Gryphon Audio Designs does not update its lineup every year and any changes to its flagship products are major design and engineering overhauls. The engineering, connectivity, and sonic changes have to advance the art and make the component unique within a rather competitive category. The Gryphon Audio Designs Diablo 333 integrated amplifier made its global premiere at High END Munich 2023 and is finally set to start shipping on October 31, 2023.
Priced at $24,990 to $37,590 USD depending on optional configuration modules for an internal DAC and phono stage, the Danish behemoth (112 pounds) is one of the pricier integrated amplifiers on the market and is capable of driving any loudspeaker.
Outputting 333 watts per channel (8 ohms) and 666 watts per channel (4 ohms), the Diablo 333 is unlikely to run out of gas with most loudspeakers currently available.
The new Diablo 333 is a cost-no-object replacement for the award-winning Diablo 300, which debuted in 2015. Although its predecessor was highly regarded and the company’s best selling product, Gryphon has found a way to improve upon it by using “trickle-down” technology from its flagship Apex power amplifier and Commander preamplifier.
The Diablo 333 boasts ten percent more output power than its predecessor, while new ultra-fast, low-capacitance pre-driver transistors deliver both enhanced musicality and superior measured performance.
Danish Design
The triangular display panel with 4.3” TFT capacitive touch screen evokes the aesthetic created by Gryphon Founder Flemming Rasmussen for Apex and Commander, as do custom-made chassis spikes which enhance both mechanical integrity and visual harmony. Also developed for Apex, Gryphon’s bespoke binding posts are also found on the 333’s back panel.
Sculpted from a block of aluminum, the remote handset from Commander replaces the “Wand” remote supplied with Diablo 300.
A new, more intuitive menu structure enhances the user interface while a USB 2.0 socket on Diablo’s rear panel simplifies firmware upgrades.
As with the Diablo 300, the 333 can be outfitted with optional Phono and DAC modules which have been completely redesigned for the new amplifier. The PS-3 RIAA module features True Dual Mono Class A-coupled topology from input to output, with no global negative feedback and discrete balanced circuitry featuring matched transistor arrays.
Gold-plated Neutrik XLR balanced input sockets replace the RCA sockets utilized in the previous generation.
MC load impedance can be set externally with left/right rear panel switches, versus the internal jumpers found on the PS-2S. MC/MM setting is front-panel selectable via the Diablo’s 333 menu.
Gryphon’s new DAC-3 D/A MODULE incorporates the latest high-performance Sabre DAC: the ES9039PRO. Seven user-selectable PCM digital roll-off filters are included, as are a full assortment of USB, AES/EBU, BNC and TOSLINK inputs. The 333’s USB input is compatible with all current digital audio formats.
Features
- True Dual Mono configuration.
- Zero global negative feedback.
- Microprocessor-controlled 43-step true balanced relay volume attenuator.only 1-2 resistors in series with signal at all levels.
- Local Shunt regulators for best noise suppression.
- Ten high power output transistors each channel.
- Diablo 333 utilizes new ultra-fast, low-capacitance pre-driver transistors.
- Polypropylene capacitors for local power supply decoupling.
- Optional phono stage module, PS3 MM/MC.
- Optional DAC3 module.
- Ultra-short signal path.
- Minimal internal wiring.
- Four-layer printed circuit boards with 70μ copper on all layers.
- Dual Mono Holmgren toroidal transformer.
- PCB-mounted sockets eliminate wiring and shorten signal path.
- Gold-plated Neutrik XLR sockets for two balanced sources.
- Gold-plated phono sockets with Teflon insulation.
- Gold-plated Gryphon custom build binding posts.
- Fixed-level AV throughput.
- Input level match.
- 4.3” TFT capacitive touch screen with 4mm hardened glass in front.
- Intuitive menu structure.
- 12Vdc link input and output.
- Infrared Receiver input via input on rear panel.
- Firmware upgradeable via USB 2.0 socket on rear panel.
- Non-invasive protection system.
- Infrared remote control.
- EU CE approval.
- Standby power consumption < 0.5W.
Amplifier Specifications
- 2 x 333W @ 8 ohms
- 2 x 666W @ 4 ohms
- 2 x 1100W @ 2 ohms
- Output impedance: 0.015Ω
- Bandwidth (-3dB): 0.1Hz to 350 kHz
- Power Supply Capacity: 2 x 68.000uF
- Gain: +38dB
- SUB output gain: +12dB
- Input Impedance, balanced (20-20000Hz): 2x25KΩ
PS-3 RIAA Module
- True Dual Mono Class A topology with no global negative feedback.
- Discrete build balanced topology, featuring matched transistor arrays.
- MC load impedance can be adjusted externally with rear panel switches.
- Changeable MC/MM setting via Gryphon Diablo 333 menu.
- Polypropylene capacitors used in RIAA correction stages.
- DC-coupled topology from input to output.
- One gold plated Neutrik XLR balanced input socket.
- Ultra-short signal path with minimal internal/external wiring.
- Gain:
- MC: 64dB
- MM: 42dB
- Impedance settings:
- MC: 20Ω to 1600Ω in jumps
- MM: 47KΩ /220pF
- Signal to Noise ratio:
- MC: (Input 2.5 mV, 1 kHz): >72 dB
- MM: (Input 250 mV, 1 kHz): >84 dB
DAC-3 D/A Module
- True Dual Mono discrete build Class A Analog configuration.
- Zero global negative feedback.
- Sabre High-Performance ES9039PRO D/A converter.
- USB input compatible with following audio formats via PC/MAC/Linux:
PCM: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192, 352.8 and 384 kHz, up to 32 bits
DSD via USB: DSD64, DSD128, DSD256 and DSD512. - XLR and BNC inputs compatible with PCM: 22.05, 24, 32, 44.1, 48, 64,
88.2, 96, 176.4 and 192 kHz, up to 32 bits. - TOSLINK input compatible with PCM: 22.05, 24, 32, 44.1, 48, 64, 88.2,
96 kHz, up to 24 bits. - Seven user-selectable PCM digital roll-off filters.
- Temperature-compensated, ultra-low jitter crystal oscillator.
- Super-Capacitor (12.5 Farad!) power supply for USB module.
- First-order PCM analogue filters and second-order DSD analogue filters.
- Analogue output stages with ultra-low noise.
- Multiple Local Voltage regulators for best digital noise suppression.
- Separate left/right channel ultra-low noise power supply.
- Ultra-short signal path.
- PCB-mounted input sockets eliminate wiring and shorten signal path.
- Gold-plated Neutric XLR socket for one balanced 110Ω AES source.
- Gold-plated 75Ω BNC sockets with Teflon insulation for 2 S/PDIF sources.
- One TOSLINK optical fiber input.
Price & Availability
The Gryphon Audio Diablo 333 will be available October 31, 2023.
- Diablo 333: $24,990 USD
- DAC 3: $7,000 USD
- Phono Stage 3: $5,600 USD
About Gryphon: Gryphon Audio Designs ApS, manufacturer of Ultra-Luxe Audio Systems, was founded in 1985 by Flemming E. Rasmussen, whose artistic training resulted in products whose state-of-the-art technical performance are complemented by stunning visual design. Since 2002, Thomas Willum Børsting has been the majority shareholder with Gryphon employees holding the remaining shares. Gryphon is distributed in more than 40 countries worldwide.
For more information: gryphon-audio.dk
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September 7, 2023 at 3:40 pm
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