Tube amp recommendation for Gallo Reference 3's

Did you have the Ref SA connected via the high level speaker output? Any settings you preferred on the Ref SA amp? I have the Ref 3.1 and the Ref SA amp and am thinking about getting the Cary SLI 80, EE 520 or the Prima Luna Prologue 2...leaning on Cary at the moment.

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.

I agree with Mcrosier. I have the Ref III's hooked up to the Cary SLI-80 F1 Signature (upscale audio) and they sound fantastic. This tube amp has just the right warmth to offset (IMHO) the tendency towards the cooler, perhaps slightly clinical tendancies of the Gallo's. No question however that they are great speakers and very 3 dimensional.

I can tell you that 50W of push-pull tube power is PLENTY for Ref 3s in ANY situation, unless you want rock-concert volumes (which the speakers aren't capable of w/out breaking up anyway). I enjoyed them immensely with a pair of AES Six Pacs which are about 55W. These were able to play at least as loud (and sounded far better) than solid-state and switching amps of much higher power rating (200W).

Regarding "keeping solid-state power" - there is much more to an amplifier's ability to play loud and dynamically than its wattage rating. There is no doubt that a good 50W PP tube amp with a good power supply can play as loud and as cleanly as a good solid-state AB class amp of 2 or 3 times the wattage rating.

Even 22W of PP tube power was more than enough power for the Gallos in a completely open space for 95dB SPL at 10'. This was a Cayin 6550 integrated. With or without the bass amp. The bass amp fills in the bottom 15hz, that you don't get at all without it, but in my experience it really doesn't do a lot do ease the load of the main amp.

120W Rogue amps might be great, and there's no real reason to avoid "too much" power, but I have to tell you you don't need it for any reason.

Paul

Ditto on what Paul said. I'm running them with a 70 Tube P/P amp with ease, plays just a loud and effortlessly as the 250 watt hybrid, 250 watt SS, 1000 watt commercial and 150 watt switching amps I've had recently. All of those are gone, the tube amp remains. It's still amazing to me how much misinformation is given about a tube amps ability to power a speakers, of course most of the advice is based on speculation and not actual listening.