The Galion Navy, Discovery & Comet Defy HiFi Logic.
By Steve Huff
The Video Review
#1 Sound Quality. #2. Price. #3 Design. #4 it uses tubes.
For starters, it uses for 12AT7 tubes which I love as a tube pre-amp is often a great mate to a solid state amp, adding some of that sought after warmth along with the large soundstage that tubes are known to throw. While 12AT7’s are not known for their tubey goodness, when you roll in the right tubes here you can enhance things here and there. I have done this myself and have experimented for months with the Navy, in anticipation of this review which I knew would be a very long term kind of thing.
I will also review the brands Discovery Mono amps within this text as well as I have had them here for months, listening, comparing and enjoying. The new Comet amp has been here for a few weeks but I will also spill the beans on this quite special under $1700 amplifier. Yes, I did say special as the Comet amp is a bit different from the Discovery in the realm of the midrange and treble, and it is right up my alley in sound signature, more so than the Discovery. Almost tube like really.
I will spoil it here but I have just made the Galion Navy and Comet part of my review setup for a pre/power combo and for me this is a change up as I usually go for “the good stuff” or should I say “The fancy looking pricey stuff” as for me this is what usually sounds the best here but this time it’s different.
The secret here? These amps and pre-amp from Galion are the good stuff, and for a few grand less in cost than the others who these actually compete against. Are these perfect end game exotic audio pieces? Well, no…but for the money? Amazing.
The Navy Pre-Amp
The Navy Preamp.
The Navy is the flagship pre-amp at Galion and thus is built very well indeed. It’s in a larger chassis than the brands lower priced P75 pre-amp and maybe more handsome (or not depending on tastes), which is usually the case for a brands flagship product. As good as the P75 is from Galion I couldn’t believe the sound improvement I was getting from the Navy in soundstage depth, imaging and clarity though with what seems like even more dynamics and even bigger bass. It’s also silent, clean and open with audiophile traits in the imaging and holographic depth it can weave.
While stock tubes are as good as it gets for “stock” I found tubes that bring the performance of the Navy up to new levels from RayTubes.com, namely the 12AT7 select tubes. I personally no longer bother with NOS tubes these days as there are new tubes that sound as good or better but come with an actual warranty. NOS tubes have gotten crazy expensive as well. After spending thousands on “NOS” tubes I was left disappointed and a few ended up going bad quickly. Sound wise, they were not really more special than what is being made today if you seek out the really good tubes. The Select 12AT7 are superb and I also own some RayTubes 300B Reserve tubes which are fantastic for a 300B application.
The RayTubes elevated the Navy pre-amp in the soundstage, the body, the imaging and well, almost everything. I would consider this a “must have” upgrade if you go for the Navy but this can be done anytime and listening to the stock tubes first is well worth it before the switch. I’d say a good 10-15% bump in overall sound quality.
The Navy has a nice muscular look and while it sounds better than one specific over $10k preamp I had here for a while, this Navy preamp comes in at only $3395. As I listened to this pre-amp in my reference system with some matching Galion amps I have on hand (the Discovery and Comet) I always sat and asked myself “HOW CAN THIS BE”? Seriously. I have heard some big money pre-amps over the years and the Navy can get close to them in sound, in some areas such as soundstage and imaging.
There is something unique about the sound of the Navy and while I can not put my finger on it, I hear it time after time when I place it in the system. Thomas tells me it is probably the capacitors inside of this preamp and when I opened it up I was very impressed with what I saw.
The Navy is not a soft, mushy or in any way bass bloated preamp. Instead it is very dynamic and allows your amp to shine with clarity while the bass and the midrange is clean, silky and ever present. There is also some warmth injected but just enough to make it right. This is a stunner in sound and for me also bests the Galion P75 which is also sort of a giant killing pre. I will say some may prefer the P75 as for me it brought a bit less all out sparkle but more of the tube sound, meaning a more plump bass in the mids, which can be nice.
The Navy sits atop the Galion Discovery Monoblock amps. I will say now that the Discovery amps are all out masterpieces and at $1999 a no brainer if you are looking for a high current amp that delivers the goods in dynamics, soundstage, airiness and detail. They are clean, clear and powerful in sound but also have body and huge low bass capabilities. These sound more like a high end audiophile amp in many ways yet for both the cost is under $2k.
While not a “cheap” preamp to purchase the Navy doesn’t feel cheap in any way though I have felt “better” in parts and build on the exterior of other preamps but again, nothing fancy on the outside here with the Navy. No display, just black with blue LED’s. When compared to some high end preamps it may look more plain on the outside but that is just appearances. On the inside the Navy is rocking it with high quality parts and thoughtful design.
The Navy is almost like buying a new model vehicle that sells for $75k but one in which you get the base model for $30k. Same exact performance but without the added bells and whistles which we do not necessarily always need.
For me the Navy brings the performance of a higher end preamp but in a stripped down chassis. Interestingly enough, the Navy was created to be a matching pre-amp to the Galion A20 Class A 20 WPC amp but guess what? We can no longer buy the A20 as it was discontinued by Galion, yet the Navy remains. All in all this pre-amp is a fantastic buy at its price point and performs to a level of $5-7k pre-amps or 2X the cost. This makes it a superb buy for those who like dynamics. drive, clarity and holographic imaging injected into their audio system. It’s not for those seeking an all out tube sound like say a Prima Luna preamp would bring (also reviewing a Prima Luna EVO 400 soon).
The Discovery Mono Block Amplifiers
The Discovery mono amps come in at UNDER $2k and these are just unreal in performance for this price. Both the Navy and Discovery are pretty much silent in operation as well. At under $5500 for a Navy and Discovery setup, it’s kind of insane really, what I have been hearing from them, especially with well recorded music. I can say that old 80’s thin recordings will still sound thin here but with great recordings or even very good ones? Amazing, lifelike and pure when driven with the Navy.
So yes indeed, what really has excited me the most about the Navy and the Discovery amps I have been running is the cost to purchase them for what I get back from them. I will also review the Galion Comet here (the newest amp $1700) so stick with me as these amps sound different to one another and for my sound preferences I will say I may prefer the Comet. This doesn’t take away from the incredible sound of the Discovery, which I also love. It really depends on the music I listen to.
Burn In is Real, Sort Of
The Galion Discovery mono amplifiers have some serious mojo but out of the box, fresh, they may sound a little hard, edgy and flat. This happened when I placed them in fresh from Galion as brand new amps. When I first heard them I said to m myself… “This is about what I would expect from an under $2k set of Class A/B mono amps” but after say 30 hours of use I was in disbelief. The amps blossomed after this and were now painting quite the lovely soundstage with depth and life. Energy and dynamics were here yet injected with a tiny bit of warmth and beauty. Imaging that could make some higher end pieces jealous. Yea, I was hearing all of this from the Galion Navy and Discovery setup.
While only 80 WPC the Discovery amps sound like a much more powerful amp due to being high current, which is more important than watts to these ears. For example something like a $9000 Yamaha AS3200 integrated amp is not a high current amp, and it may suffer driving some harder to drive speakers. The Galion amplifiers are high current and have a much easier time as current is needed for many speakers to shine. I always seem to prefer high current amps to those that are not as the sound is also more dynamic and offers a sense of ease.
Thomas, who runs Galion, is alot like me it seems. He has a strong passion for 2 channel audio and while I just sit here and write/shoot videos talking about my love of audio, Thomas took it way further than this. He decided to start a company and make audio gear that sounds awesome, looks great and performs to a higher end level than the price he charges. After hearing so much gear as a reviewer he chose to offer up products that he himself would love, with a great value attached as well. High performance, spend less to get it. That works for me. Yes, he offers a one year warranty as well.
This is why I love that he is a YouTuber who turned his passion for reviewing audio gear into something real, something tangible and something that can benefit so many in this hobby. Let’s face it, most do not want to spend the cost of a starter home on an audio system. I feel Thomas did it right by going with his passions, turning them into real life tangible experiences for all. I am sure with this set of gear his profit margin is much lower than most in this hobby who sell gear. How could it not be when you get a set of true mono amps like this for under $2k?
I am sitting now listening to the Navy with Discovery amps along with the Fleetwood Helios speakers. I have the Matrix NT-1 streamer and SC-1 clock in play (my reference) with the Audio Mirror Wave DAC (DAC reference) and the sound is not making me want for more, at all. It seems the money I sunk into my source would dictate I spend more on my amps but this is not the case really. While my streaming setup with DAC has a retail of around $33k, does the Galion stack at under $5500 do justice to my source equipment?
Well, yes it does. These Discovery mono amps are indeed keeping the same Galion tradition and by that I mean they are true giant killers. Even moreso than the A75 power amp from Galion. These are the real deal.
Yea, Let me talk a bit about these Discovery amplifiers.
The Discovery Mono amps. Well, I will argue that these discovery amps sound a bit different to me and look much better in design than the Galion A75. These are also silent in operation and have no audible buzz or hum in my room. I feel these look much nicer than the A75 as well and seem to have a cleaner more refined sound.
To these old eyes, the Discovery amps look like a much higher end amp than the now famous A75 as well. Along with the Navy these amps make for one hell of a system. After hearing some mega amps, big money integrated amps and many separates that cost so much more I am flabbergasted at the performance of this lovely setup,
Does it get better? Well yes, I have heard “better’ but not for anywhere even near this price point. I am sure I can get “better” for $10k, $20k, $30k, etc but for $5500 there is nothing I am aware of that will get close to this combo for sound. The Dazzle is $8500 USD and has a completely different sound than the Discovery and Navy. The Galion pairing is again, more airy, more open and alive… and a bit less bass in the midrange for a cleaner sound. I do love the Dazzle’s sound as it is beefy, warmer and more plump.
So I wonder what the Comet will bring? I found out and will let you know down below.
I could talk about the specs, the tubes, rolling tubes or even talk about the endless hours of listening I did with this setup, and I will. I could talk about how I once had a $13k pre-amp here that I struggled to enjoy and the Navy, at least IMO, sounds better at almost $10k less. Now again…do not get me wrong… I am not saying the Navy is the best preamp ever made, not at all. I am saying that it is well made, uses top tier parts, has a superb design, has an all metal remote and has a sound that is open, transparent and dynamic yet also has some warmth and a realism in the mids that is spooky at times.
The Discovery amplifiers are possibly the best buy I have see in HiFi in a long while. True mono amps, nice looking, high quality parts and gorgeous sound. They drive my speakers here with ease and deliver a striking sound, one that startles when the music calls for it. I will say the Navy preamp seems to be a bit of a high gain design so not much volume on the dial is needed to make the speakers come alive but this will depend on your speakers and source output voltage as well.
Going to my T+A Talis R330 speakers the sound is again… alive, dynamic, hard hitting bass and imaging that is up there with some of the big money brands. I will say the Galion combo at $5500 has more treble sparkle and air than my Vinshine Dazzle integrated amp ($8500 USD) with the Talis R330 speakers but offers up less all out power. The Dazzle can deliver 580 watts into 4 ohms, which is crazy but there is not a speaker on earth that the Dazzle cannot drive with ease.
The Discovery amps sounds much more powerful in use than on paper, just as the A75 does from Galion. They easily drove my 87DB 4 ohm T+A speakers in my 13X18 space and brought a sound that was detailed, resolute and magical in the soundstage department. The Galion Discovery amps are in no way clinical or cold but they lean ever so slightly to the musical side of neutral, which is awesome.
THE COMET – Simply Special.
So the Comet amp arrived and as soon as I placed it in vs the Discovery I heard the change but I did let the comet run for a few days in a smaller 2nd system to burn in as out of the box, again, a bit congested. After this run in the Comet was instantly warmer, and sounded more like tubes to me as I now heard midrange glow and magic along with a smoother treble vs the Discovery. MOr inviting and yet still provided air and a beautiful stage.
The Comet for me offered a bit more soul and warmth vs the more energy filled Discovery. I just heard a more welcoming sound with the Comet but some may like the Discovery better for the all out detail and resolution it seems to bring. The Discovery is more illuminating vs the Comet and has more upper treble energy as well as a slightly leaner midrange (vs the comet).
The Comet brought many late night stirring “soul sessions” with the Navy where I was immersed and relaxed by the music.
After a week of pure daily listening with the Navy and Comet I went back to the Discovery and was wowed again by what it does. Detail, Energy, Illumination and a sense of drive, attack and dynamic power. I loved them as well with my T+A and Fleetwood speakers. Even so, the Comet had the ability to touch the heartstrings more.
OH, and Thomas sent ne a couple of his power cables to test. The P200 and P400. After this I can easily say I want two more P400’s. His P400 power cable is stunning and the competition for it may cost around the $2k+ area, seriously. The P400 is under $600. I would highly recommend one if you go for a Comet and a P200 for the PreAmp. This is how I am running them after trying them with three other power cables. The Discovery would probably benefit from a P200-P300 cable more than the P400 as the P400 uses silver.
This hobby likes to trick us sometimes. To make us feel “lesser than” if we cannot afford the cool stuff. Some brands also spend money on making amps look good with bling, fancy shiny metal and displays. None of which add to the sound quality. With Galion we lose some of the physical sparkle of the high end brands in looks but really give up nothing in sound. Galion also offers many options for those who like different kind of sounds and offer up three power amps along with two integrated tube amps.
The Galion A75 for an all out fantastic amp to power your speakers costs around $1500 USD and is considered the “Giant Killer” in the lineup but I like the Comet more for my tastes in sound and looks. It’s more refined, sweeter and for me, brings a more emotional connection. The mono amps, more excitement and energy.
The Mono Amps are for those who want the audiophile kind of vibe with all out imaging and details being exposed yet also has some life, body and a hint of warmth. The P75 Preamp is under $2k and also uses 12AT7 tubes and is crazy good for $2k but the Navy is more of an audiophile style preamp, hence the extra cost. Even so, Galion is offering us choices. I have never reviewed a Galion product I did not enjoy but the Navy and Comet and/or Discovery are just superb.
Galion as a company is maturing nicely and now offering some very serious products for not so serious money.
Why I made the Navy and Comet part of my reference review setup.
I like the look now look better vs the A75 with the simple understated black color and zero loud graphics or bling. The rounded corners add a nice touch as well. Just the electric blue light when on, which is not bright at all. I love how the name is embossed into the front, in black, on the amp. Stealthy indeed. I love that I can roll tubes in the Navy preamp to change up the sound if I want to do so. I can go warmer, I can go more impactful. I can go a little more forward or a little more recessed. Just by changing the tubes. I also like that the tubes are inside of the chassis and not exposed up top.
Also, being a reviewer of audio gear these are reference for me due to what they cost and what they bring back in performance for this cost. I may never get pieces in to best them at this price point but I will always seek them out. I love a good bang for the buck, so this is my “bang for the buck and then some” setup. This is really a nice high end open sound for much less cost.
The only reason I can give for spending more is:
- If you have the funds, buy what you love and what connects with you, no matter the cost as this will make you happy.
- You may want better in looks as the Galion products are somewhat bland here so spend more if you want the bling. I like this myself in audio products…great looks.
- Spend more if you have brand loyalty to a high end or fave brand, if you want to. I do this sometimes as well.
- Maybe you need more power, which many do. Spend more if so.
- You want something that is not made in China.
- Finally you may want something a little more refined. You can get that last 10% in beauty, immersion and fluidity, smoothness and immersion and better looks but yes indeed it will cost more.
These are reasons you may want to spend more and all are valid. As a starter system a P75 and Comet would be amazing to get going with this hobby and wish would cost under $4k but bring big time sound quality. The Navy and the Comet will bring a little more clarity and a cleaner soundstage, more drum kick and snap, a more realistic vocal performance.
The Navy sounds like a proper high end preamp but with some of the best qualities from the P75 injected in as well.
I can easily recommend the Navy, P75 Comet and/or the Discovery. They are a superb value within the audio hobby and deliver stellar performance for the price. I can easily and highly recommend the Comet amp as well as it’s more soulful and sweeter vs those all out striking dynamics, clarity and energy and at $1700, it’s almost a no brainer as I feel it bests the A75 for me personally. I can recommend the P75 preamp as well. It’s a stunner for the price as well.
I did not test the Galion amps at this time with another preamp as I wanted to get the full Galion synergy, and this is what I got! I may test them later on with a couple of other preamps so stay tuned.
See the products at the Galion website HERE, There are also many actual owner reviews there so see what they have to say if you like!
