Seeking experiences on the Diablo 120 and 300. Does anyone have any experience with these amps and if yes, what are your thoughts and the speakers that are matched to the amps. I’ve done some research and most reviews mentioned the 300 sounds better than the 120.
The 120 is much more desirable as it’s not only cheaper but the form factor is far better than the chunky 300. At 25kg the Diablo 120 is much more manageable as well. The 300 is too big and heavy.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
A friend of mine use QLN Prestige 3 with Diablo 300 and loves it FWIW.
A mate runs the 300 with some massive Dynaudios. Upgraded from Accuphase flagship pre/power.
I have heard tales of reliability issues with units going back multiple times in the first year - and yet the owners being so fond of the sound they forgave all.
Aesthetically, if you like the Naim New Classic range, the Gryphon might also visually appeal - being sort of cut from the same new brutalist cloth.
Anyway, I’ve met people who decided not to go with the Gryphon but never met anyone that wasn’t thoroughly impressed with it.
£24,500, and probably close to 50kg
I thought about, and listened to, a 300 before I chose my Ypsilon. I really liked the aggressive styling and it certainly sounded powerful, but it is also HUGE - much wider than a standard unit.
I had a long demo. with the Diablo 120 against a Pass Labs INT 60 into Sonus Faber Olympica Nova 3.
For me, that Pass was much better, more musical flow and a better soundstage.
Which was surprising as the Diablo 120 is rated very highly. Perhaps a mismatch speaker, cables, source or room size, IDK…
I want to demo. the Diablo 300, because as you said, it is supposed to be much, much better.
I’ve done extensive research on Pass Labs INT-60 and Luxman on the internet and YouTube several years ago and just recently included the Gryphon Diablo 120 and 300 into the mix. It can’t beat your long demo with the Diablo 120 and Pass Labs INT-60 but the Pass was said to have warmer mids and a slightly soft and recessed treble when compared to my Luxman L-590AXII. The Pass was described to have a taller and wider soundstage with a slightly tube-like character in comparison to the Luxman which sounds more neutral. The Pass gives me the impression that it puts out a big, warm and lush sound especially in the midrange as it paints a larger picture in comparison to the Luxman which sounds more accurate with better separation and detail.
The Diablo 300 was said to be ruthlessly revealing and doesn’t hide anything as everything is laid bare, and it may be too revealing for some systems. I can relate to the Pass having better musical flow and soundstage as these are the areas where the Pass excels. From your description the Diablo 120 sounds more analytical than the Pass. How about separation and detail? Does the Diablo 120 reproduce all the fine detail and nuance more convincingly than the Pass Labs INT-60? The remarks about the soft, warm or recessed treble of the INT-60 are a concern but I understand it’s all dependent on the match to appropriate speakers.
TBH the Pass sounded as detailed as the 120.
For me the 120 lacked a fair bit that PRaT and musical flow against the Pass.
It was very good HiFi vs a very good musical experience with the Pass.
I get what you said about the INT 60 sounding a bit soft in the treble. That wasn’t an issue for me as I have poorly recorded 80’s rock that organs needs a more relaxing amp anyway.
I’d like to do a Pass INT 250 vs Diablo 300 comparison, now that would be interesting.
Have you thought about the new Luxman L-509Z ?
Thanks for the information, certainly useful. I didn’t even know about the existence of the Luxman L-509Z. It appears that it’s not listed on the official Luxman site which is weird. Anyway I would be more inclined to look at an alternative amp from another manufacturer rather than considering another Luxman since I’ll likely keep the L-590AXII for life.
I can’t accept a treble that’s warmer, softer or less extended than the Luxman that I have right now. That’s one of the reasons the Naim(282/HicapDR/250DR) lost the battle when it’s compared directly to the L-590AXII. It sounds less detailed with a warmer or recessed treble next to the Luxman. I guess the only way to know if the Pass INT-60 or any other amp will work is to try it in my system.
This is sensible. Reviews can only go so far.
I’m also keen to hear how the Pass INT-60 fares with the Marten Duke 2s. I would expect a very nice result indeed!
Actually it looks a bit better than the New Classic range. At least the Gryphon’s fins are rounded.
The palms of my hands practically break out in stigmata just looking at the razor sharp sides of a NC250.
I heard a Gryphon amp with a DCS source, Dagostino preamp, Wilson speakers. I’m on the record in Stereophile Magazine that I did not like the sound. Not sure what the culprit was (maybe it was everything 
).
Truly some of the worst sound I’ve ever heard.
Gryphon also has a new speaker, that looks extremely interesting the Eos 2, which can be front or rear ported depending on where the cap is placed, also has a 3 position treble switch which they claim is more about room placement of the speaker rather than just treble extension. They claim that it has been designed to be used near the front wall. I’m hoping to hear it and stenheim alumine 2.5 at the same dealer in the next few weeks. Also Gryphon just showed an Eos 5 (3 way design) but beyond my means or room. One last “wish” is to hear marten Oscar 3, As I don’t think the Parker 3 is as easy to fit in a smallish sized room.
Absolutely it is.
It’s a fine line between smooth and enjoyable but not engaging vs still detailed and enjoyable but not harsh or piercing.
Get it right and it’s magic.
I’m the same, I even thought about getting my speakers sorted first and then get the best amp that I like with the budget left.
I even asked my dealer to take my new speakers and burn them in for me and I’ll choose the amp after that.
I don’t have any amps at home to burn them in with.
Actually I can live with the Luxman as is, with my current speakers. However, you know how it is. It never ends.
It’s down to the Gryphon Diablo or Pass Labs INT-60 for me, if I ever feel like adding another one to my collection. Reading all the experiences, the INT-60 looks like a better option at the moment. I’m not sure which is more of a keeper amp as these days I will only consider getting gear which I will keep for a very long time even though as a spare. The Luxman L-590AXII qualifies as a keeper to me.
It occurs to me that if you have been smitten with the sound of your L-590AXII that the logical next step in terms of amps of Gryphon sort of cost is something like another Luxman. The flagship 10 series pre and power amp would be the absolute top of my list for anyone who already knew they had a fondness for Luxman gear.
I have sort of ruled out pre/power options as the focus is on single high quality integrateds. I’m not sure how the Luxman 10 series of pre/power will sound but if I am serious about it, all my other gear will need to go as these fine pieces are out of my league.
Luxman CL-1000, £22,000
Luxman M-10X, £15,995
Surprisingly the preamp costs more than the power amp.
I’ll need to sort out my priorities since there’s now another option. Perhaps I’ll just stay put for now.
It would be helpful to know what your budget is and if you want an integrated amp or separates
The CL-1000X is old. The matching pre is the C-10X.
But I agree, getting rid of a system in another room to fund the main system isn’t the way to go. Unless you live your whole home life in one room with no competition for listening time, multiple “very good” systems in several rooms is generally better than one ultimate system in my view.
If starting all over that would be my first option to evaluate.