Gryphon Diablo 333 Integrated Amplifier – Quick Look

All Image Credit: Gryphon

Gryphon Audio Designs is a manufacturer of high-end audio equipment founded in 1985 in Demark. They are renown for their high-end and expensive audio equipment.

This latest power amplifier, the Diablo 333, is a “step-up” from the legendary Diablo 300. It is a dual-mono, Class-A integrated design with no global negative feedback. The amplifier supports 333Wpc into 8 ohms, 666Wpc into 4 ohms and 1100Wpc into 2 ohms. Its output impedance is 0.015 ohm and its balanced XLR input impedance is 25k ohms. Module options include; PS-3 MM/MC phono stage and DAC-3 D/A supporting up to PCM 32/384 and DSD512 via USB.

This revised design of the Diablo 300 came about due to new component technologies and areas of improvement included from their new Apex and Commander, Gryphon’s flagship Amplifier and Preamplifier. This new and improved model now boasts ten percent more output power than its legendary predecessor and includes new ultra fast, low-capacitance pre-driver transistors to deliver both enhanced musicality and superior measured performance.

Control is still available using the front panel 4.3″ TFT triangular capacitive touch screen, remote handset, rear panel IR in and Link I/O 3.5mm connectors. Sculpted from a block of aluminum, the remote handset from Commander replaces the “Wand” remote supplied with Diablo 300. A new, more intuitive menu structure enhances the user interface, while a USB 2.0 socket on Diablo’s rear panel simplifies firmware upgrades.

The Diablo 333 also supports optional Phono and DAC modules which according to Gryphon have been completely redesigned for this new amplifier:

“The PS-3 RIAA module features True Dual Mono Class A-coupled topology from input to output, with no global negative feedback and discrete balanced circuitry featuring matched transistor arrays. Gold-plated Neutrik XLR balanced input sockets replace the RCA sockets utilized in the previous generation. MC load impedance can be set externally with left/right rear panel switches, versus the internal jumpers found on the PS-2S. MC/MM setting is front-panel selectable via the Diablo 333 menu. Gryphon’s new DAC-3 D/A MODULE incorporates the latest High-Performance Sabre DAC: the ES9039PRO. Seven user-selectable PCM digital roll-off filters are included, as are a full assortment of USB, AES/EBU, BNC and TOSLINK inputs. The 333’s USB input is compatible with all current Digital Audio Formats.”

Rear panel input signal connectivity includes; stereo balanced XLR (x2) and stereo unbalanced RCA connectors (x2), plus unbalanced RCA outputs that support sub out (x1) and tape out (x1). Also developed for Apex, Gryphon’s bespoke binding posts are also found on the 333’s back panel. Additional control options include; the IR input and Link I/O jacks.