Интегральные усилители — Gryphon Audio DIABLO 120

The Diablo 120 from the Danish maker Gryphon Audio is the integrated model that took over from the original Atilla, a model sold between 2009 and 2016. Its exterior was drawn by company founder Flemming E. Rasmussen, while the circuitry comes from designer Tom Moller, and every unit is manufactured at the Gryphon facility in Denmark.

Key specs that matter

Rated output is 2 x 120 W into 8 ohm, 2 x 240 W into 4 ohm and 2 x 440 W into 2 ohm, delivered by two pairs of Sanken transistors per channel. Gain is +38 dB and the maker quotes an output impedance of 0.030 ohm. Bandwidth reaches from 0.1 Hz up to 250 kHz at the -3 dB points. Input impedance is 40 kOhm on the balanced connection and 8 kOhm on the single-ended ones. Standby consumption stays below 0.5 W.

Engineering and use context

The layout is true dual mono with zero global negative feedback, ultra-short signal paths and very little internal wiring, since the sockets are mounted straight onto the gold-plated circuit boards, which have two to four layers and copper up to 70 micrometres thick. A custom 1,300 VA dual-mono toroidal transformer with discrete secondary windings for each channel feeds two 60,000 uF capacitor banks, one per side. Level is set by a microprocessor-controlled relay attenuator with 46 steps that keeps a maximum of six resistors between input and output whatever the volume. The chassis combines satin black brushed aluminium with a black acrylic faceplate built from interlocking blocks. A graphical vacuum fluorescent display can be dimmed to 75, 50 or 25 percent or switched off, shows eight-character source names and stores user-defined start and maximum volume levels. Firmware updates are loaded from flash memory through a Key-Fob, and a non-invasive protection system guards the output stage.

Pairing

Analogue sources connect through one balanced Neutrik XLR input and four RCA inputs with Teflon insulation, and a tape output is provided. One optional module slot accepts either an MM/MC phono stage or a DAC derived from the Kalliope converter, which adds USB up to 32-bit/384 kHz PCM with DSD support, AES/EBU and BNC S/PDIF up to 192 kHz, and TOSLink up to 96 kHz. The DAC can be fitted at purchase or retrofitted later. A fixed-level AV throughput allows integration into a multichannel setup, and a 12 V DC link in and out coordinates power switching with other components, with an infrared remote included.

Alternatives

The Gryphon Diablo 333 steps up to 2 x 333 W into 8 ohm as the bigger integrated model.