Gryphon Diablo 120

The shiny new toy always gives greater pleasure than the old battered toy!

@bluethinker In what way is the D120 different from the Luxman? I have a D300 but have never heard the 120.

Not to derail, but we think alike as I have a Zenith and a Merason and I am thinking about the QLN 3’s, interested in your impressions of these speakers. 

I'm wondering if the reason your not engaged anymore with your tube amp was due to tube starting to ware out. This is typical of tubes that are getting old and are in need of replacing. 

@glennewdick - I actually recently replaced EL34 tubes in my Conrad Johnson Classic 120. I plan on keeping that amp. I think the relaxed nature of the amp, based on the other components I'm using, probably has something to do with my perceptions. The QLN Prestige 3 speakers tend to be relaxed sounding and the Merason is a very smooth DAC. For what it's worth, the Innuos Zenith mkiii, is also known to be a relaxed sounding server. 

@swede58 - The Gryphon Diablo 120 is, from my first 24 hours, a far more dynamic sounding amp. Part of this is system specific. I'm running the Luxman 590axii with Buchardt S400 mkii speakers, so that might have something to do with it. The Luxman 590axii is a great amp, but it lacks the speed, dynamics and base of the Gryphon Diablo 120. 

@zlone - I think we've communicated before regarding the Merason Dac1. The QLN Prestige 3 speakers are fantastic. It's a cliche, but they really disappear in the room. Music is presented in a very holistic way and the frequencies - base to treble - are all incredibly balanced. My preference will always be towards a generally relaxed sound, so for my tastes, the QLN Prestige 3 are perfect for my tastes. There are so many speakers out there, but I just don't have any interest - based on hearing other speakers in audio stores - to explore any other options. I think I'll probably keep these speakers for the rest of my life. In brief, I love them. 

Thanks. The QLN's sound like a good fit for me as well.

@zlone - I couldn’t afford them new, so picked up a used pair from an audio studio engineer in NY. They rarely come up for sale used, unfortunately. If you can find a used pair, I recommend jumping on them. They’re just fantastic speakers. 

 They’re just fantastic speakers. 
 

I agree, heard the Signature 5’s at a HiFi show in Stockholm. Great Swedish speakers!

@swede58 - Agreed. They truly are! 
 

Impressions after one day. The Pursuit of Perfect Systems review (I’ll find and link it here) is pretty spot on. There is a subdued, almost dark, treble which takes a little bit of getting used to. I think I like it because it avoids ever being bright, but it is definitely a different treble energy than I’ve ever heard before. 
 

Full hijack mode now, I am curious what speakers you replaced with the QLN’s. 

elephant here, still waiting for those photos 

@Grisleybutter - I’ll work on it this weekend. Not sure why, but the virtual system feature hasn’t worked when I tried uploading in the past. I’ll try to get it up by end of day tomorrow! 

@zlone - Before purchasing the QLN speakers, I demoed multiple Harbeth, Proac, Triangle, Spendor, Dynaudio, Vanderstein and Coherent speakers. There are so many variables to consider from accompanying amp, room, cables, front end, etc. Aside from the Coherent speakers, all demos were in audio stores. Before I even knew about the QLN speakers, after the auditions noted above, I purchased the Dynaudio Heritage Speakers, which I still own. The Dynaudio Heritage specials are bookshelf speakers, so not quite a fair comparison with the QLN Prestige 3.
 

I still swap them into the system for a couple of months in the year for a change of pace. They are fantastic speakers and I don’t want to sell them. They’re wonderful, but just not as complete of a speaker as the QLN prestige 3. 

The more I have gotten into this hobby, I understand the importance of system marching. What amp would you use to drive the QLN Prestige 3? 

Thanks, it sounds like you did your homework. I would use a Coda #8 which should drive them handily. You can check out my virtual system. I am using KEF Reference One’s now and I really like them, but heard QLN’s at AXPONA this year and was smitten.

I started investing in my audio system during COVID. In retrospect, I would have done even more research, but I’m happy where I’ve ended up. I’ve researched the coda amps and have been intrigued. From what I’ve read, it seems the coda 8 would be a good pairing. 
 

Which version of the coda 8 do you have? I know there are three versions with one being biased more towards class A, but then being having reduced watts in 8, 4 loads. 

Which version of the coda 8 do you have? I know there are three versions with one being biased more towards class A, but then being having reduced watts in 8, 4 loads. 
 

I have version 1 with 18 watts of class A, and 150/300 into 8/4 ohms. Based on the meters I don’t push any limits and my speakers are pretty demanding. 
 

Let me know when you finally get a pair in your house. I’d be interested to hear what you think.