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Gale 401's

Hi there,

I've had the good fortune on inheriting these speakers, though, without an amp.

My dad always said they need "power power power", but looking on other forums, people talk about sold state amps, which I know nothing about, and my dad sure didn't have one of those.

  • What's the difference between solid state and your run of the mill amp from Richersounds? 
  • Could a Cambridge Audio AXR85 power these enough to truly appreciate them?
  • or do I need to invest in something more specialist? 

Thanks,
C
c27078

Showing 2 responses by oldhvymec

oldhvymec
5,101 posts
 
It was the first stand mount that took my breath away. I thought the guy that owed them was kidding about how they just disappeared and imaged so well in the showroom. They were set up vertical on Bose 901 stands. LOL the Bose 901s sat in the corner and these took their place.. No sub speakers, nothing fancy.

A Fisher tube preamp, Phase Linear Solid State power amp, Tuner, Turntable and some cables. About an hour of moving speakers. I remember we flipped them upside down and the tweeter sounded quite a bit better.

It was the first time, I could close my eyes and place where the band members were on the stage right in front of you. but NOT get the WIDE baffle (at the time) bass BANG BOOM crap. 10-12 foot triangle set up.

The new War album had Low Rider and Cisco Kid. Lot of congas in that music with great vocals. Great speakers sound great, but bad speakers sound BAD, kind of music.. These were really really great. James Brown kind of funk o delic delight.. LOL

1-200 watts @ 8 ohms and double down to two (2) is great, but class d will do the trick at a great price. The speakers are a hard load, but todays amps no problem.. I wouldn’t use Valves (Tube) power amps, these speakers dip pretty low.. BUT the preamp side I sure would.

I make no bones about it. I like tone control so I CAN color the music the way I like..

Brought back some memories.. Great speakers..

Regards
oldhvymec
5,101 posts
 
If this is all you can afford in terms of a system, then build it the best you can and be happy. However, it is nowhere near - as typical of the bulk of vintage speakers - what is available today, of course at much higher prices as performance escalates. If this speaker whets your appetite for better, do not think for a moment the Gale is the end of the road. Not even close. People who suggest so are ignorant of the actual performance spectrum of systems.

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All that to say there are better speakers?  Not really..

Gail 401s are in a class of their own, just like JBLs. No one said everyone would like them, just the ones that took the time to set them up correctly and really enjoy a great speaker..

I don't own either Gail or JBL now. I have owned and repaired a lot of JBLs.  C45 ranger is not an audiophile speaker according to some, but then I didn't ask them either.

One of my favorite systems to listen to. JBL C45, Mac driven. (My Dads set up, he owned an Edsel too.)

BUT I listen to a Victrola too..

Your speakers will need a little attention, the crossover boards will need new parts and speaker surrounds. Replace the green end copper wire inside. 3-500.00 usd would be a real push on repair cost or parts. If you can do any of it.. 

As far a the speaker being horizontal vs vertical, they image better vertical, just like any MTM setup.. Horizontal you really have to toe them in to get the inside and outside drivers to sound correct

Your Dad had great taste.. Excellent speakers..

Regards
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