Initially I wasn’t really expecting great results with the built-in ESS Sabre DAC in the Gryphon and was rather surprised that it actually sounded better than my Luxman + Chord DAC. I was thinking that the DAC module in the Gryhon may be compromised in its performance but it appears that there is some quality to it, or perhaps it’s the combination of the Diablo 300 amp and DAC which produced a good result. Nevertheless I agree on using the Chord DAC (and Luxman DAC later on) to evaluate the results, perhaps after two weeks as I want to get familiar with the sound of the amp with the DAC module before I make the switch. I hope the result would be even better than what I’m getting now.
Apart from the DAC, there are still many configurations I can experiment with cables. Mains power cables to the amp and DAC, XLR interconnects between the amp and DAC (I get a different sound when swapping interconnects between the Luxman amp and DAC previously) and running the amp to the power conditioner.
That looks great… I think having a proper rack allows one to hide a lot of the bulk, it doesn’t look as huge in that rack as it actually is. Also, I think the front design with a distinct top and bottom half creates an illusion of two components rather than one.
The rack is partially installed without any horizontal cross bracing at the top when I lifted the amp and placed it on the rack. If the rack is fully installed, it would be quite impossible to get the amp in the rack unless there is another person to help but still it would be very difficult due to the size and weight of it (ditto removing the amp out from the rack, as I will need to dismantle the top shelves before I could safely remove it). After the amp was already in place, I then installed the top bracing / shelves.
Initially I doubt I could lift it alone although I had the dealer around to help but insisted to try and place the amp onto the rack myself. Fortunately I could still manage (and I’m happy about it) but admit it’s about the weight limit I could manage, alone and unaided.
According to most the 333 is very good, significantly better than the Diablo 300 but few including my dealer mentioned it’s not a very big difference, and since a used 300 costs significantly lesser than a new 333 it’s better value. Having said that, if anyone has the funds the 333 could be a great option. It’s very heavy though, at 50kg I doubt anyone could lift it alone unless he’s very strong.
FWIW the 300 continues to impress after day 2. It’s all the things I wished for that were lacking in the Luxman 590AXII. It’s a dream come true for me although it’s still very early days for a full assessment. For the first time I don’t need to crank up the volume to hear the details or dynamics. At times, when you perceive the detail and dynamics or the bass to be lacking and you want to hear it so you turn up the volume. There isn’t any need with the Gryphon. Everything is perfectly balanced it just sounds right. All the detail, dynamics, bass, tone of instruments, everything is just there even at moderate volumes. There isn’t much for me to say already, the amp has lived up to my expectations.
Another Marten Parker Duo user is using a Gryphon Diablo 300 with the speakers although he didn’t post on this thread. This actually encouraged me to try the Gryphon and I’m glad I did.
Very glad that you like the Gryphon D300 @ryder .
The first impression that I also got when I first hooked the 300 on my system was the same: that amazing capacity to draw the music details and microdynamics in an effortless manner.
The 333 to me is different, in the sense that it combines the above capabilities with warmer tones.
Having said that, its price is so high that defo a used 300 makes more sense.
Enjoy the music!
Just a short update. I tried the Chord QBD76 DAC with the Gryphon Diablo 300 and am happy to report that the sound is again improved. It’s the typical Chord sound which I loved as music sounds airier, clearer, more separated and pinpoint with more defined bass. It’s not a night and day difference to me but noticeable and appreciable.
I initially wanted to listen to the Luxman DA-06 DAC and save the best for last (since the Chord DAC always sound better than the Luxman DAC with all my other amps) but there was no sound from the speakers with the Luxman DAC connected, and after fiddling with the input settings and checking the connections without any success, I gave up and switched to the Chord. It wasn’t instant success with the Chord DAC though as the bass sounded too much and unnatural at first. After swapping the mains power cables on the Lumin streamer and Chord DAC, the balance was restored.
Right, there are few more configurations I can run in an attempt to attain the optimal performance.
Sorry for repeating this. The Gryphon Diablo 300 surely sounds noticeably different from the Luxman 590AXII. I am now getting a much more dynamic sound with the Gryphon. Guitars in the background which sounded subdued, soft or smeared with the Luxman now sounds much clearer, pushed to the front row. I think this is the way the recording is supposed to sound like. Everything sounds more alive and right with the Gryphon. The bass is just noticeably or massively improved, sounding much more defined.
No knocking on the Luxman as it has its own charms. Mainly a Class A it’s just more laidback and soft sounding. I still love it for what it is so I’m keeping it, perhaps finding a more suitable speaker for it later, I don’t know.
In assessing the power demands of the Parker Duo versus the Mingus Quintet with the Gryphon Essence, I find that both speaker fall comfortably within the amplifier’s driving capability, delivering effortless performance.
I was fortunate enough to have one on home demo. It sounded fabulous with thunderous bass and incredible detail. But in the end I settled on a Vitus as it was marginally sweeter sounding .
I am still happy with the Gryphon/Marten combo, added by the Naim NDX 2 and the Core. Meanwhile I ripped my whole CD collection (around 650 disks) via the Core. With this option I am able to switch from my Roon network to the internal Naim ripped library. The Gryphon Scorpio serves as CD player for those moments, I just want to enjoy the physical experience of the disk. Soundwise I am not able to distinguish a difference between original CD and ripped CD. Both options are excellent. But there is one annoying restriction: Occasionally the Core server does not work, because the server refuses connection and no album appears on the screen. I de-install the app and build it up newly. That helps most of the time. But it also happens that the mistake persists. Generally the next day everything is fine again. Naim delivers excellent sound quality for sure, but I am a bit fed up with technical hiccups, also with the NDX2.
I’m drooling over the Diablo 333.. Don’t tell anyone.
