Предусилители — Gryphon Audio PANDORA

The Pandora is a strictly limited-edition line preamplifier from Gryphon Audio Designs of Denmark, developed as an experimental laboratory instrument without cost or production constraints. It uses a four-chassis layout that places the left and right channels in separate enclosures, each with its own dual mono power supply in a dedicated chassis.

Key specs that matter

Three balanced XLR inputs, two RCA single-ended inputs plus one tape loop are provided. Gain is +18 dB. Input impedance is 50 kOhm balanced and 25 kOhm single-ended, while the output impedance is a low 7 ohm. Bandwidth extends from 0.1 Hz to 3 MHz at -3 dB, and THD+N is 0.005% at 1 kHz. The power supplies hold twin 90,000 uF capacitor banks. Standby consumption stays below 1 W and idle consumption is 50 W. Each unit measures 48 x 40 x 13 cm and weighs 17.5 kg. The UK price was GBP 32,500, and the preamplifier was designed and built in Denmark.

Engineering and use context

Every stage follows a true dual mono design, is fully discrete and is pure Class A, and the separation goes as far as separate detachable power cords and separate power switches for each channel. Signal travels fully balanced from the preamplifier to the power amplifier. A newly developed single-ended Class A input buffer uses only two transistors and a single resistor. Japanese Takman resistors and Charcroft Z-Foil resistors sit in the signal path. Gryphon treats the preamplifier as traffic control and volume control, so tone controls and balance knobs were left out of the circuit. Volume runs through a microprocessor-controlled 85-step attenuator with gold-plated contacts and relays. A menu-driven interface handles input naming, input level settings, channel balance adjustment, display brightness and Green Bias control for Gryphon power amplifiers that support it. The design was later succeeded by the Gryphon Helios, which Gryphon describes as its evolution.

Pairing

A proprietary Green Bias link connects to compatible Gryphon power amplifiers and adjusts their Class A bias dynamically. The power supply section also provides outputs for external components. An optional Legato Legacy phono board, priced at GBP 8,950, can be installed for turntable use, bringing Gryphon's standalone phonostage circuit into the preamplifier.

Alternatives

The Gryphon Helios is the successor line preamplifier, pairing a single preamplifier chassis with a separate PSU 5 power supply.