Gryphon Pandora and Memphisto

[TOGA]

At first I just wanted to have a good looking amp stand for Gryphon. Never realized such sonic impact. Symposium Ultra platform seems to be much more solid platform, but at this XL size it will be very expensive. Also Stillpoints Ultra 5 is very expensive. I am happy enough with HRS nimbus on carpet. But hey I just bought FE Hd10 for a few days. I will have to use it .
One more, I think Gryphon s feet are too rigid and hard. When put on same rigid and hard surface, weight transfer can be a problem if feet and surface are not perfectly aligned flat to each other.
Ok here is why it has to be FE . Long ago I was looking for new high end racks. as a furniture rather than expecting any sonic benefit, really. There were 3 racks in mind.
TAOC, HRS, FE. TAOC , I like the CS Series, but they didn't make 2-shelf system, HRS SRX + S1 made me headache about weight range of S1, while FE didn't specified weight other than max limit, also they custom made my HD02 to my preferred height, so that it not as high that it block part of projection screen. Wooden furniture looks nice too. I didn't use any Cerabase because I didn't believe in such a thing. Only now that I hear the effect of platform and feet using Mephisto and Q7 than now I know
it's really true. It's quite too late because I already have 5 pieces of FE Pagode Edition racks. I will have to live with it. but other than light weight bass from HD10 amp
platform, it make highly detailed and spacious and vibrant sound. HRS Nimbus recovered lost bass weight beautifully supporting Gryphon. If there is something I really want to
try in the future it is Symposium Ultra, which is very heavy and rigid. that will have to be in a far future. I doubt, do we really need platform as large as external dimension of our amp ? I think what we need is platform that large enough for amps footprint. or even two small platform, one for frontal pair of feet, other one for rear pair. this will cost less than custom size for sure.


Toga

Thanks for photos David and BVD.

Originally Posted by TOGA

At first I just wanted to have a good looking amp stand for Gryphon. Never realized such sonic impact. Also Stillpoints Ultra 5 is very expensive. I am happy enough with HRS nimbus on carpet. But hey I just bought FE Hd10 for a few days. I will have to use it .
One more, I think Gryphon s feet are too rigid and hard. When put on same rigid and hard surface, weight transfer can be a problem if both are not perfectly aligned flat to each other.
Toga Thanks for photos.

You're welcome. If you would sell your FE platform that would defray much of the cost of the Ultra 5's & Ultra bases. Plus the Stillpoints would likely resolve the tonal problems you're having, allow you to place the feet directly on the carpet (since they are not affected by the surface they're placed on), allow leveling adjustment & eliminate the problem of the Gryphon's rigid feet. I'm only running a Vitus integrated, and consider them virtually essential. Actually i'm adding the Ultra bases this weekend Just my two cents.

[TOGA]

Too bad stuff like these are not easy to audition before paying, or even worse, required special order. For Symposium Ultra I am sure at the size of my amp, special custom order is required. Toga

Originally Posted by TOGA

Too bad stuff like these are not easy to audition before paying, or even worse require special order.
For Symposium Ultra i am sure at the size of my amp, special custom order is required.
Toga

I have two sets of 3 Ultra 5's & Ultra bases sitting in a box waiting for my S5's to reach 250hrs, but they would cost a lot to ship o/s for you to try due to their weight Imho dedicated amp stands are unnecessary. Even Stillpoints discontinued their amp stands 2 years ago after they realized their Ultra feet surpassed their platforms performance. If you still want a platform for appearance, or to lift the amp further off the ground i'd get a Taoc Sound Creation board & place the Stillpoints on top of that. Would kill an FE platform! They were recommended to me by Hans Vitus, and he was definitely right.

[TOGA]

@David, I heared with my own ears,so I got your point, but as I said I just owned new amp stands for days. Hmm.. What about a set of four Classic Cerabase under amp and ditch the stand. I already have Cerabase. Thanks for thinking about me trying Stillpoints, they are available here, but based on US MSRP I feel they cost me too much. By the way here is new TAOC http://www.taoc.gr.jp/pdf/catalog/Ho...E_2013-905.pdf Toga.

Originally Posted by TOGA

@David, I heared with my own ears,so I got your point, but as I said I just owned new amp stands for days. Hmm.. What about a set of four Classic Cerabase under amp and ditch the stand. I already have Cerabase. Thanks for thinking about me trying Stillpoints, they are available here, but based on US MSRP I feel they cost me too much. By the way here is new TAOC http://www.taoc.gr.jp/pdf/catalog/Ho...E_2013-905.pdf Toga.

I tried the Cerabase feet under my Vitus. Placing the Vitus on 4 Stillpoints Ultra 5 feet immediately improved the sound over the FE feet as I described. But then again that was with a lesser weight (43kg) compared to your Gryphon, therefore YMMV. There is no harm (other than perhaps a hernea) in giving it a try. All I can say is, don't try the Ultra 5's with Ultra bases

I am impressed by the new Toac boards. I think an upgrade is now on the books. I'll have to find out through my Dealer if Taoc are also offering their SCB's in the new design. If so, my new/unopened SCB-RS50G board is getting traded up!

[TOGA]

I am so curious as why the gryphon is so sensitive to footers or platform.
May be it was something about Magico too, very revealing.
Admittedly, I never hear much different of these tweakes before. Even HRS s1 under Audio Research 75
Didnt have much changed. May be the heavier loads make more difference. In future, I will try custom sized 21x26
Symposium Ultra and TAOC SCB CS 65D , but for now I am happy with current 4 layers of isolation !
Carpet>Cerabase>FE HD10> HRS nimbus..

Toga

With your Memphisto and Q7's Toga, you have absolute reference components which will be sensitive to the smallest component or isolation changes. An old audio buddy liked the Symposium Ultra platform, but ended up selling his Taoc racks and moving to Symposium Isis racks. The Isis racks are a lot more expensive, but overall don't sound any better than Taoc. Only benefit was the aluminium structure had better synergy with his Vitus amp.

I've seen the Taoc SCB-CS65D board in my Dealer's showroom under a Dartzeel amp & it looks great. According to Taoc the CS series boards give a softer sound which might suit your Gryphon? You can only give it a try. You know my view

Cheers,

[TOGA]

Further experimental will be stopped, Until after I learn enough from new sound out of Q7 on proper feet. I will have Q7casters removed soon, and am expect huge sonic changed.

Toga

[bvdiman]

Originally Posted by TOGA

Further experimental will be stopped, Until after I learn enough from new sound out of Q7 on proper feet. I will have Q7casters removed soon, and am expect huge sonic changed.

Toga

I would make that a priority too before deciding on anything else.