Gryphon Siren Phono Preamplifier

Siren Phono Preamplifier

Apex, Commander… if you know and love Gryphon, you'll be familiar with these names. A term that is associated with one of the world's best audio systems. Gryphon Audio is now adding a phono amplifier to this system: the Siren.

The Siren shares its sculpturally beautiful 'Nordic Noir' aesthetic with the Apex and Commander. Its 4.3" TFT capacitive touchscreen with 4mm tempered glass panel is identical to that of the Commander, as is the Siren's dual mono power supply unit (PSU), which provides a reservoir of power the size and quality of which is unparalleled in a phono preamp.

The Siren Phono Preamplifier: technical details

Weighing in at over 38kg, the Siren's massive PSU features fully regulated power supplies for all sensitive voltage amplifier stages. In addition to separate left and right channel power supplies, a third power supply powers all digital functions. Like the Apex and Commander, the Siren features four-layer PCBs with 70µ copper conductors: more than twice as thick as competing components. These boards are populated with the finest parts available for audio, including Mundorf MCap ZN capacitors, low inductance resistors from Vishay, matched and ultra low noise transistors from ROHM and ZETEX.

Sensitive audio technology is mounted on a proprietary internal isolation base that uses 'constrained layers' of Kerrock, bitumen and steel to optimize component damping and eliminate blurring of fine details.

Siren circuit topology: Extremely low noise operation

A hallmark of all Gryphon phono preamplifiers is the circuit topology with true dual mono configuration and zero global negative feedback. Since the phono cartridge is the only truly balanced signal in the audio playback chain, the Siren preserves signal integrity by employing a fully discrete balanced circuit topology.

As befits a state-of-the-art component, operation is extremely low noise. A minimum of internal wiring and the use of specially selected PC-mount XLR and RCA connectors minimize noise while improving product consistency and longevity.

Sound quality, aesthetics, build quality or ease of use: Siren represents a new standard in analogue playback and is at the forefront of phono preamplifier design

Characteristics:

• True dual-mono configuration
• Four selectable inputs, one RCA and three balanced XLR
• Selectable MC load impedance
• Selectable MC and MM load capacity
• Selectable gain
• Extremely low noise
• Fully symmetrical circuit, a Gryphon phono stage innovation from 1994
• Fully discrete circuit
• DC servo coupling
• Selection of high-quality components.
• High-quality solid Mundorf MCap® ZN capacitors are used for local power supply decoupling. MCap® ZN's loss factor is ten times lower than that of metallized PP film capacitors. In addition, the inertia of the tin foil prevents oscillations in favor of transparency and spatiality.
• Fully regulated, ultra-low noise power supply for all voltage gain levels
• Ultra-short signal path
• Minimal internal cabling
• Four-layer circuit boards with 70µ copper on all layers
• PCB-mounted connectors eliminate wiring and shorten the signal path.
• Gold-plated Neutrik XLR sockets for up to three balanced pickups
• Gold-plated phono sockets with Teflon insulation for one pickup
• Massive dual mono external power supply
• Large power supply capacitor bank for each channel
• Separate linear power supply for digital and left/right analog circuits
• Separate mechanical chassis for power supply and amplifier circuits
• Decoupled Kerrock, bitumen and steel sandwich chassis that holds the delicate amplifier and power supply circuit boards to prevent smearing of the fine audio details.
• 4.3-inch TFT capacitive touchscreen with 4mm tempered glass front
• Intuitive menu structure
• 12V DC input and output
• Infrared receiver input on the rear Mini jack socket
• Firmware upgrades via USB 2.0 port on the back
• Infrared Gryphon Remote Control
• EU CE approval
• Standby power consumption < 0.5W
• Designed and manufactured in Denmark.
• Three balanced XLR inputs per channel.
• One unbalanced RCA input per channel.
• One balanced XLR output per channel.
• Input load impedance MM: 47KO, MC: from 20O to 1600O in selected steps.
• Input load capacitance MM: 0pF to 608pF in selected steps, MC: 0pF, 220pF or 440pF.
• Output impedance: 50O
• Bandwidth: RIAA +/-0.1dB
• Total power supply capacity, both devices: 74,000µF per stereo channel
• Gain: MM +38dB or +48dB @ 1kHz, MC: +58dB or +68 dB @ 1kHz
• S/N unweighted 20-20kHz: MM: 86dB @ 10mV, MC: 70dB @ 0.5mV
• S/N A-weighted 20-20kHz: MM: 90dB @ 10mV, MC: 74dB @ 0.5mV
• Channel separation: Infinite
• Dimensions SIREN unit, WxHxD: 1 pc. 48x23.6x45.5 cm, net weight of the unit 30.4 kg
• Dimensions PSU unit, WxHxD: 1 pc. 48x23.6x44 cm, net weight of the unit 38 kg

Menu-driven functions:

• Choice between Moving Magnet (MM) or Moving Coil (MC)
• Additional +10dB gain option, MM and MC
• Adjusting the moving coil load impedance and capacitance
• Setting the moving magnet load capacity
• Display intensity: (100%-75%-50%-25% and Auto Dim ON/OFF)
• Input name
• Infrared source
• Reset settings
• Exit MENU

Remote controlled functions:

• ON / STB (Standby)
• MUTE / UNMUTE
• Switching the display intensity.
• Input selection.
• Adjusting the moving coil load impedance and capacitance
• Setting the moving magnet load capacity