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Posted (edited)

G'day all, I have a pair of Gale GS401's. The amp I am currently using is poor. Has anyone got any suggestion on an amp that would give these speakers justice. I was thinking a Yamaha A-S1200. I am not full bottle on Amplifiers. Any help would be appreciated.

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Edited by Capgun

Posted

Either one, as long as it's the right fit, not going to send me bankrupt/divorced and quality.

Posted

Since you have the Gales it is absolutely essential that you have a high current amplifier that is capable of sub four ohm loads and the Yamaha definitely won't cut the mustard.

You should be looking at an amplifier that can double its rated eight ohm power output into four ohms and is stable with impedances below that as well.

This is where your budget comes into play because, if you are trying to get the best from the Gales you will need a seriously high current/high power amplifier and these do not come cheap.

  • Like 3
Posted (edited)

Do you have a decent preamp? If so, I can think of a few power amps.

Edited by kelossus

Posted
On 14/01/2025 at 8:34 AM, Capgun said:

G'day all, I have a pair of Gale GS401's. The amp I am currently using is poor. Has anyone got any suggestion on an amp that would give these speakers justice. I was thinking a Yamaha A-S1200. I am not full bottle on Amplifiers. Any help would be appreciated

 

As the man said:

 

33 minutes ago, rantan said:

if you are trying to get the best from the Gales you will need a seriously high current/high power amplifier and these do not come cheap.

 

The Yamaha A-S1200 you mentioned will certainly be able to get a noise out of the Galses (without blowing up) ... but it (and other integrateds like it) certainly won't make them sing.

 

However, you are lucky - either of these power amps currently in the SNA classifieds would do a great job:

 

image.png.3857ca69cdb6ff4ecd7b5cc523d91a25.png

 

 

However, as Chris pointed out ... you will need a preamp with either of these power amps.

 

Posted

Ok, now we're getting somewhere. This gives me a starting point and thank god I asked. I've always been into music heavily but never really went into the nitty gritty (How naïve). I'm invested now.

 

Thanks for the valued information everyone and I'll surely take a look at the ones in the classified. I'd rather spend the money on quality.

 

Will the rooms size play a factor with the size of these speakers? They are in my man cave, it's not small with a very high roof. Not that I can exactly change that. 

Posted
3 minutes ago, Capgun said:

Will the rooms size play a factor with the size of these speakers? They are in my man cave, it's not small with a very high roof.

 

I'd say ... not really.

 

I would suggest neither of the two amps I listed, will fall short in getting your Gales to give their best.

 

  • Like 1
Posted

Awesome cheers,

 

So if I am going to broaden my range on buying an amp. I'm essentially looking for a power amp with high current output. With a preamp? Our do I only need a preamp if I go for an integrated amp? 

 

Apologies for all the questions, but I want to get these right. I believe my Dad (Passed now) ran them with an  Accuphase E202 amp which disappeared long ago. 

Posted (edited)

some schools of thought to deal with...

"separates"

the pre-amp is it's own unit, it's own function and power supply etc. 

the power amp (for driving the speakers) is similar

 

an integrated attempts to 'conveniently' combine this into a multi-function but single unit. integrated amps are now coming with with digital to analogue converters (DAC) and internet or local drive media connections, Bluetooth, etc. etc. 

 

if you want an all in one box - go integrated. no need for pre-amp, but... there is discussion to be had in this space

 

Edited by wasabijim
  • Like 1

Posted

Regarding the preamp vs separates. It really comes down to your budget. Finding a capable integrated is going to be harder than finding separates. Not impossible though but that really comes back to your budget. For the 2k mark I think a Krell KAV300i would drive them, haven't tried it but I have a hunch it would be up to the task.

 

The Gales are fun speakers and it may seem silly to some to spend thousands on electronics for them but IMO they are worth it. If you really like them, have the funds to spend and aren't likely to change your mind. Go for it.

  • Like 2
Posted (edited)
23 minutes ago, Capgun said:

Awesome cheers,

 

So if I am going to broaden my range on buying an amp. I'm essentially looking for a power amp with high current output. With a preamp? Our do I only need a preamp if I go for an integrated amp? 

 

Apologies for all the questions, but I want to get these right. I believe my Dad (Passed now) ran them with an  Accuphase E202 amp which disappeared long ago. 

 

 

There is an E202 in Perth and one in Melbourne both on Facebook Marketplace. Unsure how much mumbo the E202 has, might not be ideal but if you wanted to recreate your old mans rig, the option is there.

Edited by kelossus
  • Like 1
Posted

What is your budget?

 

@Dacman (Stav) has a great Vitus integrated amp in the SNA Classifieds (300 / 600W) which should do the job, and it has an integrated streamer and dac combination to set you up for the foreseeable future. It's at the higher end of the price scale but might save you on upgrades for a while.

 

Good hunting.

  • Like 1
Posted

Look, my Dad has passed away years ago and he loved these things. They have been reconditioned recently to original spec so I feel obliged to make them do what they should do. I think I will be sitting anywhere up to 5k budget. This should get me there shouldn't it? As far as integrated vs separates, I should just probably look at both and see what comes my way. One guy I was talking to said if I can, get a good analog amp over digital, does that sound right? 

  • Like 2
Posted

5k is a healthy budget and definitely enough to get you rocking.

 

Regarding analog amp vs digital, I assume they are referring to Class D amps? I'm not a fan either but that's just my opinion. Class A or AB would be my preference. YMMV

  • Like 1

Posted

Definitely Class AB.

Some uninformed people in the audio industry ( who should know better ) often call aa Class D amplifier as a digital amplifier but it is nothing of the sort.

I am going to recommend an integrated amplifier that will have no problem with getting the best from the Gales and trust me, these speakers are well worth the effort.

This fits your budget and is a reliable, musical and powerful  integrated amplifier which is almost bulletproof and one that will not make your ears bleed.

 

https://www.klappav.com.au/shop/amplifiers/m6si-220-watt-dual-mono-integrated-amplifier-silver/?srsltid=AfmBOorDHYdZcn-0qsJ74VDkk8Qg-SQCIMU57K0T1cp9T47l6emXcSTj5MY

  • Like 5
Posted
1 hour ago, Capgun said:

Awesome cheers,

 

So if I am going to broaden my range on buying an amp. I'm essentially looking for a power amp with high current output. With a preamp?

 

Yes.  A power amp ... needs to be driven by a preamp - which provides a volume control (and source selection).

 

1 hour ago, Capgun said:

Or do I only need a preamp if I go for an integrated amp? 

 

An integrated amp is pre and power in the one box.

 

1 hour ago, Capgun said:

Apologies for all the questions, but I want to get these right. I believe my Dad (Passed now) ran them with an  Accuphase E202 amp which disappeared long ago. 

 

An Accuphase E202, from what I can find on the 'Net, was not a particularly good performer into 4 ohm spkrs.

 

So this suggestion:

 

31 minutes ago, rantan said:

This fits your budget and is a reliable, musical and powerful  integrated amplifier which is almost bulletproof and one that will not make your ears bleed.

 

https://www.klappav.com.au/shop/amplifiers/m6si-220-watt-dual-mono-integrated-amplifier-silver/?srsltid=AfmBOorDHYdZcn-0qsJ74VDkk8Qg-SQCIMU57K0T1cp9T47l6emXcSTj5MY

 

... will, I believe, power your Gales with more authority.

 

However, the power amps in the SNA Classifieds will do a better job, IMO.

 

  • Like 2
Posted

I can't thank you enough, once I get this set up I'll let you all know how it goes!!! 

  • Like 2
Posted

I'm not really in the pre-amp (analogue only) space so will let others talk to that ( I've seen members here write that a good one can transform your system, even when essentially it should be transparent to the point of being  "a wire with gain" as some say), but going the separates route let's you first focus on or consider an amp that's job is to do one thing - drive those Gales. That's a big box to have ticked and exciting to know you're got a solid foundation specific to your speakers regardless of pre-amp or source, etc. 
 

and to add more confusion... some integrated amps allow you to turn-off/by-pass either the pre- or power stage. It can be used as just a pre-amp feeding a separate pwr amp or use it as a pwr amp with a separate pre-amp. It sounds a bit redundant and I'm not sure why you would intentionally go this way, but if you get your pwr amp sorted you may find an integrated amp with a "pre-out" connection (bypassing it's own amp stage) that you can hook up to your brute of an amp. 

  • Like 1
Posted
10 minutes ago, wasabijim said:

I'm not really in the pre-amp (analogue only) space so will let others talk to that ( I've seen members here write that a good one can transform your system, even when essentially it should be transparent to the point of being  "a wire with gain" as some say), but going the separates route let's you first focus on or consider an amp that's job is to do one thing - drive those Gales. That's a big box to have ticked and exciting to know you're got a solid foundation specific to your speakers regardless of pre-amp or source, etc. 
 

and to add more confusion... some integrated amps allow you to turn-off/by-pass either the pre- or power stage. It can be used as just a pre-amp feeding a separate pwr amp or use it as a pwr amp with a separate pre-amp. It sounds a bit redundant and I'm not sure why you would intentionally go this way, but if you get your pwr amp sorted you may find an integrated amp with a "pre-out" connection (bypassing it's own amp stage) that you can hook up to your brute of an amp. 

Awesome info, the more I have the better. Cheers. 

  • Like 1

Posted

Condolences for your loss. The Gales are such cool speakers although I’ve only heard them at a cafe in Melbourne where they are (or were) being powered by a little valve amp. They certainly looked the business.

 

In case you're at all open to an audition, March Audio in WA do a range of very powerful class D power amps that seem to be good value and they come with a two week trial period and five year warranty. The prices start at $2,000 for a stereo amp that does 145 watts into 8 ohms, 285 watts into 4 ohms and 510 watts into 2 ohms. Prices and power levels climb from there. Class D amps are a popular technology even if recommending them can be a point of contention apparently 😉 (and I should say I only know those products by reputation but I'm surprised by how good my cheapy class D amp sounds at home).

 

Regardless of the power amp you use, if you listen to vinyl records, you either need a preamp with its own phono stage, or a preamp and an external phono stage. That will be where you connect a turntable.

  • Like 1
Posted
2 minutes ago, RCAJack said:

The Gales are such cool speakers although I’ve only heard them at a cafe in Melbourne where they are (or were) being powered by a little valve amp. They certainly looked the business.

 

A hipster cafe - Gales plus a little valve amp is more about the "vibe" ... than excellent sound.  However, I'm sure they made an excellent coffee!  :lol:

 

2 minutes ago, RCAJack said:

In case you're at all open to an audition, March Audio in WA do a range of very powerful class D power amps that seem to be good value and they come with a two week trial period and five year warranty. The prices start at $2,000 for a stereo amp that does 145 watts into 8 ohms, 285 watts into 4 ohms and 510 watts into 2 ohms. Prices and power levels climb from there.

 

Great suggestion.  👍

 

2 minutes ago, RCAJack said:

Regardless of the power amp you use, if you listen to vinyl records, you either need a preamp with its own phono stage, or a preamp and an external phono stage. That will be where you connect a turntable.

 

^  ^  ^  Good advice.

 

Posted
1 hour ago, RCAJack said:

Condolences for your loss. The Gales are such cool speakers although I’ve only heard them at a cafe in Melbourne where they are (or were) being powered by a little valve amp. They certainly looked the business.

 

In case you're at all open to an audition, March Audio in WA do a range of very powerful class D power amps that seem to be good value and they come with a two week trial period and five year warranty. The prices start at $2,000 for a stereo amp that does 145 watts into 8 ohms, 285 watts into 4 ohms and 510 watts into 2 ohms. Prices and power levels climb from there. Class D amps are a popular technology even if recommending them can be a point of contention apparently 😉 (and I should say I only know those products by reputation but I'm surprised by how good my cheapy class D amp sounds at home).

 

Regardless of the power amp you use, if you listen to vinyl records, you either need a preamp with its own phono stage, or a preamp and an external phono stage. That will be where you connect a turntable.

Thank you very much, I will have a look at them. Where do the operate from? In Perth?

Posted
10 minutes ago, Capgun said:

Thank you very much, I will have a look at them. Where do the operate from? In Perth?

 

Yes. 

 

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