reference 3.1 speakers. I'm now in the market for a new integrated amplifier with a good phono stage or an additional separate phono stage (cartridge is a Sumiko Blackbird MC)

Unfortunately where I live there are virtually no stores that carry really high end hi-fi gear so I can actually go have a listen and I've been doing all of my research on the net.

I would love some opinions of what you think would be a good match for the Gallo's, amplifier and separate phono stage if required. My budget is up to around $3000-4000, hopefully less.

I've read really good reviews about the Copland CTA 405, a hybrid, which apparently has a good phono stage as well. I was also looking into the Primare I30 which is a high current amp with oodles of power but no phono stage. In tubes Cary Audio SLI-80 looks interesting as well and Eastern electric M520 seems a bargain. What do you think? What would you recommend as a phono stage?

Thanks!
Alexis
a_philippides

Showing 4 responses by viclondon

Alex,
I have tried the Gallos with the Primare I30, as well as a Krell 400 and with my Unison Research Unico, an hybrid integrated cheaper but quite good.
Here my findings: with the Unico high, mids and soundstage are excellent, I am surprised of the quality I am getting, although I will upgrade soon because the bass is frankly not great compared at what I have heard from the Gallos in other settings.
The Primare was actually my favourite of the three: excellent tight and well textured bass, very engaging sound all around, quite similar in tonality to my Unico, but maybe a bit faster.
The Krell was a huge disappointment: boring, boring boring, dry, sterile and uninvolving. Probably a bad synergy with the Gallos and with my ears.
I will be auditioning soon the new Nuforce 9SE v2 and the Belcanto ref 1000, then I will choose.
I am also thinking about getting the Gallo SA bass amplifier, although for some reason I have not managed to find many impressions about it on the web.
No, I have not tried the resistor, although I was aware of it. Recently I have got a Behringer DEQ2496 which is giving me fantastic results (and is great fun to play with). Just know I am working on the Behr in order to integrate my subwooder (a SVS PC+) to the Gallos and I am very happy with the combo.
The only reason why I want to go the the Gallo sub amp is because my actual sub is extremely bulky; also I can slightly detect the direction of the bass coming from the side and it is slightly annoying with music, while with the Gallo SA I should get the feel of the sound coming from the two speakers. The only thing that worries me is that I have not found many comments at all about the Gallo SA in the web
I hope I am not derailing the thread with my enquiry about the Gallo SA bass amp.
I am really tempted by the possibility of having the subwoofer in some way inside tha main speakers and get rid of my very bulky one.
I also intend to use it for movies, besides 2-channels duties. The only problem is that here in England it costs a lot more (around US$2000) but I think I will give it a go anyway.
The two posts above are very encouraging
Cytocycle,
I perfectly agree with you. The problem is that over here a better 2ch amp will cost again double price compare to the US...
BTW at the end I went for a pair of Nuforce Ref 9SE v2 whick I found fabulous at the audition; they should be at my home tomorrow.