Gryphon Audio's Diablo 333 Integrated Amp: The Good The Bad & The Ugly

[@SensoStockholm]

Thank you for a great video! The Diablo 333 is simply amazing. This integrated amplifier gives you a huge soundstage, depth and insane bass control. Beautiful tonality and it never sounds harsh. You can play crazy loud without any distorsion so please be careful with your ears. It will control any speakers with ease. It is more neutral and fresher sounding than the Diablo 300. It also has a much better bass articulation than the Diablo 300 and the bass notes are easier to follow. Much tidier overall. The Diablo 333 is always a joy to listen to and it has this very addictive boogie factor. I prefer the Diablo 333 to the Essence pre and power combination wich is also amazing. But the Essence takes much longer time to warm up and it also has a much leaner sound compared to the Diablo 333. The Essence also has much less power. The Diablo 333 is a beast with lots of ”meat on the bones” sound but with finesse, power and grace. It will respond very well to power cables. Try a Nordost V2 and be surprised! It has a built in fan but it never comes on.

[@MichaelScheerer-jh4ti]

I am a proud Diablo 300 owner and I am very happy with it. A/B is absolutely fine. It doesn‘t get really hot, lukewarm at most. Soundwise this amp delivers a world class performance, all along the range. Well, the speakers are Marten Parker Duo. So, nothing to complain about in my system. No need for an upgrade for the foreseeable future.

[@KennethMitchell-ly4yq]

Exactly my system fed with a Lumin X1 using Qobuz. Interesting review on 333, just a lot of money to change. Thought I’d finished spending! Haven’t heard a 333 yet but been offered a home demo by my dealer.

[@RLCYRL]

I'm switching from MA12000 to Diablo333, both driving passive ATC SCM50s. The Mc sounded more musical and warmer, but the speed and bass of the 333 are just day and night, the control of the speaker is significantly better and I am very happy with this combination, maybe the autofromers are not a good match for ATCs

[@shanestephenson8423]

Hi Adrian, I love the video as always. I have owned a diablo 300, and I have on three separate occasions now heard the 333. The 333 is a substantially improved product over the former amplifier. The new phono preamp option is excellent. I never heard my 300 get grainy when I pushed it, but it certainly was slightly on the dark side of neutral. This new amplifier is dead on neutral in every way.🎧😁👍

[@Cestmoi50]

@@shanestephenson8423 I read dark sound everywhere, it drives me nuts… what do they mean with dark sound!!?? Could you shed some light? I mean accuphase is easy, smooth and warm in the midrange to give a example

[@shanestephenson8423]

@Cestmoi50 Hi there. I guess the best way to explain the three terms often used to describe the sound signature of a component bright, neutral, and dark. Bright being the opposite of dark may help explain dark more clearly. Bright is often used to describe a digital sound with over emphasis on the upper frequencies, an itchy sound. A dark sound is the under emphasis of those upper frequencies. And a neutral sound is what we're all striving for. A sound that doesn't bring attention to itself in any of the frequency areas. I'm hoping to get a Diablo 333 in for review on my channel at some point. I hope my explanation makes sense.🙂🎧👍

[@hartgemini007]

Also had the Diablo 300 which I thought was amazing and planned to buy the 333 however my dealer said it was delayed so offered me the Essence Pre power which is in another league as you would expect. So much bigger sound stage, transparency & more organic. Agree the 300 was a little grainy but still incredible , Essence is really special especially since adding a Ideon Ion DAC which replaced my MSB - completely different league in everyway to the MSB -truly spectacular.

[@Cestmoi50]

@@hartgemini007 what do you mean by grainy? When somebody says that, it means to me well it sucks… just curious? Is the gryphon 300 to nowadays standards so bad it is grainy? You do incredible… but it is a device that was invented more than 9 years ago?

[@davidbee8178]

Thank you for the review, Adrian - agree, the rubber surrounds on the binding posts are easily replaced so not really an issue. Looking forward to your 5 Integrated shoot out! Speaking of "ugly", the overall Gryphon design language while certainly not ugly, doesn't really speak to me but I can see that the build quality is there in spades. Design is a matter of opinion of what a designer thinks a product should look like so it stands to reason that not everyone will have the same aesthetic appreciation for a designer's work :-) I for one, aside from any SONIC considerations, prefer the straightforward design of the Maria . . . Cheers ! And keep those "unboxings" coming - they're FUN to watch !

[@MohsinWadee]

Brothers In Arms was actually released in 1985. It was their first release on CD too, from what I remember.

[@StealthParrot]

Yes, and also the first album in history to sell over one million copies on the cd format.

[@vincenthoy28]

As a current user of Gryphon Essence Pre and Power, I do have a quick audition of 333 and the performance is very very close. My pre and power sound a bit warmer but 333 is more on speedy response. Since the price gap between is narrow, is a great deal to go with 333 as you will save the money on power cord and interconnector that may cost you a fortune!

[@jesenskeho2]

I have heard this one with griphon speakers, and it was amazing, very natural. One of the best integrated I’ve ever heard. For 50k together it is a bargain

[@thomaswalter216]

When doing your shootout please do not forget the McIntosh 12000. Regards from Austria, Thomas

[@lonniefarmer7067]

Sounds like you are having fun! That is the point.

[@deanbrandon3615]

Love your videos! I’m not sure where to ask this, but this is the most recent video in which to comment. How is the best way to resell older audio equipment? I mean, if you have some great equipment, but are upgrading, or changing components, how do you get value out of your “old” stuff? E-bay? Dealer trade in? Trade magazine adds? I suppose it depends on the item. I hesitate to upgrade for fear of not being to easily sell my older items.

[@kenmcglown6642]

I recently got a chance to hear the Gryphon Diablo 333 extensively and, sure, it sounded, as expected, fabulous, as did the Diablo 300 before it. However, I still strongly believe that the ultra powerful and absolutely incredible sounding Hegel H600 represents a staggering value compared to the Diablo 333(at half the price of the Diablo 333). Really, the Hegel H600 is all you'll ever need in a world class integrated amp (IMHO), and arguably the one of the greatest values in ultra high end integrated amps on the planet.

[@АлександрЗябликов-щ1я]

Диабло 300 плохо звучит. А хегель н600 вообще отвратительно звучит. Вы это кому всё написали и чем слушаете?

[@compadre9783]

@@АлександрЗябликов-щ1я Это вы кому написали?)) На русском )) А по сути согласен, H590 по звуку лучше всех.

[@Cestmoi50]

How does the gryphon sound compared to hegel? I owned a Hegel H590 and was totally fed up after 2 months owning it, I hated the in your face sound. Does the gryphon share that signature ‘I mean that pushy in your face, what some call total base control that gives me headaches). Just really curious

[@compadre9783]

@@Cestmoi50 I own a Hegel H590. The best sound I've ever had by far! Very musical, liquid. Probably your piece was broken..

[@Cestmoi50]

@ nope it was not, I just hated the in your face sound, for me it was not musical at all. For me musical was for example accuphase, luxman, musical fidelity m8xi nuvista. Chord amplifiers. So my hegel h590 was not broken, I just could not take the sound anylonger.. never lost so much money on a amp selling to fast in my life, 2,5 months later, I sold it.

[@psyphonyxaudio]

I hope the open house event was great!!

[@aruth51485]

Looks pretty nice, not a fan of the fact that it has a fan inside though. Definitely a nice looking machine.

[@adrianlow2114]

There's no fan

[@ramanmanan203]

@@adrianlow2114 Think there is a fan in there, saw that right in the middle with an open equipment.. but I hear it's quiet.

[@antonyharding5360]

Hi Adrian, I have a 300 , it would appear your not deaf, you right about the 300 diablo sounding a tad dark , cracking amp still tho .. no complaints from me , it cost me 8500 £ Alot of money i know, , but a lot of amplifier Ps you nit picks were spot on .....

[@TWALBEVA]

I feel the same way; I think the Gryphon 300 sounds too dark. However, I heard that the 300 is the only Gryphon amplifier with a dark sound. (but no one ever mentioned that Gryphon sounds ultra clear and smooth) I'm not sure if the new Gryphon 333 has really changed the sound. This will be an important factor when choosing an amplifier.

[@bikemike1118]

Always „amusing“ to me that these informations …about sound a tad dark etc… only comes to public as soon as the successor is on the market! Not one reviewer ever has said that about the Diablo 300 when it was the current model … LOL. Always the same pattern …

[@swede5816]

⁠​⁠@@TWALBEVA According to Rune Skov from Gryphon the Antileon and Diablo 120 are slightly darker and warmer, and more colored, than the other more neutral amps from Gryphon. He described the D300 as very neutral; ”shit in shit out” he said. Haven’t heard the 333 yet but some people who have heard both seem to miss that ”dark character” of the predecessor 🤔

[@gerispmakris]

Agreed… I owned the 300… I never felt it was dark but rather clear, smooth, and the bass grip fantastic

[@henryfokkema6622]

Interesting video church in saltlake best sound system

[@Grue_ni]

I own 2 Audionet "AMP" Monos wich i bought 2017 for 10000€ Driving 2 B&W 803D from 2009....the Audionets sound awesome and price to performance you almost can't beat them...but i want more! 😂 The Diabolo 333 is the amp of interest at the moment... But i have to hear it first.. What i also dont like about it is that it has a built in Fan...but maybe that only kicks in at very high volumes...

[@adrianlow2114]

There's no fan

[@Grue_ni]

@@adrianlow2114 Yes there is... Watch the video of "Eglantier Mechelen" "unboxing the gryphon diabolo 333" at minute 1:50 you can see it... right in front of the monster transformer...

[@Grue_ni]

@@adrianlow2114 yes there is... its right in front of the huge transformer.. (KZbin doesnt allow me to link it but simply search for unboxing the gryphon diabolo 333)

[@Grue_ni]

@@adrianlow2114 @adrianlow2114 yes there is... its right in front of the huge transformer.. (KZbin doesnt allow me to link it but simply search for unboxing the gryphon diabolo 333) (Eglantier Mechelen)

[@Grue_ni]

@@adrianlow2114 yes there is!

[@hindagsxr]

Where is this shooting?

[@Michelenla]

Hook it up to Audio note speakers E 😊

[@MotownAudio]

Can this amp power the Sonus Faber Stradivaris ?

[@jacquesmcintyre4184]

Another comparaison would be the mighty Mcintosh ma9500 which is more apples to apple than with the hybrid ma12000. Please compare or review the ma9500!

[@ronpi1293]

True Class A runs hot by definition. This shouldn't surprise anyone.

[@QQ-td9id]

Pure claas A? Class A to 333W will weigh a ton!

[@QQ-td9id]

Its amp is class A/B. I'm not sure how many are pure class A.

[@rysior]

Gryphon 333 vs 2x mono McIntosh MC611? What do you guys think?

[@AudiolandCH]

Boulder 866 vs DIABLO 333 would be interessting

[@vvmaster2010]

Diablo is more relaxed and refined.

[@stephencosta6814]

I think there’s no comparison Diablo all the way

[@harrisedgar]

Adrian, In 18:10 you mention "high bias". What do you mean? Does it work on class A and then if required changes to class AB?

[@adrianlow2114]

No, simply that some amplifiers are biased so you get a few Class A watts, then the rest are Class AB.

[@hartgemini007]

Yes the Essence can run in AB or pure Class A which as mentioned in a few reviews does make a tangible difference- my comment grainy is probably wrong - just sounds more transparent and clean. As with all things especially hi fi once you hear it it’s obvious. I run mine in Class A always for proper listening . As mentioned below the Diablo 300 is a World class amp in fact when I went to pick mine up they just had a Gryphon delivery of 18 300’s all sold along with a number of the Apex etc.

[@harrisedgar]

@@hartgemini007 that's wonderful to hear..!! Thank you. (the fact that you can force c,ass A even better..!!! Which store did you buy it from? (the one with the 18 being delivered)

[@michaelgelfman5334]

Have you tried the Diablo 333 w/ the Acora SRC 1’s?

[@adrianlow2114]

not yet

[@GentielioGaming]

Did you try the 120 against the 300? less dark. The 120 could be in my price range. I have a Rotel Michi X5 but i would like to compare it to an entry level Gryphon diablo.

[@swede5816]

I comment on this below.

[@GentielioGaming]

@@swede5816 Ok, read it. Even more darker then. Don't think this one will be for me.

[@swede5816]

⁠@@GentielioGamingI have the D300, I would not call it dark.

[@arnoldt77]

Saw it has a fan, is it audible?

[@frankgeeraerts6243]

Maybe but it has a lifetime waranty...

[@adrianlow2114]

There is no fan

[@CarlVanDoren61]

Dual Mono Holmgren toroidal transformer Coda uses a single 3kw toroidal Keen Ocean

[@roxy_xcxc6869]

😘 Gryphon 300 now on 50% off. hurry grab it now. hurry🤗 clearing out for 333 to take over.

[@DearSX]

I'm wondering if this would be a good upgrade over my Fosi Audio mono blocks as I don't know what the extra watts are gonna make a different at normal listening leves (75 dB).

[@frankgeeraerts6243]

I imagine the amplifier I could build when I had a budget of 25K $..........

[@xfloodcasual8124]

You can make an amp entirely out of silver and black gates for less than 25k. These amps and others like it are for consumers who want $23k worth of chassis machining.

[@frankgeeraerts6243]

@@xfloodcasual8124 Indeed !

[@metatron007]

🔈🔉🔊

[@peanutbutterjellyjam2179]

Imagine that an integrated amplifier is the price of a good to excellent used car.

[@ajayr8781]

If not Gryphon Diablo 333, then which one..............?

[@davewallace6291]

Forget all these Mickey Mouse amps like Hegel and Macintosh go for the big guns,333vs the new solution 331 vs progression intergrated that will be equal all in the same price bracket

[@swede5816]

@davewallace6291 Haven’t heard the Solution but I would easily take the 333 over the Prog int. Even the 300 is better imo.

[@A-gks]

I've just completed audition of the Soulution 331 and the Diablo 333. Still too hard to decide between the both. I think the Diablo 333 still sounds coloured in comparison

[@143GADGETS]

I just want to know what “grainy” means… 😅

[@andygrenn680]

Diablo 333 intergalactic integrated amplifier could power a NASA Space Ship…under ideal weather conditions of course…

[@李乐-p6y]

一些尖锐的问题从未被提出，说的缺点完全是一些无关紧要的，他的声音难道所有人都会喜欢吗？

[@aa5az423]

Very expensive, but a heck of a lot cheaper than other Gryphon offerings.

[@MasterofPlay7]

The amp looks very sinister

[@annebokma4637]

Cant stand dire straits partly because I heard it too much, partly because I dont like his voice. Hotel California.. my aunt chose that for her funeral.. havent played it since 😂

[@torarnekvaly7753]

I listened to Diablo 333 with Wilson SabrinaX recently on a Hi-fi show and it made my ears bleed and I had to leave the room… it was very analytical, hard and extremely detailed, without any soul and emotion. So it puzzles me that you describe it so different than what I heard. Maybe it was something with the room, however I went to listen to SabrinaX and was very disappointed with that setup. As reference my home system has tube pre amps, pass labs class a amps and ProAc speakers.

[@CarlVanDoren61]

No video? 😮

[@davidp3096]

I find with ultra high end equipment they need more love in the setting up process. Some Hifi dealer demos give this little consideration. Results usually very bad. Go to the show to see the products in person don’t necessarily judge the sound. If you like what you see find a passionate dealer offering home trails. You will never know how good this stuff is otherwise

[@misterzero8667]

High end equipment must be listened to in the home before making decision

[@AudiolandCH]

Could be just the wrong power cables.

[@ramanmanan203]

Agree, I have had some high end setup at my local dealer made me question.. have the fortune of bring some of them home for audition and making decisions after a trial..

[@azar3006]

In this day and age of evil on the rise naming your products as such is neither catchy or edgy, it just shows your allegiance ! 333, lol Freemason anyone !

[@vincenthoy28]

As a current user of Gryphon Essence Pre and Power, I do have a quick audition of 333 and the performance is very very close. My pre and power sound a bit warmer but 333 is more on speedy response. Since the price gap between is narrow, is a great deal to go with 333 as you will save the money on power cord and interconnector that may cost you a fortune!

[@annebokma4637]

Welcome to high end audio, where you chose to buy an integrated, because you also want to buy a car and the money saved on the interconnect and power cord will get you a nice mid range new car 😂