What Speakers are you running with your Gryphon Amp?

Has the next logical upgrade to the 802 D2 not occurred to you ?

I own that speaker, bypassed the 803. I can’t comment on the Gryphon.

One problem that remains with the 802 is in my space throughout  my system

changes it seems to perform best at a somewhat limited volume range of almost

loud to loud.   It’s possible that many speakers perform best at a particular setting.  

Could also be my room.

But my big issue was high frequency harshness which I solved when I moved from

a solid state preamp, Boulder 810 to BAT Rex the sound stage just opened up so

nicely with lots more subtle air banishing any vestige of harshness I was induring

with the Boulder. But that’s not your problem.

I was able to keep the Boulder mono block 850s in, 200 watts apiece. Later I

upgraded to the Innuos Statement server and Rossini Dac and that just continued

the improvements.  I think the Rex rolls of the very highest frequencies but I could

still hear many of the new digital refinements and added soundstage dimensions.  

Those things seemed very complimentary. 

 Never owned Gryphon but have heard them with Rockports, probably with the

Diablo.  That system didn’t suffer from the high frequency strain I had on my

Boulder pre but it was nowhere near as open and engaging as my system with the

Rex pre.  That system seemed constrained but then that room seemed over large.

 

You might try putting in a very nice tube preamp, if the Diablo has amp inputs and

see what that does for you.  I think there is a synergy between tubes and the

diamond  tweeters.  In general my experience with the 802s is that I can make a lot

of other improvements that are all very much revealed.  But if I were contemplating

my next speaker upgrade I would be looking for a larger leap.  Perhaps checking

out a  Vinberg or Tidal.  
 

I find advice is often wanted but difficult to digest.  

Curious if your trial speakers were placed in the same location 

as your current B&W's for evaluations?

First, speakers in a retail store/showroom will never sound close to your home, different acoustics, noise, equipment and etc. Depending on the dealer, a lot of equipment doesn’t get played much before they sell the demo so it’s not burned in. Only way to evaluate equipment and speakers is in your own room. Doubt B&W 803 D3’s are going to better 801 D4’s. If your dealer will not let your drag their speakers to your home then you might have to drag yours there. For the money you’re going to spend I’d take the time to haul your speakers if that’s an option.

@bubba12 , It’s a real consideration to just stop and enjoy my system, despite the fact that my current speakers are outclassed by the rest of my system. I’m floored by what the power cord, speaker wire, and USB Reclocker upgrades brought to my system; I am amazed my speakers can even do that.

Okay maybe that’s veering a bit into crazy talk, at least I might consider diverting funds into a turntable instead ;-)

Not sure I’m up for lugging my speakers into the shop, but I totally get the rationale.

I think the room may have had a lot to do with it. I find that a lot of rooms at HiFi shops are 1) too small, and 2) over treated. This room was padded on all sides!

Not suggesting the 803 D2’s are better than the 801 D4’s. All I’m saying is that the 801 D4’s were unlistenable in this particular system, in this particular room, with this particular listener.

I’ve considered the 802 D4, but the 802 D3 which I auditioned my Gryphon with sounded too lean for me.

Finally, the salesman said that he agreed with me that the 801’s weren’t sounding all that great to him. He confirmed the speakers had over 500 hours on them, and that he had actually run the system for 24 hours before my audition. Again, he said that his colleague thought the Diablo 300 might be too lightweight for this speaker.

 

 

I drive a pair of Thiel CS 3.7s with my Diablo 300, uber transparent sound and very wide soundstage.

I still feel i would need more current for my speakers and plan to go separates in the future.