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question for Gallo Ref owners

A hi-end novice friend of mine is moving residences and for the first time is exploring improving his music system more seriously. I managed to do a convert, ...the more the merrier. Given his budget, I have advised him speakers between Gallo Ref and Zu Druid both of which are available here in HK. (he wants full range and dynamic capability) This is based on my own listening exp which were not extended by any means but were enough to convince me that both were extraoridnary in their own right, especially for their pricing levels.

The friend first visited Gallo, Apparently the dealer here (I was not present) drove them thru Naim amplification, I think it was an integrated plus another pwr amp to drive the bass drivers. While he loved it, he is hesistant to spend that much money (US$5-6000) on just amplification which we can all understand especially for someone who is first entering our world.

So the question is ...for Gallo Ref owners out there what integrated or pre-pwer combination of price tags of US$3000 or less would you recommend? What has worked well in your exp? Help me to help him, we need more audiophiles!
henryhk
steuspeed's avatar
steuspeed
501 posts
 
The Gallo CDT tweeter is very revealing. I would stay away from bright amplification and lean toward the warmer side. I have run Gallo ref II's on solidstate and tube amps. I have yet to try a hybrid which I think might be the best match.

On the Ref III I think you can run tubes on the top and solidstate on the woofer. This would obviously be a big step for newbie. However, I am running VTL 25 Watt tiny triodes with suprising results. The VTL IT85 might be an interesting match for the Ref III. This tube integrated has outputs to run additinal tube amp for bi-amping or solid state for subwoofer. Just an idea.
smargo's avatar
smargo
50 posts
 
"So the question is ...for Gallo Ref owners out there what integrated or pre-pwer combination of price tags of US$3000 or less would you recommend? What has worked well in your exp? Help me to help him, we need more audiophiles!"

I have had the gallos 3.1s for 2 months and am runnig them with the NAD new master series (M3) dual mono integrated solid state to wonderful results!! No brightness whatsoever. Audiophile sound with tons of clarity!!!

Regards,
smargo

Msrp is $2795 in the states.
danlib1
819 posts
 
Running them with a Cary SLI-80 Signature will yield exactly what you seem to seek. The Cary can be obtained used for around $2,000 US, is easy to bias and takes a wide compliment of tubes.
chadnliz
3,736 posts
 
How about the DK Design Hybrid integrated?
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