Gale 401C's

[anudderwally]

hey folks... n00b here :) i been watching these forums for a little while now... thought id better register an ask a question!

i as an old fart (in Perth. WA) whos not had 'sounds' fer about 15 years now... due to being partnered with a body who dinna like most of my music (namely contemporary jazz, african an RnB) prolly coz i also liked it loud!

anyway... i is single now.. so i retrieved some stuff from da shed ... my ole Sansui 719 was corroded beyond repair .. :( (livin in a share house with uni architcture students combined with alcohol will do that!)

.. however my Gales are sorta OK .. although they are currently with a "speaker doctor" due to me trying to drive them with an under powered amp .... whoda thought 90W x 2 would do that? .. i do now!

so... the nub of me question is..... when they come outa hospital .... id be interested to know what you folk think i should feed my Gale 401C's? i do have a pref for pre/power combo... although i wouldn't object to integrated!

currently watching and hoping to bid on a "myryad" MP100/MA240 (in England) (120 x 2 into 8ohms)... but i dont fancy me chances :(

whataya reckon?

[blackraven]

What is you budget?

[anudderwally]

absolute very very tops is $1000 (aus) ... i is a 'poor' ole fart! :)

[blackraven]

That's a tight budget. I would look for used Adcom, Parasound, NAD, Rotel, Cambridge Audio or Belles gear (Belles Hot Rod 150A).

For a nice budget preamp, take a look at this Grant Fidelity Pream/DAC unit. I have one and it sounds great, especially with swapping out the stock tube for a 6DJ8.

Grant Fidelity TubeDAC-11 D/A Converter (http://shop.grantfidelity.com/Grant-Fidelity-TubeDAC-11-D-A-Converter.html)

Here is a review-

Grant Audio Tube DAC 11 (http://www.stereomojo.com/Grant%20Audio%20Tube%20DAC11.htm/GrantAudioTubeDAC11.htm)

Grant Fidelity TubeDAC-11 Review | Hi-Fi Systems Reviews | HighFidelityReview - Hi-Fi systems, DVD-Audio and SACD reviews (http://www.highfidelityreview.com/grant-fidelity-tubedac-11-review.html)


Another option for an amp is a Crown XLS 1500. These are high powered, 500wpc and there is a lot of buzz about it on the Audio Circles forum-

Crown XLS- for the rest of us! (http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=130191.0)

XLS DriveCore Series (http://www.crownaudio.com/usa/amplifiers/xls-drivecore.html)

If you decide to go this route, skip the 1000 and go for the 1500 which is supposed to have better sound.

For a very good 2 ch integrated take a look at this Outlaw RR2150. The reviews are excellent-

https://www.outlawaudio.com/products/rr2150.html

Outlaw Audio RR2150 Stereo RetroReceiver Review | Audioholics (http://www.audioholics.com/av-receiver-reviews/outlaw-audio-rr2150-receiver-review)

Outlaw Audio RR2150 stereo receiver | Stereophile.com (http://www.stereophile.com/integratedamps/306outlaw/index.html)


Hope this helps some!

[anudderwally]

thanks Blackraven ..... some interesting reading... ta! :)

been looking at Cambridge, NAD, Denon things ... and a 200w Adcom... but seller not responding to messages.. yet) limited availability of stuff in West Aust if one wants to audition! there's always eBay if i want to do it "on a wing and a prayer" ! :)

i should point out.... that im in no way an audiophile ( a wannabe maybe) ! Just an old fart with a pair of Gales, who likes loud jazz!! .......and RnB!

to emphasize that point...... i was told id need at least 200 watts output to make gales "sing" .... so... when searching specs, i have been dismissive of anything that did not approach 120w - 200w (x2) into 8 ohms! then i had a epiphanic (sic) moment an i actually googled specs of 401C's.. an low an behold... they 4ohms impedance..... FFS?... who knew?.... okay , you lot did... i didnt! ......i suspect that is point emphasized!!! (in spades) :)

[blackraven]

You should be fine with an amp that can do 120wpc with high current at 8 ohms and is rated for 4 ohm speakers like the RR2150.

Consider following the buzz about that Crown amp, it may be be just the ticket.

Other options are taking a look at Harman Kardon receivers, they are high current.
You may be able to find the discontinued HK-3490 that has bass management and preamp out.

HK 3490 | Powerful 2-channel AV Receiver with Amplifier | Harman Kardon US (http://www.harmankardon.com/estore/hk/us/products/HK-3490/HK%203490_HK_US)

Or consider the newer HK 3770