Fixing Problems with High-End Audiophile Amplifiers! - Flagship GATO Monoblock Amplifier Review

[@Jayiyagi]

*Thanks for stopping by and please consider clicking the like button! Also a quick thank you to all the patreons for making my work possible!* Gato PWR-222 Monoblock Amplifier: www.gato-audio.com/eu/pwr-222.html More on Twinfet Technology: www.gato-audio.com/eu/twinfet 0:00 High-End Audio in Style? 0:48 Who is GATO Audio? 2:51 Gato Amplifier Build Quality Review 6:44 Gato Amplifier Enough Power For Speakers? 9:17 Best Pre-Amplifier For Gato Amplifier? 11:01 Gato Amplifier Sound Quality Review Support on Patreon: www.patreon.com/jayiyagi follow on Instagram: instagram.com/jays_iyagi/ follow on Facebook: facebook.com/jayiyagiofficial Follow soundstage take 2 reviews: kzbin.info/aero/PLPOzvlhtSqn5xdc__ftuSt4Rxy_wm5Af0 Speaker stands: amzn.to/3ssRhI3 Better speaker stands: solidsteel.it/my-product/ss-7-vintage-hi-fi-speaker-stands/ acoustic panels I use: ua-acoustics.com/ acoustic curtain: amzn.to/31d1zAM BDI Cabinet I use: bit.ly/2OJRwQQ amzn.to/3chBuFZ other BDI Cabinets: bit.ly/3ctxXV1 amzn.to/30bsUCH my fav hifi tweaks: (Isoacoustics devices) amzn.to/3j5FGvM

[@leoanthony7281]

In my opinion one of the best looking amplifiers made regardless of price.

[@fLaMe98able]

Currently saving up for their CDD-1. I absolutely love the design!

[@hartgemini007]

I had the Gato 222 amps used with Wyred for Sound Stp SE stage 2 pre which sounded incredible, like yourself the look and build quality of them is just amazing also. Excellent value for money considering the sound they produce.

[@CaptainCrunch823]

Curious what you moved to after the Gato’s?

[@patrikbjorling4391]

Had...?

[@user-qq2mo1ek2r]

I have their 250S-NPM class D amp and I cannot say enough good things about it. Great options for connectivity, great aesthetics, stunning sound with vinyl and CD alike. It pairs up very well with the Jays Audio CDT MK3 player.

[@davidbee8178]

This is a fantastic review, Jay. Thanks . . . it makes me wanna go out and buy them RIGHT away LOL

[@michaelmcintyre9179]

Way to go jay you nailed it , very precise detailed description , give us more of your breathtaking feedback

[@robk5745]

Been interested in their gato 150 for a bit now, trying to decide between that and comparable Hegel integrated. Hard choice lol. Great to see the monoblock review, they are gorgeous!

[@Jayiyagi]

Sometimes it's hard but you gotta make the bet! Atleast Gato offers 30day trial period so maybe thats the first to try

[@stevenhunter3454]

I have the 150 paired with Dynaudio HS and it sounds fantastic if that’s any help, amazing detail even when played at low volumes, 30 day trial is great too. Good luck.

[@henriksrensen3220]

Gato is better

[@trajan350]

I have the 150 paired to Fyne F1-8. Really really really great amp!

[@robk5745]

@@stevenhunter3454 thanks for the feedback appreciated! I have Harbeth p3esr xd s so should work well

[@brianmcnamara1431]

Well I thought I had my mind up and was going to purchase the SPL S1200 amp, but now you’ve intrigued me with these monoblocks. They definitely look amazing but how am I going to pull off a shootout. 🤔

[@DrSinisster]

I just saw the EAR Yoshino V12. What a beauty. Work of Audio and Art 👍

[@HudyGamer14]

Great video Jay. These look really good. How do these compare to the Kinki Studio mono blocks? Can’t wait for more videos soon.

[@stephencosta6814]

I would have to assume with certainty that these sound much better based on their price and design

[@nebulusnebulus6503]

Could be a good match these PWR-222 with a Primaluna EVO 400-3 The Tube Pre-Amp?

[@joraspa]

Looking similar to the Auris Forte 150 tube monoblocks! And that's not a bad thing!

[@Jayiyagi]

yea tube amplifiers look a lot more interesting than solid state in this market

[@vric]

Gato stuff look great. I was very interested in their Bookshelf speaker. Also been told by the staff that they ship taxes and duty free in Canada

[@Jayiyagi]

that is correct

[@kurtzcol]

so the price on the gato website is all you pay, im interested in the 150 amp i live in bc

[@shawntoronto7967]

Those paradigm speakers look beautiful - been waiting for a good review on the towers.

[@aceofspades6667]

These look fantastic!

[@Jayiyagi]

I'm in love with the way they look and sound. It's refreshing

[@EricRhodeslives]

I wonder, would you prefer these over the AGD monoblocks? Using a tube preamp and Borresson X2's

[@russellledonne4370]

I am probably going to buy the Gato mono blocks for my Aerial Acoustic 6T speakers, but I am wondering if a Primaluna Evo 400 preamplifier will be as good a match as the Audio Note M2.

[@Cyriljayant]

THANK YOU FOR YOUR GREAT REWIEW!!

[@jackfalco5351]

What Audio Note preamplifier are you talking about?

[@theomindschrddr7983]

A bit of a nick pick, the ac powerconnection is verical instead horizontal wich i like. It Can be a pain with stiff solid core powercords. Maby you can test their new flagship pre amplifier? 7:40

[@MrBonger88]

I’m in the opposite camp. I love my huge amps sitting on the floor in front of my other components. These amps do look good though. Totally agree about vu meters

[@wouterkolkman]

Thanks Jay for this review - fascinating product, and good to see you use it with quite a range of speakers and pre amps. You mentioned the Athena - will you do a review?

[@Philear4124]

It is a pity that the Audionote now has a boring design. But nice and correct review that gives a good picture of the Gato. Grtz Phil

[@AmazonasBiotop]

At 6:18 the red lead is taking the longest route. Wonder why they needed that. Better view at 6:45

[@soniclink8960]

Compared to PS Audio M1200??

[@stephencosta6814]

❤Jay jay I just purchased a pair of Dali Epicon speakers at a fantastic price they sell for 10,000 Canadian please try to get your hands on a pair I think there’s something very magical and special about them❤❤

[@ramlord6669]

Jay, may I ask you for the damping faktor of these beauties if you know it 🙃 I have searched to find this data, but I was not able to find it.

[@dianakwong3941]

Hi Jay - Big fan since watching you unbox the SF Olympics Nova V’s solo! I have the Gato PWR-222’s and am curious if you connected them to the Paradigm Founder 120h’s that you reviewed separately? The 222’s are my “end game” amps (no desire to change as they should pair great with the Gato PRE-1 I have on order). With the 120H’s ARC room correction top of mind, I am considering the 120’s to serve as my interim reference speakers since my room is not ideal and can benefit from room correction. I plan to upgrade speakers in a few years when I hand down the 120H’s to one of my kids. I am also thinking that the pairing may allow me to stay within the 15 watts of Class A amplification most of the time since the 120H’s subs are “active” with their 1000 Watt amps. Thoughts?

[@lloyd.8272]

Would of been great to have seen a review of the gato fm50 speakers

[@Mr2707ch]

Hi, Please i have a question: I want to buy amplifier Gato AMP-150 AE to use it with my speakers Wharfedale Linton Heritage and Streamer Eversolo DMP- A6. It can work? I will not damage my speakers with that amplifier ? Can you advice me please? Thanks Ben

[@pennfootball71]

Why didn’t you have them send you their bespoke preamp from Gato for these?

[@2013brzsubaru]

Hi Jay, Wonder if you could get the Gato 150 ae for a review and comparison?

[@mrright884]

Are the Gato´s better than the Burson Timekeeper´s GT mono amps?

[@psysword]

Yeah I'd like to know too

[@Dustmaker]

How does these sound compared to the Hegel h600?

[@mtbg4035]

Jay, what happened to the Totem Element Metals? Get rid of them? Still love them?

[@philmu1983]

hi Jay, Thanks for reviewing the Gato pwr-222. May I have your comments on the depth and layering between Gato monos and Hegel H30A ignoring the price difference (assuming preamp and other variables are controlled) . And which amplifier has more roll off top ends, less airyness? Thanks for any replies! Have a great day 😀

[@issacgp]

I m considering to run 2 x nad m23 in bridged mode to run kef R11 s . I have a burmester pre amp. Do you think a gato pwr 222 would sound better in your opinion ? Power wise I believe the nad would be on high side but I m wondering on the musicality and clarity.. thank you

[@TheCharlesAtoz]

Jay, did you use the Audionote line stage with Benchmark amps?

[@Jayiyagi]

yes but it didn't sound that good. It sounded rather wrong... For Benchmark, I'd go with their pre-amplifier

[@stephencosta6814]

@@Jayiyagi very important information. Thank you.

[@Pksparty2112]

If I see 2 components, one sounds a tiny bit better but is just a black box. The other sounds a tiny bit less in quality but looks beautiful. I’m going with the looks. Most of the time the quality of the recordings are sub par. But looks don’t change with bad recordings. And those meters. ❤️

[@Jayiyagi]

looks are important too! Especially when you are paying for something at this price point

[@asplmn]

💯 agreed. This is why I find the best, TOTL vintage gear. They just don't make them like they used to. Even the most expensive gear today doesn't look as nice as the top-tier gear of the 70's and 80's. Enjoy the music. 👍

[@mikeg2491]

Research shows for many people our brain thinks food tastes better when served on fine China or drinks in glass vs plastic. Likewise IMO good aesthetics will trick your brain into believing the audio sounds better.

[@Mark-rw3kw]

I assume that the curved case lessons the chance of standing waves.

[@psysword]

Burson gt mono blocks?

[@torarnekvaly7753]

Did you try them with Doge 8 tube preamp? I am curious if you think it will be a good match?

[@rachelnewyorktruth2564]

gorgeous looking

[@Jayiyagi]

they are! I thought I was crazy

[@rachelnewyorktruth2564]

@@Jayiyagi Especially next to your new speakers. You should keep them. Oh yeah. Got my JBL 4430's back in service. Sorry I drunk messaged you in a panic. haha. I quit drinking

[@user-pm3jk1mj9u]

Hi Jay, I saw you at AXPONA :-). My son and I were there I waved at you. Do you think the Gato mono blocks are in the same league as a Boulder, Gryphon, constellation. Just curious, would love to hear your take. I’ve called a dealer and of course he thinks they are. Thanks for your time. Best wishes.

[@KK-mw2yv]

Have you paired it with your Dynaudio heritage special and if so how did it go together?

[@Jayiyagi]

You can find that in my Dynaudio heritage review. They were fabulous

[@StefanUrkel]

How do these compare to Purifi amps that cost like under $2k for a pair?

[@audiolofil]

Their pre amplifier (prd-3s, I'm currently waiting for pre-1) really makes badly produced music musical, worth checking out. It's like it has internal switch, ok here it's high quality, show everything or oh here it's badly produced, roll off some trebles lol. I've got them with no longer produced Gato FM-6 which are made with scan speak revelator, highly revealing drivers. They don't make my ears bleed though (however I had to place acoustic panels on first reflection points)

[@t.nicklasson6906]

Would love to see this with Manepan LRS/LRS+

[@nebulusnebulus6503]

Anybody knows damping factor?

[@jeffreythurston1822]

I thought for sure these were going to be Class D amplifiers. The way you described their sonic characteristics it sure seems like they are in the realm of Class D.

[@stephencosta6814]

100% I would think the same thing

[@audiolofil]

Gato also have similar looking class D power amplifiers (4 and 6 channels) but AB monoblocks sounds better imo

[@ity1311]

​​​@@audiolofilGato also have two models of 2 chanels class D integrated amps. 250 wats And 400 wats. They are good but their a/b products are much better.

[@pennfootball71]

Mola Mola has a wavy case

[@Hiluxtaco]

I would love to own these beautiful Gato amps. Sadly, they are out of my price range.. 😢

[@gunnerdunbar]

That’s bc you watch cheap audio man

[@Hiluxtaco]

@@gunnerdunbar Watching Randy has nothing to do with the price of these amps...

[@stephencosta6814]

@@gunnerdunbar😂😂😂

[@stephencosta6814]

@@Hiluxtaco I love Randy, but he would never put up ultra high quality stuff like this on his channel

[@michaelz6870]

Did anyone else hear, in their head, Carmen sing "in the gato" when it was discussed where these are made? Just curious. . .

[@psyphonyxaudio]

Nice towers.. Interesting to see.

[@2pramus]

what is your audio amplifier ?

[@jmcprotech9670]

Y Do you need to of them beautiful powerful AMP"S to Deliver them Tower Floorstanding speakers is not one sufficient enough please tell I am keen to know I love All things beautiful AMP/Speakers thanks

[@trajan350]

They are monoblocks - you have to have 1 per speaker.

[@fredsanke4070]

..then what is the Rolls Royce of amps?

[@69leehammond]

Heaven 11 might be a great match

[@gleamtarrest6310]

Haven't seen TwoGents in a while, where He been hiding?

[@briandeeley1599]

People focus to much on the look of components, what matters above all is the circuit. A perfect example of great sound and plain looks is Audio by Van Alstine sadly though Van Alstine seems to be in a transition to retirement.

[@Jayiyagi]

sound comes first but I wouldn't complain if it looks nice as well!

[@briandeeley1599]

@@Jayiyagi The circuit is synonymous with sound after all no circuit no sound.

[@stephencosta6814]

You are 100% correct a van Alstyne are probably the most plain Jane out there

[@briandeeley1599]

@@stephencosta6814 I have a Van Alstine Omega 3 power amp and preamp, bought them about 30 years ago and they still sound great.

[@wubaifen]

I’m using a Van Alstine power amp with my LRS+ and am very happy.

[@asplmn]

If you guys are interested in the real "Bentley" of power amps, look at the Yamaha MX-10000. 🤑 God-tier class and engineering. Maybe it's more of a Bugatti than Bentley. 😆

[@tarquineous]

Looks like an early amp design. Good, but I wouldn't call it a "Bentley".

[@frankestrada4963]

It’s pronounced “Gaa-toe” not “Gia-toe.” Gato means cat in Spanish. I believe their company logo even features a cat.

[@MoooseGooose]

Technically! The Bentley of audio is Naim as they use Naim amps and Focal speakers 😅

[@jc51373]

Not even close...And I like Naim alot.

[@SuperMcgenius]

The amp Enclosures must add 2000 to $3000 retail. Great looking amp.

[@summerforever6736]

Extruded aluminum with some wood on top...

[@cillyede]

👍👍🎶🇩🇪

[@GentielioGaming]

jay, oh my god no! Don't go about the design. it has been done in my car stereo 25 years ago with the rounded heat sinks. it had a light kind of blue to it and it was a great amp for a car audio amp design wise. That is just the design, not picking on the sound.

[@chillandnothing]

Jay, there is no "more warmer", it's just warmer

[@SuperMcgenius]

True, How is your Korean?😂

[@stephencosta6814]

I would like to hear you speak one word of Korean perfectly please

[@Mark-rw3kw]

@@stephencosta6814Does Jay speak Korean? I know he is of Korean decent, but he is Canadian.

[@fransschepens3]

Ugly thing. Horryble design

[@snomofilms]

Just. Say. No. To mock turtlenecks. 😊

[@Roof_Pizza]

LOLZ.