The concept of an integrated amplifier that embodies the same ethos, musical and sonic qualities as Gryphon Audio Designs’ most esoteric offerings, but at a fraction of the cost, is clearly an attractive proposition . As far back as April, 2009, Gryphon introduced the original Atilla, in continuous production until 2016, the Atilla had a long run. In the interim period, Gryphon has made advances in the critical fields of circuit topology and parts design and selection with the evolution of the Pandora preamplifier and Mephisto power amplifier. Now, drawing  on their experience with these reference level components, Gryphon Audio Designs presents the next generation Atilla, the Gryphon Diablo 120.

The Diablo 120 integrated amplifier is essentially two independent mono devices for reduced crosstalk and minimal inter-channel interaction. The only things shared electrically between channels are the famed Holmgren toroidal transformer and AC power cable. The custom made 1,200 VA transformer adds substantial heft with discrete secondary windings for left and right channels. Each channel is fed by its own 60,000 µF capacitor bank. The output power of the Diablo 120 is 20% greater than that of the original Atilla: 2 x 120 W (8W), 2 x 240 W (4W), 2 x 440 W (2W). Consistent increases of output power as impedance is halved is a reliable indicator of  high current capability, just as the wide audio bandwidth, 0.1Hz to 250 kHz (-3 dB), is a sign of stability. Heatsink surface area has also been increased to match the increase in output power. With two pairs of Sanken transistors, Diablo 120 can drive difficult loudspeaker loads without strain. The Diablo 120 circuit employs zero global negative feedback and a unique microprocessor controlled passive attenuator for the transparent volume control. Regardless of the selected level, the 46-step relay attenuator places maximum six resistors in the signal path. A large, graphical vacuum fluorescent display is employed instead of a more conventional LED character display to provide space for more information and a larger, more easily legible font. The display and control circuits are powered independently via a separate, isolated transformer in order to eliminate any risk of noise contamination. All front panel controls are touch sensitive (capacitive actuation.)The Diablo 120 offers one balanced and four single-ended inputs, a comprehensive menu of configuration options (four levels of display brightness, user-defined start and maximum volume settings, individual source labelling with eight-character names and a dedicated and electrically isolated A/V bypass function for integration with a multi-channel audio system.

At the time of original purchase or as the need arises at a later date, Gryphon Diablo 120 can be fitted with a specially designed Gryphon DAC PCM/DSD module based on the innovative, award-winning Gryphon Kalliope digital-to- analogue converter. The module adds four digital inputs (USB, balanced AES/EBU 115 Ω, TOSLink optical and BNC S/PDIF 75 Ω). Via USB, the Diablo 120 DAC module can process PCM up to 32-bit/384 kHz as well as 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 inputs up to192 kHz/32-bit PCM and via TOSLink up to 96 kHz/24-bit PCM. Format compatibility of the various inputs is subject to change without notice. The Diablo 120 also offers the alternative of a MM/MC phonostage.

Technical Specifications

2 x 120 W @ 8W, 2 x 240 W @ 4W, 2 x 440 W @ 2W
Output impedance: 0.030W
Bandwidth (-3 dB): 0.1 Hz to 250 kHz
Power Supply Capacity: 2 x 60,000 µF
Gain: +38 dB
Input Impedance, balanced (20-20,000 Hz): 20 kW
Input Impedance, single-ended (20-20,000): 8 KW