Preamp Advice Needed - Gryphon Amp - Currently ARC Ref5se

Zesto Audio has a couple you would love

Are you looking for balanced operation?

Thank you.
Yes, I would prefer balanced operation from preamp to amp.

I am vinyl only, current setup:
Techdas AF3
Herron VTPH2
ARC Ref5se
Gryphon
Wilson Sasha

rob67 OP
 I now have a Gryphon Antileon Signature amp.
In comparison find the set-up a little dark or rolled off in the highs.
I tried a PASS X2.5 in place of the Ref5se and the top end opened up.

My friend has this Gryphon Antilleon Evo Signature with Wilson Alexia MkII and with my passive pre feeding it, it is pure magic with all the highs and lows and dynamic slam you could wish for.
My opinion is your tube pre or phono stage is rolling off the highs.

Cheers George

Hi George
Thats interesting to hear and I suspect the same.
May I ask what passive pre you have?
Rob

Gryphon has a newly announced preamp coming soon.

Just googled it, the Zena?
Thank you @jackd

rob67 OP67 posts06-30-2018 10:12amHi George
Thats interesting to hear and I suspect the same.
May I ask what passive pre you have?
Rob

Hi Rob, I manufacture the Lightspeed Attenuator in Australia.
Second from the top here:
https://forum.audiogon.com/topics/amps-preamps?tab=alltime

Here is my review of the Wilson Alexia MkII with the Gryphon
https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/new-wilson-alexia-mkii-listening-session?highlight=Wilson%2BA...


The owner of Soundstage Alexia review.
https://www.soundstageaustralia.com/index.php/reviews/84-wilson-audio-specialties-alexia-series-2-lo...

PM me with your email, if you need some info.
Cheers George

rob67 OP67 posts06-30-2018 10:38amJust googled it, the Zena?

He reviled it too, don't know if he's getting one though.
https://www.soundstageaustralia.com/index.php/news/158-gryphon-audio-designs-new-princess-the-zena-p...

Cheers George

Since you liked a SS in the Pass,  I would recommend a SST Ambrosia,  many tube like qualities,  excellent phono built in and balanced from 1 end to the other.  Find any review, I believe all 3 that I have read all say,  it competes with anything at any price.  Looking is free.   
I hope this helps, 
Tim 

@georgehifi
Im not sure how to PM on this site...
My amp has balanced inputs, do you make a balanced version of the Attenuator?
How did you connect to the EVO?
Great reviews.

@timlub 
Tim thank you for the SST recommendation.
I like what seems a wider bandwidth of the SS pre, although it is a bit brash sounding in comparison to the REF5se.
I am hoping a higher quality SS pre will have the best of both.

rob67 OP
How did you connect to the EVO?

I sent a PM to you Rob with my abbreviated email address.
Answer it using the email so I can send all the info, as I’m limited with what can be sent in PM’s.

Cheers George

rob67 OP
How did you connect to the EVO?

Hi Rob, you should now have an email with all the info on how it was all done with Edgar Kramer's Gryphon Antillion Evo/Alexia setup.

Cheers George

@rob67 The advantage of balanced operation is that you can avoid sonic attributes coming from the interconnect cable itself.
To achieve that, the output impedance of the source is very low. The other thing that is required is that the actual signal occurs between pins2 and 3 of the XLR, and ground is ignored.
When you do balanced any other way, such as with a passive volume control, you lose the primary aspect of going balanced, immunity to interconnect cables imposing a sound.

This is why it is possible for a good balanced preamp to be considerably more transparent and less colored than a passive control.

hi Rob, i highly recommend Backert Labs Extreme or higher preamp  which would definitely surpass Ref5se qualities and aid Gryphon top end to open up. BackertLabs pre have wide soundstage being airy and extended with silkyness without sounding brittle or sterile. It feels relax, natural and it's leading edge are not harsh or metallic sounding.
Both ARC & BLabs have excellent sound stage to make your speakers disappear but ARC sounds somewhat little bit dark "tone-down" or close-in comparing to Backert Labs pre. BL have that refreshing breath feeling like listening in wide open pasture..

Thank you all for your comments.
I am researching all recommendations.

@philipwu I like the sound you are describing of the Backert Labs, although it doesnt seem to have balanced outputs.

What interconnects, cables, and power cords are you using?

@rob67  
actually backert labs preamps do have balance in and outs, check out their website  : )  i am using XLR connections right now..

@philipwu  Good for you!  The Backerts are the finest of gentlemen.  I would bet, based on how great my extensively modified cj line stage sounds, that their proprietary gear must be really something!🎼