Thread: Gryphon Essence Stereo & T&A DAC 200

Hi all,

I’m eagerly awaiting the arrival of an Essence stereo at my dealer whereupon I’ll be heading in to audition it. Funds currently won’t allow me to buy the Essence pre amp at the same time so I’ll be taking along my T&A DAC 200 to assess its pre amp capability with the Essence stereo.

The DAC is currently fed by a Grimm MU1 and amplification is a Hegel H390.

Until its arrival at the dealer I’m wondering if anyone has any experience or thoughts on the T&A + Gryphon pairing. I’m delighted with the DAC and not looking to move away from it and hoping that it’s going to be a winning combination.

Next step after a showroom audition would be a home audition but I love why I’ve heard from the Gryphon’s they currently have set up. Unfortunately they dont sell T&A so I’m having to take mine in on the day. Speaker matching won’t be an issue on the day as they have my Reference 1’s set up there so it’ll only be room acoustics as the big variable on the day.

I’m planning on this being my end game amp as retirement is looming, ideally before then I can then acquire the matching Gryphon pre amplifier but that’s at least a couple of years off.

Thanks in advance for any feedback.

Any reason not to get the 333 integrated? That way you don't have to wait for the preamp. Sure the separates will have an improvement in performance but in my opinion also a bit of an overkill for your speakers.

I know some do use the DAC directly into a power amp but it's been my experience a preamp in the chain is better. I have not heard the exact pairing you are asking about.

I’m planning to audition the integrated as well. All the reviews on the Diablo 300 had the Essence shading it but I’ll definitely be comparing the 333 as well.

The longer term game plan for the speakers are the Wilson Sabrina X ( at this stage)

I know the preference is a stand alone pre amp over the dac as pre amp but I’m hopeful that it’ll be good enough to keep me happy for a couple of years at least until the Essence pre amp (or it’s future replacement) is achievable

I’ll be very interested in this thread. I’ve been running a Grimm and Tambaqui directly into the Essence Stereo. I get very clean sweet sounds, although at time wish for some increased warmth and dynamics. I do get huge gain from the Grimm/Tambaqui combo. Usually satisfied though, especially with classical and acoustic. . I’ve wondered what a preamp would add. Always been intrigued by the T*A SD 3100 HV, although have found the retail price absurd. Also, I’ll be very curious how the 333 compares. Keep us posted!


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