Gryphon's New "Entry-Level" Diablo 333 Integrated Amplifier

The folks at Gryphon Audio Designs of Denmark sure are smart cookies. Rather than overloading the public, industry, and press with a ton of words about their new Diablo 333 integrated amplifier ($23,000), they posted an extremely detailed "TECHNICAL TALK" sheet in the front area of their deep glass-entranced showcase.

For readers who can't easily click on the jpeg above and read the fine print, the Diablo 333, which comes in at a low-price point for anything but bargain-priced Gryphon, is a dual-mono, class-A integrated with no global negative feedback. The amplifier is specified as outputting 333Wpc into 8 ohms, 666Wpc into 4 ohms, and 1100Wpc into 2 ohms. Its output impedance is 0.015 ohm, and its input impedance, balanced, is 25k ohms. Available with optional PS-3 MM/MC phono stage and DAC-3 D/A modules—the later can handle PCM up to 32/384 and DSD512 via USB—it's quite the handsome package.

It also sounds very, very good. On an LP of Istvan Kertesz and the Vienna Philharmonic performing Dvorák's Symphony No.9, aka The New World Symphony, the sound was extremely organic, with a warm cushion at its core. Brass sounded excellent and true, soundstaging was superb, and there was a notable L/R continuity that helped the exhibit stand out from the pack.

Alas, given the 24" woofers pounding away on the side wall, the demo was a bit like "The New World Meets the Pile Driver." Happily, because Gryphon's sound was so convincing, I found the whole scenario more amusing than distracting.

COMMENTS
subframe's picture

I'm curious how they had the EOS-2 set up. Gryphon says it's intended to be used close to the wall. I wonder what the bass response was like in their show system.

Jason Victor Serinus's picture

Since I have no reference for either the speakers or the brand new integrated, and I'm not familiar with the particular recording I heard, all I can say is that the top-to-bottom balance seemed right on.

subframe's picture

Thanks! Did you notice if they were particularly close to the front wall?

Jason Victor Serinus's picture

I'll ask for you. It's the weekend and folks travel, so it could take a few days for a reply.

Jason Victor Serinus's picture

From Anthony Chiarella: "As the reader correctly notes, EOS 2 has been designed for near-wall placement, although it is in fact extremely placement versatile (with either front- or rear-porting and a three position Tweeter Level Switch) and will excel in many room placement scenarios. The speaker has virtually flat (-3 dB) output down to 26 Hz: incredible for a compact design with a 7” woofer. While near-wall placement is not essential to achieve this prodigious bass response, the speaker won’t become “Boomy” when placed near-wall. This was a conscious design decision and is supported by the various porting options, as described. Given the crowds that passed through our Munich demo, I can confidently say that frequency balance was spot-on.

"Thanks so much to reader Subframe for your interest in Gryphon and to JVS for the opportunity to respond."

subframe's picture

Thanks to you both!

Ortofan's picture

... Tom Møller.

Jason Victor Serinus's picture

???????

Ortofan's picture

... the electronic design of the Diablo 333.

Jason Victor Serinus's picture

I spoke to him for my Gryphon Essence review over 2.5 years ago. Thanks for reminding me. If he was present, I did not speak with him. Sorry.

JoeinNC's picture

Haha :) I see what you did there.

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