I actually got the R8 based on your review, and am in love with it. It’s funny because I upgraded my tubes to the same ones that you have there. It’s a stunning combo!! Still loving the R8, but when I want to upgrade, I will look in this direction!! Well done. Great review. Thanks. 😉😉👍🏼👍🏼
The greatest integrated tube amp was made decades ago. Audio Matiere Majuscule, runs in triode and pentode simultaneously. A tube sound and tight bass, perfection.
Sometimes I prefer manual biasing over auto biasing, just because I can get it really accurate. Some auto biasing can be a bit hit and miss. I do love the idea of this amp though
I'm guessing that the amp runs in Ultra-linear mode, but wonder if KT90s can be used (I have some NOS Yugoslavian KT90s from the 1980s - much better than any KT88 I have heard). No doubt Thomas would answer, but I won't bother him as I now am a big fan of GM70s. Never-the-less I hope this amp sells well, a lot of thought and work has obviously gone into it. I really enjoyed watching your review, great production values and nicely voiced.
@@amb3cog Exactly. I had a British Icon Audio Stereo 40 Mk3M (wonderful amp). It ran in A/B and in either Triode or Ultra-linear. It was class A mostly and only to A/B when the volume was higher than was possible to listen to. It also could use EL34s, KT88s and KT90s.
The KT90 EI ( not the current Ruskies or Sino ! ) shines in triode mode .....the bass is tremendous with these tubes . 6550A GE .............will be fabulous also as well as genuine KT88 GEC ( not the Russian ) And if you're the lucky owner of 655OA Tungsol ( NOS !!!! ) ................ Stay away from KT120 etc ............
@@frankgeeraerts6243 Could not agree more, not a fan of the KT120. I was fortunate enough to visit the EI factory in Serbia, sadly it was just after the war and the factory closed down and has never opened again. The Yugoslav KT90 EI is very special, but a word of warning, the original KT90 was designed as a TV valve and can not be used in a KT88 amp.
Hello and thanks . The billie will be more punchy, have a bit more noise (hiss) and be more pronounced in the mid bass. The Galion will bring a much more open soundstage and transparency. Depends on what you like really. The Galion is also a 70lb plus amp! So it’s a heavy one. Both make great music; one is just more refined and “audiophile” (galion) but the price reflects this I guess. Have a great night.
@@2HatHudders I bought a pair of 12au7 Black Treasures and PSVane Cossor 5u4g rectifier tube for my Xduoo TA30. I bought another pair of 12au7’s as soon as I saw one available. I can’t get anymore. Otherwise, I’d buy more. I never want to roll another tube again. At least, with this system. I think the PSVane Mark II sounds too saturated for my liking.
Honestly I do not know, I have a bunch of music I pay for to use for videos and I just have hundreds of tracks available. I just one I like best fo reach video.
There's even a microprocessor in there handling the bias system, and the switching. In the actual audio path, there are only silicon diodes providing the DC power, and some zener diodes to as part of the protection system, which are not normally engaged unless an output tube cathode voltage gets too high when the amp will shut off.
I know you get asked all the time about comparisions, sorry, but could you mention the differences between the Naim Supernait 3 & Galion TS120se. Is the Naim more dynamic? Does the Galion make less noise?
any review of tube gear should include tube rolling with nos. we can read the specs ourselves .everybody knows that modern tubes are junk compared to vintage. it can save many people time and effort and make the amp sound the best. as an audiophile when i look at your system and see 3k cables and stock jj's on the billie amp...you are misinformed my friend tubes matter way more than your cables and a vintage used pair is under 100$. enjoy!
Class AB is...... for compensating ...........the electric caracter of many modern speakers ( with no offence to certain audiophiles ) BUT......... With the right speakers Class A...... RULES !
So is it correct that you didn't get the stock tubes that come with the Galion TS120 SE? If that is the case, I'm wondering why Thomas wanted you to review a modified amp?
It’s not a modified amp at all. You can choose these tubes when ordering as an upgrade. I am guessing that others reviewed or will review with stock tubes. So there is a mix. This is what was sent though! Thank you.
They sound different ' Class AB warmer stronger fuller Class A Much more transparent Much cleaner sounding ' And some speakers will prefer more power of class A and some speakers will sound better with better transparency and lower power '
This is push pull amp where tubes are biased in class A or class AB. It is not single ended class A. So tehnically there is not any benefits of class A.
@@munja2111 There is, because there's no crossover distortion. Also the valves/tubes operate on different parts of their load line characteristics than they would in class AB. In class AB each tube only handles part of the waveform, but in class A it handles all of it, one in the opposite polarity to the other rather like a bridge mode across the output transformer. In class A the power draw is almost constant irrespective of the volume you are listening at, so the output valves/tubes have to work much harder. In class A the HT/B+ voltage is lowered to prevent them from suffering premature failure. The Gallion/Doge (I own the Prima Donna version of the Doge 10) has taps on the power transformer which are switched in when class A is in use.
Disappointing to see you fell into this trap. Wilsenton/Doge knockoff at twice the price. Value??? Well there is the shipping container... The one year warranty on a Chinese made piece makes one look at the service options. No central service set up. Up to 3 month wait. Run don't walk away from this one.
If you were at Apoxna 2023, people were running to the Galion showroom. It was one of the rare rooms that required a sign up to enter because so many people were waiting to listen.
