Galion Navy Tube Preamplifier

I don't write review often. Actually never.
But the Navy from Galion deserves one.
I built a new sound system in a second room lately. It's a hobby room (mainly for 3D printing). The space is a bit crowded but the acoustic is pretty good. The system evolves around these components: speaker GR Research X-LS Encore, DIY amp class A F5M, and my old and trusty pre-amp Sim-Audio P5003.
Usually when I change a piece of equiment the enhancement is subtle.
I was suspecting the pre-amp was olding back the performance of the whole system. So I looked around for a pre-amp and stop my search at the Navy from Galion. Bought it, received it, connected it, let it warm up an hour or so, then I sat down for listening. I was prepared for an evening of swapping pre-amp all night looking for subtle enhancement... Then came the first note out of the Navy. Short story: I never came back to the old pre-amp. I didn't need to. The enhancement was so obvious. First impression: air, precision, decay, texture, which make the presentation more musical, a lot more musical. With symphony No. 2, of Franz Schubert, from the Canadian National Art Center orchestra, I see the orchestra in from of me. The precision is outstanding. "Don't smoke in bed" from Holly Cole is sweet! I can hear all the subtlety in her voice. Amazing. "Songe" from Vincent Belanger: like I never heard before. Tom Waits, etc... All good. Some albums I had problem with (I didn't like the presentation, too muddy, no soul) now sound amazing. Example Guy Belanger, "Post card from London" recorded at Abbey Road studio. Each instrument has more air around it. I like it.
Anyhow. This is for sure a big improvement to my setup.
I don't plane to roll tube: I like it as is (Psvane). I'll upgrade the tubes once these one reach end of life (2000 to 3000 hours according to Thomas).
Thanks Thomas for the nice discovery. I really like the Navy.

For the past 6 weeks I have been listening to an Eversolo DMP-A10 connected Directly to a Galion TS A20 Amp and Klipsch Quartet speakers. I have been very pleased with this combination. I have just received a Navy Preamp to connect between the DMP-A10 and the TS A20, firstly I only have about 8-10 hours on it so far, still a long way from being broken in so things may change later. But when I connected the Navy Preamp up and turned it on. Wow, the difference was immediately evident. The first thing you notice is the Energy, drive, force coming from the speakers (Klipsch Quartet) that base hits you immediately and the midrange is slightly warmer, fuller, and the voices are further forward and slightly in front of the speakers where it was a little recessed behind the speakers, which gives a wider, deeper, and fuller sound stage. Much more volume than before too. With the DMP-A10 as a Pre-Amp I was running 2/3 to 3/4 full volume. Now with the Navy I am running 1/4 to 1/3 volume and it is still playing louder than before. It gives you the feeling as if you had been sitting about halfway back in an Auditorium and now you just moved to the front row right in front of a loudspeaker. Everywhere Bass, Midrange, Treble there is more drive and energy coming thru, it seems as if this Pre-Amp just woke these speakers up. In the past with my other gear, I have never been happy with the base coming from these speakers, so I put in a sub to make up for it. But now there is no need for a sub. The base is very strong almost to the point of being too much, (which is just right 😊) . There are a few subtle differences too, for one the treble, especially the Drum Cymbals seem to be further back in the sound stage behind the voices. The Treble is still very good and right there, but a little less sparkly and airy then it was when connect directly. I think the reason is the sound stage is so much fuller sounding than before. Also, I have noticed deeper base than before too, like when listening to a standup Base, I can hear deeper notes, and I can hear the fingers plucking the strings and the strings hitting the frets. I could keep going, but all I can say is that if you love listening to very detailed immersive music with strong base, a slightly warm full midrange and very clear treble with drive, and dynamics, try this Navy Pre-amp. I’m sure that you will be as happy with it as I am.