I listened to the Gryphon Diablo today , what an experience !


I just had an opportunity to audition  the Gryphon Diablo 300 at Evolution Home Theater. They have recently become the authorized Gryphon Dealer in Atlanta. First a little background.  I normally listen to my Sonus Faber Amati Tradition powered by a Plinius 9200. My music is from Tidal, played through a Cambridge  Audio Azur 851N network player or via my network hard drive. I thought that this combination sounded great and was very happy with my system until today when I heard the Gryphon.Although I expected some  improvement with Gryphon, I did not expect to be blown away by the amplifier, However after hearing the amplifier for the first time,  that is exactly what happened!The Gryphon 300 was set up to use the internal DAC with Tidal via a music server.  The speakers were the Sonus Faber Serafina’s. I had previous heard both the Amati’s and the Serafina’s  on MAC equipment and thought the Amati’s sounded significantly better on the MAC gear,When I listened today  and compared the music with my own system, I heard significant improvement with the Gryphon. The first thing I noticed was the pinpoint control the amplifier exerted on the speakers.  This was manifested by an extended frequency range with both improved  bass and treble. It seemed as though a veil or haze had been removed from the music with a marked increase in clarity, detail, and analytics.  Yet the amplifier showed no coolness or harshness and after listening for several hours to a variety of music (mostly jazz, classical, and rock) there was no evidence of fatigue. The soundstage was large, three dimensional and detailed.  It was an improvement over my Plinius in every way.It also changed the way that I look at my music system.  I used to think that it was all in the speakers and with great speakers all that was needed was a good amplifier.  I learned today that a great amplifier with very good speakers, can sound better than a good amplifier with excellent speakers.I can hardly wait until I can make the time to be able to demo the Gryphon in my own music room with my Amati speakers.
hemoncdoc

Showing 2 responses by pgaulke60

I heard the same system with the Diablo 300 and the SF Serafinos.  I'm wowed by the sound of the Serafinos, so much so that I "invested" in a pair.  I sat there for a good period of time listening to several tracks that I listened to at home the night before.  I know, it would be comparing apples to oranges, but I thought the Diablo system lacked the warmth & mid-range of my McIntosh tubes at home.  That was the first thing the consultant commented on to me when I told him my impression - difference between SS & tubes.  Don't get me wrong.  If a Diablo showed up at my doorstep, I wouldn't stamp it "return to sender".  But, I will have to go back and listen again based on the feedback here.  

Happy to say I don't know what the Class D argument is about, and don't think I want to know given the tension around it.
@hemoncdoc. 
Thanks for your response to my post.  I’ll need to go in a relisten to the said equipment.  I’m open to new synergy.  But at this point, I invested heavy dollars in what I have and don’t have much room for switching up at this price range.  Particularly given that I am furloughed for the past 34 days