I agree to disagree.
12 Likes
‘My amp’s bigger than your amp’…
1 Like
I think it embodies the manufacturers design philosophy perfectly, “A mixture of Nordic industrial minimalism and a touch of brutal Darth Vader inspiration." cool as.
@Svetty that’s quite a Statement 
3 Likes
I’ve seen a fair few pics of it. It’s not subtle. It’s a beast but it’s meant to sound rather wonderful. They make their own stands for it too.
It’s a beautiful beast! But not for the faint hearted!
2 Likes
I however prefer the look of the Dagostino Progression. But never heard it.
For now, I never heard a better integrated than the 333.
5 Likes
I was 95% sure I was going to upgrade to a Diablo 333 this year (trading in my 300DR in the process) but instead I’m going for Esoteric gear across the board while keeping my 300DR. Ultimately I decided that locking myself into an integrated amp, while great for simplicity, would limit system growth.
4 Likes
Very cool. From my listening, Esoteric is amazing, but in a very non-Naim way. What made you go for the hybrid system?
1 Like
I agree it’s extra hassle although it can be managed. When we get older we lose the ability to carry heavy items, and the risk of an injury is also higher. I am still able to move the heaviest component in my system (45kg) but require another person’s help to place it on the rack. The Diablo 300 at 38kg is already a beast and the 333 at 50kg certainly requires more attention. The rack also needs to be adequate and sturdy to support the weight.
The Pilium Leonidas at 100kg surely requires 3 people unless it’s Eddie Hall.
1 Like
Worth it.
2 Likes
All I’ll say is the Gryphon still looks better than the NC range. But that doesn’t mean I think it looks good.
I definitely like the somewhat needless flair of the D’Agostino - it’s hard to pull off and will always be divisive. I also very much like the clean look of the Pilium. Weight wise, some of these amps are going to be beyond the rated Kg/m2 for most buildings if placed next to each other or on a rack.
The Gryphon is a bit too 80s Patrick Bateman meets The Human League for me.
4 Likes
Both 333 and progression are serious amp . 333 is warmer whereas progression is more analytical .
2 Likes
I’ve been hybrid since day dot as I’m using a non-Naim pre with the 300DR so nothing is changing in that regard. As for why Esoteric, well I have an Esoteric E-02 phonostage which I love and recently had a home demo of an esoteric pre amp and a DAC/SACD player that convinced me that adding more Esoteric gear is the way to go.
I haven’t bought the gear yet but I’m planning to pending working out the right price with my dealer.
4 Likes
Esoteric never fail . 
1 Like
I’m an 80s kind of guy, so love how Gryphon Diablo 333 looks, more than DD stuff.
The flight case makes the Leonidas a much less daunting task than it may appear to transport. My listening room is on the first floor, yet my brother-in-law and I managed it fairly comfortably. The turn at the top was the crux, then it went straight on to a thick blanked and slid across the floor.
I could move its predecessor, the Pass Labs. INT-250 around easily enough on my own, another class leading integrated. No lightweight, yet only half what the Leonidas weighs in at.
2 Likes
What subs did you go for?
Gary
1 Like
Rel S 812s.
Yeah I made up my mind to “down size” from 300 series. 
