2. amps-preamps
  3. 186388-177906

Intg Amps: Hegel 590 vs NAD M33 Masters vs Gryphon Diablo 120

Hi All: I am getting an itch to upgrade my integrated amp from Hegel 190 to something more robust that facilitates future speaker swapping.  And no, I'm not presently interested in separating components that much further (e.g. separate DAC; separate amp; clock; etc. etc).  I mainly interested in the following 3 on a used basis:

Hegel 590 OR NAD Masters 33 OR Gryphon Diablo 120

Max budget is $7500 if I choose to go towards the Gryphon (used), but curious if it's really THAT much better.   I'm particularly interested to hear from people that have had or auditioned at 2 out of 3.  The room correction on NAD is very appealing but I quite like my Hegel and it's tight control, and so something nice about staying true.

 

Current Setup:

* Unideal Brooklyn Apartment living room into Kitchen

* Hegel 190

* Monitor Audio Silver 7G 500

* Pine Tree Audio Cables

* Dual 1216

* Schiit Mani 2 (though I hear the phono preamp on some of above may make this superfluous)

* Spotify/Tidal (main streaming source)

128x128gill_benedek
jjss49's avatar
Ag insider logo xs@2x
jjss49
6,612 posts
 

h590 is sonically vastly superior than the nad (leaving aside the nad’s ability to do dirac, which may benefit some room applications) - top hegel is one of the very best, purest sounding amps out there, regardless of price

can’t speak to how to compares to the small gryphon

dougthebiker
212 posts
 

I’ve had 3 Gryphon amps.  There’s no contest here assuming the Gryphon is in good condition.

inna
7,296 posts
 

There is Gryphon Diablo 120 from Canada on US Audiomart for about $7k, US dollars, plus shipping. I decided not to get it so it's yours if that's what you wish.

Forget Nad. Hegel I know nothing about.

jeffreyw's avatar
jeffreyw
269 posts
 

Diablo, hands down. If you can wait a little, there should be some good deals on the Diablo 300 since its replacement is coming. I was in awe as to what the 300 can do, especially in the bass region. I think it is a much better performer than the 120. 

arafiq's avatar
arafiq
1,681 posts
 

Diablo 300 > Hegel 590 > Diablo 120

NAD doesn't belong in that list, sorry!

More to discover