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

Here is a review-

Grant Audio Tube DAC 11

Grant Fidelity TubeDAC-11 Review | Hi-Fi Systems Reviews | HighFidelityReview - Hi-Fi systems, DVD-Audio and SACD reviews


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!

XLS DriveCore Series

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

Outlaw Audio RR2150 stereo receiver | Stereophile.com


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

Or consider the newer HK 3770