2. amps-preamps
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Gryphon Diablo 120

I’ve been running tube amps in my primary system in my living room for the past few years. When I first heard a tube amp, I was hooked, and thought they were going to be with me for life. 


However, a few months ago something shifted and I found myself not feeling engaged with the music in the same way. The music was feeling slow, distant, and lacking emotion. A voice inside told me to look into a solid state amp for a change of pace. 
 

I was fortunate to find a used (store demo) Gryphon Diablo 120, which arrived today. I’ve only been listening for a few hours, but over the moon happy with the sound of this integrated. It delivers a rich, detailed, nuanced and incredibly musical presentation. The sound stage is wide and engrossing. Imaging is wonderful too. I’ll continue to make observations over the next few days and report back. I think I might finally be close to getting off this audio equipment merry-go-around with this Gryphon integrated. 

For reference, I do also have a Luxman 590axii in my office and this Gryphon easily out performs it in my opinion. 
 

Other components in my system with the Gryphon Diablo 120: 

Innuous Zenith mkiii 
Merason DAC1 mki
Cardas Clear rca interconnect 

 

Speakers - QLN Prestige 3 


Power cables: 

Kimber Kable Palladian PK-10 connected to amp 
Lessloss connected to Dac 
Cardas clear connected to innuos 
Puritan 156 Conditioner with their Ultimate Cable 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 


 

 

 


 

 

128x128bluethinker
jasonbourne71's avatar
jasonbourne71
1,176 posts
 

The shiny new toy always gives greater pleasure than the old battered toy!

swede58's avatar
swede58
125 posts
 

@bluethinker In what way is the D120 different from the Luxman? I have a D300 but have never heard the 120.

zlone
657 posts
 

Not to derail, but we think alike as I have a Zenith and a Merason and I am thinking about the QLN 3’s, interested in your impressions of these speakers. 

glennewdick's avatar
glennewdick
1,667 posts
 

I'm wondering if the reason your not engaged anymore with your tube amp was due to tube starting to ware out. This is typical of tubes that are getting old and are in need of replacing. 

bluethinker's avatar
bluethinker OP
178 posts
 

@glennewdick - I actually recently replaced EL34 tubes in my Conrad Johnson Classic 120. I plan on keeping that amp. I think the relaxed nature of the amp, based on the other components I'm using, probably has something to do with my perceptions. The QLN Prestige 3 speakers tend to be relaxed sounding and the Merason is a very smooth DAC. For what it's worth, the Innuos Zenith mkiii, is also known to be a relaxed sounding server. 

@swede58 - The Gryphon Diablo 120 is, from my first 24 hours, a far more dynamic sounding amp. Part of this is system specific. I'm running the Luxman 590axii with Buchardt S400 mkii speakers, so that might have something to do with it. The Luxman 590axii is a great amp, but it lacks the speed, dynamics and base of the Gryphon Diablo 120. 

@zlone - I think we've communicated before regarding the Merason Dac1. The QLN Prestige 3 speakers are fantastic. It's a cliche, but they really disappear in the room. Music is presented in a very holistic way and the frequencies - base to treble - are all incredibly balanced. My preference will always be towards a generally relaxed sound, so for my tastes, the QLN Prestige 3 are perfect for my tastes. There are so many speakers out there, but I just don't have any interest - based on hearing other speakers in audio stores - to explore any other options. I think I'll probably keep these speakers for the rest of my life. In brief, I love them. 

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