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  1. E

    Gryphon Essence

    Yep, per my previous and above, if the A3 is a bit lean as you corroborate (and as I've read about Magico quite often) I would be fairly terrified at the prospect of dropping £30k to Essence combination to it without a demo'.. Sabre DAC's definitely have the ir admirers and detractors. I have...
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    Gryphon Essence

    Hmm, since we both agree Essence seems to have the least shaping effect on sound that either of us has ever encountered, perhaps you could say it's because Essence has no inherent character?! Spot-on assessments, TAWW and always a pleasure to read. We're still here, notwithstanding upcoming...
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    Gryphon Essence

    When I was single I bought an enormous motorbike in the hope it would attract the chicks. It didn't and I kept falling off it every time I stopped at the lights. I guess we are constantly evolving :) I definitely do need a room with another 8 feet of width!
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    Gryphon Essence

    The last few years, when I'm home in UK, I've been obsessed with getting just the sound I want. It's taken a higher percentage of my net income than I should have allowed it to. When I'm on extended (several months) stays working in Cape Town, I never miss the hifi. I spend so much time outside...
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    Gryphon Essence

    I agree, Ron. But I also think it's possible to become unhealthily obsessed (and led) by something to the exclusion of other things which, with a more balanced mind (!) would be a greater priority. I'm not singling out hifi or any other 'thing'; just postulating a general principle.
  6. E

    Gryphon Essence

    ..that's a sage view..
  7. E

    Gryphon Essence

    We've all been there; some still are! Pursuit of happiness or manic obsession?!
  8. E

    Gryphon Essence

    Yes it was Taww’s reviews that sent me looking. My dealer now has Audiovector and Gryphon so I can compare. I’d have Pantheon in a heartbeat if they weren’t quite so dominating in my room which is also sitting room.
  9. E

    Gryphon Essence

    Ah, right. Yes Magico seems to have biggest presence in USA. Quite rare in UK too. I thought about them too but ultimately put off by too many reports of lean sound. Lean speakers would sound hard and thin with Gryphon. Better with McIntosh I’d think. But I only read it; didn’t find any to...
  10. E

    Gryphon Essence

    ..oh, and the Mojo S speakers are specifically designed for smaller spaces. They sound like towers and bass is incredible but they control it so effectively there are no boom issues. My gf was delighted when I dumped all the panels and bass traps!
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    Gryphon Essence

    All sounds very hopeful! Dedicated lines are so cheap compared to everything else and make huge difference. If you know of A3/Diablo owners why not PM them and see if there’s one within a few hours travel distance? Where are you?
  12. E

    Gryphon Essence

    ...on the DAC - the Zena module I’ve not heard. I totally get the minimising of boxes and pursued same for a while. Almost everything was hidden in a long cabinet. But in the end, excellence prevailed over aesthetics and footprint. The vibration from the cabinet had a significant negative impact...
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    Gryphon Essence

    Hi Alchemist, the Essence pair possess the qualities you seek but speakers will have something of a defining effect. For speed you can’t beat AMT tweeters in Gryphon speakers. Likely Audiovector, too - the new R6 looks very interesting. But Youtube has many videos pairing Gryphon and Magico so I...
  14. E

    Turntable Arm Lift - Yamamoto

    Yes it’s a manual cueing lever; no auto functionality. But replaces my twitchy hands with 100% safe functionality at start and finish of record and anything in between; which is all I need :)
  15. E

    Turntable Arm Lift - Yamamoto

    I think they're overrated..
  16. E

    Turntable Arm Lift - Yamamoto

    Despairing of the many positive reviews of the Dynavector xx2 and Simplex t/t I decided to afford mine some tlc with a view to improving its fairly horrible sound, especially compared to my digital front end. Careful listening and process of elimination suggested the right channel of the...
  17. E

    Gryphon Essence

    Glad the Furutech has taken things to another level :) I never compared the Gryphon Headline with the standard cord but it has to be an improvement. I use AQ NRG-4's throughout, elsewhere - to me, they're more neutral than the higher range AQ's and seem to just get out of the way of the music...
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    Gryphon Essence

    Cliffhanger indeed! Look forward to a summary/conclusion once Zena DAC is run in, then :)
  19. E

    Gryphon Essence

    My experience absolutely matches yours in 1. Sound is just effortless and there is nothing to irritate the deeply relaxing Kharma wrought by suitable music. Will be interesting to hear your final estimation of the DAC module. On Class A - having experienced A, I just can't listen, at any volume...
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    Gryphon Essence

    Excellent, thanks Taww. Yes, I was Naim in another life. Never heard Audiovector but very interesting that they should work happily with either brand. Dynaudio are also excellent with Naim but I found Contour and new Confidence lines to be too too slow with Gryphon. I’m staying tuned :)
  21. E

    Gryphon Essence

    Lovely looking set-up, Taww. What are the speakers? Yes, I would concur with your dac observation. If funds allowed, I'd love to try Ethos. As it is, I'm happy to stay put. But it's one of the very few areas I'm comfortable deviating from the brand. (New Vanta cable range launched this week...
  22. E

    Gryphon Essence

    Thanks Taww, very kind. Baby steps. It must be terribly difficult for musicians under current circumstances. We must hope the boffins come to our rescue. I hope your playing lives return to something approximating normal asap. Meantime, let's see what you both make of Essence' rendition of...
  23. E

    Gryphon Essence

    Thanks Rob, that's great to hear. Given Mojo's are on stands I wasn't sure this was a worthwhile step; but decided it was worth a try. I'll link to a new thread when I have something to report. Claire thought the Diablo 300/Mojo rendition of piano and strings pretty good. I think she'll be...
  24. E

    Gryphon Essence

    Yes I agree completely with LL21. Your findings with Zena will be really useful for anyone torn between reducing boxes and optimising the front end. Perfect to have a professional musician in the family. My daughter was a cellist and pianist and I would always ask her opinion, too. Once it’s...
  25. E

    The Uptone Audio EtherRegen audiophile switch

    Thanks, Kenny. Perhaps I’ll just try a spare AQ usb cable against the USBPCB. If latter is obviously superior I’ll stick with it. I question because of Johnny Darko’s findings. I’ll think on re: EtherRegen..
  26. E

    Gryphon Essence

    Mephisto - see price difference :)
  27. E

    Gryphon Essence

    Absolutely brilliant and informative analysis, thanks Taww. That answers every question I had. Great to know that draw on idle in low bias is vaguely acceptable and that draw in high bias is less than anticipated. Also warm-up time to play of 30 mins compares to Gryphon’s suggested 45 mins when...
  28. E

    Gryphon Essence

    They say there’s a book in everyone.. But I defer to Taww whose initial notes, to me, come across with more gravitas. I thought I’d done quite well until I read them and felt my own relegated to the realms of over ‘colourful’ and sentimental. Perhaps in combination they’ll cover all the bases:)...
  29. E

    The Uptone Audio EtherRegen audiophile switch

    Folks, I use my Melco N1Z to serve files via usb to my dac. So I will likely try out the ISO Regen between them. Has anyone tried the Curious Cables Evolved Regen link for Regen to dac connection? I use an Ethernet connection between my switch and Melco only as a means by which to access and...

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