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SET or OTL to drive Gallo 3.1's Recommendations?

Hello All: I posted asking for recommendations for amps to drive my Gallo 3.1's, got a lot of solid state recommendations, but was intrigued by Dpogue's 12W SET's -- I tried a pair of Tonewin 16 W SET 845 mono's and a low volume, the sound is amazing. Unfortunately, even with Paul Spelt's Zeros, they clip badly at any reasonable volume. I am thinking about spending for an SET or OTL rig ( possibly a new pre-amp too -- have the Odyssey candela now ) to drive these. Any help would be most welcome.
oceanica1
inhisservice
38 posts
 
I am driving my VS VR4jr 89db 6ohm with the 16 watt 845 based Art Audio Carissa. I'm getting far more dynamic sound tham with the ARC Classic 60. The power supply and output transformers make a big difference.

Blessings, Bob
steuspeed's avatar
steuspeed
501 posts
 
I had a Atma-sphere S-30 (30 watt OTL) on my Gallo MKII's. There was no bass compared to any of my SS amps. I picked up some VTL tiny triodes (25 watt triode) and they do much better. Decent bass with a little tube bloat. I wouldn't want any less power. When I want to crank it a few more watts would help.

Bi-amping your 3.1's is not a bad idea either. Tube on top and SS on the bottom.
krzycho
17 posts
 
Check Ming-Da 3008-A SET monos. It works.
oceanica1 OP
20 posts
 
Riley 804. I thought about this, but the distortion ( hash and compression ) of the treble concern me, would the sub amp clear up all distortion?
dopogue
1,773 posts
 
My ears were burning so I knew someone was talking my name in vain :-)

Well, not really. I think the key to my success using 12 wpc SET monoblocks with the Ref 3s in a VERY large room is ... the transformers. My friend who designed and built the amps got the trannies custom-wound IIRC from Magnequest. Tubes make a big difference too -- I'm using 845Ws from superTNT (no longer available), JJ KT-77s and Mullard ECC31s (replacing the original Mullard EL-34s and RCA 6N7s respectively). Clearly there's a lot of system synergy at work, but I repeat that I have never heard the amps clip. Dave
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