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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
kclone's avatar
kclone
679 posts
 
how about the  Rowland Continuum Series 2 integrated?  I have never heard it, but it has fantastic reviews. 
slingshot
55 posts
 
I finally heard yesterday from Gryphon about the price of the 300. They said they "had to organize themselves." Anyway $16,000 retail for the integrated amplifier and $6,000 retail for the DAC module. Interestingly they used the word retail. 
pokey77
1,267 posts
 
@slingshot 

@inna 

FYI - This is the same pricing that user Inna reported in the last several months.
inna
7,296 posts
 
Yeah. $6k for onboard DAC is a lot. It would be interesting to compare it to outboard DACs used with the Gryphon Diablo. I don't know much about digital, but I understand the Gryphon DAC can be upgraded in the future, on-line. $2200 for the phono stage on the other hand appears to be right on. I doubt you can do better with a separate phono, including cables and power cord, for this amount. Unless I wanted to go much higher or/and tube phono stage, I would definitely get it right away or a little later.
denon1 OP
343 posts
 

Ok guys. My Gryphon Diablo 300 is ccurrently on 80 hours mark braking in and I feel that it needs another 70- 100 to fully open up. Differences with the Pass INT-250 so far:

Gryphon is more revealing, not as smooth as Pass. But its tonality more  in line with what I hear attending the live concerts; no fatigue.

Gryphon is faster and more dynamic. Its ability to go from a total silence to the popping 3d sound is amazing. I think its his biggest strength.

Gryphon has better defined lows and highs. The midrange is more neutral than Pass and some people who prefer stand out midrange may not like it. But again the Gryphon's midrange is more in line with real live.

Gryphon is being more reveling does require more consideration for the cables matching, front end and speakers. Some poorly made recordings may not sound as pleasant with Gryphon as they do with Pass.

So far I still remain with my initial opinion that Gryphon is a step closer to the live music than Pass INT-250 and more refined integrated overall. 

For the money, especially if you find the used one, the Pass INT-250 is a great integrated if you have a space for it. It does not get hot as the class A offers from Pass. But it is just big and heav. In my house its was better than many integrated listed above in this forum, with the exception of two:

1.Vitus SIA-025 that I listened at dealer's show room, but they had it connected to the same speakers I had by that time - Marten Django XL so I could get a good idea.

2, Gryphon Diablo 300.


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