I am new to the Gryphon brand having just acquired the baby Diablo 120. I bought without listening as I have with most of my purchases (but that’s another topic altogether).
I’m probably up to 40 or 50 hours on the amp so far. I read that the amps are already burnt in from Gryphon’s rigorous testing and QC. I’m still hearing sonic improvements.
Obviously, it’s a Naim forum, but I value the opinions and recommendations of forum members, spanning many brands and topics. When it came to searching for Gryphon material I note that there’s some but not masses of posts but there are Gryphon owners here. I’m interested in hearing your thoughts and experience on partnering equipment, interconnects and such matters. Good and bad is all food for thought.
It may be premature but I’ve heard enough for me to think that there is a Gryphon future beyond my 120 . Is anyone here giving any thought to the viability of an all Gryphon set up I wonder (streamer aside, DAC to speakers)?
Gryphon are way beyond my pay grade but they seem to make very good stuff. Can’t say I am very enamoured by their often monolithic/massive looks but that’s subjective and I guess, gives perceived value too. Glad you enjoy yours.
I like the looks but agree on the size, it would make you think twice. Although, when you see them in a rack they don’t look out of place. When you see them without the lids on you realise that they’re pretty full, the transformers are mahousive!
Very strong design signature across all products and the build quality is just incredible. I have no clue as to how this translates to reliability in the real world but you would think it can only help. Interesting speakers too…
You purchased an amplifier from a brand you had no previous experience with. Judging by your numerous posts here, it’s clearly not good enough to make you want to keep it long term, but you now want to spend even more money on the same brand? You’d think the never ending Naim ladder trap would be enough to at least make you consider a different approach. Why not just shop other brands within the same price range instead of falling into the escalating expenditure trap?
It’s a voyage of discovery and that makes it interesting. You know, when you feel something, it might not be perfect initially but it’s got more than enough promise to pursue. That’s sort of where I am with the Gryph. The engineering alone is enough to make me want more.
It’s low risk for me as I have a few spaces where I can use my equipment, so it’s not explicitly about upgrading. More about living and learning.
I notice you are using the Gryphon Diablo 120 with Marten Oscar Duo. I think there are at least another three people here who use Gryphon amps with Marten speakers. I have Diablo 300 with Marten Duke 2 while another Diablo 300 owner has the Parker Duo. There is a Gryphon owner who has some pre/power amps with big Marten floorstanders.
I think you need more time to explore the capabilities of the amp. Although I have used the amp for about 10 months I’m still learning. I have more or less reached the end of the road with respect to experimenting with partnering equipment, cables and speakers. I use rather costly interconnects and speaker cables but am not sure if they are the best. I don’t have the urge to try or compare cables anymore, ditto partnering equipment. As a matter of fact I have excess of everything. Having said that, I have ordered some footers for the rack and hope the Diablo 300 would benefit from them.
I haven’t heard a Gryphon speaker but it is unlikely I’ll consider an all Gryphon set up as they are not cheap, and I have run out of funds for the hifi.
Just to add, the size and weight of the Diablo 120 are just nice, very manageable. The Diablo 300 is rather big and heavy and fortunately I am still able to handle it by myself, alone and unaided. The Diablo 333, you need someone to help carry it unless you are strong.
Hi Ryder, good to hear from a Gryphon user. At the moment both amp and speakers are improving. I think I turned a corner at the weekend, the amp in particular is coming on song. Plus I feel I’ve got the Dave dialled in.
I don’t think the Oscars are changing, rather the amp and maybe my ears. I think they’ll be easy to live with. I’d describe them as Subtle (bass aside ). I have a sneaking suspicion that a Duke 2 might be a bit brighter and offer a slightly better balance with the 120. I have some Isoacoustic feet coming.
I’ve been curious about Gryphon for a while and was offered an excellent deal on a new 120. It’s probably time for a replacement model but I’m not worried by that. It’s given me a toe in the water. My commentary has been cautious but I like it a lot.
I could see myself heading for the bigger amp but not for a while yet. One step at a time. I’m enjoying the journey.
Do you know who makes the Gryphon interconnects? I read it used to be Siltech. Need I ask how you feel about the 300 after nearly a year?
Agreed the size does need thinking about.. I picked this up from Gryphon’s FAQs
Q. Why are Gryphon’s so big? @anon26306089
A. “The heart -or motor- of any amplifier is the power supply. The stiffness or “torque” of the power supply defines its ability to deliver power (voltage times current) into loads below 8 ohms, which is the standard static test load for power specifications. Unfortunately, speakers are never a simple 8 ohm load. (Life would be simpler, if they were.)
A stiff, high-current power supply means heavy transformers, large heatsinks, lots of heat, lots of electricity, expensive parts and costly assembly. This is why Gryphon products are larger and heavier than other products with comparable nominal power ratings.
Some consumers may be impressed by a manufacturer’s claim of high power ratings in 8 ohms, but in reality an amplifier with a somewhat lower 8 ohm rating, but designed with a high current power supply, will subjectively be experienced as much more powerful and give the user a wider choice of speakers.
Many times the “sound” of a speaker is really defined by the amplifier’s ability (or inability) to drive a real-world dynamic load. Seriously, the weight of an amplifier is probably a more useful guide to its performance than its nominal power rating, assuming that it is well designed and not filled with bricks”
I have a Diablo 300 driving Kidos Titan 808. While they are quite an easy load on paper and actually sounded really good with my old Linn amps, i tried them with 1x A2200, 2x A2200 passive biamp and finally 3x A2200 active. I always thought there was just something missing and rock music lacked some impact from drums and cymbals. Hooking up the Diablo 300 was a very significant step and the amp copes with whatever is thrown at it. There is far more impact and presence to drums, cymbals and bass, in fact on one particular track it appears the bass line stopped but the Gryphon can handle it and now drives the speakers to deliver the very low bass and everything else I thought was missing. I would never be without significant power on tap again.
As for cables etc, coming from a fully active 3 way system, going to an integrated, I find the lack of cables fantastic. I use TQ Black Diamond XLR interconnects and Kudos KS-1 speaker cable. I had seriously considered NAP 350s but it would have taken me back to loads of boxes and Burndy cables etc etc, that I just didn’t want. With the Gryphon Diablo 300 there is no adding this or that and absolutely no desire to upgrade. Mine had the Diablo DAC too which is really good and suits me perfectly as streaming is a second source for me.
. Is anyone here giving any thought to the viability of an all Gryphon set up I wonder (streamer aside, DAC to speakers)?
