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Gryphon gets no press, but is great.

Gryphon, a product I sold back in the early '90's is magical sounding gear. But according to the Owner Principal designer, he can't get arrested in the U. S. Press. I have emailed an acquaintence (Robert Harley) from my days as Director of Sales for THIEL Audio, about this and he was vaguely aware of some of this, even to the point of saying that he had a memory a negative review. That seems impossible if you read the Worldwide rave press they receive. Plus as an owner of the Callisto integrated, I can verifiy that it runs away from virtually all things (even some separates costing multiples) comparable. Why is it that a product that is so good, from their integrateds, to their separates, doesn't get a better shake in the our country? Marketing has been, in my evaluation poor, and I have shared this with Mr. Rasmussen, but even so, sometimes ground swells of interest have overcome this. Flemming Rasmussen, who is the owner, says, that the U.S. is not a large enough market for "his kind of product", and that Americans may lack the "sophistocation" to appreciate it. He was not being condescendig or vitriolic, just sadly stating his perspective. Of course, seeing all the two channel (brother) audiophiles out there, I can't believe that. What is up, other than poor marketing choices?
Any ideas and thoughts from current or previous owners would be good input. Frankly, while traveling all over the U. S. I never saw it in stores. That is sad given its performance.
lrsky
danielk141
489 posts
 
Here's my two cents!

I purchased a Gryphon Exorcist (used) here on Audiogon last May. It works very well. I did take the end cap off to check it out. It has a 9 volt battery that is almost an interference fit. I can't remove it (easily). I e:mailed the seller who said he never tried to change the battery...
Fair enough!
On May 29th, I sent an e:mail to the address listed here on Audiogon for Gryphon. (I still have a copy of the e:mail).
I NEVER received an answer.
I mentioned this to a local dealer who has been in Audio all his professional life. He stated simply that Gryphon has no U.S. distributor. This is not good! They've been around for years without one. This is not good!
I'll e:mail one of the Gryphon dealers on Audiogon today, I'll see if they bother to answer my question....
If the factory web address can't be bothered with my question, does anyone think I'll spend another dime on Gryphon?
lrsky OP
1,118 posts
 
I think though that it is relative. Since the integrated at $7000. outperforms most all separates costing more it shouldn't matter. I carefully compared the Callisto, very closely to several, well known Holy Grail separate pieces and found the Gryphon to be better, IMHO. That is why I ended up with one. I think maybe value perception is the underlying issue, such as, how can an integrated be as good as separates? If that's true, then the dealers who, if there are any selling it, are doing a poor job.
In a demo or die business, most dealers, won't take the time to show off something which takes a few minutes longer to sell. At least that is what I saw, and experienced.
The exodus to HT has no doubt hurt some two channel sales. But this is, as RC, above, pointed out, some of, if not THE finest sounding electronic around. My dream system would be the amp, pre, and the new MIKADO CD; that is based on the preamp I heard years ago, and my current Callisto. I would like to see it resurected in the U. S., and at least get a fair shake from the working press.
Good Listening,
Larry
lrsky OP
1,118 posts
 
Aberdeen Components of New York is the distributor now. I am sure they will help you change the battery.
It is odd that they did not contact you. one of my customers called me (from my store which has been closed 11 years)with a problem with his power supply on a preamp.I emailed, and got an immediate response from Stefan, plus a repair code reference. If you like, DanielK contact me by email @ lrsky@bellsouth.net and I will email them and get this taken care of. Also, I have another friend who owns an Exorsist, and he has changed batteries, possibly he could help. Either way, they should have responded. Maybe cyberspace monkeys are at work. If I can help just let me know.
Thanks, good listening,
Larry
84audio
175 posts
 
This has to be a marketing issue! I disagree with Flemming about the US market. Gryphon makes great gear and I think it would sell if it was sold the right way. It is expensive, but lots of products are expensive and they sell! The 2100 integrated is outstanding. A $7000 price tag always makes me swallow hard, but I haven't heard a better integrated.
lrsky OP
1,118 posts
 
I agree, and would say that, very few combos of separates beat it at that price too.
It is a shame that they have let the market atrophy. BTW, they did not go for very long without distribution. Dynaudio, marketed it, but I think they treated it like a tag along to their speakers, assuming that their dealers would just automatically buy the Gryphon along with Dynaudio. That was not a good strategy. That is a little hindsightish, but accurate. If Aberdeen can do it, we will have another good line to choose from. Really, at $7K it bests most separates anywhere near that price that I have heard, except perhaps the Belles 21A and the 350. That is wonderful, not too sweet, and accurate, Go Dave Belles.
Good Listening,
Larry
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