Speaker Asylum: REVIEW: Gallo Acoustics Reference3 SA Amplifier Speakers by arms

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 arms ( A ) on September 15, 2005 at 08:43:56
IP Address: 210.0.229.221

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for the Reference3 SA Amplifier

This is a follow-up review to the Gallo Reference III speakers review that I posted last year.
My Gallo Reference III had been fully burnt-in and I was very happy with it even without using a bass amp to drive the 2nd voice coil. What I said last year about this pair of gem are still true today. However, it is kind of unfortunate that it has become a trademark and style of Anthony Gallo to annouce a product, sent it for review and put it on their webpage long before it goes into production. In the case of the Reference3 SA amp, it was over 1 year. This doesn't reflect too well on the company and it makes us consumer feel that Gallo is always releasing "vaporware" rather than real products.
Anyway, the Reference3 SA Amp was finally in poduction. My dealer in Hong Kong adviced me that they would get the first shipment to Hong Kong in Sept 2005. I was asked to put down an advance deposit to secure an order.
So, I finally got the first Gallo Reference3 SA Amp in Hong Kong about 2 weeks ago. The amplfier was surprisingly heavy and quite well-built. Connecting the amplifier up with the preamp and speakers were quite simple and straight-forward. Setting up the amp to blend in with the main amp did take quite a bit of experimentation. You can go crazy with the amount of variables that you can set including the low-pass filter frequency, dual mono phase control, equalizer setting and dual mono volume control. I tend to find I need at least 2 to 3 different settings for different kind of music and different settings especially for home theater. One important thing to note about initial setup is that the recessed front "off/auto/on" switch was set to the off position as the default setting from factory, and you would need to set it to on or auto, otherwise there would be no sound coming out of it. I took me a while to find out why it was not working on the first day.
Now on to the sound. Did it make any difference? In one word, it made a "huge" diference, especially with the bass. Previously without the SA amp, I did not think the speakers were lacking in bass, now with it conected, I cannot bear listening to the speakers without the SA amp turned on unless if I was listening to music that has little low bass. The bass is now fully extended. The bass is extended and well-defined and the speed is good, that is unless you overdo it, then the bass can become too fat and overpowering. Bass drums have a really satisfying "thump" now. needless to say, it made a even bigger difference with home theater sound. I strongly recommend any Gallo Reference III owner to get this amp. It made a huge difference for me, I think it would do the same for you.

Product Weakness: Some of the witches and the volume controls are a bit plasticky and do not fit in with the high overall build quality
Product Strengths: It made the Gallo Reference III speakers even better and turned them into a pair of true full-range speakers

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Cello Duet 350
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Audio Sythesis passive preamps and Rotel RSP-1066
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	McIntosh MVP-861/Musical Fidelity Trivistor 21 DAC
Speakers:	Gallo Reference III
Cables/Interconnects:	Audioquest and MIT
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Jazz, big band, classical, pop, rock
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	Some of the witches and the volume controls are a bit plasticky and do not fit in with the high overall build quality
Product Strengths:	It made the Gallo Reference III speakers even better and turned them into a pair of true full-range speakers