Gryphon Integrated or Seperates for $20K Pre/Power budget?

Thank you for the thorough explanation and characterizations of the Mac And Griffin sounds.

Based on what you are saying it seems like the “Uber-integrates” makes sense.  Losing flexibility of mixing and matching pre and power amps is not a big deal to me.

I would love to expand my consideration to the other brands of Uber Integrateds you mention, however as I said I am limited by what I can try before buying in my vicinity (Western Canada).  

Do you (or anyone else) know if there are any options to purchase on of these options (Vitus, T&A) with the ability to return them?  

Alternatively I might be willing to use my frequent flier points to travel to listen to other “Uber-Integrateds” with B&W speakers...  I am familiar with how the new D3’s sound so I think that would be okay.

I will be trialing the MC462 at home as I have not written this option off despite the lesser detail - I may find that I simply like the Mac house sound. 

Thanks again, and let me know if you can think of any ways to expand my consideration of Uber Integateds such that I can at least try them with B&W speakers before buying, or alternatively, buying with the ability to return.

You may need to fly to Montreal or Toronto or other large city in Canada.

In New York you can visit Stereo Exchange in NYC they sell Mcintosh and Gryphon and B&W. The only issue is you being in Canada I don't know if you liked for example the Gryphon if they could sell you one.

However, if you were honest with them they still might just accomodate your request. Their may also be other dealers also the Canadian importer of Gryphon might be able to assist you in a home demo. 

The T+A PA 3100 HV is absolutely killer integraed it is $23k so it does cost a bit more that the Gryphon  but it definatly is a buy once and keep forever kind of product, we are also digging the new Krell separates they are absoluely stunningly musical and are in that rich musical vein, don't think they are quite as transparent as the T+A gear but so far pretty amazing sounding, the Persona 9H are not laid back speakers so any combo that makes these speakers musically engaging is going to have a similar effect with the B&W Diamond series.

You may  want to check them out as well in your quest.

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ

@audiotroy, Thanks for the above information.  It is appreciated.  

The Absolute Sound reports the T&A PA 3000 HV increases its HV units to a “whooping” 360 volts. They also say that most solid state amps operate at about 100 volts internally. Do other similar solid state amps operate at 360 volts?  

Does the T&A 3100 HV also operate at 360 volts?  Is the unit hot to touch and does it require special cooling and Ventilation?    What impact does the 360 volts have on its sound quality? Is there a concern when using an amp that runs at 360 volts?  How does this high 360 voltage compare to tube amps?   Thanks. 

The T+A gear uses this technique to emulate the musicality of tubes by using speciallty designed high voltage devices and running at higher rail voltages it was discovered that transistors become more linear when run at these higher voltages similar to some very exotic tube amplifiers the company built.

The T+A amplifiers run warm but not super hot and are incredibily well built in a word they sound very natural with a huge soundstage, great dyanmics, superior resolution and they are  neither bright nor dull sounding.  

The PA 3100HV is an amazing piece if you can find one to audition you will be blown away by it.

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ T+A, Krell dealers

Audiotroy, I’d be interested in auditioning T&A, but yes it’s a bit beyond my budget, which as is is already beyond what should be my budget :-)

You mentioned the Gryphon Diablo 300 sounds a bit “dark”.  Can you expand on what you mean by this?  Does it continually get warmer in tonal response as you move up in frequency?  How does it compare with Mac mc462 and others?

thanks!