The gorgeously groovy GATO AMP-150

[@DarkoAudio]

*PLEASE READ CAREFULLY* This comments section is *moderated by a third party* who is under strict instruction not to approve racist or sexist remarks, URLs, (the seeds of) conspiracy theories or the unsubstantiated ramblings of grumpy geezers. You're in my house so please play nicely.

[@michaelhald3819]

A review of their compact speakers would interesting 😀

[@thewatcherofstuff]

I will probably never be able to afford 90% of the products you talk about, yet I watch your videos regularly. Your genuine enthusiasm and articulation on such a complicated subject to convey to others, who are not listening to the equipment and experiencing at the same time is quite astonishing. Well done. Seriously.

[@johnsweda2999]

$I don't know second-hand is quite good stuff if you look around, I saw modwright amplifier the other day for £300$

[@kesamek8537]

Simple affordable pro audio is your alternative to 'hifi' for a fraction of the cost. A pair of budget mainstream active studio monitors for under $200 and a sub $100 studio DAC will get you pro level 40Hz-20kHz and as close to ruler flat as you'll ever see with optional free pro grade 'room correction' eq software like Room EQ Wizard (REW). That's how smart folks do it not to mention actual professional audio engineers. All you need is a PC with a USB out. Job done.

[@nacarp2000]

@@ianjohnhorwood2605 Unless you dislike headphone listening, such as myself. I'm happy to spend 10x the cost on a good hifi speaker system than have to listen to headphones.

[@jinvid]

Same here. I’ve only ever been able to afford 2 products that John’s recommended. However I listen from the same reasons. Also his eclectic taste in music has tripled my digital music library with some great tunes! So thank you so much John for all your effort and care! It’s TRULY TRULY appreciated! Btw, I’m more of a Head Fi guy because I can’t afford a system but I would love to have a dream system one day.

[@tarkus7561]

​@@johnsweda2999I

[@JP-bf9jg]

Gato Audio is the bedst hifi i ever had. Like it allso because it is small produkts with big power full kontrol and High-End hifi Sound which gives a lot of respekt. My Gato models are Dia-400S Dac/Network player. And very nice CDD-1. Anniversary with Philips CDpro2 drive. Allso have a Elac Miracord 90 Anniversary turn table is High gloss black - aluminium design. Sound and looks perfect together. Regards from Jimmi Petersen. Denmark.

[@deangale4496]

I love the design to me it just looks great love the back panel and the preouts too.

[@matthewtodd3879]

Great to see you do the Gato ,it means cat , i have the Gato dia 250 npm integrated streamer and the top loader cd player ,fantastic to look at and fantastic sound ,well done john

[@Keeper414]

Just went down a Dry Cleaning wormhole. Def getting a Blue Aeroplanes vibe. Thanks for the tip, John.

[@mikeyp1866]

When you start a chat beginning with a mouth watering red wine you know it's going to last longer then 15 minutes 🤣👍love ya work cheers from New Zealand

[@tedjensen8841]

You still have the Wilson speakers. Excellent.

[@markdemariassy8685]

Loved this! I'll never be in a position to buy either of these, but I loved hearing your thoughts and process. Always prefer this format to bullet points or reading off a script. More real and feels more honest because it's you that's coming through, so thanks! Or should I say 'danke' 🙂

[@johnnixon2504]

The start up sequence for the dial reminds me of how physical gauges in cars sweep on start up! Love it.

[@RadoDani]

Lifeforms is my favorite FSOL record and one of the all time favorites. I even have the new version of Cascade.

[@Andrew_from_Oz_Vinyl_Landscape]

Hi John, great review, the output stage is unique as you pointed out (USP : unique selling point), but even more so are the mosfets they use, and in the mono 222.

[@quadrannilator]

I always love a nice 80s Synth Groove!

[@chrisburn7178]

It would be really interesting to have Gato's DIA-400 NPM vs the Hegel. They're probably closer in comparison as they both have DACs and streamers built in and they're both powerhouses. It would be an interesting Class D v Class AB shootout.

[@marcgabor9690]

Just listened to that new Dry Cleaning album. What a great record. Great recording too. Nice punchy thick sound. The guitars are angular but recorded in a way that keeps them from sounding shrill. the drums and bass are recorded very naturally. It's almost like a jazz recording of a post punk punk band. Great vocal too. Thick and huge sounding. Very forward in the mix.

[@MDFaught]

I'm watching your videos and learning. Thank you for your time.

[@2ChannelListening]

I think the GATO is gorgeous! I love chunky knobs...tactile, visually stunning and a performer. I will have to wait a while until depreciation reaches my comfort zone, let alone import one stateside. Thanks for letting us comment John!

[@petrosraptis6690]

I own the Dynaudio Contour 20i and the Gato AMP 150 a beautiful duo. And the sound is great

[@grommie]

I am thinking about Dynaudio on Gato. Dynaudio is a bit dark but has great detail performance. Gato might sound a bit too bright on Focal or B&W.

[@markhodge5006]

This is where I'm leaning, thanks for your post.

[@raphaelmeillat8527]

What a beauty this amp! Wood veneer version is my favorite. Thanks for reviewing it using different angles. Always a great mix of insights and humor. Cheers from Paris.

[@666chew]

Red wine is my number one go-to when listening to music.

[@hartgemini007]

Great video John-I have a pair of the Gato PWR222 mono’s running through a MSB Descrete DAC, the sound is sublime both natural and organic, plus like you love the look of them, looks like they were designed by a watchmaker - beautifully made .

[@stephensmith3111]

If Gato is inspired by the American Gato-class submarines from World War II, then it should be pronounced with a short 'a' sound, like the Spanish word for cat/Katze. My late father-in-law served aboard the Gato-class submarine USS Drum (SS-228) in the south Pacific.

[@delakota555]

I have a ginger cat 🐈 🙄

[@RoaroftheTiger]

Agreed. Plus, did you note the Company "crest" or Logo - a Feline. So, "Gato" (as in Spanish) must be correct.

[@draztiqmeshaz6226]

Ghostly International tee shirt? Great catalogue, those chaps.

[@aeromaniac13]

That's the look of love... great video!

[@HiFiGOAudio]

OMG it has so many connection ports. Looks like a powerful device.

[@michaelcope856]

Looks like it's got excellent knob feel. Moderator! The curtains!

[@dougg1075]

The music recommendations are much appreciated

[@geoffmerrigan6261]

I have seen the Gato at shows a number of times and it really stands out. Lovely looking design.

[@tomchan2559]

Gato has speakers too. Please review them.

[@RupertFear]

Agree re “Dry Cleaning”, Marc Riley on 6 Music have been playing them for about a year

[@JoVD]

Alway’s happy to discover new music true your channel , thanks !

[@wavesnowaves]

Appreciated if you could feature more of a devices remote control, in your reviews (if it has one). For me, this is quite important - when it comes to look, feel and build quality. Not to mention functionality. Great review!

[@henriksrensen3220]

Great review John. So much great hi-fi from Denmark. Also Gryphon audio

[@cbpersel]

Thank you for introducing the Dry Cleaning album. Being that my musical tastes seem to run similar to yours, I gave it a listen. Excellent stuff. Thanks again.

[@F1fletch]

Great review, I love Gato and they are virtually un-reviewed on KZbin. The DIA-250S is a serious contender for my next integrated, would love to see a review ;)

[@kennomos4220]

"This is the whole point of Hi Fi - making the music you like sound the best for YOU'. That's a fantastic quote and seems to sum up the ethos of John's approach. Thank's mate - these videos are a sublime education. I find John's work enlightening, empowering, accessible and very beginner friendly.

[@matthoweoxford]

Thank you SOOO MUCH... I haven't stopped listening to the 'New Long Leg' by Dry Cleaning all week. Best post-lockdown album I could imagine. Thank you for recommending music that always makes me want to listen, learn and discover more... and most importantly love the music... not just the kit.

[@Maxiinti]

Hi John are you ever going to look at Accuphase E-480 ? Love your canal 👏 bravo

[@brkly99]

As a history buff, the first thing that came to mind when I saw the name was the submarine class. Cool that they based the design on that!

[@richclips]

So it sounds as if it has anold skool Quasi-complimentary output stage, a pair on NPN power transistors with a phase splitter pre-driver stage, and then that volume stage sounds like it's a classic VCA driven from a micro :) I designed something along these lines when I was at uni, and the discovered that the Pink Triangle PIP pre also used a VCA to control the volume. Nice work as always John, best Audiio channel on YT :)

[@photobriangray]

Interesting about the digital regulation of the analog amplification. It reminds me of Grand Seiko's Spring Drive movement, a mechanical spring regulated by quartz oscillation.

[@kenbrown4904]

A note to those whom liked the sound of this Gato amp.....there is an integrated amp, with streamer and DAC built-in for €3k in their range also ....gets very good owner reviews...thanks John , as always

[@dixieflatline1189]

FSOL Papa New Guinea, Lifeforms & Dead Cites were all big influences back in the day. Their ISDN “tour” was pioneering back in the days before internet, makes me smile to think how far we have come since the early 90’s. Have not listened to them in years, so thanks John for the reminder. I might even dust off Leftfield / Leftism too!

[@peterbriggs2771]

Love the asthetics and a heavy volume...yet I also love the naimes volume control. It's great to see the marriage of good musical presentation with form😎🎶

[@koszyklbn]

I love Gato products. Their amps and speakers are outstanding. Such a classy looking products. BTW London Grammar released new album !

[@samnolan7670]

I saw it pop up on Qobuz earlier, hadn't heard of them before - utterly blown away!

[@ianpickering4020]

Me too! I have a Gato DIA-250s partnered with their FM-30 speakers - sounds amazing. I'm also a big London Grammar fan - maybe a good combination?

[@robertwarren8341]

Been watching you for quite a long time thank you for doing these videos great equipment and I learn something every time

[@garykarlin1777]

Stemless glasses! John!

[@HouseofRecordsTacoma]

Excellent review on explaining nuances & synergy.

[@David-Ellis]

I like the wine analogy! Makes perfect sense to me. Ive been considering a H390, but after SG reviewed the Gato I was unsure. Maybe in my room (which is a bit bright) perhaps the H390 is the better choice after all. Mind you, Gato will give you a full refund if it doesn't suit you - so maybe I should listen to it at home and judge myself? Decisions decisions. Oh I love the look of the Gato too - nice knobs! Many thanks John - Great review

[@killahtomata]

Maybe think at the Gato Dia 400s. It has a streamer build in, is made in denmark, brushed metal all around at 4000t euro! I dont understand why you thinking? Hegel is good but overradet in the net...

[@jamesj5469]

I like they way you talk about this stuff that it's based on what you like and listen to makes a lot more sense with reviewing

[@Vikings_FAN_05]

I am really intrested in the Gato DIA 250S. It has a streamer build in like the Hegel. If you could review that, it would be great.

[@killahtomata]

I own a Gato 250s and its the best price/sound/quality amp you can get. When you dont use Roon, its better to take the normal 250s and get a bluesound...Mconnect app its not the best for my taste;) Its an Endgame Amp for me... in future i will drive Heco La diva with it...no problem

[@LordVictorHalgaard]

Not to mention similar power and lower price.

[@stijnvanderlooy5311]

Devialet expert is even better... at least to my ears

[@matthewtodd3879]

I have the Gato dia 250 and the cd player the streamer in Bluetooth is fantastic,great buy

[@Vikings_FAN_05]

@@stijnvanderlooy5311 it is a bit more money than the Gato :)

[@stevenburke1728]

Just got the Amp 150 and first impressions are awesome! Great integrated amp. It sounds better as a stand alone amp in my opinion. Regardless, it gives you so much for the money.

[@latle111]

I'm planning to buy the gato 150 and I'm trying to know as much about it as I can. Could you please share more about the amp plz ty.

[@stevehuhta1876]

@@latle111 I've had the Gato Amp 150 for about a year now, its truthfully phenomenal!

[@grommie]

​@@latle111hey, did you buy ? Does it lack bass?

[@jeffwinney3673]

You had me at "plumper bottom end." :) Love the Gato. Might be my next upgrade.

[@johnpischedda6951]

The "Gato" is one cool cat !

[@jstoli996c4s]

*making the music you like, sound the best for you* Nailed it 💯

[@thomashobbes8786]

Love how the Gato looks!

[@lencycler1]

just once I wish someone would say...'when I played Tangerine Dream's Tangram', or Jeffrey Koepper's Momentium', or Marconi Union's (any album)....it sounded incredible. But no one ever does...I am alone.

[@GusdeHbg]

I have been listening Dry cleaning for weeks, great band!

[@Fastnbulbous1969]

Cool to see the Montecillo Rioja! That's been my fave wine for 25 years --the red label for $6-7 USD was a great value back then, perfect for BYOB Thai, and the blue label reserva for special dates (and engagement!).

[@knivesandfire1]

My local radio station, KEXP Seattle, has been playing Dry Cleaning’s Scratchcard Lanyard for months. Very catchy tune. Will have to check out the rest of the album now.

[@Tho76mas]

Just looked up Dry Cleaning on Spotify. Like it! :)

[@richardsaila8073]

Thank you for Dry Cleaning. Also excellent review. 👍

[@michaelingram4132]

Great review, GREAT T-Shirt, small point - the Hegel H390 retails for €5995 so the difference between it and the Gato AMP-150 is 2Gs

[@GrandTrunkWestern85]

I agree it looks fantastic. The pictures don't do it justice I thought it was going to be like a super small desktop class t amplifier but it's fairly substantial thank you

[@merlecrandall1709]

I seen someone else review the Gato. I liked your presentation and the extra info on the astecthics of the Gato. I enjoyed this review much better. Torpedoes away.

[@janwillemkuilenburg7561]

Video music fragments sound great but could be at lower volume in case of using a headphone.

[@DigitalPhilosophers]

I love its design 🤩 Especially with the wooden top 🤤

[@The-Spotlight-Kid]

I'l always be thinking of "Das Boot" & Captain Nemo when i see this amp

[@spark7516]

Nice take on the Gato Amp 150! Well done. Also thank you for introducing me to Dry Cleaning! Have enjoyed the album very much! They sort of remind me of a modern version of Romeo Void (80s).

[@MDFaught]

I just downloaded Dry Cleaning, I'll be giving a listen.

[@RoeeEliav]

Listening to Dry Cleaning. They have a very strong Baxter Dury vibe.

[@zoransudar2821]

Nice review as always, and now i am addicted to FSOL👌😉

[@nelsta77u.k53]

It's a sham you didn't have naim's Supernait 3 in the mix, would of been an even more interesting review similar price and performance I guess. Anyway great review all the same Gato looks the part would be my choice analog amp also.

[@jimfarrell4635]

Been said before on other fora but this really reminds me of Musical Fidelity's early X series components, which also divided opinion but which I loved. I think the Gato looks great. Maybe they were both based on the same submarine...

[@carlitomelon4610]

@ Jim Farrell Hi Jim! Thanks for the remote for my current Mu-Fi XP 100 preamp- you're a fine Scottish gentleman;-)

[@ph0real444]

19 minutes before the wine-hifi comparison kicks in. Not bad :)

[@sav7568]

That first clip is like the sort of thing that Carlos Santana played in the mid 1970s such as the Moonflower album.

[@Maccaboy1984]

Would love to see you review a Norma IPA140 integrated. I don’t think Norma gets enough airtime, and would like to hear your thoughts in comparison to the more well known brands

[@joshualee9184]

Just discovered Dry Cleaning before your video and they’re bloody good!

[@truman4956]

The Gato is the perfect combination with the Concept 500 speakers (a speaker that can be a little too relaxed. The Gato brings it to life).

[@RasheedKhan-he6xx]

Audio level really jumps during musical interludes. Might want to watch that next time.

[@darreng279]

Volume wars.

[@alvaskins]

Paused the video to listen to Scratchedcard Lanyard and ended up listening to the whole album.

[@Wenslauw]

I’d love to put this amp next to a Naim Supernait 3. I have listened to the higher end Hegels, but they just don’t make me tap my foot like the Naim does.

[@jeppemichaeljensen2684]

Best time on KZbin this week !

[@matthewtodd3879]

John you must review the Gato top loader dac cd player please

[@johnhoffman8041]

Hi John what about the Auralic G1 with the gato? Would that be a good combo? Sort of hard to have to add components to such a wonderful looking amp.

[@gerardjurgens2670]

Here in Chile, Gato is an affordable winebrand which is mostly sold in carton boxes

[@brandonburr4900]

I sense with your review and Steve Guttenbergs gato is going to get a lot more orders for their 5 person team. Good to see small companies get attention. Those Wilson speakers look like their part of your long term system 😀

[@analoggins]

Big fan of the wine analogy (mainly as I use it myself when talking about hi-fi). Don’t usually go mad in the comments section but wanted to recommend the Mark Fell & Will Guthrie LPs infoldings/diffractions. Best wishes man.

[@bhupendraparekh6225]

Great review, gato is definitely on my must try list. Would love to see a review of rotels Michi integrated amps, again great review.

[@jonathanhotopf1823]

Reminds me a little of the X series Musical Fidelity which have a similar appearance which I used to have. Love the look of these.

[@datdudeinred]

I just love the music i discover from John's videos EXCEPTIONAL!

[@DarkoAudio]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@johnrobins795]

Awesome review of course...get and support the vibe about looks; even the most subtle of alterations in the black box design can earn kudos; the real kudos should go to the complete departure that components like the Gato present🎶

[@nicoras8803]

Output is called Quasi Complimentary, noting special about that topology very many designs use exactly that topology it reduces your inventory and finding pairs to match is much easier from having them already pre-match buying from the same manufacturing date. i.e. buying the same production date are made identically for that production run, Sorry if I this comment messes with the vlog.

[@Krell666]

As a huge Plaid fan.. respect.

[@anthonyhopkin]

Love your vids, John - always make me smile. Would love to have your take on the Leema competitor to these (Tucana anniversary e.g.). Love my Hydra II with a Chord Hugo TT2. Greetings to one and All.

[@harrybaque5502]

Best disclaimer of all time!

[@MurchyMurch]

Inverted Transistors? This is some Tenet level stuff. Welcome to the future.

[@flohmann]

Because I admire your attention to aesthetics and user experience, alongside sound quality, I was surprised that you didn't mention or compare the *remotes* for these two units. Many buyers will interact with the remote even more than the volume knob. (Plus, I've been spoiled by the Devialet Expert remote, which I know you've experienced as well. Now that remote really does "blow others out of the water.")

[@f.troiani5937]

If Gato were to do a SACD player (not just redbook), the aesthetics would lure me in for sure!

[@JamesH1973]

How does a customer who wants to buy an audio product like the Gato or Hegel audition it, if the Gato is sold direct and finding a Hifi Store that stock Hegel not so easy to find? Getting them both in the room at the same time for Joe Bloggs is going to take a lot of planning.

[@poisonflour6723]

Love the Dry Cleaning album

[@richardjohnston4682]

Hadn’t heard of them till lately, great music,courtesy of Radio 6 music.