Powerful Tube Amp for SF Strads?

Hi Downunder,

I would be very surprised if our respective tastes in sound quality were not quite similar. Each of our entire systems share a very similar lineage/DNA. No surprise, I am inclined to agree with your statement above...though auditioning is of course the only way to know for sure. Mihalis favors a cleaner sound than I do...he is full Gryphon set-up.

Yes, I am under the impression that the Antileon Signature is still available. I spoke with Gryphon in Denmark. Basically, in 95 Gryphon came out with the DM100...100-watt Class A, dual mono 200lb amp...same chassis as today's Antileon Sig...the second generation of this amp was called the Antileon...also 100-class A. Then came the Antileon Signature...150-watt Class A...300 into 4ohm...600 into 2ohm...1200 into 1ohm, 2400 into 0.5ohm and peak 5000 into 0.5 ohm. Whew!
I was told by friend who auditioned Antileon Sig with Strads (and whose favorite amps for strads til then was Tenor/Wavac) that Antileon Sigs with Strads were 'bar none' the best sound he has ever heard. Period. He said it hit all the marks...warmth, speed, real life soundstage, power...iron fist in velvet glove...etc. Let me know what you hear for yourself! Would appreciate hearing your opinion as always!

Oh, BTW...you want to go to Ultra Audio website...Jeff Fritz reviewed the Antileon Signature back in '04 when it first came out...he used terms like "colors/tonality"...'tube mids/uppers and SS bass'...note in future reviews of other amps, he also looked back on the Antileon Signature saying 'it had an analog sound I missed when it was gone...". Hope that helps!

I have just spent a great week living with the Gryphon Colosseum. This is easily the best SS amplifier I have ever heard and light years ahead of the next expensive Levinson 33H's I heard a while back. I guess real class A is where the musical action is for SS.

The Colo will never sound strident or stressed and top to bottom coherence is spooky smooth with no real frequency bumps to enhance short term listening and longer term fatigue.

The music seems to almost float on a magic carpet of air. Bass, expecially bass guitar is exceptional with little or no unrealistic bass tightening when you wick up the volume - bass just grows with the music, but with better control, dymanics and depth vs tubes.

The midrange and treble is exceptionally clear and free of any of the usual ss artifacts, so pure is the transparency. Compared to my Mac tube amps the midrange is just a bit more forward, so lead instruments are a bit forward. My tube amps are quite relaxed and just behind the speakers in comparison.

Lloyd, the 31.5db gain in the Gryphon is just about the only issue that you may have, given the cj has a large amount of gain. It was Ok with my phono stage, however with cd, not much volume to play with.
My dealer and Gryphon says the Gryphon will sound a lot better balanced - he may be right there, but it may be more unforgiving compared to my cj ART - the old doubled edged sword.

The Colosseum certainly responds to higher bandwidth cables. They greatly preferred the extra extension at both ends of the transparent XL MM ref compared to the Kimber select 3033. They also luved teh expensive Gryphon power cable - go figure no short cuts at this level. The Colosseum does have fan, but is so well designed you don't really hear it - my room is very quiet so I do hear some air pushing when I am changing records.

Me, I cannot afford the Collseum and matching pre amp the Mirage so not sure how much I am missing. I will have a listen to the Antileon signature, which is supposed to be a little more tubey compared to the Colosseum. If I like that I might be able to stretch to listen to a Gryphon pre for full balanced sound.

Overall anyone wanting a reference amplifier look no further than the Gryphon Colosseum.

Wow...thanks Downunder...now that's you, Mihalis, Schorly, and two audio stores who don't even sell Gryphon)-- all of whom i respect who all concur that Gryphon Class A SS is unbelievable, even for those who love tubes.

Will be interesting to hear your views on the Antileon. For me, i do not intend to go to the Colosseum level.

In addition to Antileon being more than great enuf for me, i also suspect any changes in the speakers are probably going to trend slightly towards the accurate end...even with tubes in the DAC and Pre, i still prefer to have a slightly darker amp to give me that ability to change speakers to something like used Grand Slamm.

thanks again for great review!

Hi Downunder,
An excellent summary, as written, the Colosseum seems like a true contender. As for the suggestion from your dealer for them to sounding much better balanced, (read between lines) seems to me more like a hint that when used with Gryphon's own pre-amp (in balanced mode of course), the synergy to unleash the amp to fullest potential can be further realized, rather than mere suggestion in context of interconnection type there? Anyway, please do keep us posted on your impressions of the Antileon, and whether or not ultimately you think Colosseum are worth their price difference.
Finally a word of thanks to you, I have just received an e-mail from my long lost friend JR.