FWIW, I know Flem Rasmussen of Gryphon, and he tells me that fewer than 10 pieces of this model are serviced WORLDWIDE per year, and none of the issues are heat-related. I think you can totally rely upon his products and his organization.
Gryphon Antileon Signature technical problems
Dear all,
I have recently learned that both the older Gyphon Antileon as well as the current signature model have some technical issues due to the enormous amount of heat they generate and many of those units require repair after 1 and a half to 2 years.
The problem seems to be that a small part in the amplifier breaks. This causes the amplifier to get very hot on one side only, while the other side stays cool. Obviously if it is working correctly the heat is distributed equally on both sides. The cause for the issues seems to be that Gryphon seems to be using a relatively cheap component (a few euroes...) for this part and while the part is cheap to replace it does require a huge effort as one needs to take the amps apart and the whole servicing, due to the overcomplicated design of the enclosure, takes 1-2 days. My friend told me that they had 5-6 antileons and antileons signatures that had this problem.
Does anybody have experience with the reliability of these amplifiers?
I have demoed thes amps and loved their sound and since then have actually been saving up to buy them either new or 2nd hand. But now having learned these things I have been bit put off from these amps!
Also does anyone here have experience with other solid state class A amplifiers, i.e. Pass Labs or Karan Acoustics or others I may have missed here.
any info on the Gryphon Antileon technical issue or alternative similar sounding amps would be much appreciated.
I have recently learned that both the older Gyphon Antileon as well as the current signature model have some technical issues due to the enormous amount of heat they generate and many of those units require repair after 1 and a half to 2 years.
The problem seems to be that a small part in the amplifier breaks. This causes the amplifier to get very hot on one side only, while the other side stays cool. Obviously if it is working correctly the heat is distributed equally on both sides. The cause for the issues seems to be that Gryphon seems to be using a relatively cheap component (a few euroes...) for this part and while the part is cheap to replace it does require a huge effort as one needs to take the amps apart and the whole servicing, due to the overcomplicated design of the enclosure, takes 1-2 days. My friend told me that they had 5-6 antileons and antileons signatures that had this problem.
Does anybody have experience with the reliability of these amplifiers?
I have demoed thes amps and loved their sound and since then have actually been saving up to buy them either new or 2nd hand. But now having learned these things I have been bit put off from these amps!
Also does anyone here have experience with other solid state class A amplifiers, i.e. Pass Labs or Karan Acoustics or others I may have missed here.
any info on the Gryphon Antileon technical issue or alternative similar sounding amps would be much appreciated.