Gryphon vs. McIntosh

Those that"Dis" Gryphon have never heard it. Either that, or they're tone deaf!

I think the same is often true of those who "dis" McIntosh.

I second that. The Mcintosh Ma 7000 is over price and you are paying for looks and longevity. This units reminds me of Mark Levinson 383. Integrated. Dull but it's pretty. It's like looking at nice picture instead of being part of the picture. No emotion and the power is weak until it's turn up to 2 o clock.

Bossjay,
Overpriced in comparison to what? Emotiva? Outlaw? Maybe you should look at it from the other side, and compare its relative value to brands like Soulution, Burmester, Constellation etc.; and then decide just what that last 5% of performance is worth.

I have spent 3-4 hours by myself with a full Gryphon system (i.e. Mirage pre-
amp, Colosseum stereo power amp, and the Trident speakers) in a room with
which I am rather familiar. The sound was good, but certainly not worth the
asking price, i.e. I have heard a few systems (some significantly cheaper
some similarly priced) sounding better in that room.

Gryphon tries to project the impression of a very pretentious company.
However, IMO they are trying too hard to get attention. Plus, there is a lot of
controversy around them. We have the story about the USA dealer/reviewer,
and we also have the story about the Tabu integrated which was sold also as a
NAD Silver line integrated (at half the price if not less than half). Furthermore,
as other have hinted already, the fact that they are "active" here on Audiogon
(i.e. an American forum for selling 2nd hand hi-fi) and talk here about their
Croatian dealers while they do not have a USA distributor is also not helping.

I find some of their products quite beautiful (e.g. the Colosseum amps).
However, some of their products are really silly (e.g. the remote of the Mirage
pre which instead of being design to be held in one’s hand has feet….).
Overall, I do not think it is a bad company, certainly not, but it would not be
my first choice.

Paul

I am perhaps interested in buying an Gryphon Tabu.

My system consists of an Vincent SV234 integrated amp, my speaker are Infinity Renaissance 90's, i use an Revox B795 turntable with Jolida JD9 phon pre.

Streaming is done via my modified SB Touch connected to an Audio GD SA2 dac.

Will the Gryphon be an potential upgrade and will it give more current to the speakers?

My music preference is basically very broad. But has an focus on Jazz and Classical music. Looking forward to your input?

How is the reliability of this amp now?

I would not buy the Tabu for two reasons: 1) is rather old, and 2) it is cheaper to buy a NAD Silver line S300 integrated amp (also rather old) which seems to be the same integrated as the Tabu but with a different cover.

I also know that it is rather difficult to adjust the volume level from the remote control, e.g. the slightest push of the volume buttons on the remote will make a quite large change in music volume. (I did not own this integrated, but a good friend of mine did and he complained to me about this the whole year he has own it. On the other hand, the Tabu sounded quite nice when driving the Focal Micro Utopia Be speakers of my friend.)

Greetings,
This is a very old thread. No idea if anyone is still watching.
Not big into posting, which you'll notice if you view my history.
Every 5 or so years, the audio bug bites me, and thus Im compelled...knowingly by a lack of reason...to spend a lot of money on things to pacify an inner child.
Im historically in the mid-fi price range, for the record. I have other, more expensive hobbies, but Im not wealthy...just single and employed.
This thread really embodies a lot of the thoughts I struggle with in dealing with my illnesses. Im a network engineer now, but I studied Industrial Design for 2 years in college (enough to get a minor in it.) I was lucky enough to go to a school setup by a Doctor from the Bauhaus. I ended up changing majors, as I realized I wasnt good enough to be successful (its incredibly competitive and only the best typically succeed.) But it gave me a wealth of experience in both studying and creating "fine" and "industrial" art.
Where am I going with this? Its like this...
As an engineer who deals with complex electromechanical designs all day, my brain is quite confident that my mid-fi system (halo p7 pre-amp, HCA 1500 amp, elite transport/rega DAC and paradigm studio 20 v5's with a small Hsu sub,) if placed in a good room (mine room is not,) would sound >80% as good as a system costing 10x as much. Or to paraphrase the hysterical Anchorman line "80 percent of the time, it sounds perfect."
But, another part of me knows that, in the overall scheme of things, how "good" something sounds has little to do with physical reproduction of the sound waves and pressures. Its ultimately made receivable and "enjoyable" by the intention and artistry of the person making the music, the person recording and producing the music...and...the person designing and creating the equipment reproducing it. This, coupled with your own affinity for receiving this intention, is what drives your experience of it.
Again...where and I going with this?
Ive desired to experience a Gryphon "anything" since I first saw a DM100 in an article back in the 90's, and I read an interview with Flemming about his vision for the company.
Call him what you will, but this is a man with clarity of vision like few Ive seen. And the products he sponsors are some of the most intense...in design, component selection and execution...that you will ever see.
Do you have to like it? No. Do you have to at-least acknowledge its power? Yes.
Of further misfortune, apparently Im on Flemming's wavelength in a lot of his design principles. So maybe that makes me a "jerky" also, but it makes me appreciate his designs even more.
And please be clear on this...whatever people like is great. I dont have to "like" it, and its totally fine. Diversity of experience is what makes this place fun.
On a side note, but to make a point... I remember when I was a little kid listening to Duran Duran on cassette on my Sear's all-in-one record player/radio/cassette deck system. And you know what...I enjoyed that every bit as much as I like listening to that same song on CD on my mid-fi system now. How odd that is ;)
OK, back on track here..
The main point is that my current 5 year stretch is about to end, and I think its time to go ahead and get an Atilla. Ive convinced myself I "need" a nice integrated amp for my bedroom setup, or possibly to downsize my main setup.
The problem is...I cant even find a dealer to buy it from (none the less see one.) As much as I like performance, Im pretty sure that I would enjoy it; so much so that it could probably sound terrible and Id still enjoy owning it.
But for obvious reasons, Flemming "cant" find a good dealer in the US. Does he really even want to? I dont know. Who knows. If he can sell everything he wants to make now...what reason is there to add any additional market? Perhaps he knows...as all good manufacturers do...that when you must lower standards to increase production, the quality of your product goes down. Why would you compromise your integrity for more money, if you already had "enough?" I would not. Maybe he would not either.
One last thing... Someone please help me understand why integrated amps are not more popular? Optimizing the amp/pre-amp characteristics for one-another, and removing external interconnects, are huge bonuses. With proper component isolation, it makes total sense. Personally, and in general, I prefer that analog components be separate from digital ones. But otherwise, Im all-for analog integrated amplifiers.
OK, so this is long as heck and possibly pointless, but I couldnt help passing up such a juicy thread as this. I got to vent on at least 5 pet-peeves in one post!

Im not sure you can use Gryphon and McIntosh in the same sentence. They both make great products, but Gryphon is in a different league... (imo)

Kwb,
Which models of Gryphon and McIntosh do you, or have you owned?

Kwb,
Still waiting to hear how you reached your opinion concerning Gryphon vs. McIntosh. Do you have actual experience, or are you just guessing?

...Just as I suspected.

Sorry to keep you waiting Roxy... I have never owned a piece of McIntosh gear, not that I wouldn't because it is "good" gear. I also have never owned Gryphon (it is not available in the United States), but I have listened to both on many occasions and in the same system.

I heard the McIntosh MC501 mono blocks and the Gryphon Antileon Signature Stereo amplifier in the same system driving a pair of Wilson Sasha's. In my opinion (which I am entitle to last time I checked) and the 4 others in the room - there was no comparison, the Gyphon was in another league... Just like lrsky mentioned above.... But, the Gryphon cost 3 times more than the McIntosh, so it may not be a fair comparison taking in consideration the cost difference.

If you can't hear the difference, it's not all bad. You will save a lot of money..

Everyone has their preference and you are obviously proud of McIntosh. For the money it is very good stuff, just not in the same league as Gryphon (in my opinion).

Happy Listening

Started this thread in 2012 and just found it again now. Just to tell all of you that in November 2015 I managed to find Gryphon Callisto 2200 in great condition and bought it without big hesitation. With just few words. This is it, I found my holy grail. Nothing more is needed until it lasts. I hope for long. Gryphon succeed to draw a big smile on my face for whatever I listen.

Associated equipment: Harbeth SHL5+, Musical Fidelity NuVista, Cardas Golden Cross (IC + speaker cables), DIY power cables Oyaide 079 + Tempoelectric.

You could consider replacing Cardas with something with more balance and resolution.

Yeah you might be correct Inna. I just replaced Cardas Golden Cross with my good old Nordost SuperFlatline MKII that I had in my secondary system and first things that I noticed quite strucked me. I guess I was lazy for 2 years that I did not try that even though I had Nordost always at home.

What were first things I noticed? More attack, better transients, better defined basss, also the music picture became taller with more details. Good thing about Gryphon Callisto 2200 + Harbeth SHL5+ combo I have is that Nordost did not add any brightness as I can not stand that at all. Currently I’m quite happy with this. I have a plan that I will also put in the system also some Nordost IC to see how it is with this. Also considering to buy Heimdall 2 ICs if Nordost combination will be satisfying.

p.s. I think I read some years back, maybe even here on Audiogon about experiences that Gryphon and Nordost are quite very good combo to go with.

Best regards, D.

Gryphon makes their own cables. Expensive. I read that people used various cables with Gryphons, including Purist, Echole, Jorma and others I have never heard of. Gryphon and Harbeth should get along very well.

Yeah I'm aware about the Gryphon cables too, but no opportunity that I'm able to try them. Also to get second hand is quite hard and also a gamble if you just buy directly and not hear them in the system.
Personally I had the best experience from about 7 years back when I tried friend's Gryphon Tabu on Canton Vento 807DC speakers, connected with Nordost cables (SuperFlatline speaker, Red Dawn IC). It is still a memory that I hold in my head until today. Music became alive and totally filled my living room from top to bottom and I submerged in the music bubble.

When I plugged my Gryphon Callisto and make I connection with SuperFlatlines, some of these memories become alive again. I now search for some Nordost ICs to plug it also in the system to see how far I can bring my system, which is becoming more and more enjoyable :).
Best regards, Davor.

Mcintosh is midfi compared to Gryphon it's as simple as that.Gryphon can only be compared to CH Precision, Boulder, Audionet, Robert Koda, Dan d'Agostino, Pilium, Soulution, Nagra, Spectral, Technical Brain, Dartzeel and a couple of others.