Интегральные усилители — Gryphon Audio DIABLO 300

The Diablo 300 is a stereo integrated amplifier designed in Denmark by Gryphon Audio Designs as the successor to the original Diablo. Its casework was revised to follow the look of the Mephisto power amplifier, with a front of metal and black acrylic, and the circuit was reworked alongside it. Two optional slots accept a DAC module and an MM/MC phono module, either fitted from new or added later.

Key specs that matter

Rated power reaches 2 x 300 W into 8 ohm, 2 x 600 W into 4 ohm and 2 x 950 W into 2 ohm. Gryphon quotes a frequency response of 0.5 Hz to 350 kHz, and an output impedance of 0.019 ohm. Gain is 38 dB. The rear carries two balanced XLR inputs on gold-plated Neutrik sockets and three RCA inputs with Teflon insulation, plus two RCA outputs and a fixed-level AV throughput for joining a surround system. One output delivers a +12 dB level for a subwoofer or an extra power amplifier, and 12 V trigger connections link the unit to other Gryphon products. The chassis measures 480 x 235 x 460 mm and weighs 38.1 kg, and standby draw is under 0.5 W. The DAC module handles PCM up to 32-bit/384 kHz and DSD512 over USB on Windows (DSD128 on Mac and Linux), with two S/PDIF, AES and optical inputs at up to 24-bit/192 kHz.

Engineering and use context

Both channels are laid out as true dual mono and share a dual mono Holmgren toroidal transformer, and the reservoir holds 68,000 microfarad per side. The output stage is a DC-coupled Class A/B design with high bias, and heatsinks running the full length of each side panel offer twice the area of the earlier Diablo. There is no negative feedback anywhere in the circuit. Volume is set by a microprocessor-controlled, fully balanced relay attenuator with 43 steps and precision resistors, shown on a large vacuum fluorescent display. Gryphon uses military-specification two-layer and four-layer circuit boards with copper traces up to 105 microns thick, polypropylene coupling capacitors and local active shunt regulators to keep noise down on the supply lines. An input for an external infrared receiver and a ground post complete the rear panel.

Pairing

The high output into very low loads points to large, low-impedance floorstanders that need current, and the very low output impedance helps hold a woofer steady on such loads. With both modules installed the Diablo 300 can take a turntable, a computer and a disc transport at once, while the AV throughput passes the front channels of a cinema processor at fixed gain.

Alternatives

The Gryphon Diablo 333 is a larger integrated model, rated at 333 W into 8 ohm and 1,100 W into 2 ohm, with a 0.015 ohm output impedance and a 50.6 kg chassis.