A preamp to match Gryphon Mephisto

[TOGA]

Good old days.. In 2011
I think I will keep them, along with the new ss pre.
I always want something new, but nothing is quite like this Ref 40.

Toga

[TOGA]

Something different...
They wanted me to try, I tried.
Very musical indeed.

Toga

[Higgens]

It's too bad the Shindo doesn't have the XLR and HT bypass features you need, Toga. It really is a great pre.

[TOGA]

Originally Posted by Higgens

It's too bad the Shindo doesn't have the XLR and HT bypass features you need, Toga. It really is a great pre.

Oh it sounded lovely and musical, but having to walk to fine tune the volume control and back to seat alone
Is enough to put it back in the box haha. I used digital volume control from Accuphase DAC however.
Oh But Shindo is so expensive. Very much so.

Toga

[GaryProtein]

I previously mentioned the DartZeel NHB-18NS MK 2 preamp but you didn't comment.

What about the MBL 6010D to go with your Gryphon Mephisto power amp??

[TOGA]

Originally Posted by GaryProtein

I previously mentioned the DartZeel NHB-18NS MK 2 preamp but you didn't comment. What about the MBL 6010D to go with your Gryphon Mephisto power amp??

Oh sorry, now I saw it. Thanks indeed.
There is none for audition, but there are two of Mk I on sale.
But understand that it worked better on BNC output into DZ power amp and not quite as good on XLR out is it ?
From the Stereophile labs measurement I Think.

Understand that the MK II is very very expensive ..
But let me doing some research more on it.

Toga

[GaryProtein]

The cost of the DartZeel NHB-18NS was about $25K USD. I don't know how much more the MK2 is, but it is not more than the Accuphase C3800, Burmester or other very high end preamps.

[Dafos]

Hi Toga, I haven't read your recent posts and just noticed this thread because of the Gryphon Mephisto amp that you are currently using. This may be a bit off topic but since Gryphon finally has a local dealer, those who have heard the Mephisto and the Antilleon power amps claim they clearly out perform electronics from Pass, D'agostino, Constellation, Burmester etc. I've not been to these auditions but how accurate are these praises from those who have heard them? Just like you, I've had my Ref Anniversary for 5 years and just recently (2800 hours) replaced the svetlana 6550c regulator tubes with my last two spares. I'm running the ref to a d'agostino stereo driving my current Sonus Faber Aida. Just wanted your thoughts on the Gryphon Mephisto amp you currently use against the competition that made you decide purchase them. Again, nice to touch base with you Toga.

[TOGA]

Originally Posted by GaryProtein

The cost of the DartZeel NHB-18NS was about $25K USD. I don't know how much more the MK2 is, but it is not more than the Accuphase C3800, Burmester or other very high end preamps.

I checked, the number of XLR inputs are insufficient.
I would love to see lots of XLRS just like when you see the back of
PAss XS Pre, ARC Ref40, Burmester 077 something like that.

Now I will have Burmester 088 coming in next. Hoping it will give a hint of how 077 should sound like.

Toga

[TOGA]

Originally Posted by Dafos

Hi Toga, I haven't read your recent posts and just noticed this thread because of the Gryphon Mephisto amp that you are currently using. This may be a bit off topic but since Gryphon finally has a local dealer, those who have heard the Mephisto and the Antilleon power amps claim they clearly out perform electronics from Pass, D'agostino, Constellation, Burmester etc. I've not been to these auditions but how accurate are these praises from those who have heard them? Just like you, I've had my Ref Anniversary for 5 years and just recently (2800 hours) replaced the svetlana 6550c regulator tubes with my last two spares. I'm running the ref to a d'agostino stereo driving my current Sonus Faber Aida. Just wanted your thoughts on the Gryphon Mephisto amp you currently use against the competition that made you decide purchase them. Again, nice to touch base with you Toga.

Hey glad to hear from you Dafos, All I can say is that I have Burmester 909-5
in my room now, tried it. I didn't find it to be an improvement to Mephisto, but different tone of course, never felt the power advantage when pushed. But the selecting process is here .

http://www.audioaficionado.org/mbl-d...memphisto.html

As Far as I can tell, ARC Ref40 has a magic of tube all right, but it is not that
much tube sound. It is natural sounding and lean a bit to tube side. it is not warm or cool.
When I heard Pandora, I it was to the cooler side. Shindo to the warmer side, burmester dead center but richer and relaxing while powerful. Soulution
dead center without any cosmetic on top.
Now I am narrowing down between Burmester 808 or 077ext. They are true
to my original goal. Finding the SS preamp that has a hint of tube's magic.

Toga