Probably moving to Europe, how do I change my system?

[Lagonda]

Yes but it must be done at the factory. I'm pretty sure the frequency conversion settings can not be done remotely via Team Driver.

Thank you Jack !

 

[JackD201]

Anytime my friend. I'll ask Annette via whatsapp to be sure. We distributors have a box we hook up the the Stromtank ethernet ports so they can perform diagnostics and software based adjustments. I am 95% sure that Annette said frequency selection in the units can't be done via software.

 

[Holmz]

Almost everyone swears by the amps that they have, and the system that they have.
and it is difficult to objectively consider changes.

Then we couple in the room, etc and it become like comparing apples to orangutans.

There are so many unknowns with the room, the power, new speakers… that it seems like it would be difficult to have much certainty into what to go with before actually getting to Europe.

The one thing that I do know is that I now have equipment that can pretty much go anywhere and work. This did not happen by accident.

 

[DasguteOhr]

How are we supposed to beleive ^that^?

There is only one way to check, open up the amplifier if the fuse holder is connected with 3 cables. One input and two outputs 120 volt and 240 volt winding of the transformer. It provides various screw elements for the fuse holders European standard 5×20mm and American standard from past 6.3 × 32mm (quarter inch × quarter inch). Thats a smartway to protect user error.
On the type plate of the Gryphon, under the serial number, the usable voltage is shown.

If all else fails, you can buy something like this that can handle any standard mains voltage. Heavy beast, indestructible.

DDR-Transformator RFT SST 250/20 | eBay

Vollspannungsversorgung bis zu 250 V. - Ausg.: 0.242/250 V, 12/20 A. - Wechselstromspeisung / 125; 250 V. - als funktionsfähig getestet. - Baujahr: ca 1920-1980.

www.ebay.de

 

[Holmz]

There is only one way to check, open up the amplifier if the fuse holder is connected with 3 cables. One input and two outputs 120 volt and 240 volt winding of the transformer. It provides various screw elements for the fuse holders European standard 5×20mm and American standard from past 6.3 × 32mm (quarter inch × quarter inch). Thats a smartway to protect user error.
On the type plate of the Gryphon, under the serial number, the usable voltage is shown.

If all else fails, you can buy something like this that can handle any standard mains voltage. Heavy beast, indestructible.

DDR-Transformator RFT SST 250/20 | eBay

Vollspannungsversorgung bis zu 250 V. - Ausg.: 0.242/250 V, 12/20 A. - Wechselstromspeisung / 125; 250 V. - als funktionsfähig getestet. - Baujahr: ca 1920-1980.

www.ebay.de

^Yeah totally agree^ - just from memory his local electronics fellow (Soundsmith or something like that) and the manufacturer, said it is not a transformer with taps, and that Griffen will not switch it, and that it voids the warranty….

Audioquest Niagara question - use in Europe?

I run all of my gear plugged into a Niagara 5000 power conditioner that is plugged into its own dedicated 20A line. This gear includes a Gryphon Colosseum amplifier plugged into one of the high current outlets and all of my sources and Gryphon Pandora preamp plugged into the other outlets. If...

www.whatsbestforum.com

 

[DasguteOhr]

I don’t think this works on my Colosseum.

I can't imagine that if you want to use it with a different mains voltage, you'd have to send it to Gryphon and have them take the whole amp apart and install a different transformer. They're clever people in Denmark, or they want to make a lot of money with it, that could be the case. For me that would be a reason not to buy such a device again.

 

[Holmz]

I can't imagine that if you want to use it with a different mains voltage, you'd have to send it to Gryphon and have them take the whole amp apart and install a different transformer. They're clever people in Denmark, or they want to make a lot of money with it, that could be the case. For me that would be a reason not to buy such a device again.

I could not imagine it either, but I recall that the manufacturer said “NO”.
Read the other thread… Here is part of it, which I have to assume is quoted directly from the OP:

I received the following reply from Niagara:

"Though I realize you would ideally wish to not sell off or store costly audio components, this is not simple I’m afraid. Because this is not a matter of a low current non-critical appliance needing basic voltage conversion: the stepdown transformer would need to have nearly a 30-amp capacity not to severely current compress the power amplifier. Also, the Niagara-5000 may mechanically buzz due to the interaction between the inductive transformer and the Niagara’s transient power correction (the latter is hard to predict).
Best case, this device (240 to 120VAC stepdown isolation transformer) would need to have a capacity of approximately 6000 to 7000VA. That’s expensive and quite heavy but might be preferable to investing in all new components (at least those without universal switching power supplies).
By the way, if the Niagara powers the entire system and is rated for a maximum RMS current draw of 20 amps @ 120V, I realize that’s 2400VA, however, there the peak current draw you’ll need to be concerned with, and you never want to be within 50% of the maximum rated capacity of such a transformer if at all possible. You will need tremendous headroom, or you will be quite disappointed in the performance…"
….

And the second one:

This paragraph, from their manual, frightens me:
“Your Gryphon unit is especially made for the AC voltage of the country to which it has been shipped. If the voltage has been changed, the warranty is void and the product may be unsafe or mal- function.”

And I recalled that Gryphon said that they would not change it.

Hence I find your closing statement something that resonates with me… here it is again:

… For me that would be a reason not to buy such a device again.

Or maybe in the first place.


With all the BS and back Turing towards the customer, I would seriously just consider getting rid of the whole powersupply and amps, and just start anew.

If it is all going to work as poorly as they suggest, then one would be better off with universal switching power supply on some more standard gear. Or going to some gear that does multiple voltages. (IMO)

 

[DasguteOhr]

I could not imagine it either, but I recall that the manufacturer said “NO”.
Read the other thread… Here is part of it, which I have to assume is quoted directly from the OP:



And the second one:

And I recalled that Gryphon said that they would not change it.

Hence I find your closing statement something that resonates with me… here it is again:

Or maybe in the first place.


With all the BS and back Turing towards the customer, I would seriously just consider getting rid of the whole powersupply and amps, and just start anew.

If it is all going to work as poorly as they suggest, then one would be better off with universal switching power supply on some more standard gear. Or going to some gear that does multiple voltages. (IMO)

Other manufacturers manage to do this without compromising on sound. I can only shake my head. It's a shame for the customer who has fulfilled a dream and is left out in the cold. I hope for Larry that he sells the device for a good price before moving to Europe.
what is the German saying" other mothers also have beautiful daughters

 

[aangen]

Am I alone in thinking these comments are getting abusive?

 

[nonesup]

Well, I don't know. I am a happy owner of Gryphon, but I admit that their customer service is deplorable. Two months ago I bought a Standart cabinet and asked how much weight each shelf could support, and I have not received an answer. I asked the importer to ask the question for me and they have not answered either. And this is not the only time I have not received an answer to a question. I am sorry, I think this is not good customer service and refusing to upgrade the transformer in a legitimate case like this is further proof.

 

[Lagonda]

I can't imagine that if you want to use it with a different mains voltage, you'd have to send it to Gryphon and have them take the whole amp apart and install a different transformer. They're clever people in Denmark, or they want to make a lot of money with it, that could be the case. For me that would be a reason not to buy such a device again.

I would have to agree, they have done it on purpose to protect their regional distributers. Krell was really funky, the more expensive European amps had a chip that would run in all regions and could be moved to the US without problems, the US amps did only run in the US. They all had the same transformers that could operate in all regions.

 

[Holmz]

Am I alone in thinking these comments are getting abusive?

In what ways?
And abusive to who/whom?

 

[Yeti]

Am I alone in thinking these comments are getting abusive?

I can’t see it so you might be.

 

[Lagonda]

Am I alone in thinking these comments are getting abusive?

If prior and current Gryphon owners sharing their own experiences with service and troublesome upgrade paths is abuse, then yes very abusive.

 

[A-Line]

It looks like we will be moving to Europe.

I can’t convert the voltage on my Gryphon Colosseum so I will be selling it.

I can convert the Pandora but I might sell it and buy the Diablo 333 to simplify.

My wife is adamant about pushing my speakers up against the wall in a new apartment so I think I will have to sell the Cantatas.

Which speakers should I get that will work against the wall? I suppose I’d like to stay with Gryphon.


Thanks,

Larry

Are you planning on staying permanently in France/Europe?

Might be a good time to reimagine your system.

CH Precision, Soulution, FM Acoustics, & Burmester all have great electronics that can compete with Gryphon. McIntosh is also available with a new reference product line that might be of interest also.

Macron is a piece of work... lol
France has great restaurants and bistros.

 

[Ron Resnick]

I used to attend GroupMuse concerts in NYC. It was so much fun going to an apartment and sitting next to the harpsichordist.

GroupMuse is great! We went to several around Los Angeles. We hosted a harpsichord/violin duet in Long Beach, CA.

 

[Ron Resnick]

My wife is adamant about pushing my speakers up against the wall in a new apartment

Dear Larry,

I would be happy to try to help you re-negotiate this provision of the move agreement.

 

[Holmz]

Are you planning on staying permanently in France/Europe?

Might be a good time to reimagine your system.

CH Precision, Soulution, FM Acoustics, & Burmester all have great electronics that can compete with Gryphon. McIntosh is also available with a new reference product line that might be of interest also.
…

^That^ is pretty much what I did.
One can use a spreadsheet and put in “multi voltage”, cost, etc. columns.
It seems like you are missing a few that I had on my list, but you also have a few more.

Secondly:
Some speakers are very difficult and that backs one into a small group of massive amps.
Whereas getting speakers that do not have difficult load requirements, opens up the choices to include a lot more amplifiers will work.

 

[LarryK]

Are you planning on staying permanently in France/Europe?

Might be a good time to reimagine your system.

CH Precision, Soulution, FM Acoustics, & Burmester all have great electronics that can compete with Gryphon. McIntosh is also available with a new reference product line that might be of interest also.

Macron is a piece of work... lol
France has great restaurants and bistros.

One cannot predict the future but it looks like a permanent move. My wife has family in Lyon.

Lyon is the gastronomic capital of France. The food is another reason why we want to go.

Plus, they say that intensively learning another language late in life helps preserve cognitive skills, so, it will be French classes for me, for years.

Given the amount of money it will take to pack us, ship us, and buy an apartment, I don’t see getting away with an expensive reimagining of my system. Thanks for the thought, though.

I just want to hold on to what I’ve got. My system has brought me a lot of pleasure.

So, I wasn’t going to say anything about this until I made it happen but things have gotten a little heated so I feel I have to say something.

I wrote directly to Gryphon and they said they’d switch the voltages for me on the Colosseum and Pandora if I ship from France and return ship to France. That’s exactly what I will do.

I’m grateful that Gryphon will do this for me. They were very helpful in working with SoundSmith to repair my Colosseum on two occasions.

Moving countries is not easy. Knowing that I can bring across my system will help me face this move. Wish me luck.

 

[Holmz]

I wrote directly to Gryphon and they said they’d switch the voltages for me on the Colosseum and Pandora if I ship from France and return ship to France. That’s exactly what I will do.

I’m grateful that Gryphon will do this for me. They were very helpful in working with SoundSmith to repair my Colosseum on two occasions.

^that^ is a fantastic outcome!