Looking for a different preamp for Gryphon Mephisto

bonzo75

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Feb 26, 2014
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You did a/b/c test. I wonder how anyone could evaluate or put a grading of a preamp working with a particular amp especially amp of different brand without trying different alternatives.

Yes we did. We had AR Ref 10, Ypsilon, and Dartzeel pre, and constellation, Dartzeel, and Berning power. The Ypsilon was agnostic to the amp used, but Dartzeel sounded great with the Dartzeel power, on par with Ypsilon, but fell quite short of both Ypsilon and AR With the constellation. We also tried Ypsilon both passive and active mode. There was a lack of drive with the Dartzeel constellation combo that wasn't with the AR/ypsilon constellation
 

moby2004

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Jan 21, 2018
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In the Dart mono thread I did a quick comparison of 3 preamps I recently demoed in my system with their respective power amps and did a bit of mix and match as well : CH L1+X1, Soulution 725,Dart mk2 ( mk1 upgrade)
All excellent preamps , with resolution and transparency, all at a high price tag...
CH is the safest bet : fast,clean, neutral tone, incredible soundstage precision and very flexible thanks to customisable settings.
Soulution will be more for people looking for incredible drive and dynamics . Dark tone.
Dart is the « artist » of the group.Exceptional clarity , extended low and high frequency .At the same time, Sweeter and smoother than the other two but not due to a slower pace or an extra layer of density. Can’t describe it properly... However more « sensitive » to your downstream and upstream gears. Sensational match with my headphones tube amp and Dart amps of course, less « magical » with the CH ( or Soulution or Luxman) amps. So needs to be tested in the system.
 
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reverendo

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In the Dart mono thread I did a quick comparison of 3 preamps I recently demoed in my system with their respective power amps and did a bit of mix and match as well : CH L1+X1, Soulution 725,Dart mk2 ( mk1 upgrade)
All excellent preamps , with resolution and transparency, all at a high price tag...
CH is the safest bet : fast,clean, neutral tone, incredible soundstage precision and very flexible thanks to customisable settings.
Soulution will be more for people looking for incredible drive and dynamics . Dark tone.
Dart is the « artist » of the group.Exceptional clarity , extended low and high frequency .At the same time, Sweeter and smoother than the other two but not due to a slower pace or an extra layer of density. Can’t describe it properly... However more « sensitive » to your downstream and upstream gears. Sensational match with my headphones tube amp and Dart amps of course, less « magical » with the CH ( or Soulution or Luxman) amps. So needs to be tested in the system.
this mirrors my impressions with the Dart preamp. the best way for me to describe it is "organic". actually, the most organic sound I have ever heard, period. I can't speak to flexibility, but I trust that if I were to have that kind of cash I would definitely test it first. I do know some people who swear by the Dart pre and Gryphon amp combo, so my guess is not completely unfounded. However, it is way out of my league, so I have to get back to reality. ;)
 

Vienna

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This is interesting. Comparison between Gryphon Pandora and Boulder 2110 to drive Gryphon Mephisto

 

LL21

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Thanks for posting! Interesting video...saw on Audiogon quite a lot of discussion this past several weeks incl some videos. Is this the same? I think the Audiogon individual's moniker is "whitecamaross" who owns a Gryphon Mephisto and has been discussing Boulder 2110 vs Pandora.
 

Vienna

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that’s right
 

Vienna

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I will have next week the Boulder 2110 to test it with my Gryphon Mephisto and compare it with Pandora.

If i will not like it will go for CH L10
 
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LL21

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I will have next week the Boulder 2110 to test it with my Gryphon Mephisto and compare it with Pandora.

If i will not like it will go for CH L10
Fantastic...look forward to hearing how your comparison goes! I have heard very promising things about the L10 from owners of the L1/dual X power supplies who are expecting to upgrade to L10.

BTW, I am going to PM you a technical questions about your Mephisto and Torus AVR16.
 

ashandger

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Jun 14, 2013
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In case of interest, Townshend Allegri Reference passive preamp has had a lot of extremely positive press in U.K. Including Martin Colloms (HiFi Critic) Reviews are on Townshend Audio's website.
 

abeidrov

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I will have next week the Boulder 2110 to test it with my Gryphon Mephisto and compare it with Pandora.

If i will not like it will go for CH L10
Also very interested in your findings. I still plan to compare Pandora to CH L1/X1 and MSB Ref. Hopefully, it will happen this year:) May I ask, what is the reason for auditioning other preamps? Is it just audiophile itch or there is something that bothers you with Pandora?
 

Vienna

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Also very interested in your findings. I still plan to compare Pandora to CH L1/X1 and MSB Ref. Hopefully, it will happen this year:) May I ask, what is the reason for auditioning other preamps? Is it just audiophile itch or there is something that bothers you with Pandora?
During my auditionings for chosing my next pre amp, I had the chance to have two channel (double) CH L1 with double power supplies for my Mephisto last week and the sound was superb.

Based on this experience, if I will not like the Boulder I will go for L10
 
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abeidrov

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During my auditionings for chosing my next pre amp, I had the chance to have two channel (double) CH L1 with double power supplies for my Mephisto last week and the sound was superb.

Based on this experience, if I will not like the Boulder I will go for L10
Could you briefly describe the difference between CH and Pandora? Thanks!
 

Vienna

VIP/Donor
I will put it in simple words : it took me several minutes to recover from the shock.
The transparency, dynamics and clarity reached levels that i hadnt imagined before.
This pre amp drove perfectly the Mephisto

I will only test Boulder because my dealer is insisting, otherwise I would have paid the deposit for the CH L10 already
 

LL21

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I will put it in simple words : it took me several minutes to recover from the shock.
The transparency, dynamics and clarity reached levels that i hadnt imagined before.
This pre amp drove perfectly the Mephisto

I will only test Boulder because my dealer is insisting, otherwise I would have paid the deposit for the CH L10 already
Fantastic feedback! I have to say that many owners of Pandora/Mephisto are (and should be) extremely happy. At the same time, there are just slightly more owners of Mephistos I happen to know of who use another preamp with it. From memory, ARC Ref Anniversary, Audionet Stern, Robert Koda K15EX and in your case CHL10 (possibly Boulder) come to mind.
 

Vienna

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unfortunately i can’t have one for auditioning Denis
 

Cala

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sbnx

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This is interesting. Comparison between Gryphon Pandora and Boulder 2110 to drive Gryphon Mephisto

Interesting video. Somehow I have never seen this YouTube channel. I realize that we audiophiles are a bit off and hanging out on the lunatic fringe but this guy takes crazy to a whole new level. :) I mean who brings in Magico M3's, Mangepan 20.7's, WIlson Alexia2's and Focal Stella Utopia evos in the span of 3 weeks?? All while comparing pandora and boulder preamps and switching cables etc. -- I guess Jay does.
 
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sbnx

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As a Mephisto owner maybe I can offer an option. Regarding the Pandora, what Jay said about large soundstage is right on. I heard this when comparing the colloseum vs the Mephisto as well. To my ears the Colloseum "inflates" the images and makes the soundstage sound big. Similar thing for the Pandora. I have an AudioNet Stern as the preamp in my system and I think it sounds great paired with the Mephisto. I have not compared with the Boulder or CH. What Jay says about the "new" Boulder stuff is interesting as I never liked the "old" Boulder sound -- too dry. So if I had an itch to replace the Stern I would not have even considered Boulder before watching the video.
 

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