Luxman 509X, 590AXII, or Gryphon Diablo 300 for B&W 802d3


Hello All and Happy Holidays,

As the title states, I am exploring an integrated for my B&W's. I would like to get some insight as to your experiences with the aforementioned. I do enjoy a "tubey" midrange and also love my bass (a lot)! The top end is not as important to me. I only do digital and hope to utilize a tube DAC (maybe AudioNote). There is something magical about class A, but can the 30 watts of the Luxman do an adequate job in taming the B&W's?

As far as Gryphon, the reviews are legendary. I have heard Luxman some years ago and it was quite engaging. However, I am having struggles auditioning the Diablo. Please advise on the strengths and weaknesses. I hope to make this my last purchase for many years (at least, I hope!).

128x128jeffreyw

+1, @thyname

@jeffreyw

T+A Integrated’s are pretty awesome, ultra detailed and plenty of grunt in lower octaves. I used to own B&W 800D2’s and you can’t fully appreciate B&W’s (especially the 800 or 802’s) until you feed them with an amp that’s stable down to 2ohms load.

The Boulder 866 has stellar reviews. Very neutral if that is important to you. Good luck! 
 

merry Christmas everyone! 

There is a fellow Audiogon member that has a very long post regarding your question. He purchased and/or demoed the expensive integrated units including the Gryphon Diablo 300. I believe he ended up with a Pass Lab Integrated 250.

If I find the Audiogon Forum I'll post it for you to read. Should you other guys know of what I'm thinking of please post it, I don't have the time to find it, I have to head out for a 5-hour round trip.

I also suggest the Pass INT 250 and if you are located in the USA Mark from Reno Hi-Fi will let you audition in your home. 

Chuck