The Gryphon Antileon EVO Stereo

Antileon Signature blev ligesom sin forgænger, den originale Antileon, født som en klassiker og etablerede sig straks i High End-kredse som en af de mest anerkendte forstærkere nogensinde. Loyale hengivne brugere over hele verden roser dens enestående evne til at bevare et fast greb om selv de mest krævende højttalere og afsløre den inderste sjæl i enhver musikalsk optræden.

Nu tager Gryphon Antileon EVO, der fås i stereo- og enkeltkanalkonfigurationer, det næste evolutionære skridt.

Features

Specialbyggede separate toroidale transformere
Afskærmede, epoxydæmpede transformerhuse ophængt for effektiv vibrationsisolering
Separat strømforsyning til display- og kontrolkredsløb
Ingen udgangsrelæer
Frekvensuafhængig dæmpningsfaktor
Proprietære Gryphon dobbeltbindingsstolper
Automatisk indstilling af grøn klasse A-bias eller manuel valg af lav/høj bias
Visning af vekselstrømsstatus og polaritet
Stiv mekanisk struktur
Mikroprocessorstyret ikke-invasivt "smart" beskyttelsessystem
Dobbelt forseglet, mil spec PCB med 105 μm kobberspor
Opgraderbar mikroprocessorsoftware. 

Although we as quality conscious consumers would prefer to live in a world where product development is always guided by incremental, evolutionary improvement, most often it is driven by sheer economics. This year’s model is typically only a marginal variation on last year’s, in yet another thinly veiled attempt to separate the consumer from more hard-earned cash on a regular, seasonal basis.

Among the few exceptions to this rule, Gryphon Audio Designs have never subscribed to the ritual of annual product roll-outs. On the contrary, you only hear from us when we have something truly new and original to say.

This is the simple explanation of why the Gryphon Antileon Signature (Stereo and Monoblock) Pure Class A reference power amplifiers introduced in 2000 remained available for nearly a decade and a half. Because cynical planned obsolescence is never part of the Gryphon design concept, the Antileon Signature, like every Gryphon model, was engineered and built to remain at the forefront of audio performance for many years until we were able to offer a significant step forward.
The Antileon Signature, like its predecessor, the original Antileon, was born a classic, establishing itself immediately in High End circles as one of the most acclaimed amplifiers of all time. Loyal devotees around the world praise its singular ability to maintain a firm grip on even the most demanding loudspeakers and reveal the innermost soul of any musical performance.

Now, the Gryphon Antileon EVO, available in stereo and single-channel configurations, takes the next evolutionary step.

A long time coming and well worth the wait.

Unapologetically Uncompromising

Recent decades have seen concerted efforts by audio manufacturers to encourage a shift away from high-power Class A amplification in favour of newer, more “efficient” topologies with claims that they can deliver the same level of performance in a lighter, more compact and decorator-friendly form factor. The truth behind these specious allegations and the true motivation behind the promotion of lightweight amplification are very straightforward. It is an elementary exercise in cost cutting.

As material costs (copper and steel in particular) skyrocket, designers under the “guidance” of corporate accountants have been skimping on the costly massive power transformers and banks of high-current capacitors that generate the reservoir of electrical power that ultimately becomes the audio signal that drives your loudspeakers.

But it is the size and quality of these components that directly determine the amplifier’s performance potential. Heavily regulated, stiff power supply voltages and high current capability are crucial to achieving the control and speed that translate into musical clarity and resolution.

Despite bold claims, the audio industry has not found a better way to do it, just cheaper ways to almost do it.

Unlike so many current models crippled by downsized power supplies and capacitor banks as designers struggle to mitigate the impact of ever-rising raw material costs, the Gryphon Antileon EVO employs pure Class A bias with full power instantaneously available at all times, regardless of the actual load.

TRUE, PURE CLASS A requires heavy transformers, substantial capacitor banks, high electrical consumption, lots of heat, massive heatsinks and very, very expensive parts and manufacturing.

There is no shortcut to the sheer magic of pure Class A.

Deep Inside

Naturally, there is a lot going on beneath the lid of a fully discrete, pure-Class A, fully balanced power amplifier with twin-tiered banks of electrolytic capacitors connected to the mains with two power switches and two detachable power cords.

The twin custom-designed 1500W toroidal power supply transformers are mechanically isolated from the chassis. A special epoxy resin is used to optimise vibration damping for the transformer. For additional isolation, the shielded, epoxy-damped housing is mounted in a suspension system for effective vibration control.
Apart from the shielded transformer housing, only non-magnetic materials are employed throughout the Gryphon Antileon EVO.

The separate driver section incorporates its own generous, independently regulated bank of proprietary Gryphon capacitors powered from separate windings on the transformers. A unique mechanical design provides optimal thermal tracking between drivers and output devices.

Bypass capacitors are placed close to the output transistors, not, as is conventionally the case, right up against the power capacitors. This contributes to significantly enhanced high frequency performance. Internal wiring is kept to an absolute minimum with only a single short length of Gryphon Guideline Reference gold-embedded silver wire.

Two sets of rugged gold-plated binding posts of Gryphon’s own design are provided for bi-wiring. The multi-way proprietary terminals accept bare wire, spade lugs, banana connectors or any combination of these.