Considering Gryphon Diablo 300 "OR" Simaudio 700iv2 ???


Hi everyone,

I am considering one of the two integrated amplifier's now as I am downsizing. Different residence.
The Gryphon Diablo 300 or the Simaudio 700iv2? Unfortunately I can not audition either in my area. So I am going at this blind. Pretty much from reviews.

I am downsizing from a beautiful McIntosh system that just sang.....A  C500t tube two piece pre-amp with Mc501 mono blocks, powering my PMC IB2i speakers. Connected to a Torus power RM20, and my digital front end is a
Linn Klimax Ds.

I am keeping the PMC IB2i speakers, the Torus power, and the the Linn Klimax. Although I may consider selling my Klimax Ds to get the Simaudio 780d dac if I go the Simaudio route. I could update the Klimax to the latest spec too, but that's another topic.....

I did audition the Ma9000 integrated amp, and it did not grab me sound wise. So I feel it is out.
I did get to audition some Simaudio separates, that sounded very very good...

So that's where I am at.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.


xsparky
huberto1984,

"T+A pa3100- nice amplifier, but too polite for me. Nowhere near the dynamics and control when compared with diablo. Low end was much worse."

You just described exactly what I heard comparing the T+ A PA 3100 driving Magico A3 speakers to the Gryphon Diablo 300 driving A3 speakers. In addition, the Gryphon was more open and detailed to my ears.
Actually there are a few posts on another forum,in one an owner of the 3100HV who tried some Furutech cables and was very happy that the cables gave the amp more dynamic impact
We have noticed the amplifier is very sensitive to power.
The other thing was a post from someone with both the Gryphon and the PA 3100HV at the same time in the same system and his response was a bit different, he found them both equal but different, with the Gryphon having a bigger presentation with a bit more slam, however he felt the image was more focused and the treble was smoother with a more tube like sound.with the T+A.
So system matching with loudspeakers and sources are going to push one person to like one of the other.
We heard the Diablo at Axpona and the system didn’t sound that good,

A cheappie T+A R series system was making a lot of magic and that system was a fraction of the price of the Gryphon/Tidal system the other dealer was showing.

Add a set of Critical Mass Center stage footers and a good power cord and conditioner and then see if the T+A doesn’t have a similar slam with the tube like midrange the you get with the HV technology.
As mentioned earlier the OP summed it up it comes down to personal taste.
One reason we were asking Humbetro was if the testing was done in exactly the same way, were power cables used and power conditioning?
It is entirely possible we would have the same conclusion, in our tests the 3100HV has been absolutely amazing sounding and has driven all speakers beautifully.

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ T+A dealers



Please try vitus sia 025. Auditioned both vitus and gryphon
before ending up with vitus. Very close call but decided 
on vitus for its more intimate mids and lousy recordings is
more listenable.
gryphon is much faster, more slam and better dynamics.
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