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Upgrading form Pass integrated amplifier to a better one

Hello,

Currently I have a PASS INT-250 integrated amplifier . The Pass INT-250 is a very good integrated (in my system it was overall better than Plinius Hiato, Gamut D150se, Mark Levinson 535, Vitus RI-100,  Accuphase E-470 and some others) but I can't get rid of the feeling that I miss some explosiveness (drum kicks for example) and micro details.

I know that its not the speakers. The new Sonus faber tradition I have are much more open, dynamic and airy than previous Guarneri Evos, Elipasas SE and Amati Anniversarious I used to own. And before buying them I auditioned the Serafinos with Audio Research separates and it was the amazing combo. But I really prefer not to go the separates road ( ICs, power cords and space contribute to financial constrains also) and even so I like the combo of Pass and Serafinos overall but from time to time looking for some better integrated on the market.

Currently I presented with a good opportunity to buy latest Gryphon Diablo 300 integrated or latest just released Accuphase E-650.  No possiblilty to demo them, so I am asking here on the forum if anybody can comment if Gryphon Diablo 300 or Accuphase E-650 will be better integrated than Pass INT250 overall and especially in terms of dynamics, micro details and harmonics.

Any advise and opinion would be very appreciated.

My system: Esoteric K-05x, Pass INT-250, Sonus Faber Serafinos, all cabling are the Shunyata Sigmas.

Room is 12" wide by 17" long. Listen mostly acoustic jazz and chamber classical on low to moderate levels.


Thank you.


denon1
shoff
133 posts
 
I went back to the Gryphon room FOUR SEPARATE TIMES at the last RMAF.  The Diablo 300 was driving a pair of their $52k speakers.   The source was their $9k CD player.  To my ears it was the best sound at the show.
inna
7,296 posts
 
denon1, I have Neptune interconnects and like them a lot too. But I am going to give a try to an almost unknown in the US brand - Tchernov Cable from Russia. Vladimir Lamm uses them now with his amps, and some Germans are completely crazy about them. I won't try their best, something in the middle. This should be interesting.
One thing that Gryphon does is that it doesn't try to imitate anything, least of all the sound of tube amplifiers. You may agree or disagree with the Flemming's interpretation of how the sound should be, but his designs are original. 
audiolabyrinth's avatar
audiolabyrinth
4,555 posts
 
Denon1, I highly recommend the Gryphon product's, the dealer you have is spot on with description of the sound,  post your impression's here are email me,🎼🎶🎵
audiolabyrinth's avatar
audiolabyrinth
4,555 posts
 
Denon1,  Btw, what version have you considered?,  the added dac module,  the mm/mc phono pre-amp?,  or regular Diablo 300?
hddg's avatar
hddg
123 posts
 
I believe these amps could do much better with more efficient speakers. These SF are not what I personally consider efficient speakers. They need some power, and i have noticed on several speaker models that the Pass, which are excellent amps, struggle to give the dynamics - I know exactly your feeling about that aspect, as I am a big fan of dynamics. 
Now again for dynamics especially, these Accuphase wont do it any better than the Pass. There are many choices out there, but you are on something good here - if you have the opportunity for the Gryphon Diablo 300, I think you would have it all there and a great match for the SF - amazing stuff !!! Keep us posted
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