The Gryphon Diablo 300 Integrated Amplifier Phono inbuilt (Trade in)

Trade in, a few scratches on the top and also at the back, with phono card inbuilt.

Fortunately, in designing the Diablo 300, the Gryphon crew had the luxury and privilege of being able to draw heavily on concepts, components and technological breakthroughs that emerged during the evolution of the much lauded Gryphon Pandora preamplifier and Mephisto power amplifier.

The ultra-transparent, fully balanced volume attenuator topology fully exploits the two balanced inputs. Unlike the vast majority of solid state volume controls that typically introduce dozens of resistors in the signal path, the Diablo 300 employs no more than two for any given level setting.

The extreme wideband frequency response of the Diablo 300 extends from 0.5 Hz to 350 kHz and its prodigious 300 Watt (8 Ohms) power output capability represents a significant increase over the original Diablo. The extreme high current capability of the Diablo 300 allows it to double its output to 600 Watts in a 4 Ohm load and deliver a massive 950 Watts into 2 Ohms.

As these numbers confirm, the Gryphon Diablo 300 will remain rock solid when confronted with even the most viciously reactive loudspeaker loads.

Diablo 300 maintains a power reservoir capacity of 68,000 microFarad and employs local active shunt regulators for superior noise suppression compared to the Zener diode regulated low-voltage supplies of the original Diablo.

Because it operates without negative feedback, the Gryphon Diablo 300 avoids both the intrinsic time-delay caused by sending the output signal to the input for a comparator loop and the resulting intermodulation distortion between time-offset signals.

Further highlights include massive, overkill power supplies, high Class A/B bias, state of the art audiophile components throughout, mounted on military specification dual- and four-layer printed circuit boards with virtually no point-to-point wiring.

Diablo 300 utilises new, low-capacitance pre-driver transistors and increased current in the voltage amplification stage for extended bandwidth and increased slew rate. The wire-wound emitter diodes in the original Diablo output stage have been upgraded to non-inductive types.

The power supplies for various amplification stages employ only polypropylene coupling capacitors in parallel with high-grade electrolytic capacitors.

To dissipate heat generated by the increased power of the Diablo 300, the unit is fitted with twice as much heatsink area as its predecessor. The highly efficient recessed heatsink array is cleverly integrated into the smooth exterior for a stylish statement that takes the Diablo 300 architecture well beyond the realm of undistinguished laboratory styling common to so many High End audio components.

Style and Ease of Use

Despite its substantial size and heft, the satin black, brushed aluminium chassis and gleaming black acrylic faceplate of the Gryphon Diablo 300 exude luxurious elegance that will enhance any interior. Form and function come together as the non-magnetic, non-resonant chassis and isolated power supplies for pre and power stages and control and display functions shield against interference.

The Gryphon Diablo 300 is controlled via an intuitively simple touch-sensitive front panel user interface and a software-based menu display that allow the owner to customise key functions. Future software updates can be installed via flash memory as they are developed.

A large alphanumeric Vacuum Fluorescent Display prominently exhibits the name of the active input and the current volume setting. Personalised input source names up to eight characters long can be assigned in the display.

All functions are accessible from the front panel or the striking remote wand. So there are no mechanical parts to wear out or become noisy.

Specifications

2 x 300W (8 Ohm), 2 x 600W (4 Ohm), 2 x 950W (2 Ohm)

True Dual Mono configuration

Zero negative feedback

Microprocessor-controlled 43-step fully balanced relay volume attenuator for best sonic performance based on a minimalist contingent of ultra-precision resistors

Ultra-short signal path

Minimal internal wiring

Military spec. dual-layer and four-layer printed circuit boards with up to 105 micron copper traces

Dual Mono Holmgren toroidal transformer with vacuum treated core and windings to virtually eliminate mechanical noise

PCB-mounted sockets eliminate wiring and shorten signal path

New, high-speed, discrete single-ended Class A input buffer for best possible sonic performance

Gold-plated Swiss Neutrik XLR sockets for two balanced sources

Gold-plated phono sockets with Teflon insulation for 3 inputs and 2 outputs

Fixed-level AV throughput for uncompromising integration with surround preamplifier

Input level matching to prevent abrupt level changes

Large Vacuum Fluorescent Display for easy legibility

Adjustable display lighting (100%, 75%, 50%, 25%, Off)

Backlit touch-sensitive front panel controls

Optional MM/MC phonostage module

Optional PCM/DSD DAC module with one USB, 2 x SPDIF, 1 AES and 1 optical input

12V DC link input and output

Flash memory upgrades via key fob

Local shunt regulators for optimal noise suppression

Non-invasive protection system

Infrared remote control

Input for external iInfrared receiver

Standard power consumption: less than 0.5 W, conforming to latest EU standards

EU CE approval

Designed and built in Denmark