Tread carefully although @garcon uses Nait 50 or Supernait 3 with the Oscar Duo. Different amp, different speakers. My experience with 282/250DR/HCDR driving Duke 2 was not good, and I have extensively compared the Naim and Luxman L-590AXII in my system for two years (I still own both amps) and every time I made the swap, the Luxman came out the winner. I’ve also swapped DACs and cables to optimise the systems and it’s still the Luxman that takes the spot. Amp/speaker match is extremely crucial, ahead of the source in my book. The DACs I use are decent, a Chord QBD76 and Luxman DA-06.
Having said that, I"m still curious to try a Gryphon, sooner or later…
There might be something about my Oscar Duos that makes them friendlier to Naim amps may be more than other Martens as the NC250 as well as my Nait 50 both drive them nice and easy for a beautiful and very convincing sound.
Next, at some point, I could try may be the Parker Duos?
Thanks. The Marten dealer also uses Vitus amps in the showroom. However, it’s too costly even though it’s a demo or used unit when compared to the Gryphon. I could stretch for a demo/used SIA-030 but need to question my sanity of taking out a huge chunk from my retirement savings. We’ll see how it goes. I am staying put at the moment.
emilian67 Curious indeed, i am reading about Vitus audio in multiple forums in the past several years, and not even once have i found complains about technical problems. I have found such for Gryphon, but never for Vitus. Would you please guide me where to read about such problems? Thanks!
As I have evolved my system over the last 5 or 6 years, I introduced two components that I am very satisfied with and when seeking to resolve an issue or looking for improvement, these two aren’t in my thoughts to change.
First are the Duke’s. I bought these early in my system renaissance being fed by a Nova. They have been with me as multiple times I upgraded my source, power supplies, conditioners and cables and they always highlighted any differences. I came to trust the Duke’s and any issues I didn’t like, I always sought to resolve elsewhere. I flirted with the Parker Duo Diamonds, but felt the improvement was simply not worth the £10k or so it would have cost to change. I am very satisfied with them and my system evolved to get the absolute most out of them.
The second is the amplifier. I use the Norma IPA140, and really dont have any complaints. Earlier in this thread you can read about other amps I tried, but a bit like the Duke’s I think it will take a big chunk of money to get a significantly better amp (note I listen in a relatively small room and I might feel differently if I had a bigger space to fill).
One change I did make that transformed the overall sound was to add a subwoofer. It took a while to tune in, but it has made a huge difference in overall weight and scale, despite the LPF being set to 50Hz and this sub only reaching down to 30Hz. I’m not a bass head at all and I would say that with a sub, there is a deeper foundation that underpins the sound. Listening to the sub on its own, it’s almost inaudible, but in conjunction with the mains it’s surprising the impact it has.
So, to summarise, no plans to update the speakers in the space I currently have, any funds that may come my way will focus on the source, although I am toying with the idea of getting headphones and a headphone amp but fear that is another rabbit hole.
Thank you for the response, appreciated. Similarly the Duke 2s in my system will likely go all the way until the end. Good to hear that the Norma IPA140 has lived up to your expectations and the huge difference the subwoofer brought to the system.
I’m entertaining the idea of a Gryphon Diablo 300 but the size and weight of the amp kept bothering me. I may be inclined to try the Diablo 120 in the future. I’ve thought about getting headphones earlier too but did not actively pursue it since I don’t really spend much time listening to headphones. I occasionally listen to IEMs though. I prefer to listen to IEMS/headphones with portable DAC dongles rather than a large headphone amp.
Update, I’ve finally succumbed to the temptation. I managed to secure a deal on a used but in immaculate condition Gryphon Diablo 300 with DAC module through a dealer after the owner upgraded to the Essence. It won’t be too soon until I receive the unit but I’m excited as this one will surely qualify as endgame.
After speaking to the dealer, the new Diablo 333 is said to be slightly better than the 300 while the Essence is significantly better than both. Nevertheless, the 300 is at the limit where I could spend on an amp and I’m convinced I won’t be looking anymore after this.
Thanks for the insight. After mining the forums and reviews for a while, I ended up making a massive change. I decided to also do a little box consolidation and picked Soulution 331 integrated and Innuos Pulsar to replace NC300 system. I have a bit more left on arrivals, but excited to see how the Marten PQ’s will sound with the new electronics.
Thanks for the insight. Luxman makes beautiful gear and 590AXII is hard to beat. I had the MQ-88-CL-38 combo with the PD190 turntable for a while before coming back to Naim, it was quite special. I ended up doing a larger change and ordered Soulution 331 to go with Martens.
Update. I received the Gyphon Diablo 300 with the internal DAC module. The Luxman 590AXII is good, but this beast now sounds better than the Luxman although I’m just running it in its basic configuration through the internal built-in DAC. The things i wished for, the Gryphon delivered. Music sounds more alive, more dynamic, notes sound more fleshed out, basically everything sounds clearer with better clarity and detail. The Luxman sounds softer and more subdued, more restrained as instruments sound slightly smeared and further to the back row.
I will surely need some time to properly evaluate the amp as I can run it in many configurations. I can run it directly from the wall outlet which I’m doing now, or I can plug it to a power conditioner as I used to do. I also have different mains power cables which I can use with the amp, and I can also connect my standalone DACs to it which will likely change the sound presentation.
It’s just 5 hours in and the amp has lived up to expectations in this very early stage. Music sounds more real and believable now. I now need to think about what I’m going to do with the Luxman and Naim since they will likely be sitting quietly in a corner for a long time (the Naim was unused for 2 years).
It’s good. Better than Luxman L-590AXII although it’s early days about 5 hours in and I’m currently running the amp through its internal DAC module. More dynamic and everything sounds more fleshed out with better clarity. The bass is now pumping, giving more foundation to the music.
I’ve read your post several times when I researched the Diablo 300 and can now relate. It amazes me the amp can sound smooth like the Luxman but dynamic and transparent at the same time. There is no harshness as reported by few people, just smooth, palpable and real. I’m currently running the amp through its internal DAC at the moment before I switch to the Chord and Luxman DACs, maybe after two weeks.
I had to read my old post to remind myself, but yes, as I recall the Gryphon was the best but just too huge for my environment. Glad you are enjoying it, I’d be interested if you have a pic of just how you have incorporated this beast into your system.
I suspect the built-in ESS Sabre DAC in the Gryphon likely influenced what you heard by providing additional detail—though not necessarily better—compared to what you’re accustomed to from the Chord DAC. Comparing both amplifiers (the Class A Luxman and Class AB Gryphon) using the same Chord DAC would offer a clearer insight into their true amplifier characteristics.
I will only receive the amp in two weeks’ time. I will post impressions once I manage to listen to it.
