Gryphon 300 - one month later

**kzhtoo** · December 27, 2017, 03:36 PM

Originally Posted by Dguitarnut

Cmon guys.......updates.......if anyone wants to get rid of their Diablo 300 boat anchor let me know. It’s worth a mere pittance now that it’s used keep in mind!

Nope, haha. I'm keeping it long term. It really is a bargain for a system under $20k (amp+pre or integrated). HT by-pass and sub-out are also exactly what I need.

**Kuoppis** · December 27, 2017, 04:06 PM

Originally Posted by Dguitarnut

Cmon guys.......updates.......if anyone wants to get rid of their Diablo 300 boat anchor let me know. It’s worth a mere pittance now that it’s used keep in mind!

Larry, to me that sounds a lot like you’re saying you do have some room in your audio rack?

Mike, is that what you’re hearing as well?

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**Jack** · December 27, 2017, 04:55 PM

I thought he had already ordered his earlier in the month.

**Dguitarnut** · December 27, 2017, 06:05 PM

I’m opening a non-profit organization for the hifi impaired next month so I’m holding off on the Diablo 300 so can write it off as a business expense.
Also I was waiting for the after Christmas clearance Mike has every year. The 31rst is when he really cuts ya the best deals.

**Mike** · December 27, 2017, 06:11 PM

Originally Posted by Kuoppis

Larry, to me that sounds a lot like you’re saying you do have some room in your audio rack?

Mike, is that what you’re hearing as well?

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He knows he wants it. He tried it in his system. There is just no going back now.

**Kuoppis** · December 27, 2017, 06:14 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

He knows he wants it. He tried it in his system. There is just no going back now.

Home auditioning? Uuuh, dangerous move.

It will be hard to recover from that.

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**AJR** · December 28, 2017, 03:47 AM

I have about 100 hours on mine and it is looking/sounding more and more like a long term hold for me!

BTW I heard from a dealer that Vitus is working on a new integrated to compete head to head with the Diablo - specs, quality AND price. Not sure if this is already covered by a separate thread. Now that would be an interesting comparison.

**Kuoppis** · December 28, 2017, 04:20 AM

Originally Posted by AJR

I have about 100 hours on mine and it is looking/sounding more and more like a long term hold for me!

BTW I heard from a dealer that Vitus is working on a new integrated to compete head to head with the Diablo - specs, quality AND price. Not sure if this is already covered by a separate thread. Now that would be an interesting comparison.

Read about that as well. I think Vitus are replacing the rather mediocre RI-100.

But I would not be betting my house on it yet, as Vitus seem to be able to make great low power Class A integrated amps, but the more potent Class A/B ones seem not able to hold their own.

Also, while the Diablo is not a bargain, I’m sure if Vitus made anything comparable to the Diablo SQ-, feature- and power-wise’ they would charge double the price. IMHO Vitus are way overpriced for what they do.

PS:

Originally Posted by AJR

I have about 100 hours on mine and it is looking/..... more and more like a long term hold for me!

I hope you’re not taking “burn-in” too literally, as you say looks are also changing with burn-in

.

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**AJR** · December 28, 2017, 04:35 AM

Haha. Yep, it’s aesthetic certainly has grown on me. Although I must admit when I first auditioned my recent cables purchase with the D’Agostino Momentums (before home auditioning) I could not take my eyes off the D’Ags. I kept repeating to myself: “Three times the price. Three times the price...”.

**Kuoppis** · December 28, 2017, 04:50 AM

Originally Posted by AJR

Haha. Yep, it’s aesthetic certainly has grown on me. Although I must admit when I first auditioned my recent cables purchase with the D’Agostino Momentums (before home auditioning) I could not take my eyes off the D’Ags. I kept repeating to myself: “Three times the price. Three times the price...”.

While the Diablo sounds great, it certainly looks a bit like the industrial designer had a hangover the day it was designed. But the truth is in the eye of the beholder or more accurately in ones living/ music room.

To me the DAGs are a little more easy on the eyes as well.

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**kzhtoo** · December 28, 2017, 04:59 AM

Originally Posted by AJR

Haha. Yep, it’s aesthetic certainly has grown on me. Although I must admit when I first auditioned my recent cables purchase with the D’Agostino Momentums (before home auditioning) I could not take my eyes off the D’Ags. I kept repeating to myself: “Three times the price. Three times the price...”.

Originally Posted by Kuoppis

While the Diablo sounds great, it certainly looks a bit like the industrial designer had a hangover the day it was designed. But the truth is in the eye of the beholder or more accurately in ones living/ music room.

To me the DAGs are a little more easy on the eyes as well.

It's the meter thing. Although I do think Dags make the prettiest amps, Gryphon's built-quality is certainly in the upper echelon. You'll have to see it in person to really appreciate.

**AJR** · December 28, 2017, 05:04 AM

Agree - when set up at home it does look good. Uber-masculine.

**AJR** · December 28, 2017, 05:06 AM

I have described it before as being like that ‘ok’ looking gal with the amazing personality (amongst other things...) - the looks grow on you!

**Kuoppis** · December 28, 2017, 05:20 AM

Originally Posted by kzhtoo

It's the meter thing. Although I do think Dags make the prettiest amps, Gryphon's built-quality is certainly in the upper echelon. You'll have to see it in person to really appreciate.

Agree, it’s a question of personal taste. Not all people like the large Pass meters either.

What is the most important with all these designs is sound quality, and that is unquestionable.

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**Dguitarnut** · January 9, 2018, 07:46 PM

Well guys I have succumbed to the temptations of the Diablo. The last integrated amp I wanted to audition was the Luxman L-509X and now that I have there Is no doubt my preferred sonic presentation is that of the Diablo 300. It’s the closest thing to a live presentation I have heard and It can hang in there at any volume you would want it to.
I was so tempted to get the Diablo 120 because it’s imo 90% of the 300 but you know the minute I get it I would be thinking of the upgrade to the 300 so let’s just cut out middle amp.
So in 3 weeks courtesy of a certain local dealer who has been sending me subliminal messages I should be hearing “pleased to meet you...hope you guessed my name”

**jdandy** · January 9, 2018, 08:31 PM

Originally Posted by Dguitarnut

Well guys I have succumbed to the temptations of the Diablo.

Larry.......The Gryphon Diablo 300 is the only integrated amplifier that has a strong enough allure to pull me away from McIntosh. I could see the Diablo 300 replacing my C2300 preamp and MC452 power amp.

Color me green with envy.

**Jack** · January 9, 2018, 09:25 PM

Congrats Larry great choice. I'm with Dan and that if I switched to an integrated with speakers other than something like AG it would be my first choice too. Also the rack looks good too. More quality work by the guys at Timbernation.

**Kuoppis** · January 9, 2018, 09:32 PM

Originally Posted by Dguitarnut

Well guys I have succumbed to the temptations of the Diablo. The last integrated amp I wanted to audition was the Luxman L-509X and now that I have there Is no doubt my preferred sonic presentation is that of the Diablo 300. It’s the closest thing to a live presentation I have heard and It can hang in there at any volume you would want it to.
I was so tempted to get the Diablo 120 because it’s imo 90% of the 300 but you know the minute I get it I would be thinking of the upgrade to the 300 so let’s just cut out middle amp.
So in 3 weeks courtesy of a certain local dealer who has been sending me subliminal messages I should be hearing “pleased to meet you...hope you guessed my name”

Resistance is futile - congrats! Great choice.

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**AJR** · January 10, 2018, 12:25 AM

Originally Posted by Dguitarnut

Well guys I have succumbed to the temptations of the Diablo. The last integrated amp I wanted to audition was the Luxman L-509X and now that I have there Is no doubt my preferred sonic presentation is that of the Diablo 300. It’s the closest thing to a live presentation I have heard and It can hang in there at any volume you would want it to.
I was so tempted to get the Diablo 120 because it’s imo 90% of the 300 but you know the minute I get it I would be thinking of the upgrade to the 300 so let’s just cut out middle amp.
So in 3 weeks courtesy of a certain local dealer who has been sending me subliminal messages I should be hearing “pleased to meet you...hope you guessed my name”

Congrats! It is an awesome amp. Totally agree about the ‘live presentation’ and combined with the S3 mk2s it produces amazing attack and details whilst still being musical. My music listening sessions go on for hours now, to the point where I have to check myself before firing it up knowing that once I do it is almost impossible to escape its grip!

**eagle3333** · January 10, 2018, 04:48 PM

jdandy - I had a C2500 on a MC302 for a couple of weeks; the sound is as a sleepy panda to the 300's jaguar on steroids. I also lived with C2500 on Naim amp - the tubes did a wonderful job of turning the Naim's high frequency harshness (to my sensitive ears) and was more engaging and 'exciting' than all-macintosh; but Naim was not exactly true to the recording; Vitus RI100 - too smooth and lacking in engagement in my set-up; Plinius Hiato - engaging but didn't time well enough in my set-up. Try a Diablo 300 but be prepared for a (pleasant) shock. I'm happy to stop my amp journey with this glorious integrated.

If anyone's interested, after a lot of time & effort, I can say that following incidentals work very well for me with my 300, seeming to me to be as neutral and balanced as you can get at the price point (well, the Mirus has a teeny organic hint of warmth..) : HFC Reveal XLR IC's, Audioquest Coffee USB, Naim Super Lumina speaker cable, Resonnesence Mirus Pro dac and Melco N1zH/2 server.

Currently wondering whether Magico S3 might better my, otherwise very good, Dynaudio Contour C60's and be the final piece in the final jigsaw.

**joeinid** · January 10, 2018, 06:31 PM

Welcome to the forum, thank you for joining.

**eagle3333** · January 10, 2018, 06:54 PM

Thanks Joe. Good to be amongst some very experienced folk.

**Mike** · January 10, 2018, 07:17 PM

Welcome eagle3333. Pleased to hear you love the Gryphon Diablo 300 too!

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**AJR** · January 10, 2018, 07:34 PM

[QUOTE=eagle3333
Currently wondering whether Magico S3 might better my, otherwise very good, Dynaudio Contour C60's and be the final piece in the final jigsaw.[/QUOTE]

Welcome to the forum. I spent weeks agonizing over a choice between the C60s and the S3 mk2s. I really liked the C60s but once I got used to the more precise and deeper bass on the fully enclosed S3s it turned out to be an easy choice given I had the budget for the more expensive S3 mk2s. Hopefully you can home demo the Magicos so you can hear for yourself.

**Kuoppis** · January 10, 2018, 07:39 PM

Eagle3333 - run! Do not get involved with this thread. We have quite a few people who tried to resist the Diablo but failed

.

But seriously, it is a great choice.

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**eagle3333** · January 10, 2018, 07:40 PM

Thanks Mike - I even like how it looks

AJR - thank you; the agony and the ecstasy.. Glad you're so happy. I'm almost there. Yes, I've emailed my local Magico dealer with a view to doing precisely that.

**eagle3333** · January 10, 2018, 07:46 PM

Kuoppis - yes, I'm in bed with the Diablo! Figuratively speaking..

**jdandy** · January 10, 2018, 08:17 PM

Originally Posted by eagle3333

jdandy - I had a C2500 on a MC302 for a couple of weeks; the sound is as a sleepy panda to the 300's jaguar on steroids.

eagle3333.......That is an amusing analogy. There is quite a substantial performance difference with the C2300 and MC452 combination. The MC302 is not a quad balanced amplifier and is not in the same league as the MC452. I have auditioned the MC302 against the MC452 and the MC452 is remarkable cleaner and more detailed with quicker dynamics and seemingly endless power. The MC302 is not a bad amplifier but is entry level McIntosh in my opinion.

That is certainly not to suggest the Gryphon Diablo 300 is anything other than a remarkable solid state integrated amplifier. It certainly has piqued my interest.

**eagle3333** · January 10, 2018, 08:25 PM

Absolutely noted, Dan. It wasn't a realistic comparison; and I would like to have heard the 452. Would be an interesting comparison. Perhaps you're the man to conduct it?!

**GSOphile** · January 10, 2018, 08:42 PM

As another member of the Diablo 300/S3 Mk II club: These components go really well together. As the Borg and Seven of Nine say, "Resistance is futile!!"

**Mike** · January 10, 2018, 08:45 PM

Originally Posted by eagle3333

Absolutely noted, Dan. It wasn't a realistic comparison; and I would like to have heard the 452. Would be an interesting comparison. Perhaps you're the man to conduct it?!

I know where he can borrow one.

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**gtl** · January 11, 2018, 04:02 AM

Had a listen to the Diablo 120 paired with the Wilson Benesch Square Five today as the Diablo 300 is fully sold out.

Wasn’t too blown away by it. Though I am unfamiliar with the speakers. The dealer said the Diablo 300 is a huge step up to the Diablo 120. Anyone care to chime in if they have tried both models?

**AJR** · January 11, 2018, 05:43 AM

I listened to the 120. I thought it was terrific but the 300 to me is a big jump up. I listen to my music at quite loud volumes and mainly to hard/alternative rock and electronica so the extra juice from the 300 made a big difference.

**gtl** · January 11, 2018, 06:14 AM

Originally Posted by AJR

I listened to the 120. I thought it was terrific but the 300 to me is a big jump up. I listen to my music at quite loud volumes and mainly to hard/alternative rock and electronica so the extra juice from the 300 made a big difference.

Hi Andrew, do you recall what was the speakers hooked up to the Diablo 120? Assuming you heard the 120 at the dealer's place and not a home trial with your Magico.

The constant chatter of some of the other people in the shop didn't help as well...

**AJR** · January 11, 2018, 06:36 AM

Wilson Benesch (forget the model, but they were in a similar price range to the S3s), in store. So not a like for like comparison to be fair.

**Dguitarnut** · January 11, 2018, 08:58 AM

I have had the pleasure of auditioning both in my system. The Diablo 300 I had in house with my week old S3Mk2 and then the 120 about a month and a half later. The 120 was the one that convinced me to go with Gryphon. Could have been the speakers were better broken in.
I do listen mostly at lower volume. The 300 is overkill for my needs but what the heck!
Sorta like dating 2 beautiful sisters and deciding on the one with the bigger bass. It’s all about the bass !

**AJR** · January 11, 2018, 09:13 AM

Originally Posted by Dguitarnut

I have had the pleasure of auditioning both in my system. The Diablo 300 I had in house with my week old S3Mk2 and then the 120 about a month and a half later. The 120 was the one that convinced me to go with Gryphon. Could have been the speakers were better broken in.
I do listen mostly at lower volume. The 300 is overkill for my needs but what the heck!
Sorta like dating 2 beautiful sisters and deciding on the one with the bigger bass. It’s all about the bass !

Soul mates!

Also the price differential between the 120 and 300 is not so big (relatively speaking). I read a good article (may have been Darko) making the excellent point that for those of us not rolling in it (relatively speaking again) it makes sense to buy the best we can afford and even then some, to avoid the additional incremental cost of the (inevitable) upgrade. Wise words.

**AJR** · January 11, 2018, 09:32 AM

Originally Posted by gtl

Had a listen to the Diablo 120 paired with the Wilson Benesch Square Five today as the Diablo 300 is fully sold out.

Wasn’t too blown away by it. Though I am unfamiliar with the speakers. The dealer said the Diablo 300 is a huge step up to the Diablo 120. Anyone care to chime in if they have tried both models?

I just cranked up the 300 listening to Soundgarden in MQA. It is mind blowing. The 120 I am sure will sound good but I just don’t think it will deliver the dynamics at loud volumes. I am listening to it quite loud though. What is loud? Level 30 on the 300 - not even close to what it can deliver. I can still have a conversation without raising the voice too much.

**nicoludio** · January 11, 2018, 10:37 AM

Originally Posted by AJR

Wilson Benesch (forget the model, but they were in a similar price range to the S3s), in store. So not a like for like comparison to be fair.

Probably the Discovery II, if they were the stand mounts.

**kzhtoo** · January 11, 2018, 10:53 AM

Originally Posted by AJR

I just cranked up the 300 listening to Soundgarden in MQA. It is mind blowing. The 120 I am sure will sound good but I just don’t think it will deliver the dynamics at loud volumes. I am listening to it quite loud though. What is loud? Level 30 on the 300 - not even close to what it can deliver. I can still have a conversation without raising the voice too much.

If you're using one of XLR inputs on the 300, 30 is very loud. I'm like at the half of it.

**AJR** · January 11, 2018, 11:09 AM

Yep. Lumin T1 XLR to the Diablo streaming Tidal or my FLAC files on my NAS. 30 is when I crank it. Normal level is 22-26. Which is still loud. I have a well built apartment (and/or very tolerant neighbours upstairs!).

**myjazz123** · January 11, 2018, 12:24 PM

To the owners of the Diablo 300. Do you guys think that the Diablo 300 will benefit from changing its original feet to something like stillpoints ultra ss? Or its waste?
Thank you.

**AJR** · January 11, 2018, 12:30 PM

Great question. I posted on this (Gryphon Atlas spikes) but no responses.

**the professor** · January 11, 2018, 12:42 PM

I haven't tried anything yet, but thats a great question. I'll have to try some things once I get some time.

**Mike** · January 11, 2018, 01:37 PM

Originally Posted by myjazz123

To the owners of the Diablo 300. Do you guys think that the Diablo 300 will benefit from changing its original feet to something like stillpoints ultra ss? Or its waste?
Thank you.

Waste.

**jdandy** · January 11, 2018, 01:42 PM

What is the weight of the Gryphon Diablo 300?

**Alpinist** · January 11, 2018, 02:02 PM

Hi Dan,

It weighs 84 pounds and its dimensions are 18.9”W x 9.2”H x 18.1”D.

Best,
Ken

**AJR** · January 11, 2018, 02:03 PM

38.1kgs or 84lbs

**AJR** · January 11, 2018, 02:06 PM

Why? Build quality?

**AJR** · January 11, 2018, 02:07 PM

Originally Posted by Alpinist

Hi Dan,

It weighs 84 pounds and its dimensions are 18.9”W x 9.2”H x 18.1”D.

Best,
Ken

Ken,

Separately, when is your G1 clock arriving. You must be excited.

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