Speaker Asylum: REVIEW: Gallo Acoustics Reference3 SA Amplifier Speakers by Doc Sarvis General speaker questions for audio and home theater.

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Model:	Reference3 SA Amplifier
Category:	Speakers
Suggested Retail Price:	unknown
Description:	The subwoofer bass amp for Reference III loudspeakers
Manufacturer URL:	Gallo Acoustics
Manufacturer URL:	Gallo Acoustics

Review by Doc Sarvis ( A ) on December 04, 2005 at 17:36:22 IP Address: 205.208.209.108

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Review – Gallo Reference3 SA Amplifier

This is a follow up to a review I posted on September 27, describing the Gallo Nucleus Reference3 Speakers.

If you read that review, you will note that I described a separate “subwoofer amp”, that was “soon to be forthcoming” from Gallo, and for which the speakers had been designed to accommodate. The Reference3 speakers feature two sets of binding posts; not for bi-wiring as is common in high-end speakers; one set is to accommodate this special “SA” amplifier (or another amp with a crossover network) which drives the speakers’ second woofer voice coil.

When Gallo released the Reference3’s to almost universal acclaim, the SA amplifier was not available. At the time of writing my original review, I was still using a separate Sunfire subwoofer to cover frequencies below the 40 Hz-or-so floor of the Gallos (Gallo actually claims a floor of 34 Hz), and to occasionally add some enjoyable (if not accurate) bass slam to my music. I had not yet decided whether I would eventually “take the plunge” with the SA amplifier, once it became available. As it turns out, the SA started showing up on the market at about the same time as my review. Further, I began a step-by-step replacement of my main system, and decided the time was right to sell the Sunfire, and invest in the SA amp. My reasoning was that anything that had been designed into the Reference3’s specifications was worth a serious listen. So, without a pre-hearing, I ordered the SA from my favorite online dealer, Upscale Audio’s Kevin Deal. (Interestingly, Upscale indicates that the SA has “general” bi-amping usefulness; in other words, not limited to the Reference3s. I can’t speak to that, since I’m using it with the manufacturer’s own product, but it stands to reason that the SA amp could be used in this manner. Gallo also indicates that the SA amplifier can be used in other applications, including as a standalone full-range power amp, and as an amp for passive subwoofers, but I have not tried any of these.)

When I received the SA, I was immediately impressed by its general heft and build quality. I ordered the black faceplate, and the amp is very attractive. It comes with removable rack mount ears, as well as front handles. It was also apparent that the SA amp is extremely versatile, owing to the number of settings available. (I’ll describe the ones I have used as we go, but many of the others support applications I haven’t had cause to attempt.) Many of the front panel knobs are recessed to prevent unauthorized tampering by little ones or nosy guests. The rear panel includes, in addition to the normal connections you’d expect on an active subwoofer, a switch between full-range and crossover-dependent operation, presumably to allow for the use of the SA as a regular amp, or in certain home theater settings.

In addition to a master power switch, the front panel also sports a setting allowing for a choice of auto-on or continuous-on operation. I opted for the “auto” setting and have kept it there, although this has an unexpected side-effect: In the "auto" mode, the amp turns on, automatically enough, with an audible click, as soon as a low frequency signal is detected, sometimes well after the music has started (such as the case with classical selections and while listening at low volume). This is not an annoyance at all but worth mentioning. Also in "auto" mode, when the amp is not engaged an LED indicator glows red; when the amp automatically switches on the indicator turns green. Pretty cool.

One more note at this point: The instruction manual (downloadable from the Gallo site, by the way) indicates that warm (and sometimes hot) temperatures can be expected from the SA. In my experience this has absolutely not borne out – the amp has remained at room temperature of slightly above. There is also an internal fan designed to cool the electronics should the temperature rise; I have noticed it running but not overly often. I’ve concluded that the heat warning applies more to non-Reference3 speaker applications, or with bass cranked up to a non-tasteful level (home theater, perhaps?). In any event, it’s been a non-issue for me.

For my initial listening, I have used a tubed preamp, and mated the SA with an Odyssey Stratos solid-state power amp. Initially, I thought that the SA was surprisingly soft, even at high volumes, but them I realized that, because of the Stratos’ input sensitivity, I was being forced to keep the preamp’s volume at such a low level, that the SA was not getting enough juice. A pair of Rothwell line attenuators between the preamp and the Stratos matched everything up nicely, and the whole package really started to sing. (I would recommend that SA buyers pick up a pair of these - my dealer, Kevin Deal, has a link to the Rothwell site on his Upscale Audio website; they cost about fifty bucks U.S. and are really useful in amp matching for the SA.)

One I could really start listening critically, I was impressed with what I heard. When I had used a separate subwoofer previously, I usually kept it at low volumes in order to create a seamless, full frequency presentation. With the SA amp in place, the Gallos do this effortlessly. Using a test CD, I confirmed that I am getting sub-25 Hz tones, and the SA’s volume controls make it a snap to blend them into the rest of the frequencies. The result for me is a full-range speaker, that doesn’t sound like I am using a separate subwoofer. I’m sure that more aggressive bass boost could produce a much more movie-like sound, but that’s not what I am after. After tweaking the adjustments for a while, I’ve tended to leave the SA controls alone – although different types of music do call for occasional independent adjustments of the SA’s volume knob. My personal blend is so seamless that I can easily forget the SA amp is there; that is, until I turn it off. Then, it’s apparent that the new amp adds significant depth and richness to the Gallos’ sound. In other words, the SA amp can be adjusted to add either subtle or more dramatic changes to the sound – I’ve opted for subtlety, but others may choose a different path.

As for the adjustments: The first is for the crossover point; Gallo recommends setting it at the lowest level – 40 Hz – when using the Reference3 speakers. I’ve used my ears and settled on about a 60 Hz crossover point, which fits my tastes and room acoustics nicely.

Next, the amp allows for separate phase control by channel. Most users will leave these alone; however, Gallo explains that they can be used to compensate for room acoustics issues by competent installers. One important point, though: My tube preamp inverts phase (like many others), and after some experimentation with test CDs (and a call to Gallo), I realized that I should set the phase to 180 degrees when using the SA with this preamp.

Finally, there is a bass-boost feature. I began by setting this at the maximum level (6 db’s of boost), and have gradually been throttling back in the weeks since I bought the SA. Is this the result of the Reference3 speakers’ accelerated break-in being facilitated by the SA amp? I believe so.

For two-channel listening, the SA amp is highly recommended, since it brings the Reference3’s to a new level of full-range performance. Used as I do, however, the effect is, as previously stated, subtle. I point this out only to emphasize that the Gallos are magnificent speakers with out the SA amp added, but there is another pinnacle of performance for which they are capable, that the SA amp can provide. The SA amp is, at the end of the day, is for music - an audiophile’s upgrade to the already-excellent Gallo Reference3 speakers.

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Product Weakness:	None, really
Product Strengths:	See review

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Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	See review
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	See review
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Various
Speakers:	See review
Cables/Interconnects:	Various
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Various
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

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