Is the Galion TS A75 a good match for KEF’s R3 Meta?

[dingren]

Hello all audio gurus. Hope you are all having a good day.

My question (apologies in advance as I’m very new to this) is as per the title: KEF R3 Meta + Galion TS A75 a good match? An Eversolo A6 ME will be the pre amp and source for the A75, and I primarily stream my music through Tidal.

I have absolutely zero experience in passive audio, having only owned KEF’s X300A and then upgraded to the LS50 Wireless mk1, which I am currently using. Reason for upgrading to the R3 is I want something that sounds more powerful (meaty?) while retaining the LS50W’s detail and clarity. I cannot go the sub route and I do not have the space for it.

Another power amplifier that I am currently considering is Rotel’s RB1552 mk2. I auditioned the R3 Metas + Bluesound Node + RA1592 mk2 (I would naively assume the sound to be similar with the RB1552 mk2??) last week and I find the combo quite pleasing to my ears. However, I didn’t like the combo of the R3 Metas + Bluesound Node + Cambridge Audio CXA81 mk2.

Therefore, I would like to ask, anyone here have any experience with the A75 + R3 Meta combo? I have no way to audition the combo as there is only 1 local dealer for the A75 and he does not have any experience with KEF speakers, nor his previous customers.

Looking forward to the responses here! Thanks again and have a great day everyone!!

 

[staticV3]

Hi @dingren! Welcome to ASR.

You can use this calculator to estimate your power requirements:

Peak SPL Calculator

The R3 Meta has an efficiency of about 82 dB SPL (1W/1m).

Regarding the Galion Amp, I've gotta say that 100W per channel (4Ω) for $1500 is really poor value.

Galion doesn't seem to provide any measurements either, only pretty photos of boats and landscapes, so I'm very sceptical that they make quality hardware.

 

[Vincent Kars]

We designed the TS A75 to deliver quality watts over quantity watts.

Looks like they borrowed some marketing from Naim.

 

[Grotti]

Have a look at the reviewed amplifiers at ASR. You will almost certainly find some amps, that perform technically better than the two mentioned (even though it is a guess due to the lack of independent measurements). That doesn't mean, that they are sonically better, when used within their power limits. Is there s special reason why you mentioned only amplifiers working in class AB? I would strongly recommend to consider class D amplifiers also....

 

[Talisman]

Personally for a similar amount of money, if you want a quality integrated amplifier that is nice to look at and will presumably last for many years, I would go for the Yamaha a-s1200

"The saying, 'A veil has been lifted,' is how you will feel with the TS A75"


Stay a mile away from this stuff....

 

[Scrivs]

Jesus, I clicked on the”Giant Killer Galion TS A75 Power Amp” Link and knew it was going to be… Questionable.

Is it just me, or does the Galion company logo appear to be the doppelgänger of a certain squash-buckling P.C parts (smps) company device?

The thing I wasn’t able to scroll pass was that vomit-inducing, simple-minded term— Giant Killer. When I see phrases such as these, my cheeks redden in embarrassment for this fledgling audio Armada.

Also, isn’t it: “Galleon?”

 

[Scrivs]

Also, TS-A75 sounds like a form you complete at the airport NOT consenting to the full-cavity search.

Giving you a few clues dingre

 

[dingren]

as

Hi @dingren! Welcome to ASR.

You can use this calculator to estimate your power requirements:

Peak SPL Calculator

The R3 Meta has an efficiency of about 82 dB SPL (1W/1m).

Regarding the Galion Amp, I've gotta say that 100W per channel (4Ω) for $1500 is really poor value.

Galion doesn't seem to provide any measurements either, only pretty photos of boats and landscapes, so I'm very sceptical that they make quality hardware.

Thanks for the calculator! I’ll have a play around with it.

 

[dingren]

Have a look at the reviewed amplifiers at ASR. You will almost certainly find some amps, that perform technically better than the two mentioned (even though it is a guess due to the lack of independent measurements). That doesn't mean, that they are sonically better, when used within their power limits. Is there s special reason why you mentioned only amplifiers working in class AB? I would strongly recommend to consider class D amplifiers also....

No specific reason for choosing class AB amps to be honest. Maybe only the impression of it being “stronger” and “tougher” as they come in bulky big hunks of steel??

Only 1 class D amp that I gave a serious thought about: the Fosi Audio V3 Mono, after reading the excellent review of it here. But, as I couldn’t find any reviews of it being paired to the R3 Metas or something similar (maybe I have not done my research thoroughly?), I discounted it.

 

[dingren]

Jesus, I clicked on the”Giant Killer Galion TS A75 Power Amp” Link and knew it was going to be… Questionable.

Is it just me, or does the Galion company logo appear to be the doppelgänger of a certain squash-buckling P.C parts (smps) company device?

The thing I wasn’t able to scroll pass was that vomit-inducing, simple-minded term— Giant Killer. When I see phrases such as these, my cheeks redden in embarrassment for this fledgling audio Armada.

Also, isn’t it: “Galleon?”

Yes, I agree. The marketing is a bit….much…

 

[Another Bob]

I think you'll find the consensus around here is that "pairing" amps and speakers really isn't a thing. Except for speakers that provide an unusually difficult load (and nothing from KEF falls into that category), as long as you have enough power given your speakers' efficiency and your listening habits (volume), any two competently-designed solid state amps are going to sound the same. You may prefer one amp over another based on looks, or build quality, or the manufacturer's customer service reputation, etc., which is fine. Any sonic preference, however, is almost certainly due an improperly controlled test.

 

[jaeelarr]

Jesus, I clicked on the”Giant Killer Galion TS A75 Power Amp” Link and knew it was going to be… Questionable.

Is it just me, or does the Galion company logo appear to be the doppelgänger of a certain squash-buckling P.C parts (smps) company device?

The thing I wasn’t able to scroll pass was that vomit-inducing, simple-minded term— Giant Killer. When I see phrases such as these, my cheeks redden in embarrassment for this fledgling audio Armada.

Also, isn’t it: “Galleon?”

Galion is the french version, but it means the same thing here:

galion​

noun



galleon [noun] in former times, a large, usually Spanish, sailing ship.

galion

galleon, galleon. Learn more in the Cambridge French-English Dictionary.

dictionary.cambridge.org

FWIW, the guy who started the company, is a fairly well respected reviewer who has his own YT channel.

 

[dingren]

Personally for a similar amount of money, if you want a quality integrated amplifier that is nice to look at and will presumably last for many years, I would go for the Yamaha a-s1200
View attachment 370426

"The saying, 'A veil has been lifted,' is how you will feel with the TS A75"


Stay a mile away from this stuff....

Thanks! I’ll have a look at the Yamaha!!

 

[dingren]

I think you'll find the consensus around here is that "pairing" amps and speakers really isn't a thing. Except for speakers that provide an unusually difficult load (and nothing from KEF falls into that category), as long as you have enough power given your speakers' efficiency and your listening habits (volume), any two competently-designed solid state amps are going to sound the same. You may prefer one amp over another based on looks, or build quality, or the manufacturer's customer service reputation, etc., which is fine. Any sonic preference, however, is almost certainly due an improperly controlled test.

Thank you so much!! This has been very helpful.

The rational part of my brain keeps telling me that also. More and more it seems that this “audiophile” world is very treacherous especially to one’s wallet. Thank goodness the good folk here like yourself are always ready to pull the blind such as myself back to reality!!

I will give the Fosi monoblocks another good and hard thinking.

 

[kemmler3D]

Looks like they borrowed some marketing from Naim.

I also sniffed at that, but gave the benefit of a doubt since it's marketing copy and depending on how it handles impedance dips and such, maybe you could call one watt more "quality" than another. Still, smells funny.

To answer OP's question, I think the price ratio between speaker and amp is too low.

They say distortion will be at ~-80dB which is good, not great.

The R3 Meta is only rated to handle 180 watts so I don't know that 100wpc is a mistake here, but $15 per watt is definitely on the high side.

The big bank of capacitors is nice, so you can probably expect good performance on peaks, I guess? Still, for $1500 you can a lot more clean watts and just forget about peak vs. RMS altogether.

Fosi does great price/watt, you can also look at Hypex amps from various outlets that will blow the doors off this Galion thing.

 

[dingren]

I also sniffed at that, but gave the benefit of a doubt since it's marketing copy and depending on how it handles impedance dips and such, maybe you could call one watt more "quality" than another. Still, smells funny.

To answer OP's question, I think the price ratio between speaker and amp is too low.

They say distortion will be at ~-80dB which is good, not great.

The R3 Meta is only rated to handle 180 watts so I don't know that 100wpc is a mistake here, but $15 per watt is definitely on the high side.

The big bank of capacitors is nice, so you can probably expect good performance on peaks, I guess? Still, for $1500 you can a lot more clean watts and just forget about peak vs. RMS altogether.

Fosi does great price/watt, you can also look at Hypex amps from various outlets that will blow the doors off this Galion thing.

Certainly certainly. Taking a hard look at class D amps now.
Thanks for the great feedback!

 

[kemmler3D]

Certainly certainly. Taking a hard look at class D amps now.
Thanks for the great feedback!

Totally, and welcome to ASR!

I think the R3 Meta will get you more bass "meatiness" as you're looking for, (has meaningful extension down to about 30hz) but it's maybe worth mentioning that bass often benefits a great deal from EQ, due to room modes. Room modes are an inescapable fact of life when listening indoors and tend to screw up bass up to about 300hz.

If you can fit it in your system, I definitely recommend getting something for DSP and correcting room modes. There's lots of info on this site on how to go about it. You can definitely shave off enough from your amp budget to get that done and still get a very nice amp.

 

[dingren]

Totally, and welcome to ASR!

I think the R3 Meta will get you more bass "meatiness" as you're looking for, (has meaningful extension down to about 30hz) but it's maybe worth mentioning that bass often benefits a great deal from EQ, due to room modes. Room modes are an inescapable fact of life when listening indoors and tend to screw up bass up to about 300hz.

If you can fit it in your system, I definitely recommend getting something for DSP and correcting room modes. There's lots of info on this site on how to go about it. You can definitely shave off enough from your amp budget to get that done and still get a very nice amp.

Yup will look into the DSP also. I have much to learn! Thanks for the warm welcome. This is a great community!

 

[im_gumby]

FWIW, the guy who started the company, is a fairly well respected reviewer who has his own YT channel.

IIRC he has his store and does a lot of reviews.
I do believe he's OEMing these from a Chinese company that used to make their own line of kit...

From all of the rave reviews... they may not be half bad, but personally I would go class D just on the energy savings and low heat output.

 

[BlissfullExistence]

Hello all audio gurus. Hope you are all having a good day.

My question (apologies in advance as I’m very new to this) is as per the title: KEF R3 Meta + Galion TS A75 a good match? An Eversolo A6 ME will be the pre amp and source for the A75, and I primarily stream my music through Tidal.

I have absolutely zero experience in passive audio, having only owned KEF’s X300A and then upgraded to the LS50 Wireless mk1, which I am currently using. Reason for upgrading to the R3 is I want something that sounds more powerful (meaty?) while retaining the LS50W’s detail and clarity. I cannot go the sub route and I do not have the space for it.

Another power amplifier that I am currently considering is Rotel’s RB1552 mk2. I auditioned the R3 Metas + Bluesound Node + RA1592 mk2 (I would naively assume the sound to be similar with the RB1552 mk2??) last week and I find the combo quite pleasing to my ears. However, I didn’t like the combo of the R3 Metas + Bluesound Node + Cambridge Audio CXA81 mk2.

Therefore, I would like to ask, anyone here have any experience with the A75 + R3 Meta combo? I have no way to audition the combo as there is only 1 local dealer for the A75 and he does not have any experience with KEF speakers, nor his previous customers.

Looking forward to the responses here! Thanks again and have a great day everyone!!

As another newbie I had this very same question. My current view suggests that the 3.2 ohm rating may be an issue for the 75W Galion A75 amp. Then I came across Tee Jay (The Stereo-Bargainphile) where he argued it is better to spend more on an amp because modern day speakers are built so well. This point resonated with me deeply and implies that your KEF R3 Meta's can scale very well with ever better amp pairings.

So I have now concluded to raise my amp buying price limit to 2.5x above my speakers. I have my eyes on Hegel h390 but given budget constraints I will take an intermediate step or start very low with a Fosi.

I bought the Musician Knight 1 speaker.