Gryphon Essence Preamplifier

GRYPHON

ESSENCE PREAMP

Gryphon Essence is the perfect symbiosis of musical authority and effortless lightness. The Gryphon Essence pure Class A amplifier system was developed based on the experience and lessons learned from Gryphon's top-of-the-line Gryphon Pandora preamplifier and Mephisto stereo and monoblock power amplifiers. Gryphon Essence exudes authority and maintains absolute control over your speakers, with rare finesse to reveal even the most subtle variations in any musical style.

The strict dual mono configuration allows for the shortest possible signal path with minimal internal wiring. For the ultimate in audio fidelity, redundant circuitry such as tone controls, balance controls, headphone jacks, mono switching, polarity reversal and more have been eliminated from the signal path, reducing channel-to-channel crosstalk and signal path coloration to an absolute minimum.

When delivered, the Gryphon Essence preamp is a pure line preamp with two balanced XLR inputs and three unbalanced phono inputs. There is no internal wiring, the only wiring being a short ground lead, the indicator ribbons and the power cord which runs in a shielded channel from the rear IEC socket to the power switch to minimize 50/60Hz interference.

musical purity

Extensive research and audition preceded the selection of all components and many original parts were designed and built exclusively for Gryphon.

Because Gryphon pays close attention to every aspect of the circuit, and intimately understands the purpose and behavior of each part of the whole, the design team can optimize performance at each step before moving on to the next step. This ensures simplicity, a short signal path, and a unified purpose with a single, well-defined goal: musical purity.

Microprocessor controlled, fully adjustable menu items include input label with up to eight characters, maximum level, start level, input level adjustment up to 8 dB, AV throughput, user-selectable display brightness (100/75/50/25%, off), Standard Recovery and Gryphon Green Bias. The Gryphon Essence preamp can be configured with 0dB AV throughput for ideal integration into your multi-channel installation.

As an option, the Essence can be equipped with an MM/MC phono stage or a digital-to-analog converter. The phono stage is a Gryphon dual mono design based on the acclaimed Legato Legacy.

When using a compatible Gryphon Class A power amplifier, you can connect the Green Bias Control Link, a Gryphon invention for automatically controlling user-selectable Class A bias between the GREEN BIAS-labeled jacks on the preamp and power amplifier.

Menu-Enabled Features

Maximum Level selects and stores a maximum volume setting that cannot be exceeded, either manually or by remote control, until you set this feature again. This effectively protects your power amplifier and speakers from expensive accidents. The Start-Up Level selects and stores a default volume setting that is automatically set by the preamp each time it is turned on.

Level adjustment can be preset to automatically adjust the levels of low and high output sources. The adjustment is made via the volume attenuator, without additional components in the signal path.

Green Bias is only active when the Gryphon Essence is connected to a Gryphon Class A power amplifier via the Green Bias Control Link. Green Bias allows you to automatically switch between operating in 50%, 75% or 100% Class A without affecting the sound.

Modular options

The Gryphon Essence preamplifier offers the option of installing either a Gryphon PS2 phono stage or a Gryphon ZENA DAC module at initial purchase or at a later date. If your system consists of both analogue and digital sources, the DAC module can be installed and the Gryphon Sonett phono stage can be purchased as a standalone supplement.

DAC module

The Gryphon ZENA DAC module is the perfect complement for the Essence preamp. When the module is installed, the Essence display shows the active digital input, the sampling frequency, the PCM/DSD format and the selected digital filter setting.

The Gryphon Essence can be fitted with a specially developed Gryphon ZENA DAC module, based on the innovative, award-winning Gryphon Kalliope digital-to-analog converter, at purchase or at a later date if required. The module offers four digital inputs (USB, balanced AES/EBU 115 O, TOSLink optical and BNC S/PDIF 75 O). USB can handle PCM up to 32-bit/384 kHz and DSD (on Windows OS up to DSD512, on Mac OS up to DSD128, on Linux OS up to DSD128 DoP); via BNC S/PDIF and AES/EBU digital inputs up to 192 kHz/32-bit PCM and via TOSLink up to 96 kHz/24-bit PCM. The format compatibility of the various inputs is subject to change without prior notice.

This future-proof digital module is ready for any current or foreseeable high-resolution digital format.

Ultimate realism

Gryphon Audio Designs has always offered consistent support for the LP format with high-performance MC/MM phono stages as individual products or as optional modules for installation in preamps and integrated amplifiers in all price ranges of our product range.

Based on the Legato Legacy phono stage, the Gryphon PS2-S MM/MC phono module is a true dual mono design with enhanced channel separation, capable of carving out every musical detail for ultimate realism.

Almost 40 years after the introduction of the compact disc, the LP still represents the largest selection of recorded music on a storage medium in human history. We therefore believe it is imperative that Gryphon owners have full access to the artistic vision that this high-resolution format for all time.

The Gryphon Essence preamp can be ordered with the factory installed PS2-S phono module. The module can also be added at a later date of your choice. If the module slot in your Gryphon Essence preamp is already occupied by the Gryphon ZENA DAC module, we recommend the standalone Sonett Phonostage as a substantial upgrade for any system looking to get the most out of black vinyl grooves.

Unparalleled style, unparalleled performance

The unparalleled finish, build quality, ergonomics and pride of ownership that define the Gryphon concept in its entirety can only be understood and appreciated up close and personal. The distinctive, luxurious finish of every Gryphon product flows organically from the design of the audio circuitry and user interface, creating a truly unique integration of form and function.

Exemplary build quality combines brushed anodized aluminum with subtle black acrylic detailing for a highly refined aesthetic sensibility.

Essence's bass performance is simply superb: tight, well defined, with massive attack and a sheer display of power. The richness of detail and delicate treatment of bass and high frequencies help the preamp reproduce the breadth and depth of a soundstage with three-dimensional realism, and instrument placement with great precision and realistic scale.

comfort and aesthetics

Stunning audio performance, gorgeous design and outstanding usability - Gryphon offers all this to meet your discerning audiophile needs in terms of musicality, comfort and aesthetics without compromise.

Technical specifications

- Exterior design by Flemming E. Rasmussen
- Electronic design by Tom Møller
- No negative feedback
- True dual mono configuration
- Fully discrete DC-coupled Class A circuit topology
- Microprocessor-controlled 43-stage, fully balanced relay volume attenuator for best sonic performance based on a minimalist contingent of ultra-precision resistors
- Discrete, unbalanced, high-speed Class A input buffer for the best possible sonic performance
- Optional PCM/DSD DAC module with a USB, 2 x SPDIF, 1 AES and 1 optical input. PCM up to Fs = 384kHZ, DSD up to DSD512
- Optional MM/MC Gryphon PS2 phono stage module based on the legendary Gryphon Legato phono stage
- Local shunt controls for optimal noise reduction
- Input level adjustment to avoid abrupt volume changes
- Ultra short signal path
- Minimal internal wiring
- Gold-plated Neutrik XLR connectors for two balanced sources and 1 output
- Gold-plated phono connectors with Teflon insulation for 3 inputs and 2 outputs
- Fixed-level AV pass-through, balanced or unbalanced, for uncompromised integration with separate surround preamp
- Large vacuum fluorescent display for good readability
- Adjustable display lighting (100/75/50/25%, off)
- Backlit, touch-sensitive controls on the front panel
- 12V DC link input and output
- Green Bias Link output for automatic Green Bias control with any Gryphon power amp
- Elegant infrared remote control
- Flash memory upgrades possible via PC or key fob
- EU CE approval
- Standby power consumption