2. amps-preamps
  3. 184144-135250

Thinking about another amplifier (Galion)

I keep coming across this Galion amp for some reason. I’ve watched a whole bunch of videos and read as much as I can about it. I’m leaning towards picking one up because of all the great things I hear about the bass, and that it still manages to deliver the rest of the tube magic at a nice price. But before going any further, I thought I’d ask if someone here might have some experience going from a 300B SET amp to something else, and if you were satisfied or not?

The current amplifier (pun intended) is a Line Magnetic LM-805ia (uses 2x 300B, 2x 805, 2x 6SN7 and a 6SL7). The one I’m looking at is a Galion TS120SE amplifier (uses 4x KT88 and 4x 12AX7).

I’m pretty darn happy with everything about my current setup...except I wouldn’t mind sacrifiing some of my super-sweet and syrupy mid-range for a little bit more bass, tightness, and slam. In case you’re wondering, I do have a 1 REL S/510 sub. I don’t plan on getting rid of my current amplifier anytime soon, but will eventually need to since I don’t really have the space for another big and heavy tube amp/ WAF.

I’d like to save myself from the whole cost and upgrade headache of swapping in new gear and having moving things around forever to get it all just right again. If there is a general concensus that this purchase is not be a great manuevuer, then I’ll steer clear.

In case it matters, I listen to mostly 70’s rock and soft/rock, funk, soul, 80’s new-wave/alt, all the great piano/singers, 90’s "grunge", acid-jazz, downtempo, and newer electronic music.

Speakers are Tannoy Turnberry and I mostly stream though a Lumin S1. Rarely, I’ll spin some vinyl (Rega Planar 6).

Some amps I’ve had in the past: Sansui Au-9500, Peachtree Nova 300, Prima Luna EVO 400. I’m hoping to get the bass the Peachtree Nova 300 had without giving up much else.

Thanks in advanced for taking the time to reading this and for your opinion.

veerossi
dz13
287 posts
 

@veerossi great news. When you get it, I'd love to hear what you think about it. The thing that bothers me a bit about the amp is how much warm up time is needed for it to sound the best and if you change a setting it is start over from the beginning. 

veerossi OP
174 posts
 

ghdprentice

I was looking at Audio Research's amplifiers and there are very nice. Unfortunately, I saw this thread today: 

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/audio-research-in-receivership?utm_source=sendgrid&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=website

ghdprentice
8,150 posts
 

OP,

 

I am aware of the current status of Audio Research. It would not deter me in any way from buying a new or used component. I have owned multiple components for over 30 years without failure. So, great opportunity to snatch up a world class audio product regardless of their current status. 
 

Audio Research will continue. Trent was a great owner, and I am very sorry for the perfect storm that hit him shortly after he purchased the company… interest rate increase, tube cost increase, and inflation. I have communicated with him a number of times… great individual. But Audio Research will live on. I would unhesitatingly buy any of their products.

dz13
287 posts
 

@veerossi Just doing a quick look, the "bankruptcy" isn't filed under Federal law, it is in Minnesota under state law. Companies use these reorganization statutes to deal with debt that they can't handle sometimes to slow things down. Creditors have very little incentive to want a sell off of the assets (going out of business sale) because there would only be pennies returned on the dollar. The assignment to the LIghthouse Management is not unlike a Trustee in Bankruptcy who is there to make sure everything is done correctly and no one is hiding anything. 

There are later posts in the thread which say that the company is still operating as normal. In any event, you probably have 2 results. Either the company gets reorganized and run better or more efficiently or there is a fire sale and you can pick up products at good prices. You're probably ok either way especially if the products are as good as @ghdprentice says. 

mhutama
16 posts
 

I wouldn’t move from Line Magnetic to Galion. You can buy the Galion and compare. If you like it more, then sell the LM.  I have LM 518ia and it’s one amplifier that still stays in my system since I bought it and I have tried 7-8 amps the last 3 years. The midrange on Line Magnetic is just superb, true that the bass is not so tight and I compensate that with a subwoofer. 

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