Gryphon Antileon Evo

AJR said:
Another update:
- Still using my Lumin. Tried a firmware update to get the MSB renderer module working but no luck.
- The Gryphon combo is just sounding better and better. You know that feeling you have the day after a really good live concert when you can’t get the music/feeling out of your head? It is like that.
- I swapped out the XLR interconnects (from Pandora to AE) on loan from my dealer for some MIT SL Matrix XLR 36 interconnects to match my existing set (Lumin to Pandora). A noticeable step up in SQ even with no burn in, particularly LF and HF. I didn’t take note of what the the loaned set was but dealer said they are about half the price of the MITs.
- The 3 different Class A bias modes are an awesome feature. It is like having 3 amps in one, although I find I have no need for “medium”. The “low” bias is very much like the Diablo 300 but a touch better and as mentioned above is good for crunchy/distorted guitar music. Then as you move up to “medium” then “high” bias it just gets better and better for all other genres.

Am in music heaven.
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Can you clarify your comments on the MIT? Are the MIT IC’s on loan?

Lastly, the bias settings are only for limiting power and therefore limiting heat output. The low should only be used for low volume listening.
 
I bought the MIT XLR interconnects. Until then I was using some cheaper ones on loan from my dealer to connect the Pandora to the AE. The MITs are far, far superior.

I find crunchy guitar music sounds better (including at loud volumes) on low bias. On high bias the “crunch” is not there like it was with the Diablo 300 or on low bias with the AE.
 
To be clearer - my understanding is that the different modes are not “power” modes; they are Class A bias modes. So if in “low”, it is 50W p/c (into 8 ohms) of Class A and 150W of Class A/B. In “low” mode I can crank it to 45 or so on the Pandora (haven’t tried louder - yet) and it sounds amazing (Diablo-like) with crunchy guitars. I could be wrong though and if it is “power” not “class” and so it is only ever in Class A then maybe if I crank the volume control more it will distort. Will try later.
 
FYI: Gryphon confirmed that my understanding above is correct: ie the AE has three Class A bias modes - if eg in “low”, it is 50W (p/c into 8 ohms) of Class A and 100W of Class A/B (NB: not 150W of A/B as I said above).
 
AJR said:
I and a group of friends staying with me listened to the Antileon Evo stereo power amp and a 2nd hand Pandora preamp yesterday in my system at home. We were all completely blown away. They were all blown away by the Diablo 300 (which they heard for the first time a couple of days ago) and like me were wondering just how much better the pre and power combo could be. It was obvious after about 30 seconds, and from a cold start! After half an hour we were all just looking at each other in stunned silence, with huge smiles on our faces and shaking our heads in amazement.

Here is a quick summary of the general consensus when comparing to the Diablo 300:
- every single sound/note is just dripping in rich, detailed and layered texture
- wider and deeper soundstage
- richer/beefier and slammier bass, and even more detailed
- effortless and non-fatiguing
- attack, attack, attack!
- seemed to really bring the best out of the Magico S3 mk2s - I was delighted that they seemed to easily handle the AE even at very loud volume levels. The bass in particular went so much deeper and not even a hint of distortion

The combo is multiples (price-wise) of the Diablo 300 so this is an unfair comparison and us Diablo owners know that it competes even at price points far higher than the Diablo’s - but it was just astonishing to hear the step up in sound quality.

They aren’t going back to the dealer’s!

Now I need to work out why my MSB Premier and Innuos Zenith won’t work together. In the meantime, my trusted Lumin T1 is doing a great job!
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Hi AJR, I'm kind of in the same position as you were when you wanted to upgrade from integrated to separates.
My Thiel CS 3.7s just like your Magico S3 are also extremely resolving and fast and would pair well with warmer and richer pre-power combos therefore i am also looking at the Pandora-Antileon Evo stereo for my new rig.
I am thinking also at other combos like Aries Cerat Impera ll-Concero 65 monos or CH Precision L1-X1-M1 stereo as other great options.
I will demo the Aries Cerat combo with Thiel CS 3.7s at the end of the month.
Any thoughts ?
 
Hi Thieliste,

I haven’t listened to either brand but quite a few people on this forum are raving about CH Precision.

You might also want to consider the new Zena instead of the Pandora. I went with the Pandora because I lucked out with a 2nd hand one suddenly becoming available when I needed it and at a very good price.

Andrew
 
AJR said:
Hi Thieliste,

I haven’t listened to either brand but quite a few people on this forum are raving about CH Precision.

You might also want to consider the new Zena instead of the Pandora. I went with the Pandora because I lucked out with a 2nd hand one suddenly becoming available when I needed it and at a very good price.

Andrew
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Hi Andrew thanks for your response, i did listen to the Pandora-Antileon Evo combo at a show in 2016 they were driving Rockport Atria speakers.one of my favorite rig at this show.
I know CH is very popular now days but i want to have different options for my build before making any decisions.
 
Thieliste said:
Hi Andrew thanks for your response, i did listen to the Pandora-Antileon Evo combo at a show in 2016 they were driving Rockport Atria speakers.one of my favorite rig at this show.
I know CH is very popular now days but i want to have different options for my build before making any decisions.
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With that Thiele tweeter, I would take a listen to Constellation. Not a fan of CH myself. I was going to seriously pick it up. Had it and really wanted to like it, but I personally find it very dry and sterile (Swiss Spectral), but it’s beautifully made and looks terrific. YMMV.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Big shout out to Mike's comments on CH. I had the L1 (dealer demo) hooked up to my A1's with a P1 phono stage into Magico Q3's. I thought CH had invented a strange A-to-D converter , making analog sound like (bad) digital . Cold, emotion-less and uninvolving. Returned the L1 and sold off the A1's pronto. Not my bag but hey - it's all a question of personal preference.
 
Just wondering what in your opinion, is the best Pre amp match for the Antileon..... Zena , Pandora or another manufacturers
 
Great question. I have the Pandora. But I suspect the Zena will do just fine.
 
Aspac said:
Just wondering what in your opinion, is the best Pre amp match for the Antileon..... Zena , Pandora or another manufacturers
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It's the CH Precision L1 that you need if you have the Antileon Evo.
Pandora cannot compete with CH L1.
Gryphon are very good at amps but not as good regarding preamps.
 
Mike said:
Not a fan of CH myself. I was going to seriously pick it up. Had it and really wanted to like it, but I personally find it very dry and sterile (Swiss Spectral), but it’s beautifully made and looks terrific. YMMV.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Dry and sterile was my impression as well. Definitely not my cup of tea but some people luv ‘em...
 
Aspac said:
Just wondering what in your opinion, is the best Pre amp match for the Antileon..... Zena , Pandora or another manufacturers
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I love the AE and Pandora combo. But must admit I didn’t try any other combinations. I suspect the Zena will be more than good
 
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