The Gryphon Essence Power Amplifier
Essence is your direct music conduit with sonic neutrality, textural purity and dynamic ease, defined as much by what we have left out as by what we have put in. These exceptional figures guarantee stability with any loudspeaker load. The dual mono design employs a custom-built shielded, high current toroidal transformer with dual windings for left and right channel.
The Gryphon Essence Power Amplifier
Now, Gryphon Essence takes us closer in the never-ending quest for a more natural and convincing musical illusion. Years of experimentation and extensive research in the fields of circuit topology and component quality and reliability have resulted in the development of an amplifier that impresses immediately with its ability to cruise effortlessly through even the most demanding musical passages, regardless of volume level. As a result of the constant high power reserves available at all times, the Essence simply does not “see” the speaker, so its reactive load cannot degrade amplifier performance. Unlike other high-power amplifiers, Gryphon’s no-compromise, pure Class A topology allows the Essence to offer extreme power reserves on demand, combined with refinement and delicacy in musical presentation.
It is our fundamental philosophy that all electronics in the playback chain must ideally be neutral and not add or subtract anything from the recording, no matter how “attractive” such distortions may be. The Essence is by nature a product for the fortunate few who can afford such a statement, just as it is a product for the increasing number of audiophiles who seek purity in the reproduction of music, a product for music lovers who respect both the musicians and recording engineers enough to refrain from adding or subtracting anything in relation to the original intention of the recording.
Power is the name of the game and the Essence is equipped to take on even the most vicious and nightmarish of loudspeaker loads. The output section uses Sanken bipolar output devices which have demonstrated extreme reliability in addition to outstanding sonic performance. The Essence Stereo employs 10 transistors per channel, while the Essence Monoblock features 20 of these devices per unit. These transistors can be called upon to deliver massive amounts of momentary peak power without overload.
Fully symmetrical input- and gain stages improves transient response, soundstage depth and ambience retrieval.
The separate driver section has its own power supply from individual windings on the custom-made toroidal transformers. Unique mechanical design ensures optimal thermal tracking between drivers and output devices. The driver section features its own generous bank of high quality capacitors.
The power capacitor bank in the Stereo version is an astounding 440,000 µF array of exceptional capacitors, and 880,000 µF in the Monoblock edition, in both versions bypassed by high quality polypropylene capacitors throughout the power supplies.
Global negative feedback is non-existent and DC coupling employs DC servo circuitry. Internal wiring in the signal path is kept to an absolute minimum.
Gryphon Essence utilizes a completely independent power supply for display and control circuits, effectively preventing digital noise generated by these circuits from reaching the amplifier circuits.
The unique, non-invasive protection system offers reliable, fuss-free protection without compromising signal purity and signal path simplicity.
The output signal is constantly compared to the input, so that, in the presence of a difference which exceeds predetermined limits, the amplifier mutes and enters standby mode until the error condition has been corrected.
Heatsink temperature is constantly monitored. In the event of overheating (temperature in excess of 90° C), the amplifier will shut down. Normal operation will resume when a safe operating temperature is reached.
FEATURES
• Exterior design by Flemming E. Rasmussen
• Electronics design by Tom Møller
• Dual mono configuration
• Zero global negative feedback
• 440,000 μF (Stereo) or 880,000 μF (Mono version) capacitor bank
• Balanced dual differential Class A input circuitry followed by a high-speed voltage amplifying Class A stage
• Fully regulated low noise power supply for all voltage amplifying stages
• DC servo coupling
• Frequency-independent damping factor
• Polypropylene capacitors for local power supply decoupling
• Four-layer up to 70 μm copper printed circuit boards
• One custom-made 1350 VA toroidal transformer
• Separate power supply for digital and analog circuits
• Soft Start turn-on prevents triggering of fuses in the home electrical system
• Gold-plated Swiss Neutric XLR socket for one balanced input per channel
• Gold-plated custom-built binding posts
• 12 V DC link for power up and down
• Automatic Green Bias setting or manual Low/High bias
• Flash memory upgrades via PC or Key-fob
• Non-invasive protection system
• RGB LED bar indicating Bias High, Low status.
• Standby current consumption < 0.5 W
• EU CE approval
• Designed and built in Denmark
• Dual Mono configuration
• Zero global negative feedback
Class A stage
• Fully regulated low noise power supply for all voltage amplifying stages
• DC servo coupling
• Frequency-independent damping factor
• Polypropylene capacitors used for local power supply decoupling
• Four-layer up to 70μm copper printed circuit boards
• Custom made 1350VA toroidal transformer
• Separate power supply for digital and analog circuits
• Soft Start turn-on prevents triggering of fuses in the home electrical system
• Gold-plated Neutrik XLR socket for one balanced input per channel
• Gold-plated custom-made binding posts
• 12VDC link in for power up and down
• Automatic Green Bias setting or manual Low/High bias
• Non-invasive protection system
• RGB LED bar indicating Low/High Bias status
• Standby current consumption < 0 .5W
• EU CE approval
• Designed and built in Denmark
SPECIFICATIONS
STEREO VERSION:
• 2 x 50W @ 8 Ohms, 2 x 100W @ 4 Ohms, 2 x 190W @ 2 Ohms at 115V/230V AC supply
• Output impedance: 0 .015 Ohms
• Bandwidth (-3dB): 0 .3 Hz - 350 kHz
• Power Supply Capacity (both channels): 440,000μF
• Gain: +31 .0dB
• Input Impedance, balanced (20-20,000 Hz): 20 k Ohms
Dimensions:
• 47cm X 24cm X 46cm (W x H x D), 45 kg net