Gryphon

default -- Mon, 03/09/2009 - 13:38

Hi All,

I am considering a Gryphon DM100 (12-years old) for my SF Strads, Zanden, CJ Act 2 combo. would love some thoughts on how "tube-like" this is going to be. at the moment, i have a little CJ mv60 which i love but is underpowering the strads. i will be auditioning next week but would appreciate some feedback from those who have likewise searched for SS power with tube mids/highs...the never ending search!

also on capacitors...how likely am i going to have to send them back to gryphon in denmark to get them replaced? according to gryphon if i do so, there is little else that should need fixing (unless it is broken)...ie, the rest of the amp should last many more years...true?

thanks for any advice!!!

Strads (not verified) -- Mon, 03/09/2009 - 13:40

Thanks for any advice

bvdiman1 (not verified) -- Wed, 03/11/2009 - 17:49

Hi Strads, I believe we've 'met' elsewhere? Although had no experience with their later Antileon nor Colosseum, incidentally in the late '90s I've lived with the DM100 for almost 2yrs driving a Pro-Ac Response 4. Subsequently replaced them with the Jadis JA200 (200w class A), which I found to better the DM100 by quite a margin then (driving Pro-Ac 4s). Thus on basis of my previous love for tubes, as well having lived with SF Strad for the better part of two years, I stand by my recommendation that if you seriously want to end your search for that ultimate SS amp without sacrificing any essential tube goodness which we've come to love, you should definitely give FMAs at least a listen prior to deciding on anything else. As to value, you might want to try look in the market for a good used Resolution series FM611 or FM811. I'm pretty sure you will agree with most I've said--they are a keeper!

Halcro -- Wed, 03/11/2009 - 20:40

Hi Strads,
I've listened to a fair bit of Gryphon gear in actual home listening rooms and my own system including the Antileon and DM100, and would have to say that IMO, they are the least 'tube-like' transistors I have heard.
In fact, to my ears, they produced a leaness of sound, and flattening of images which typified the worst of solid state electronics.
Before you make any purchases, I would strongly advise long listening sessions in your home system?

Suteetat -- Thu, 03/12/2009 - 08:35

If you want SS that have some tube quality, I would strongly consider ASR Emitter II Exclusive. I recently replaced my Jadis JA200/Audio Research
Ref 3 with ASR and I could not be happier. ASR is the best amp I ever heard in my system. Beside Jadis, I also had BAT VK60 mono for many years and pretty much been tube man for the last 10-12 years or so. In comparison to Jadis JA200 (with KT90Ei and more recently Genalex Gold Lion KT88), ASR shares many of its virtue, sweet tone, great clarity while have more extended top and solid bass and huge huge sound stage and tonal density was just beautiful. A friend of mine heard ASR in my system then auditioned one in his system and decided to replace his Spectral DMA 360 with it as well.