2. amps-preamps
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Gryphon vs Luxman vs Accuphase

Thinking that I may bite the bullet this year and get into a Gryphon Diablo 300 but before I consider shelling out that much, wanted to get some input from any of you that have heard this amp in comparison to Luxman or Accuphase. The 509X from Luxman costs half that of the Gryphon and is more within reach. The Accuphase E650 is not that far off the Diablo 300 pricing. IF the Gryphon is better in your mind, curious to hear whether you think the Luxman or Accuphase come close?

It sounds like all 3 have rave reviews. One is a class A while the other two are Class A/B. 
freesole
respected_ent
189 posts
 
Yes, I love my class A Luxman L-590AXII.  Before Luxman, I was using the Hegel H360 and was thinking about upgrading to the Gryphon Diablo 300.  I've heard the Diablo at the audio show and loved the sound.  But thanks to @greginnh for recommending the Luxman to me.  I took his advice and got the Luxman without any audition.  Now I don't have much desire to get the Diablo.  The Luxman was way better than the Hegel H360.  I've never heard the Accuphase, but I don't think you can go wrong with any of the 3 amps. 
denon1
345 posts
 
Agree with Greginnh, its very important what speakers and what are the speaker and power cables you will use with these amplifiers. A lot of people underestimate the importance of cables and system match.
freesole OP
159 posts
 
Hearing a lot of good things about the 590AXII. Have @respected_ent or @builder3 heard both the 590 and the 509? Curious as to what the differences would be in sound. 
freesole OP
159 posts
 
@denon1 

Speaker - Spendor D9 - I find them to be very well balanced and neutral. Nice extension both at the top and at the low end. I have only tried them with my Line Magnetic so far which is not an overly warm amp so I don't think it needs an amp with a warm quality to sound good. The LM is a Class A SET amp. 

Cables - Interconnects are Wireworld Silver Eclipse 8 and Acoustic Zen Matrix Ref II RCA's

Power Cables - Mix between Acoustic Zen Gargantua II and Audioquest Thunder 
builder3
758 posts
 
freesole, I own the L-590AX, which is the previous version of the newer L-590AXII. It’s actually greginnh’s old amp, which I essentially lucked into. I absolutely love it, but haven’t heard either the MarkII, or the new 509. The newer MarkII series had the output stage beefed up, I believe.
greg has owned two of those, and heard all three, if I'm not mistaken.
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