I took delivery of the Galion TS A75 yesterday, and after a long listening session, I can confidently say I’m extremely satisfied with the purchase. This unit replaces my much-loved Krell KAV-300i integrated amplifier, which has served me faithfully for the past 25 years. The Krell was a powerhouse—dynamic, rich through the mid-range, and remarkably punchy for its price point. I tested many amplifiers at the time, some more expensive, others more affordable, but none matched the Krell's drive and presence.
However, as with all electronics, time took its toll. Left on nearly every day since purchase, it ran hot and eventually developed some noise in the right channel due to ageing capacitors. I considered a rebuild but, once I factored in the cost, it no longer made sense given the quality of modern alternatives.
A high-end McIntosh was recommended to me, but I couldn’t justify spending over $AUD10,000. I came very close to purchasing the Cambridge Audio CXA81 MKII after reading some strong reviews. But then I came across the Galion TS A75—an amplifier I hadn’t heard of but which immediately caught my attention.
What drew me in was its design philosophy. As someone who prefers solid-state to tubes, I appreciated the Galion’s engineering—particularly the inclusion of large toroidal transformers and a total capacitance of 200,000µF. These specs spoke volumes to me. Further reading confirmed what I was hoping for: reviewers praised its sweet midrange, tight bass, a touch of warmth, and excellent transparency.
Ordering the Galion was a leap of faith. It's designed in Canada but manufactured in China, and returning such a heavy unit internationally would have been challenging. That said, I was reassured by the build quality described in other reviews and decided to take the plunge.
I'm glad I did.
From the moment I unpacked it and started listening across a range of genres, the Galion impressed me. The soundstage is expansive and immersive. The mid-range is smooth and sweet—just as promised—and the detail retrieval is outstanding without ever becoming harsh or fatiguing. Bass is well controlled, and there’s a warmth that makes long listening sessions enjoyable rather than clinical.
If I were to offer one critique, it would be that the initial punch doesn't quite match the 150 watts of the old Krell—it’s slightly less immediate in that regard. However, the Galion more than makes up for it with its finesse, clarity, and musicality. It’s simply a joy to listen to.
Over the years, I’ve auditioned many amplifiers—some ultra-linear and reference-grade units that are technically impressive but end up sounding sterile or overly analytical. What I wanted was an amplifier that made music enjoyable" to listen to. The Galion TS A75 does exactly that, and at a price that’s frankly remarkable for what it offers. If another brand were selling this, I suspect it would be listed for at least double.
In summary: if you're looking for an amplifier that offers outstanding value, wonderful musicality, and serious engineering under the hood, the Galion TS A75 is an easy recommendation.