Have you been enjoying your Gryphon Diablo 120 integrated ?

@inna - I bought a demo Gryphon 120 from Sounds By Singer as they were closing down. I've found it pairs perfectly with the Dynaudio Heritage Speakers I also own. 

I also run a tube based system in my main room that I switch back-and-forth every few months. The tube system is a Conrad Johnson Classic 120 EL34 amp with an Linear Tube Audio Microzotl preamp with QLN Prestige Three speakers.

Each system has it's virtures. I love the Gryphon 120 with the Dynaudio speakers because the sound is full, propulsive and dynamic, but with an underlying warmth which is almost tube like. The Gryphon 120 does have a dark character to the treble, so speaker pairing is critical. It did not pair well with the QLN Prestige Three speakers which are fantastic with the Conrad Johnson 120 or Audio Hungary power amps I've driven it with. 

Am I happy with the Gryphon 120?

Absolutely. I think it would be an end-game amp for many people. It's hard not to be impressed with it. It sounds great with all genres of music, btw.

Feel free to hit me up with any questions. 

@ryder Yes if you like a softer, more colored sound you will perhaps prefer the 120. When I met Gryphon’s Rune Skov at a demo in Stockholm he described all Gryphon amps as neutral except for two; the 120 and Antileon. ”Not the most neutral amps but the difference is small”

@ryder - It so happens I actually also own the Luxman 590axii. I currently run it occasionally in my office system, but it’s no longer in rotation in my main living room system. It’s also a beautiful sounding amp, but I feel it also requires the ideal dancing partner in a speaker. 

I’m familiar with the sound you describe with the Luxman 590axii. It’s not the most dynamic amp and compared to the Gryphon 120 lacks a sense of powerful dynamics and propulsion to the music. To your question, the Gryphon 120 absolutely brings out the guitar and bass compared to the Luxman 590axii. The music sounds more immediate and palpable with the Gryphon. The Luxman 590axii sounds soft and a little ethereal in comparison. 
 

I would not say the Gryphon 120 sounds bright or overly forward, however. I demoed the Luxman 509 (a class A-B) amp in my house and found it to be nearly shrill in my room. 

@bluethinker thanks for the response, surely useful. Your experience is exactly what I’m looking for. Since you own both Diablo 120 and Luxman L-590AXII, that can’t get any better. It looks like I might need to proceed with the long delayed plan of getting an alternative dynamic amp.

I still love what the Luxman 590AXII does and will keep it as it’s a fine unit. The sound delivery although slightly warm is highly refined with a delicate touch, and as what you have aptly mentioned it will shine with other speakers. I may not have the plan for new speakers but I would still keep the Luxman. Apart from the 590AXII I also own the Naim 282/250DR separates and the latter produced a slightly more punchy and dynamic sound but lost in areas of refinement. Music sounded rough and smeared with slightly reduced clarity and refinement with the Naim on my Marten speakers. I appreciate the qualities of the Luxman after doing extensive comparison between the Naim and Luxman.

Back to the Gryphon, one of the concerns I have is on the dark treble of the 120 relative to the 300 mentioned several times everywhere. How does the treble of the 120 compare to the 590AXII? Eventually I might need to consider the 300 although it’s bulkier, heavier and more expensive.