At the end of the video we offer (in Thomas & Stereo, time honoured tradition), some live demos of the TS120 playing Clare Teal’s version of Cole Porter’s classic, ‘I’ve Got you under my skin’. The demos were recorded in our Belgian listening room using a Roland R26, with the built in ‘XY’ and ‘omnidirectional’ microphones, placed in (+/-) the listening position. The equipment was:
Rega P10 turntable with Apheta 3 MC cartridge and Aria Mk 3 pre-amplifier, through the Galion TS120 SE and out via our Sibelius SG loudspeakers, slightly toed in.
*Please note that at 06:55 I say ‘left hand of the piano’, when I mean to say ‘acoustic Bass’.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
04:17 The Galion TS120 arrives
05:05 Powering it up
07:16 Setup and sound
09:36 Summary
15:20 Sound demo 1
15:57 Sound demo 2
16:34 Sound demo 3
17:12 Sound demo 4
As always, if you would like to find out more about Pearl Acoustics and our Sibelius loudspeakers, please visit our website at:
http://www.pearlacoustics.com
or email us with your questions:
[email protected]
Social media links:
https://www.facebook.com/PearlAcoustics
https://www.instagram.com/pearl.acoustics
More information on the Galion TS120 can be found here:
https://www.galion-audio.com/products/galion-ts120-tube-integrated-amplifier-1
source
We're all so proud of you, Thomas. What an amazing adventure this has been for us all to see and hear.
why use a Preamp???
You need to replace tubes, so tube amps are high maintenance for sure. With shifting performance goal posts over time. That's why a noted British speaker brand (hint – "H") never evaluate their speakers in design stage with tube amps. The tube amps are not considered consistent from one day to another day due to the tubes natural deterioration. That tells you something.
I'm a big fan of your channel, Harley, and also of Thomas' channel. I am so, so happy for Thomas. Your review no doubt means a real lot to Thomas…and for me, too. Your reviews are a great value for me. A TS120SE will be on order in due course. Ta
What are those tower speaker you have? What's the point of such a huge cabinet with such small drivers?
Thanks for the Jackson Browne "Linda Paloma" tip. I wonder whether there will be someone out there compiling a spreadsheet listing which amplifier type to use for playing such & such music. If made public such a reference work would give a whole new topic for audiophiles to "engage in civilized discourse" on.
How does it compare with an Audio Research amp, say their latest release models?
AB is a little smoother… or class A is a little harsher…
Great review! Having received the SE last week my only negative at this time are the blue lights on the front can be distracting if listening in darkness.. really this amp is on a whole other level!!!
Hi Harley
Noticed that your sibelius are set quite fall apart, maybe 2.5~3 m and have quite a bit of toe in. How fall away is your listening position? Equidistant?
I'm really glad for Thomas that he got a great review. I hope he gets a lot more of them. He worked long and hard to get exactly what he wanted. This is his reward for a job well done.
Interesting review. I would have loved more comparisons to other amps, such the Sugden, Pass and Primaluna. I was surprised that I could hear a difference between A and AB, even from a crummy laptop with earphones. One thing I would LOVE to see on integrated/pre-amps is names on inputs, rather than 1234, but programmable TT, DAC, Tape, Tuner, … With todays LCD displays, that should be no problem. Or with some rotary dials similar to day mechanisms on a good mechanical watch. I could put stickers on the amp, but that is just plain ugly.
Re tone controls, personally not a fan. With good recordings and good equipment, I let them do the job, and let me be surprised at times. Similarly, I would never ask for salt when dining at alinea in Chicago or Sorrel in San Francisco. I know there are proponents of tone control.
PS. Looking forward to part 3 of the TT/Rega discussion. All the best for the new year!
Hi Harley.
Very nice video and amp.
I hope one day I can own a pair Sibelius speakers.
Gr André de vries.
I would almost buy it just for its looks … and for its capability to switch from class A to A/B. So, if the amp is in class A/B mode, it doesn't get hot or uses insane amounts of power?
Wonderful it sounds really good. Looks? Have you seen the Italian crafted tube amps? It doesn't play at that level yet …Cheers. If the amp did look like ultra hi end then again the price would also be at that level, tsk.
Wonderful review of this exquisite piece of equipment. The high end tube amplifiers such as this Galion are on the level of their own and combined with the components of the same class, as is the case here, provide us with an ultimate esoteric musical experience. By the way, could You please tell us when is the Part 3 of the turntable series due?
Nice review, Thomas has done a good job, he has voiced the Doge 10 amplifier to what he likes, however I feel you need to give more credit to Mr Zey Liu of Doge Amplifiers. Many of the features and functions you describe are standard on the Doge 10 amplifier designed by Mr Liu, Thomas has just refined this amplifier to his personal taste. I don't want to take any thing away from Thomas, but the Doge 10 design is very innovative to start with and they have improved their product since the Galion TS120SE, please check them out and give them some credit as well, they are a Cottage Industry just like your brand. Whilst talking of smaller brands, have you looked at Felix Audio's Arioso 300B amplifier, beautifully made in Poland, I have this amplifier and I love it, not as many features as the Galion or Doge, but still a fantastic product from another small cottage industry company. Love your reviews and comments.
👍👍
Thank you for doing such a great review. Your voice would be so good for voice over work. 😊
I want
I scratch your back and you scratch mi back, the Thomas Stereo – Pearl Acoustic love display reaches a new level of HiFi cabaret talks, top class, and nicely massages the already sugar addicted crowd.
I have been following the development of this amplifier by Thomas, now I know where its at , and its about time we had tone controls ,Great review .Thank you 🙏
Oh, those speakers paired with that amp…what a treat that must be to hear that pairing! Great video, thank you.
Congratulations to Thomas. And congratulations for a well done review.
I think that this must be pretty darn good if you can't find anything negative to say. I am bothered by just one little thing, and that is the spelling of its name. I know that the spelling has nothing to do with the performance, and it's a pretty minor quibble, but it does bother me!
Harley, this was extra special because, it gave me a chance to hear the speakers too! I did find the A and A very warm, easy on the ears. The AB – A a touch brighter perhaps, and everything in the B mode was a bit harsher in the upper midrange. Were you getting something similar in your actual listening experiences?
I will say, most all the higher end tube amps made in China are VERY nicely made and appointed. This includes those from Primaluna, and my very own Willsenton R8. The volume controls are motorized and made in Japan across a number of brands. The Willsenton R8's remote is also make of metal and has the metal machined buttons.
In conclusion, it is because of Thomas and Stereo and his review of the R8, that I purchased one straight away ! I am running that amp in 4 ohm mode with a lovely pair of Martin Logan Classic 9 electrostatics. It's a very surprising pairing for sure. Again, thanks for a very relaxed video presentation. 🙂
Sorry but 95% of the points you make about the Galion amp is already included in the Doge 10 amp that I own including all the functions on the remote for less then half the price of the Galion. The Doge 10 does not have tone controls and the A,B and T options but for an extra $2500 is that really worth it? Give credit where credit is due.
Thank you Harley for 5he review and Thomas for this product! In general I do prefer single ended topology, but push-pull class A like this one is also amazing, especially for bass control. Congratulations!
I personally like Thomas even if 90% of what he reviews is way more than I need. I could probably afford a fair amount of what he reviews if I wish to make a few lol… Lifestyle changes. But as I said I don't need a $$$$$ system. I'd not likely ever play louder than 85-90 Db, but more often than not I'd be listening at 65-70, maybe even Lower. But Thomas is an effecting individual whose reviews are always interesting. And I like his story telling. I also think his approach to reviews is exemplary. And why they are is he checks his feelings and perceptions against a panel of like minded friends. Friends who share some overriding principals the biggest being does it create or reproduce a sound quality they agree on. Is it good enough? lol . And only then he will tell them what it costs. And while we've never met in person we have had some good laughs and along with his reviews and story telling he's like a friend. And as that friend I knew his Amp would be incredible and I wish him all the success he can get. And that you have confirmed what I believed in it's quality and it's integrity to produce or translate an excellent sound stage, harmonics, that mystical quality of joy makes me very happy. And that's… Good Enough.
Hello from Montreal, Actually Thomas lent me the Galion to try. I knew him from a previous speaker discussion. I called him up with a question and asked me if I wanted to try his amp because he knew I had harder to drive speakers. The amplifier came we set it up and wow can it deliver. Everything is solid and satisfying to the touch from the volume control to the remote and it doesn’t run hot. My impression is that right out of the gate you are immersed in the sound, it’s immediate but controlled so this amp can power my Veritys being at 86 dbs with ease. Your description is spot on. I think we all want our gear to shine and stand out and complement each other. This amplifier does in droves. All the best
I've had the pleasure of having Thomas's flagship Galion at my place for a nice listening session, and I was totally amazed by the sound quality of this amplifier! The soundstage that it is able to project is remarkable, the tone and texture of the instruments and voices is spot on (at least to my personal taste) and something I rarely see in a tube amplifier is all the dynamic and control over the bass range, texture, speed, very impressive!
It should be sold as a package with the Sibelius! 😬
Reverting description 🔥
Listening via iPad Pro to dac and to Sennheiser 660s ……:-)
Harley – I appreciate your reviews very much. It seems this is a great amp by your description.
I hate to mention anything negative, but, I have listened to Linda Paloma several times now and I cannot hear a piano at all?! Harp, a couple guitars, violin, voice….I think the point is that it is traditional Mexican orchestration. I am not trying to embarrass you – I just know you have A LOT of experience with recording classical music and it just seems WEIRD that you would say piano when it is OBVIOUSLY a harp (or possibly a harp like traditional instrument).
Anyway, thanks for your contributions. And, like at least a few others on these comments I am looking forward to Part 3 on the Rega 10.