For all my fandom over the latest generation of class D amplification, I’ve been searching for a true solid state AB amplifier. While I enjoyed my quite neutral Parasound A-23 amplifier, designed by John Curl, I still desired something with greater auditory and emotional impact. Well, I found it in a new product from long time Canadian audio retailer, and YouTube HOME audio promoter, Thomas Tan. Working with amplifier designers Tan has come up with a product for $1500 that deserves serious auditioning, the Galion TS A75.
First off, the A75 is built in the old school manner. It is not slim line. It is tall, rather square at approximately 17 inches wide, 12 inches deep, and 6 1/4 inches tall, with exterior heat sinks on each side. It weighs 27 pounds compared to current class D offerings at less than half the weight. The 75W per channel into eight ohms may seem underwhelming, but due to the 200k uf capacitance that is 100 for each channel, this amplifier has the current on hand to drive normally power hungry speakers such as my Magnapan .7 speakers comfortably.
The front face is black brushed aluminum with a simple power button that glows from a blue LED when pressed along with the brand and logo. The top has the same identification and by removing just a few screws the insides are accessible. A peek under the hood shows the beefy old school design. The two channels are relegated to each side of the chassis. The rear panel has both RCA and XLR inputs with a push button to designate which input connection you wish to use. The five-way binding post arranged horizontally in the center, and below that is the socket for the three-way power cord.
The A75 arrived from another reviewer so there was no need for burning in the electronics. After two different listing sessions I settled in on turning on the amplifier a good 30 minutes before actually playing music. I just found that amount of time the amp warmed up nicely, the dynamics were richer and provided a more engrossing performance.
So what is the sonic signature of the A75? Simply, it is designed for human enjoyment, not flatline measurements. During the design and build process, Thomas Tan went back-and-forth with the engineers, making several tweaks to create a truly immersive audio experience. That does not mean that it is overly juiced at certain frequencies. No, instead it’s just tweaks that bring out the best in bass response, a lush mid range, natural high frequencies and clarity. Listening to Sade, the sultry romanticism of her vocals is ever present. The track, “Cherish The Day”, one feels the deep bass graphics texture, and resolution of the instruments fully intact while her vocal talent does not step back, but instead is warm and true. It did not matter whether I was listening to the Vera-Fi audio Scouts, LSA Signature 80, Magnapan .7, or the Buchhardt S 400 MkII that I have in review, the A75 character could be heard through each speaker.
Some of you may consider this a sin that the equipment, especially an amplifier is imparting its own character rather than just passing the music through. Well, let’s consider tube amplification. It has its own audio quality and character, a warm richness due to the harmonics from the vacuum tubes. Class D, especially the GaN technology offers tremendous clarity but for some listeners lacks warmth. Traditional solid state AB design, hits between the two. Then comes each manufacturer. Macintosh has a particularly chesty sound while Krell and Bryston offers almost hyper, detailed sonics. Therefore, in my humble opinion, the idea of absolute purity is something that is a listener choice rather than an absolute.
Previously, I mentioned the Magnapan .7’s that I own. Normally, in my experience, anything less than 200W per channel into 8 ohms is pretty worthless with these speakers as the brand is absolutely power hungry and craves as much juice as the owner can provide. With true high current reservoir, the A75 had an impressive grip on the .7’s. While I still prefer the 600W per channel of the Emerald Physics 600.2 SE, the fact that the A75 made the .7 sing is impressive, and all without getting more than just slightly warm to the touch.
With the budget friendly mini monitor Scouts, the base frequencies were impressive, to the point where I, on a couple of occasions, left the subwoofer off and let the combination of the A75 and the Scouts go it alone. The mid range of the Scouts was wonderfully flushed out with the A75. The fact that such an inexpensive speaker could present the qualities of this amplifier says a great deal about both.
The LSA Signature 80s, in addition to the bass, also gave a hint of the rich chestiness of the mid range, while the planer tweeter stays smooth and engaging. Listening to the Doobie Brothers, the A75 with its clean solid state output allowed for very specific sound stage instrument placement along with a whole lot of fun. There is something about that band that just continually surprises with its dynamics, the A75 recreates that sound with all the emotional engagement present
I’m not gonna give away too much about the pairing with the Buchardt S400 MKII speakers, but let’s just say that the match is absolutely first-rate. The qualities well known in the speakers balanced perfectly with the signature of the A75 whether it be the Milk Carton Kids with their spare, simple folk style sound, or the progressive engineering of Alan Parsons, the contemporary jazz of the underrated group Foreplay, with its toe, tapping marriage of instruments, or the beauty of Brahms symphonic masterpieces, the a 75 never misses out on creating space, energy and ease of listening. On the Galion website, Thomas Tan discusses the holographic sonic nature of the A75, after some 50-plus hours of listening, I couldn’t agree more. Instruments have space and defined placement on the recreated sound stage in my 11x10 ft listening room.
One has to wonder if Thomas Tan has his eyes set on creating an integrated amplifier version. If it is anything like the A75, it would be wildly popular.
Caveat
As a reviewer, it is our job to find limitations whenever possible in order for the viewer or reader has the best possible amount of information to judge whether you as potential buyer should take the opportunity to audition any piece of equipment. In the case of the Galion TS A75, the only thing I can say is that during the first two days of the review, I noticed a slide grounding-style hum coming from the amplifier. It turned out that a bad fluorescent lightbulb in my listening room was the culprit. Once replaced with an LED, the hum or buzz disappeared. Beyond that, I found no fault or limitation in the A75.
Final thoughts
Since parting with my Parasound a23 amplifier, I have been in search of a solid state unit to replace it, and I had not found one that engaged me completely, as I have come to the point that I am not going to settle. I will find the best amplifier within my budget. Well, the search is over. After selling a few pieces of extra equipment, I plan on purchasing the Galion TS A75, and make it a part of what I hope is my final system of separates. The sound is so engaging, it is at times beyond words. It’s immersive, fully three dimensional, never fatiguing, truly comfortable like a broken-in pair of jeans and sweatshirt.
Across all frequencies, Thomas Tan has done the slight adjustments right where I believe the overwhelming majority of audio enthusiast want the warmth, resolution and detail present. The Galion TS A75 is a must audition and for $1500, at least until the tariffs take hold, is the true steal of the year in amplifiers. I will declare that the A75 is awarded the Audio Pursuit Power Amplifier of 2024.
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