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Gryphon Diable 300 DAC vs. Lumin X1 DAC

Greetings folks,

I'm about to do an A-B test between the DAC in the Gyphon Diable 300 (integrated amp) versus using the DAC in the LUMIN X1 Streamer.  I'm doing my best at understanding the architectural / technical / specification difference between the two DACs before I actually get it all hooked up for listening.  This is working toward the potential purchase of the X1 as a streamer upgrade.

The Gryphon Diable DAC (a separate add-on purchase, btw), has a Sabre ES9018 High-End D/A converter, if that helps. Not sure what technical specs would be helpful here.

The Lumin X1 DAC has Dual ES9038Pro SABRE DACs featuring 140dB dynamic range. Plus a bunch more specs.

Anyway, would appreciate any insights you knowledgeable DAC-goners have about the difference in the two DACs.  Anything significant in the architecture of the two, of the components they use to build?  Yada Yada Yada

And no, please don't suggest any other models at this point.  This is an A-B comparison right now.  

Remember, this is just educating myself before the actual listening takes place.

Thanks in advance
pgaulke60
jayrossi13's avatar
jayrossi13
182 posts
 
It's difficult to directly compare an integrated amp with an optional DAC module and no streaming capabilities against a streamer with DAC capabilities and no amplification. The only functional overlap they have is the DAC.

If you’re looking at a streamer upgrade, the Diablo 300 + DAC is not going to give you that capability.

This is like comparing a car against a boat: they both transport people and can be powered by combustion engines, but the car isn’t going to do you a lot of good in the ocean.





nekoaudio's avatar
nekoaudio
489 posts
 
The Lumin X1 also uses Lundahl LL7401 output transformers on its analog outputs.
pgaulke60 OP
294 posts
 
@jayrossi13 

I understand your point. 

What we are trying to do is isolate the DACs while keeping everything else constant as we can.  Trying to figure out which DAC sounds better, the Lumin X1 DAC or the Gryphon DAC.  

All streaming will come through a Roon Nucleus, with Tidal. Same source, same speakers, same integrated amp.  Difference, I hope will be the two DACs.  Likely will need some different cabling as well.
jayrossi13's avatar
jayrossi13
182 posts
 
@pgaulke60 

What's your current amp? 

If you like the way the X1 sounds, the advantage is that you could use the Nucleus as your Roon Core and the X1 as the Roon endpoint. That will most likely sound better than running Roon Core and endpoint on the Nucleus and then connecting to your DAC via USB. You can also eliminate USB from the signal chain as well and connect the X1 via ethernet. 

I've heard the Gryphon Diablo 300 (not with the internal DAC) and was really impressed. The problem is, however, that it seems like you'd be buying a high-end integrated just to get an add on DAC module. In this scenario you would run the Nucleus as a core and endpoint and then connect to the DAC via USB. 
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 

Knowing just how good their amps are.
I thought Gryphon would have been smarter than that, and use R2R for their best digital conversion products, but no. Their digital stuff has never been as well excepted sonically as their amps have been

Cheers George
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