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Gallo Ref III Amps/impressions

I currently own Maggie 1.6qr's and have been in the market to move up to 3.6r's. In anticipation of that I bought an Innersound ESL MKIII, new from Innersound (last of these). I love the amp, and it has MASSIVE power. I had planned to match with the bigger Maggies, but after reading many reviews I am contemplating a move to the Gallo Ref III.

Part of the reason, is that I just sold my Sunfire True Signature sub, and was going to buy a Velodyne DD-12 (faster, easier to set up), and read that the Gallo would work very well without a sub. Anyway 2 questions:

1) Has anyone heard the Gallo Ref III with the mystery SA Amp attached? Can you go sans sub in that configuration?

2) What about using my Innersound ESL amp with these? The amp is 300w @ 8ohm, 600 @ 4ohm. The guys at Gallo (very helpful), suggested that I keep the Innersound. He said that the Ref III would love the power, and it would, as it does with Maggies, ML's, SoundLabs, extend the bass a ton. What do you think??
macdadtexas
rolloff
130 posts
 
Rives PARC? I haven't heard of this. Any more information Jburidan?
Thanks,
David
jburidan
803 posts
 
David:
The Rives PARC is an analog parametric equalizer. It goes between pre-amp and amp. Using a test CD and SPL meter, the owner measures frequency responses in the listening room below 350Hz, and then programs the PARC to yield flat frequency reponse. It's the best thing since womens beach volleyball. Many CES exhibitors rely on PARC to tame room breathing modes. My dream is to own a pair of Meadowlark Blue Heron 2's, and Rives PARC. Check out the Rives website for more information.
Best wishes,
Jay
(This is a two channel signature.)
chazzbo
1,007 posts
 
Not much recently on the Gallos.But wish I knew if it was the end all and be all.It won product of the year from so many sources like 6 Moons,Absolute Sound etc.I was thinking of many speakers that are compacty which I haven't heard like the well reviewed Gershman RX-20 and have experience with ,B&W,Audio Physics etc.I was thinking of maybe used Quad 988,used Preludes, or a number of others but when you look at the price versus claims maybe Gallo is worth a shot.I had a pair of Ref II's and liked them but they weren't the perfect speaker.And I thought the Bose compteing little Nucleus spheres (even with the better 150 sub) sucked almost as bad as Bose.So I am slightly wary.Was just hoping more folks had gotten out thjere and given them a listen.
chazzbo
P.S> fully checked the threads and there are over 150to go through so I mispoke.Just want to know if it's the reall deal value/performance wise or another payola thing the way the early little spheres were.
carusoracer
10 posts
 
Like Mikey said "Try it you'll like it"

Seriously, I listened to my Ref 3's waiting for the SA and enjoy them quite a bit without activating the 2nd voicecoil.
Whenever I added another amp with Fmods etc,I could never tame the bass to my liking. Albeit I did not have seperate volume controls...With that said I really enjoy the SA.

The SA takes the speakers into another league. The bass is strong and firm,you can feel through out the room but not punchy or viscereal like a ported Speaker. Very tight and deep.
What the Bass Amp really does is correct room or listening environment issues. You can tailor the Crossover and Bass boost with seperate Volume and phase to your Heart's content. Just do'nt get to carried away to lose that sweet midrange and unbelievable imaging and high end.

IMHO Highly recommended YMMV
macdadtexas OP
1,794 posts
 
Wow, I have to tell you that I only kept my Gallo's for about 3 months, then moved on to Maggie 3.6R's. The SA amp was not available yet, and I was powering the second voice coil with an older Parasound amp. I did not have the Granite Audio stands either, that raise and solidify the Gallos. That said, I thought they were great!! For the money I thought they were the best speaker I had ever heard.

But, I did switch back to Maggies. Sorry, I just like the sound of planars much better.
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