Anatta, I have always concerned about this low impedance since the beginning. However, It s worth a try, and Pandora

Is always an option. Memphisto Mono will be around $110,000 while I believe the Boulder will be $200,000 ..Ouch..

Toga

The 3060 is the stereo amp and has a msrp of $115k; the 3050s are the monos @ $200k/pair.

Did you consider the Constellationaudio Centaur monos's? They have 200KΩ XLR balanced input impedance and should be a great match for the REF40. I hope that soon I will be able to listen to the Centaur Stereo with my REF40.

@Anatta ok,I got it, I saw two amps in your thumbnail picture and I thought you mentioned the Mono. Always confused with the 50 vs 60 model designator of Boulder. They set Boulder price very high here approaching 160,000$ for stereo and less flexible in term of payment I guess. I am sure they are great, be it 2160, 3060.

@microstrip, of course I was almost purchase Centuar Mono start of 2013, as they were one of my prospect.
The dealer missed an appointment to bring them to my home twice, I saw how they were built inside, and a visit to showroom to hear,them and the system sound badddddd... I will never blamed the products, I point to the room, I came back home unimpressed.. Also even reviewers confused which input made better sound, with trade off between them, for me I will not
have chance to use Constellation Direct input so I have to live with the lower performance side of these amps.

Coming back to Gryphon, They are the last one in amps that I have put on the list and it showed potential at dealer showroom. The dealer is one of the best in service too, I have to give them a chance.

Here I show again, my selected amps and the day I went to audition Centaurs.

Toga

Ok just make a call to Boulder dealer, two of 3060 and two sets of 3050 sold so far, to drive Alexia and Maxx3. Cusntomer also us Ref40 as pre. Price is said to be negotiable , depends very much to currency exchange rate and at 100,000$ range
Every tiny move of the rate play big part. There is a traded in 2060 at a very good price too, Should I try?

Try the Grphons Toga. I prefer them infinitely more than Boulder or Constellation. Ultimately it's a personal thing but I tink gryphon would be a nice match for yur system.

@howiebrou, I will I will :)

What I want is an organic sounds, while transparent and wide bandwidth, but never lack punch and that crescendo moment. At first I thought about Rowland 925, but knowing Rowland is always polite and not explosive. Long ago I like Pass XA160.5 , but it lacked drive with Ref40, more ok with XP20, however.
I wil use Pandora with Moon, to see how it compare to Ref 40. Then I will use Ref40 to drive both Moon and Gryphon.
With 2 pres and 2 amps, there are 4 combinations possible.
Toga
How much will I save if I chose Colosseum and Atheena pre instead?

Another vote for Gryphon. :smoking:
-Excellent sound, design and built
-Long standing established brand
-Reasonably priced for what offered
-Good dealer relationship you mentioned is also an added value
IMO.
Wish they are represented here too locally.

Having had both the Athena and the Mirage preamps for an extended listen I would strongly recommend the Mirage and Pandora over the Athena.

I am curious what technology of volume control is used in Pandora.

I like the concept of KX-R or Accuphase 3800 volume controls, rather than simple chip in Audio Research s.
Volume should also operated in true balanced mode, like Accuphase C3800.
For KXR concept of maintain performance at any level is interesting, while I dont like it to have moving part and mechanical contacts, but I heard similar click when operate Pandora volume too.

Toga

http://www.gryphon-audio.net/Imagery/company.html

Lots of photo and even an entire Book.

Howie, how do you rate Vitus against comparatively priced Gryphon gear?