I am reporting on hearing the Monduese amplifiers.
I have always wanted a pair of Gale 401 chrome speakers for my second system.I am also a furniture designer and in my opinion they are the most lovely looking speakers ever built and very designer collectable.I remember hearing these in my youth powered by monster Accuphase power amps and Linn Sondek turntables.After many years of searching I managed to get a pair but they required a complete refurbishment including new woofer surrounds and spiders.I managed to get NOS midranges from Madisound and installed these too.
Now these have to be one of the most demanding of speakers to drive to their potential.They are low impedence and have highly damped sealed boxes.Many 200 watt RMS transistor amps really struggle to drive them.Furthermore they really don't sound that great with SS amps-which is what most people are forced to use.The bass quality in these when driven by such amps is exceptionally detailed and tight however.They are indeed famous for the quality and accuracy of their bass.
With a decent tube amp they can sound really magic though.They open up in a way that would make you doubt you are listening to the same speaker.Unfortunately the bass quality tends to suffer[the old story but magnified with these particular speakers].
With the Monduese they sound superb right across the sectrum.I have heard many Gales before but they have never sounded like what I heard with the Monduese.I would rank this as one of the very best sounds I have heard.They go from good to really great.
It beggars this question.If they can do this for a 30 year old speaker[albeit one of the best and most modern sounding of the vintage speakers],then what can they do for modern hi end speakers that are a difficult load ?
In am surely tempted to buy a pair of these and put the Gales in my "good" system with my Cabernet preamp.
I have always wanted a pair of Gale 401 chrome speakers for my second system.I am also a furniture designer and in my opinion they are the most lovely looking speakers ever built and very designer collectable.I remember hearing these in my youth powered by monster Accuphase power amps and Linn Sondek turntables.After many years of searching I managed to get a pair but they required a complete refurbishment including new woofer surrounds and spiders.I managed to get NOS midranges from Madisound and installed these too.
Now these have to be one of the most demanding of speakers to drive to their potential.They are low impedence and have highly damped sealed boxes.Many 200 watt RMS transistor amps really struggle to drive them.Furthermore they really don't sound that great with SS amps-which is what most people are forced to use.The bass quality in these when driven by such amps is exceptionally detailed and tight however.They are indeed famous for the quality and accuracy of their bass.
With a decent tube amp they can sound really magic though.They open up in a way that would make you doubt you are listening to the same speaker.Unfortunately the bass quality tends to suffer[the old story but magnified with these particular speakers].
With the Monduese they sound superb right across the sectrum.I have heard many Gales before but they have never sounded like what I heard with the Monduese.I would rank this as one of the very best sounds I have heard.They go from good to really great.
It beggars this question.If they can do this for a 30 year old speaker[albeit one of the best and most modern sounding of the vintage speakers],then what can they do for modern hi end speakers that are a difficult load ?
In am surely tempted to buy a pair of these and put the Gales in my "good" system with my Cabernet preamp.