Usher TD-20

I find the Usher TD-20 to be a very warm and lush speaker. Going from the Rowland to the Gryphon would add even more of this, which could be too much of a good thing. One thing that allows the Usher to sound less warm is having enough space for it to breathe. Even though they are front ported, I’ve found they sound best with at least 5’ from front wall to the back of the speaker. The big drivers require the airflow behind the speaker. If you are already providing it with this kind of space and the pairing Rowland delivers too cool, neutral or in your face sound, the Gryphon could be a contender. The Gryphon will deliver a refined Class A experience that may make the sonics feel more human.

In my experience Usher DMD series can be lovely if paired with the right gear and in the right room, but it is hard to get the best out of them. Try to see if you can demo the Diablo to be sure. 

Usher makes their own amp that I think is a tweaked version of Threshold Class-A amps, so maybe take a look at that as well.

I’ve looked at the amp several times. Sounds overall like it’s a good amp but the thing I keep reading is the high end is a little rough. 

Sounds overall like it’s a good amp but the thing I keep reading is the high end is a little rough.
 

@mofojo That’s a little counter intuitive given the amp’s Class-A architecture.  I also have to believe the makers of the speakers chose an amp to work optimally with their own speakers, but there are always the all-important personal taste and system synergy factors that come into play, so who knows?

Yeah dunno there were just several reviews and the only bad thing they had to say was about the highs. Not they were bad but just not as refined as the rest of the range. I came close several times to pulling the trigger on used local ones. 

You can also up the bias on the Usher amp to make it sound better.

Thank you so much for your responses. I agree that the TD-20 is a warm and lush speaker. Rowland is very much in the same vein. So the system is too warm and lush, and I don't have enough space in this room to bring them well out into the room. I will be adding Stillpoint Ultra 7's (just waiting on the proper thread size) and may consider adding lead shot to the lower chamber that is behind the faceplate on the front of the speaker. These tweaks should at least tighten the bass a little and reduce the warmth a little bit. But where you all have helped the most is with regard to the Gryphon electronics. I had no idea that their tonal balance was warm as with Rowland. I definitely don't need more of that. Never thought I would be shopping or a bright amp. But if Usher's amp is a modified Threshold that gives me a good idea of what I should be looking for since I know Threshold well. Thanks again!  Ted

I own an Usher R1.5. power amp.They are very good and sound rich and meaty with very good timbre.They also image very well.Lots of other amps have come and gone but that has stayed because it just sounds natural and unforced and has none of the usual "solid state glare "which tends to cause listener fatigue.

The treble is as good as the preamp you use and if that combination is right is of very high quality.It sounds superb with my Supratek preamps.It seems to work best with high gain preamps.The Usher preamp is not a great match although it can sound excellent with other power amps.