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Gryphon Amp Owners: Results with AQ Niagara?

As many know, amp vendors including Gryphon urge power cords to be plugged directly into the wall.  I also read a review of an account where a Gryphon Diablo 300 was underwhelming at a show, until they removed the power conditioner and connected the amp to the wall.

I’m not looking to debate whether that logic is correct or not, but rather, to see if any Gryphon owners have had good real world results when powering their amp(s) from an AQ Niagara 5000 or similar.

Another option is to have the Niagara power my source only and keep my Diablo 300 powered directly from the wall.  However, my worry is that the Niagara is not a passive device, and might consume additional current from the AC circuit that won’t be available for my amp, since I am doomed to having everything on a single AC circuit (don’t ask, not easy to change to dedicated lines in my house).

Thoughts?

 

 

 

nyev
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drrsutliff
860 posts
 

I run my Gryphon Diablo 300 into a Synergistic Powercell 12 UEF SE with no degradation of sound quality.  I have spent time with the Diablo plugged directly into the wall as a comparison. 

divertiti
225 posts
 

I have used Boulder 1160 into the high current output of a Niagara 5000, to me that sounded as good if not better than into the wall. Things are more refined and polished.

Would it be possible to try both configurations and see which you like better?

nyev OP
1,031 posts
 

@divertiti, yes, it may be possible to set up a demo.  I’ve been keeping my dealer busy providing me with demo power cords now (Shunyata Omega QR BB and Sigma V2 NR, and also AudioQuest Dragon HC and Firebird HC).  I will wait until I get the PC purchase sorted before overloading them with demo requests :). I will ask towards the end of my demo to see if I can borrow their Niagara in the shop just for an afternoon.

mgrif104
350 posts
 

Others may have a different view, but I’m thinking you should audition the Niagara before deciding on a power cord upgrade.  

I have a Niagara 5000 and it made a remarkable difference in my system - such that it negated much of the benefit of using more expensive power cords.  When I auditioned the 5000, the dealer gave me fair warning - every customer who tried it in home also purchased it.  For me, it was obvious in the first 30 seconds.  I have since auditioned some very well regarded power cords (including AQs), but have found little benefit. Interconnects and speakers cable differences are plainly obvious.  Power cables? Not so much anymore.

As I’m sure you know, the upper Niagara units are not current limiting, but actually help in this regard as they “bank” power for supply more current than the wall can provide for short term transients.  No downsides to an audition up front that I can see.  

Let us know how it goes.

Best,

divertiti
225 posts
 

The Niagara 5000 has transient power correction which gives 90A of current reserve on the high current outlet, this is something Audioquest 1000/1200 does not have, and will make a huge difference to amps.

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