Tube amp recommendation for Gallo Reference 3's


I have Gallo Ref3 speakers with the Gallo subamp. Been using NAD S100 preamp and NAD S200 amp. Recently switched to the ModWright 9.0SE preamp. Amazing difference! I had not really heard a soundstage before. Much more involving musically without a big change in tonal balance. Now I am thinking of going tubes all the way. Any recommendation for something under $3K? I listen to jazz and rock mainly.
Thanks!
tantra

Showing 4 responses by tantra

To Jeffreybehr: The NAD S200 is rated at 225 wpc into 8 ohms and 450 wpc into 4 ohms. It is a member of the Silver Series, NAD's first foray into high-end audio, which never caught on.
To Jeffreybehr:
Thanks for your suggestion. I checked out the ASL Hurricanes. They look really good. I really like the idea of not giving up the power of a SS amp. How would you describe them tonally? I am not worried about bass, since I have a Gallo subamp for the second coil on the Ref3's plus a REL Storm subwoofer. Can you describe the midrange and high end? Do they have that midrange liquidity that I miss with my NAD's? Also, how well do they image? How hot do they run? I understand the bias needs to be set quite often. Is this a prob?
Thanks!!
Jeffreybehr: I am really put off by all the reports of problems with the Hurricanes. Especially since there is no factory in USA to support them.
Ninoe:
My current system includes a ModWright 9.0SE preamp and C-J Premier 12 monoblocks driving Gallo Ref3's. I am using the speaker-level output from the Premier 12's as input to the Gallo Sub-amp driving the second voice coil. This is the best-sounding system I've heard anywhere! All the advantages of a high-current solid-state amp in the bass (punchy and tight) with the glorious mids and highs of a great tube amp. Sound-stage depth is spectacular. Also, the sound is very well integrated. If you did not know you would never guess that the speakers are bi-amp'd.