Galion TS120 Tube Integrated Amp
Although the Galion TS120 is a full tube amp, it has the strengths of both a tube and a solid state amp. For example, It has the smoothness and airy holographic soundstage of a tube amp but at the same time the speed, control, dynamics, and bass of a solid-state amp. Truly giving you the best of both worlds.
Class A or Class AB
The TS120 Includes patented technology that allows the user to choose between high current class A mode or high wattage class AB mode. This is different than most amplifiers on the market that can only choose between triode or ultra-linear mode. In class A, you will get to enjoy that linear midrange that is unique to class A. In class AB, you will get more power resulting in a more authoritative bass.
Tight Control and Dynamic Bass
Unlike other tube amplifiers, the TS120 excels in dynamic contrast and bass control to the point that it can rival or surpass many solid-state amplifiers. This is possible thanks to its beefy transformers as well as its design. There is a saying, the heavier the amplifier is, the more powerful it is. The TS120 weighs 32 kg because it uses a very powerful transformer. You will have a hard time finding another tube amplifier that uses four KT88s weighing the same.
Compared to most tube amplifiers on the market, the TS120 not only has double the capacitors but also each capacitor has double the capacity. One of the problems with too much bass is that it can sound 'one note'. This is true with solid-state or tube amp. With the TS120, you will not have this problem. Not only is the bass dynamic, controlled, punchy, and fast, it is extremely nuanced. You will not find another tube amplifier with this capability without spending significantly more.
Wide Holographic 3D Soundstage
One thing that will quickly catch your attention with the TS120 is the soundstage. Even compared to other tube amplifiers on the market, the TS120 is extremely airy, layered and holographic. Not all tube amplifiers can create an airy 3D soundstage, but with the TS120, you will surely get one.
High Quality Build
The Galion has many quality components that you don’t usually find in amplifiers of this price bracket.
Jupiter, Solen, Clarity capacitors and custom Japanese Alps volume control are just a few examples of our commitment to quality. The unit itself is solidly built and beautiful.
Tone Control
The Galion was built with the philosophy of 'music first' in mind. Not all recordings are perfect and we want you to enjoy not just the best-recorded music but all YOUR music. The TS120 tone control is unlike other products that, for example, affect the 10kHz frequency. Our tone control was designed specifically to minimize sibilance. This feature, unique to the TS120, was achieved by carefully selecting the frequency to affect when using the tone control.
No Listening Fatigue
The biggest challenge all audiophiles face is listening fatigue. One of the missions of the TS120 was to build an amp with no listening fatigue. Many months were spent on voicing the TS120 to make sure it has the best balance between having the right amount of detail and the right amount of brightness. Although the TS120 has very good measurements, the final tuning was all done by ear.
Standard or Special Edition?
The TS120 and the TS120 SE (Special Edition) are voiced slightly differently. The TS120 standard edition gives a slightly warmer sound with punchier bass, while the TS120 SE is more ‘neutral’ with a more nuanced bass. The TS120 SE has a smoother midrange while the standard edition has more texture in the upper midrange. The TS120 standard edition uses a combination of Solen and Clarity capacitors while the special edition uses a combination of two types of Jupiter capacitors as well as top-of-the-line Clarity capacitors. Given the standard edition has a punchier bass, it is a more fun amp to listen to. The special edition is better for those who prefer a smoother midrange as well as a more balanced presentation.
Auto Bias Without Sacrificing Sound Quality.
Biasing the TS120 is simple. Just press a few buttons and the TS120 will bias itself using a microprocessor. We have made the experience extremely easy without sacrificing sound quality. To preserve maximum fidelity, the TS120 auto bias circuit was designed to be completely outside of the signal path. Although we could have designed the auto bias feature to be 'fully automatic', we were not willing to compromise on sound quality. We believe our current solution is the best balance between ease of use and maximum sound quality.
High Power Output Tubes
Our company vision is to deliver the best possible sound without compromise and this was our guiding light when we were designing the TS120. We could have chosen to support a wide range of output tubes. While that might have been great for marketing, it would not have provided the optimal configuration for each type of output tube. Our final product would therefore not have produced the best possible sound. For that reason, the TS120 has been designed to support high-power output tubes only. Compromising on sound quality is not an option. The proof is in the performance, and the TS120 delivers.
The Galion Story
As someone who has been speaking French for almost 40 years, French is part of my identity and that is why I have chosen Galion Audio as the company name. Galion is French for Galleon and it was chosen to represent how I see music in my life. Life can be calm and rough like the sea but music will always carry us through. I sincerely believe most people will be able to relate.
The Galion TS120 project started in 2021 in collaboration with Doge. I once asked Mr. Liu, the lead designer at Doge, what kind of tube-integrated amp could he build if he had no budget constraints. What started as a simple conversation ended up as a project that brought the Galion TS120 to life. With a higher budget, Mr. Liu with over 30 years of experience working for many big companies designing amplifiers was finally able to build the best tube-integrated amp he could. Mr. Liu made many interesting design decisions that were unheard of in an amplifier in this price bracket. His efforts yielded impressive results. For example, by giving the TS120 preamp and power amp a dedicated power supply, the bass of the TS120 has improved to the point it can compete with many solid-state amplifiers! However, what made this project special for me was the fact that I voiced the TS120. Although it took a lot of time, I was finally able to achieve the sound I wanted with the help of many experts. It was not an easy task and not straightforward. For example, to voice the TS120 special edition, Jupiter Condenser company had to build capacitors for me that they had not even brought to market! This is your chance to own one of the most versatile high performing tube amplifiers on the market.
Galion Audio Inc was incorporated in 2022 and has its headquarters in Quebec, Canada.
Gallery
Galion Audio Inc
TS120 Special Edition Amplifier
Specifications
|
Measurement Value |
Measurement Value |
||
|---|---|---|---|
| Class A RMS Power | 30W+30W | Frequency Response (30W) | 12Hz - 80kHz |
| Class AB RMS Power | 50W+50W | Frequency Response (50W) | 17Hz - 65kHz |
| Class A Max Power | 75W+75W | Input Impedance | 50K Ω |
| Class AB Max Power | 100W+100W | SNR | ≥90dB |
| Class A Distortion THD (1kHz/30W) |
≤0.15% | Line Input Sensitivity | 420mV |
| Class AB Distortion THD (1kHz/30W) |
≤0.25% | HT Input Sensitivity | 1.5V |
| Class AB Distortion THD (1kHz/50W) |
≤0.25% | Supported Output Tubes | 6550, KT88, KT120 |
| Damping Factor Class A (Sound A) |
10.8 | Standard Tube Complement | 2 – 12AX7, 2 – 12AT7, 4 – KT88 |
| Damping Factor Class AB (Sound A) |
9.3 | Dimensions | 17" x 14.1" x 8.3" (43cmx36cmx21cm) |
| Damping Factor Class A (Sound B) |
6.5 | Shipping Dimensions | 20.5" x 17.7" x 13" (53cmx45cmx33cm) |
| Damping Factor Class AB (Sound B) |
5.6 | Weight | 65 lbs (30kg) |
My search for a tube amp took a while. I happened upon Thomas’s YouTube page during the search and quickly became a fan of his. When he introduced his tube amp, I was immediately impressed because it offered a lot of features I desire. I have the original TS 120 version with upgraded Gold Lion tubes from a famous place out West. The original tubes are very solid, I probably watch too many influencers…..hence my desire to “tube roll”. Once things were burned in (be patient as this can take a while) the unit became so unique and rich sounding. It’s hard to describe the sound but once you hear it, you cannot forget it. Recently, my 80 year old father was in town for the Holidays. We listened to a lot of music, both vinyl and streaming. I inherited his entire collection of LPs last year when I retired from a lengthy military career I have painstakingly cleaned them all so them sound their best. He was awestruck by the sound of this amp. He said that he didn’t know music could sound so realistic and pure! We switched to two other amps, an Accuphase and Marantz Reference Series amp. He looked at me after some listening sessions and said, I like that tube amp much better. It’s open, airy and “just sounds great”. Needless to say, we spun a lot of his old vinyl records from the 50’s to the early 90’s and he was in heaven the whole week.
I cannot recommend this amp more, it continues to amaze me. I prefer class A mode with T. With older pressings, the tone controls are fantastic. I have large, Klipsch Chorus speakers (all updated with Crites boards, new woofers and tweeters) and run dual subs. Horns and tubes……primo combo. Thanks Thomas for a fantastic first amp!
I’ve been running this amp only for about a week now, but it has become apparent that this amp is by far the best component in my whole system. The immediate thing that I noticed, and I had seen YouTube videos talking about it, but didn’t appreciate the level, is the amount of base that this thing can get regular speakers to pump out. I actually had no idea that regular speakers could put out that much space, so I’ve always had subwoofers connected. But with this amp, I’m not even using the subwoofers. A lot of other discussions around the mids, I won’t get into but agree with all the things that have people raved about.
Is also great to see that Thomas himself is passionately involved, and is completely focused on people’s satisfaction with this product.
The only negative, and there’s no way around this, is this thing is a back breaker. But also totally worth dealing with a couple days of lower back pain.
My system is Klipsch Cornwall IV, Laiv Harmony DAC, iFi Zen, and REL HT15 subs that again I currently don’t have connected to this amp. The amp is on a dolly upstairs, just breaking it in, and then I gotta bring that beast downstairs again
Well Thomas what can I say that has not been said before? The TS 120 SE lives up to all the hype and much more. No problem whatsoever driving my 4ohm Monitor Audio G6's. Beautiful Full and Rich sound with wonderful clarity. As the tubes start to break in, you think this could not sound any better, but it does!! It is a work of Audio Art, could not be more pleased with my purchase, Thanks Thomas.
One word about this Amp is Amazing.
I have been listening to several amps before including the Cayin CS55A , Line Magnetic LM508IA and the solid state Acoustic Arts Power 2.
Thomas has nailed and biased this Amp to deliver an incredible listening experience.
I always favoured tube amps over solid state for their true warm analogue sound.
But this Amp takes the best of both worlds.
You have amazing true life soundstage. Deep precise articulate Bass of solid state amps. And mid ranges so warm of El34 tubes and very lifelike like 300B tubes.
My recommendation is to connect this Amp to some very good speakers and it will shine.
Best music to play with this Amp is Classic Rock, Cool Jazz and Blues.
Cheers guys
This amp exceeded my expectation! It has the best of both worlds (solid-state & tube amps). It has holographic sound-stage, clear and beautiful highs, full and beautiful mids and punchy, dynamic base. I purchased this amp for music and movies, so I paired it with Arendal 1723 THX tower speakers. The power rating feels way-underrated … For comparison, I use Classe CA-5300 for my other 5.1 setup (300 watts per channel into 8 ohms and 600 wpc into 4 ohms). TS-120’s 30-watt amp plays with so much ease; and could play louder w/o running out of breath… so don’t let the power rating fool you… Best of all, it’s a very musical amp!
I’ve had the TS-120 SE for over a year and a half at time of this writing; and it’s what I listen to more than other systems. At one time I heard faint humming noises from the amp so I contacted Thomas. Thomas was very helpful; and he sent me other tubes for testing. The problem didn’t go away, so he asked me to send the unit back. This was when I realized it wasn’t the amp’s problem, but my drop in voltage when I had another power-sucking electronic turned on at the same time; it was NOT a problem of this amp! For this, I give Galion Audio and Thomas top ratings on support!
I couldn’t be happier with this amp. I have decades of experiences and have heard quite a few different amps. The TS-120 is unique and really excels at producing beautiful music; I enjoyed it immensely!
