Предусилители — Gryphon Audio COMMANDER

The Commander is a line preamplifier from Gryphon Audio of Denmark, founded in 1985. It builds on the Pandora preamplifier, keeping its dual mono layout, single-ended Class A input buffer and zero global negative feedback. Flemming E. Rasmussen created the Nordic Noir styling and Tom Møller the circuits.

Key specs that matter

Inputs comprise four balanced sources via Neutrik XLR connectors with gold plating and two single-ended sources on Teflon-insulated Gryphon RCA sockets. Main outputs are two balanced XLR and one single-ended, plus a tape output. Input impedance is 18 kohm balanced and 12 kohm single-ended, with a 7 ohm output impedance. Gain is +18 dB, the -3 dB bandwidth runs from 0.1 Hz to 1.5 MHz and THD+N is 0.003 percent at 1 kHz on the balanced output. The balanced output reaches 19 Vrms and the single-ended 9.5 Vrms, while inputs accept up to 20 Vrms balanced or 10 Vrms single-ended. The preamplifier unit is 48 x 23.6 x 45.5 cm and weighs 30.5 kg, and the power supply unit is 48 x 23.6 x 44 cm at 38.2 kg.

Engineering and use context

Volume uses a microprocessor-controlled 85-step relay attenuator with Charcroft Z-Foil resistors. A high-precision voltage reference gives about 50 times lower noise than the Pandora. The separate supply chassis holds four custom 36 VA toroidal transformers, two per channel, with 2 x 90,000 uF of capacitance, and two discrete linear supplies serve the analogue channels while a third feeds digital control. Mundorf MCap ZN capacitors and local shunt regulators handle decoupling, while its four-layer circuit boards carry pure copper traces of up to 70 um. The chassis base is a constrained layer sandwich of Kerrock, bitumen and steel, circuit boards float on isolators and each chassis stands on four Gryphon Atlas Spikes. A 10.9 cm touch display sits behind 4 mm glass. Idle draw is 90 W, standby is 0.5 W or less, and mains versions cover 110 to 120 V or 220 to 240 V.

Pairing

A fixed-level AV input bypasses the volume circuit, assignable to input 4 (XLR) or input 5 (RCA). Green Bias control drives Gryphon power amplifiers, a 12 V link handles remote power, and the supply chassis has DC outputs for future Gryphon sources. Menus cover balance in 1 dB steps, level matching, start and maximum volume and a -6 dB output option.

Alternatives

The Gryphon Pandora is the brand's other dual mono line preamplifier on which the Commander was based.