2. amps-preamps
  3. 1179060757

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
a_philippides OP
4 posts
 
Again thanks for your all your comments.

I've been doing some reading and I can say I am even more confused than when I started... There are just so many choices and it's very frustrating when you can't actually go and have a listen to your music before you actually commit and buy.

I'm happy to see good comments about the Primare I30 as I am leaning towards that particular amp since it's easy for me to get hold of it on the web. By the way Viclondon, have you tried the resistor "hack" of the Gallo's? http://www.10audio.com/gallo_ref3-1.htm (5th paragraph from the end).

I will look into the Musical Fidelity one as well. Any comments on the other amps I've mentioned?
viclondon
19 posts
 
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
spiritualized
138 posts
 
The Gallo sub amp is worth the money imho. Not only do you get an amp to power the second voice coils, you also get a crossover to seamlessly integrate and custom tune the bass to your room and taste. I have owned mine for about a year, and have not regretted the purchase. It does however, take some patience to set the sub amp up correctly as you have several parameters you can fine tune.
a_philippides OP
4 posts
 
Same here I hadn't found much info on the Gallo SA so didn't think about investing into it. It's definitely a big plus to be able to get subwoofer frequencies in one box.

viclondon
19 posts
 
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
More to discover