Gryphon Diablo 300 vs Vitus RI-101

I haven’t post my journey for awhile as op.

So Originally I had JC1+ARC LS preamp. Alright, but the pre was giving too much gain, and ARC pre to me unless reference, it’s just low price/performance.

Then I got the BHK pre, was not expecting much, at first it sounded only decent to me, but seeing alot of people like it after tube rolling, got myself some new issue gold lion, wow....completely different preamp. Still leaned toward warm side, but very energetic and abit wild, loved it.

Then things got interesting; managed to get a SIA-025 mkI, buttery smooth, holographic presentation, does everything. Truly I can see why they say it’s the best int-amp in the world, tons of reserve power.

Covid hitted, moved to somewhere I have more space, manage to build another system, got a hold of a pass x150.8 to try out, wild pleasing sound, needles never moved no matter how much I cranked it up (meaning it never leaves class A, for X series). Put back the BHK, yes everything is in place. I will not say its better than SIA-025, but it’s such a interesting wild holographic sound, even watching chick-flicks with this sys is interesting.

Will never get rid of the SIA-025 tho, the sound is more polite, but smooth velvety and subtly beautiful.

This is just my SS stuff, I have a whole set of tube SET mess my SO hates going on the side as well......

This is a great thread and is very useful for someone such as myself looking at a 2nd tier SS integrated.  This is a follow up question re. Vitus.  Is it a waste to buy an SIA-025 (Mark 1 or 2) if I’m never going to use the low output class A output?  Would I be better off with an RI-101 or RS unit?

 It does not respond much to source or cable changes.

?! My D300 responded very well to a better power cord.

I preferred the Diablo 300 over the Vitus RI101mkII, better looking too.

I have to agree with @supermerio, i owned the Diablo 300 for a year and the Vitus SIA-025 Mk2 for more than a year and recently demoed a Jadis DA88S equiped with 8 KT120s.

The Jadis easily outperformed both the Gryphon and the Vitus in my system.

This was a big surprise for me even if i still like my SIA-025 Mk2.

I guess it is system dependent but with my speakers tubes amps bring things to a whole new level and i have demoed very expensive SS amps in the past.

@thieliste Yes it is system dependent. Thiel speakers can sound a bit bright and aggressive with the ”wrong” amp.

Both Diablo 300 and Vitus 101mkII are great sounding amps….but perhaps not the best match with Thiel speakers.