Gryphon Diablo 300

[Douglas]

I have listened extensively to Gryphon products including the Diablo 300( which is my top choice for an integrated) since we have a dealer in Cape Town, about 30min drive from my home.

Count me a huge fan, the products are simply in a different class. Gryphon would be my choice if I had no limits on a budget.

[bigblue]

I agree Gryphon is very special. The sense of speed and realism that my Diablo 300 presents in combination with a lot of spacial information really brings me to the set of the musicians.

[gtl]

Anyone managed to compare the Diablo 300 to Pass X250.8 or X350.8? I prefer the Pass Labs dealer locally or I wouldn't hesitate to go for the Diablo.

[bigblue]

That would be an interesting comparison.
As you know the Pass gear you are referring to are power amps and the Diablo 300 is an integrated amp.
What pre amp do you have today to go with the Pass Labs?
I have not heard the machines side by side in the same system.
But my guess is that if you are looking for a slightly richer and fuller sound - Pass could be the better choice. But if speed and dynamics is higher on your agenda the Diablo might a better match. Both are IMO slightly on the warmer side.
I think it all comes down to personal preferences and system integration.

[gtl]

I currently use a Ayre QX-5 twenty as a DAC/Pre and would look to upgrade to a standalone pre in future.

With the Diablo I would not need to bother with a preamp, and the Pass integrated seems to be using the XP10 which is far from their top of the line preamps. Going with their power amp would let me have more options in future. Tube amp perhaps?

Gryphon separates are out of the question for me, considering their price and size.

[sdepass]

If one had the choice? I have a PS DSD and no pre amp it just goes straight into my amps.
Would you go for a Diablo with the dac as an option. I would be interested if anyone has heard both dacs and which do they consider the better of the two??

[frequentflyer]

Why has not an importer picked up the line and sell it in the USA?

[audio bill]

Gryphon had issues with their previous US distributor many years ago, so they're very hesitant in selecting a new potential partner. Their website has said they're seeking an established US distributor but that's been the case for a long time now.

[SCAudiophile]

Originally Posted by audio bill

I believe that problems with their previous US distributor (decades ago!) as you stated along with a less than favorable review of one of their products by TAS killed their interest in marketing the products here. Their website states that they're "seeking a well established, experienced distributor only" for the US but it's been that way for years.

They probably did not kiss the right backsides and grease the right palms with ad dollars sufficiently at TAS or Stereophile. In a fair review scenario, Gryphon products would get a A+++ rating hands down.

For that matter Esoteric products have been absent from the recommended components lists for some time as well. Don't you just love objective reporting?!?

[aardvarkbark]

Originally Posted by frequentflyer

Why has not an importer picked up the line and sell it in the USA?

Originally Posted by audio bill

Gryphon had issues with their previous US distributor many years ago, so they're very hesitant in selecting a new potential partner. Their website has said they're seeking an established US distributor but that's been the case for a long time now.

A Gryphon rep had posted a couple months ago on another forum that they were/are genuinely interested in re-entering the US market, but only with the 'right' distributor, though I don't know what the criteria are. I know Vitus had a falling out with their US distributor a while back, and get the impression that they just decided to select a limited number of dealers and import directly to them. I wonder if Gryphon could/should do the same. They sure get great reviews from owners (Europe and Australia) on various audio forums, and they do maintain an authorized service center in the US.