Spending $16k on an amp without auditioning it and having no idea how exactly it would sound in your system and whether or not you would like it? Think about it, it's nonsense. Gryphon Diablo will easily drive your speakers and most other speakers. So what ? You might not like what you hear just as you don't quite like the Pass. |
If I remember right, Gryphons are burnt in at the factory for 75 hours. Flemming recommends to play them for additional 100 hours before critical listening. I think, he means just that - play time not stand-by time. |
I am the first one in fact to recommend auditioning Gryphon to anyone who can make use of it and can afford it. Any Gryphon. As I heard from many sources, there is no better solid state equipment, just different, and not many can match Gryphon's performance, especially big Gryphon's. I don't think that Swiss integrateds could match the Diablo 300' dynamics, punch and possibly clarity as well. Swiss are also overpriced, like Accuphase. 20% off for Gryphon is indeed a great deal. Optional DAC is quite expensive, though. And generally speaking, Flemming Rasmussen of Gryphon is widely respected. Gryphons are very reliable and long lasting, as far as I know.
They are now establishing the limited dealership network in the US, so anyone interested can ask the distributor, On A Higher Note.
|
Gryphon makes their own mostly or pure silver cables, these should be the first ones to try. Of course, there might be an even better match depending on taste and speakers, probably more expensive if there is one too. |
|
denon1, I envy you, that amp should be a beast with finesse. Yes, please tell us your impressions but after at least 100 more hours of burning in. I have no idea how well your cables will work with the Gryphon. How long do your cables have to be ? Interconnects, speaker and power cords. I am asking to figure out how expensive the replacement might be even if you have no intention of doing it right away. At this level you usually try to match very precisely, this doesn't mean that only top of the line would do, in fact, I don't think so. |
Yup. Check out the misc. section of this forum, I posted Gryphon prices there. They did reply next day.
Diablo 300 is $16k, optional phono is $2.2, optional dac is $6k or so, I think. |
denon1, I have Neptune interconnects and like them a lot too. But I am going to give a try to an almost unknown in the US brand - Tchernov Cable from Russia. Vladimir Lamm uses them now with his amps, and some Germans are completely crazy about them. I won't try their best, something in the middle. This should be interesting.
One thing that Gryphon does is that it doesn't try to imitate anything, least of all the sound of tube amplifiers. You may agree or disagree with the Flemming's interpretation of how the sound should be, but his designs are original. |
Great. Yeah, give it couple of hundred hours to fully burn in. When you recover from your expenses you might consider experimenting with cables. This is a very high performance level, and everything matters even more.
Tube integrateds aside, there are only two that I would consider for myself if I could afford them - Diablo 300 and Ypsilon Phaethon hybrid. Your Diablo should work just fine even if you replace the speakers at some point. |
Denon1, yes, I will always keep a cd player as well for exactly the reasons that you said but also for sound quality and some rare discs.
I understand, you didn't buy Gryphon dac option, extra $6k is no fun, and I don't know how it competes with outboard dacs of similar cost including cable and power cord. No no, this would be a very uninteresting cause for a divorce, you are absolutely right. |
Aavik doesn't have XLR inputs, has only fixed 62db phono gain, only three line inputs and it doesn't weigh much. No thank you, not for me.
T+ A looks impressive. Of those I would only audition the Gryphon and the German. Some do like Vitus, many others not much.
|
Yeah. $6k for onboard DAC is a lot. It would be interesting to compare it to outboard DACs used with the Gryphon Diablo. I don't know much about digital, but I understand the Gryphon DAC can be upgraded in the future, on-line. $2200 for the phono stage on the other hand appears to be right on. I doubt you can do better with a separate phono, including cables and power cord, for this amount. Unless I wanted to go much higher or/and tube phono stage, I would definitely get it right away or a little later. |
Yeah. You guessed right with the Gryphon. I knew it. It is definitely worth experimenting with cables and power cords. If I myself was doing it I would start and probably end with five brands - Gryphon, Purist Audio, Echole, Stage III and Tchernov Cable. All cables of the same brand at a time, though mixing could theoretically give unexpected results. |
If I had to do it only one cable at a time I would first try power cord for Gryphon, not interconnects and not speaker cables. |
pokey77, be careful. If you listen to Gryphon you are likely to want one. Definitely steer clear of Flemming's separates especially power amps. As he put it in one interview pointing to some monster amp of his - This will wake up dead Eskimo - . Danish humor, I love it. |
pokey77, yes there are dealers, you have to ask the distributor.
Gryphon separates are very expensive, so is the dac. The least expensive stand mounted speakers are $30k, I think.
Also, if you really consider Gryphon integrated listen to Ypsilon Phaethon integrated as well. More expensive, less powerful, no dac or phono option but.. It's hybrid design and a quite unique one. |
Ypsilon Phaethon integrated is $25k retail. I have not heard it, but by all accounts it is great. Gryphon Diablo 300 should be able to drive very well many different speakers. |
If it may be your last amp why not make it the great first ? Diablo 300 would be just right and would bring more out of your speakers.
Listen to youtube, same Gryphon speakers with Diablo 120 and Diablo 300, you can hear the difference - much more powerful and easy going sound. |
Great. I bet, soon enough one would have to wait for at least six months to get one. Probably the similar would happen to Ypsilon Phaethon.
|
Finally, Gryphon is getting wider recognition, though in some circles especially in Europe and Asia it has been very well known.
Anyone compared more or less directly Diablo 300 and Ypsilon Phaethon ? |
Yeah. Also, Flemming Rasmussen likes large scale music, according to his own words, so this should be factored in.
My guess - Gryphon would win in dynamics and bass, Ypsilon would win in tone depth tapestry and overall sophistication.
I would most likely choose Gryphon because of availability of the optional great phono board and the dark deep Scandinavian character. |
