Speakers for Gryphon Diablo 120

@ullogu1 - It’s funny you happen to ask this question, as I just went through this myself. I saw a used Gryphon 120 come up for sale used from a dealer and I jumped on it. Initially, I paired it with my QLN prestige 3 speakers. The synergy didn’t work, as the Gryphon 120 has a dark character on the top end. 
 

I switched in my pair of Dynaudio Heritage Specials speakers and they sounded absolutely fantastic with the Gryphon 120 amp. The Dynaudio Heritage Specials feature one of Dynaudio’s top end tweeters, so there is a lot of focus on the upper frequencies. 
 

When I listen to that pairing, my urge to upgrade or tweak equipment sort of goes away. I’d read somewhere that Dynaudio tends to be synergistic with Gryphon. I was fortunate to have a pair of Dynaudio speakers, so I got lucky. 
 

Can’t recommend that pairing highly enough. 

@milpai - I’ve demoed some proac speakers. My sense is they don’t have enough treble energy to compensate for the dark nature of that amp. My two cents. 
 

Have you guys listened to the Gryphon Diablo 120 amp in your own system?

It's seriously dark on the top end and really isn't a match with a speaker unless the speaker is a little hot on the treble. My QLN Prestige 3 speakers are super balanced, but didn't sound good with the Gryphon Diablo 120. 

Once paired with the right set of speakers, it's pretty much an end-game solid state amp for me. It sounds really good and has a bit of a tube amp signature. 

 

@ullogu1 - The Dynaudio Heritage Specials are anything but dark. They’re super open and detailed. They are great speakers. I recommend reading the reviews on them with are consistent with my experience with them. 

Paired with the Gryphon, the sound is open, balanced, detailed with great bass. I’ve sat listening to the pairing incredibly immersed in the music. The pairing of the Gryphon 120 with the Dynaudio Heritage is straight up wonderful. 
 

I’ve now owned or demoed Pass Labs class A, Luxman class A and AB, Conrad Johnson, Audio Hungary, Rogue amps at my house. The Gryphon 120, in my limited experience, is the overall best sounding amp I’ve had here. It’s simultaneously the most detailed and dynamic amp I’ve personally experienced when matched with a complimentary speaker. It has a propulsive quality to it that is pretty addicting. 

Without that complimentary speaker in place, it’s as if the treble energy got turned down by a hidden soundboard master who had too many beers the night before.

@milpai - I wouldn’t call it “looking for a bandaid.” 
 

It’s just about pairing it with the right speaker. Once you do, you understand why Gryphon amps are respected. It’s a fantastic amp. 

@soix - I honestly don’t think cables are the answer for the dark character of the amp. From experience, I 100% feel it’s a speaker pairing issue. 

@milpai - Great question.

One of the reviews on the Gryphon 120 was done by the amiable “Pursuit of Perfect Systems” English reviewer. He references the dark quality of the treble in the review, below. I feel his review is absolutely spot on, by the way.

https://www.pursuitperfectsystem.com/entry-level-gryphon-the-diablo-120-integrated-amplifier-review/

But what exactly is that dark quality mean in my experience?

When I connected the amp to my QLN prestige 3 speakers, which are incredibly balanced and relaxed, the treble sounded like it went down an octave. The highs were muted and the treble energy was diminished. The air on the high frequencies was muted and recessed. I was somewhat disappointed because the QLN speakers have been my reference speakers.

Due to circumstances, I had a pair of Dynaudio Heritage Speakers in the house that I wasn’t using as frequently. Why? Because I felt they were a little tipped up on the treble compared to the QLN speakers. But when I moved the Dynaudio Heritage into position with the Gryphon 120, the synergy was immediately evident.

I will back off from my soapbox now. Just sharing my experience and enthusiasm for the amp when you pair it with a complementary speaker.

@gryphongryph - I switch back and forth every few months between the Gryphon 120 with Dynaudio Heritage Special speakers to the QLN Prestige 3 driven by a Conrad Johnson Classic 120 paired with an LTA Microzotl preamp. 
 

Dac is the Merason dac1 mkii and the streamer/server is Innuos Zenith mkiii. 
 

I can’t decide which pairing I like better. Both are pretty much end-game for me unless I win the lottery. 

@gryphongryph - Based on your handle, is it fair to assume you also have a Gryphon amp? If so, may I ask what your system consists of? 

@grislybutter - I owe you a system photo. The last few years have been a whirlwind. I promise to get a photo up soon.

And you are right. I did win the lottery! 

@gryphongryph - I’ve read good things about those Belles amps. I’ve always been intrigued with Graham speakers. Can you share what you feel the sound signature is of your Graham speakers?

@ullogu1 - Excellent! Glad you watched that Pursuit of Perfect Systems video. His description of the Gryphon is very accurate, based on my personal experience. The voicing of the amp seems to favor speakers with a hot treble. I’m thinking they paired it with their own Gryphon speakers when they designed it.

Paired with the Dynaudio Heritage speakers, it’s definitely my favorite amp. Let us know how things settle in with the B&W speakers. 

@gryphongryph - Thanks for the reply on the Graham speakers! Although I already have three pairs, I’m super curious about the new Graham LS8/f (I think that is the model). They are floor standing speakers. I think they’ve just come out very recently. 
 

Do you have a Graham dealer near you? 

@gryphongryph - Correction. I guess it’s the LS59/f model I was intrigued by. They were actually announced 5 years ago. 😁 

For anyone reading this thread in the future, I just reconnected my Gryphon 120 with the Dynaudio Heritage speakers. I alternate systems in my living room so it’s been some time since I paired them together.

If you are thinking about purchasing a Gryphon 120 know that the Dynaudio Heritage specials are a stunning combo. For me, after demoing and owning Luxman, Pass Labs, Audio Hungary, Rogue and Conrad Johnson, the Gryphon is at a higher level.