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My experience: new Galion TS A75 vs Schiit Vidar 1

Hey y’all,
I’m new here and wanted to introduce myself and share a bit about my setup and recent listening journey. I am 46 years old and enjoy basically all music genres [except Opera and Modern Country Pop stuff]. I’ve been into two-channel audio for a while, with a strong focus on both vinyl and digital playback, and I enjoy systems that balance detail, musicality, and a bit of fun across genres.

For vinyl playback, I’m running a Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Esprit SB with an Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge into a Parks Audio Puffin phono preamp, which the goes to my DAC via SPDIF coax out.

My digital front end is centered around a Gustard R26 DAC, fed via multiple sources including the aforementioned Puffin from coax (vinyl), LAN from a Windows laptop (local files from HDD), a Pi2AES running MoOde (streaming Qobuz via mConnect from phone), and (Apple Music stream) from an Astell&Kern SE300 used as a transport with optical out into the R26.

I also keep an RME ADI-2 Pro in the system for utility use and Windows/Gaming/YouTube playback, which doubles as a bit of a Swiss army knife in the chain.

Lastly, my primary portable DAC/amp is a Chord Mojo II, which is sometimes integrated into my desktop rig when I want a different flavor than R2R.

Preamp duties are handled by the Freya Noval (primarily in tube mode for vinyl listening) though I’ve been experimenting with different modes and gain structures depending on what genre I’m listening to. I also have a Ladder Bach II preamp on the way and plan on comparing it with the Freya N after it arrives.

Headphone and IEM listening is also a big part of my routine, with gear including an Aune S17 Pro, SPL Phonitor S, Burson desktop amps, and a few tube and hybrid pieces depending on mood.

On the speaker side, I’m running Paradigm 9se MkII towers.

Most recently, I swapped out a Schiit Vidar power amplifier for a Galion TS A75, and the change has been immediately noticeable. The Vidar is a solid and capable amp, but the A75 brought a level of clarity, bass control, and imaging precision that caught me off guard in the best way. There’s a sense of separation and ease that makes even familiar tracks feel newly resolved, especially in electronic and modern production-heavy music. Bass feels tighter and more authoritative, and the soundstage presentation has opened up in a way that’s been genuinely exciting to experience.

I’m still early in living with the change, but it’s already one of those upgrades that makes me want to revisit my entire library. It really feels like the Vidar was the weak link in my system and replacing it with the A75 lets the rest of my gear ascend to a higher level.

I would love to hear from any of you who had similar experiences with finding "the missing ingredient" for your system. Looking forward to learning from others here and seeing how different systems come together.

Be Well and Stay Blessed!

cobrabucket
rjvissers's avatar
rjvissers
27 posts
 

Welcome cobrabucket! I was intrigued to read about you digitizing your vinyl but after reading more about the Puffin, I understand that it has very many advantages with its DSP capabilities: Azimuth adjustment; Antiskating; Platter Speed; Cartridge playing hours timer; Absolute Polarity Inversion for both channels or independently; Stereo, Mono, Left or Right only outputs; "Magic" gentle de-clicker impulse noise reduction. >>> All those will make a big difference for sure! I'm not sure how it impacts dynamics or the overall "vinyl" experience but to each their own!

I also own a Galion TS A75 power amplifier, as well as a Galion TS34 tube integrated amplifier capable of running EL34/KT88/6550's. I like Thomas Tan and his approach to audio a lot. As daily drivers I switch between the Galion's and the full LAIV Harmony stack, depending on speakers and sources. Both are excellent. 

I did not buy Thomas' Galion pre-amplifiers (Navy, or TS P75) because they do not have balanced/XLR connections and I'm running long interconnects. If they would have had XLRs they would have been in my rack, for sure. In stead I use the LAIV Harmony HP2A and a Vincent SA-32 as preamps with no complaints.

 

ctlesq's avatar
ctlesq
74 posts
 

+1 for Thomas Tan. 

I auditioned his A75 and P75.  I was not able to move forward with the purchase, but I want to state publicly Thomas could not have been more patient in answering my (many questions) or more gracious when I ultimately had to send them back.  

Super gentleman and I really liked his equipment.  

 

strateahed
320 posts
 

@cobrabucket  congrats on your discovery and welcome to the club!

 Another plus for Thomas Tan... great guy to work with. I explained that I was looking for a replacement for Linear Tube Audio Z10 integrated with more power  and better low-end grip. He was in the early stages of getting the A75 off the ground and offered to send it for a 15-day trial, just pay for Return Shipping if I don't like it. What's not to like about that?

Here's an excerpt of the review I posted on his site: "While the Z10 paired beautifully with the RAAL ribbon tweeters for mid-bass to highs, I felt the low-end lacked the control and presence I desired, especially on amplified electric bass in fusion jazz and R&B. The Z10 excels with acoustic jazz, but for my broader musical tastes, including acts like Spyro Gyra, and Fourplay, I needed more low-end punch.

Having also owned and/or auditioned a few other amps like Channel Islands, Outlaw Audio, STA 200, Bel Canto, and Class D Gan 5, I can confidently say the A75 punches well above its weight, earning its place in my system. It’s a keeper, and for now, my "upgrade-itis" has been cured."

Thomas has had many more 5-star reviews since then. Not hyperbole, this is one of the best kept secrets in audio. I think some folks equate high-end with costing high dollars. My A75 replaced a $5,500 integrated and I very happy with the sound. and that's really what counts.

tyray
1,023 posts
 

 

+1 @rjvissers 

+1 @viridian 

     @cobrabucket,

I was somewhat familiar with the Parks Audio Puffin phono preamp as I still have after all these years my Parks Audio Budgie phono preamp, which I still consider a giant killer, but had no idea that the Parks Audio Puffin phono preamp could be modded diy or by Shannon Parks himself in house for a digital output.

I’d like to share this with you as it is from a similar situation I found hear on Audiogon. I can’t remember who it was but recently a member with a very upper tier traditional two channel system that also included a dac and a streamer connected his wide screen tv output via toslink cable to his dac with the often not used toslink input and instantly had basically a home theater setup with very little investment which I would have never even thought of doing. Thanks for taking the time and sharing with us your very first post!

 

 

 

 

cobrabucket's avatar
cobrabucket OP
2 posts
 

Thomas has had many more 5-star reviews since then. Not hyperbole, this is one of the best kept secrets in audio. I think some folks equate high-end with costing high dollars. My A75 replaced a $5,500 integrated and I very happy with the sound. and that's really what counts.

I couldn't agree more. This amp rocks!

I can't help but wonder how the Schiit Wotan would compare, though.

I am thinking it would be like a bigger, more powerful Vidar, no?

 

Also, thanks for the warm welcome, everyone...

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