Gryphon Diablo 333 vs D'Agostino Progression S350 - Which would you choose?

[@VirtualHiFi]

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[@Narayan2371]

Another great video, I would pick the Gryphon as I have mentioned below BUT, what about that beautiful McIntosh MA12000? Will you regale us with a video including a comparison of it too?

[@MMBLO622]

It's not fair although I prefer D'Agostino Progression S350 in this comparison. Because Gryphon Diablo 333 is an integrated amp but Progression S350 is a power-amp. It would be best to use a power-amp to work with Gryphon Essence per-amp. Essence power-amp will be a great choice. If possible: Gryphon Essence per-amp + Gryphon Essence power-amp vs D'Agostino Progression per-amp + D'Agostino Progression S350.

[@JRadian]

To be honest, I preferred these Qualio speakers with Fosi ZA3 with Sparkos upgrade you used before, which sounds to me much more alive with more sparkle. I can understand those who prefer Gryphon and D'Agostno for their, warm, dense, creamier sound, but..

[@ipman8646]

The D'Agostino is the sound I am currently seeking in my system, clear, open, live sounding. But, the Gryphon has this relaxing, warm, extended sound in the bass that just relaxes me. It is kind of the head vs the body, would be nice to have both!

[@avbozo]

It is amazing how much info one can hear over youtube . These are extremely good amps and yet there are perceptible differences. I find that soundstaging width is definitely diifferent from one to the other. The Gryphon has less width yet it sounds slightly more defined. The D'agostino is better sorted across the soundstage. The fact that my system can render these differences amazes me. It is all just a matter of what one prefers.

[@VirtualHiFi]

Thanks for sharing your comment and your opinion 😁

[@MEKFaforite]

Why 333 is not in PowerAmp mode?

[@Nunorsc1]

Have to say that on the youtube video the D'agostino actually sounds fuller and with more details without being harsh. But your feedback from listening to them live is the exact opposite, so it probably is very different in person. Having said that, while both of them are great amplifiers, they are also terribly overpriced, and one could get a similar performance for much less, but that's the problem with a lot of the high end hifi brands.

[@JingoLoBa57]

And which piece of Schitt do you think will sound like either of these?

[@VirtualHiFi]

Yes the Dagostino has more pronounced bass and control hence it's a little bit hammer-like while gryphon is a little bit more rounded in the bass with more differentiation in tones. I had very little time and in my room I have the mics set up so that when I listen with my Sure in ear monitors the recordings are very close to what I hear in my listening position In Koris we had to switch to Tellurium Q Black cables which kill the openers and the midrange but add plenty of body to the sound. Yes I know that this is not a perfect representation and I will need to find a recipe for great lifelike reproductions on the go

[@Narayan2371]

The D´Agostino has a more pronounced bass and treble, the latter is especially noticeable on female vocals, the Gryphon sounds more well rounded and balanced and is the one I would choose.

[@Michael-y3l9m]

What he said ☝️although listhening through good in ear on repro while one has10/ 20 /30 different cables to try can make or break a comitment on a new amp / pre amp purchase imho. Unless the/your room is perfect then the in ear "may of missed something due to inadequate treatment" won't matter but the selection of speaker cables and interconnects especially definantly will do.

[@phillipmorris9847]

What i find most interesting is how much of a difference there is at this level 🤔 What would be more interesting if you put the fosi va3's in with these monsters 😆 Which would i choose ? D'Agostino grabs your attention right away, but i think the Gryphon might be better for long listening sessions. thanks for sharing

[@VirtualHiFi]

yes it is interesting. Yes I will record such video quite soon, and I had very limited time so I could not do all at once, and I'll need to borrow one of those to my studio to do it properly, but from what I heard, switching quickly from the Dagostino to Gosi and Sparkos, I would choose the Fosi for sure. it was faster more analogue and a a bit more rounded in the bass. the vocals from Fosi were definitely better in my opinion. So yes from what I heard, you could build a high end system with all of those amps. I definitely want to do a comparison of Fosi vs Giants, but maybe I'll wait for it till new monoblocks arrive since no pots and better components should improve the sound even more ;)

[@phillipmorris9847]

@@VirtualHiFi new ones in the works already 😱 can't wait

[@bikemike1118]

@@phillipmorris9847 why?? Because you believe the marketing departments that everything what’s „new is automatically better“. Still a lot to learn in life for you, smoker.

[@Jil8840]

D Agostino sounds better. More live. Great test.

[@VirtualHiFi]

Thanks for listening and for your comment 😊

[@NiclasMardfelt]

Very good well done video! Thanks also for the summery at the end that confirmed the differences most viewers likely heard but could not trust due to the KZbin format. Is fantastic to have continues music while shifting gear. Thank you very much!

[@VirtualHiFi]

Thank you for your very positive feedback and comment ;)

[@Rascallucci]

I think the D'Agostino was slightly more open, but that's about it. The Progression is purpose-built as a power amp while the Diablo 333 is supposed to be an integrated although you did bypass it with the Essence pre, it shouldn't come as much of a surprise the D'Agostino is slightly better.

[@MrGorpm]

At first, the D'Agostino grabbed my attention for its wider soundstage and slightly better sense of air, but the Gryphon combo presented vocals more convincingly and without sibilance. I would be happy to live with either of course.

[@VirtualHiFi]

Thanks for the comment 🙂

[@DBTAudio]

The sound is beautiful with both integrated amps. You chose some nice tunes to demo the two units.

[@BoolixDlike]

Great video! Based on your experience with Class D amplifiers, how would you compare the performance of these ultra high-end amplifiers to the Fosi Audio ZA3? If they can even be compared, what percentage of what you hear here does the Fosi provide? Best for You!

[@VirtualHiFi]

yes it is interesting. Yes I will record such video quite soon, and I had very limited time so I could not do all at once, and I'll need to borrow one of those to my studio to do it properly, but from what I heard, switching quickly from the Dagostino to Gosi and Sparkos, I would choose the Fosi for sure. it was faster more analogue and a a bit more rounded in the bass. the vocals from Fosi were definitely better in my opinion. So yes from what I heard, you could build a high end system with all of those amps. I definitely want to do a comparison of Fosi vs Giants, but maybe I'll wait for it till new monoblocks arrive since no pots and better components should improve the sound even more ;)

[@RomanBagdasarov]

@@VirtualHiFi amazing! can't wait!

[@mark120371]

​@@VirtualHiFinew mono blocks? From Fosi?

[@VirtualHiFi]

Yes they are coming this Spring and I'll get a pair for test ;)

[@ramlord6669]

For me the D'Agostino wins the cup here...the voices❤ ...but we don't know if these are even good amplifiers until the Fosi ZA3 take part for comparison 🙃 🔥🐹🔥

[@VirtualHiFi]

exactly 😅

[@kineahora8736]

I agree. I listened to those Za3 and V3 and Aiyana shootouts, and I really don’t think these $30k amps are very much better… Now if they made them out of gold and platinum, they could at least store wealth…

[@samuelcain5426]

Would love to see the Krell Ksa i400 vs Dan D'Agostino S350 price is very close.

[@vvmaster2010]

Both are great, Diablo is more relaxed slightly less brighter. D'Agostino has a little more energy. Diablo has a bit more resolution and is my choice :)

[@Coolwoo]

To my listening, 333 has a more controlled tighter defined bass, more neutral tonal balance. 350 mids and lows fuller less defined. Can’t justify or comment on the sound stage on KZbin reproduction. 333 gives you a very highly rated preamp. 350 only a power amp. On a similar budget 333 is the winner , value for money. Thanks for the comparison.

[@libertyss32]

This comparison isnt even close. The S350 is dominant.

[@VirtualHiFi]

Thanks for sharing 😀

[@fatdoi003]

bcoz it's a power amp

[@krzysztofpogorzelski2394]

Super test. Jestem fanem Gryphona ale w wiekszosci utworów zdecydowanie bardziej podoba mi sie D’Agostino. Moim zdanuem Diablo 333 jest ok sle nie jest wart doplaty prawie 100% w stosunku dobpoprzednuej wersji bo w tej cenie jest juz kilku poważnych rywali i wybralbym jednak Dagostino albo Bouldera. Pozdrawiam . Świetna robota.

[@robertgruber982]

Really difficult to justify the cost for these behemoth amplifiers when inexpensive modern class D sounds so good. They are beautiful and I can see why someone would be attracted to them from an aesthetic standpoint and for bragging rights, but from a pure sonic point of view it's hard to see why someone would spend so much. Anxious to hear a comparison with the Sparkos enhanced Fosi. Your channel is really good and your tests and opinions are very enlightened and not plagued by the usual audiophile BS.

[@VirtualHiFi]

Thank you very much for your opinion and feedback. Yes I don't like the BS in the audio and all prestige SNOBility. I like to look of cool things, but I want to buy the better sound not 5cm aluminum panel. There are many audiophile Bugatti like devices that people look on and check the price and assume that thay have t sound GOD-like and when tested it's all about brand looks prestige and appearance and the sound is just fine but definitely not worth paying for if the sound is the most important thing.

[@Kharmaaudio]

I just listened to a demo between this exact d’agostino amp & a Diablo 300. The exact same findings are apparent. D’agostino has a room filing soundstage, sweet sounding good tonality and more lively & open without brightness. The Diablo had a small soundstage in the centre of the speakers. Highly central focused deeper soundstage. Darker sounding, richer with good tonality but I found the Diablo boring to listen to IMO. I loved the D’agostino personally. Speakers were Kharma DB7s and the source was a dCS Bartok apex with Nordost cables.

[@VirtualHiFi]

Thanks for sharing your findings. Yes the system was not very well prepared and I need to have more time for setting up all recording gear to find positions where it shows the best character of the sound ;)

[@matytinman]

The difference is very small but still noticeable. D'Agostino would be my choice for the SOUND. More open, wide, spatial. Better highs (Gryphon has too much bass). We might be in for a "surprise" if you used the cheap class D (without FPPB) from Fosi or Aiyima with one of those preamps. D'Agostino but with less highs, maybe is the combination, the preamp. 👉From the sound of this video, I would not buy either of them, without going into the price.

[@matytinman]

One suffers from excessive bass and the other from treble. When it comes to equalizing, it is always better to do it with the low frequencies because we cannot appreciate the phase change produced when doing so, unlike the high frequencies. But with what they cost, if we have to EQ, we are going badly.

[@SuperVicente1966]

Duelo de titanes. Tremendo aparatazo el D’Agostino, como detalla y abre espacios. Excelente trabajo

[@MrBonger88]

From what I hear , definitely the progression. It sounds more lifelike, fuller. Unfortunately I can’t judge things like soundstage and imaging without being there

[@VirtualHiFi]

Thanks for sharing your feedback ;) 🙂

[@georgibochev6118]

Why levels of preamp are diferent for both amps???

[@bikemike1118]

Even though I‘m not a big fan of D‘Agostino‘s „Captain Nemo-looks“, I do prefer the sound of it over the Gryphon 333.

[@pirelli77]

In order to be able to judge this really well, you also have to have good headphones (or speakers), otherwise you don't have to watch videos like that.

[@omairhassan9895]

just link the all songs play in this video please

[@karlheinzdon5648]

To me, the S350 has more dynamics, the 333 sounds morre natural.

[@ottosato]

D'Agostino for sure! More articulate and define.

[@VirtualHiFi]

Thanks for sharing :)

[@supabayes3284]

Dan Dagostino for me. It has more density especially for midrange and upper bass. Gryphon sounded thinner and less dynamic.

[@VirtualHiFi]

Thanks for your feedback ;)

[@whitelotus_zero]

Serious question: Do audiophiles start listening to sound instead of music AFTER they buy their fancy rig or did they always have an audiophilic streak so to speak 🤔 I have a huge mistrust to those that do not demo something other than this type “genre music”. And I have yet to hear these fancy systems deliver any deeper emotional connection, as I start to suspect, like many others already understood, it is beyond the point.

[@iikatinggangsengii2471]

for me i used to just enjoy what i usually watch/ listen, and learned along way as for now yeah guess its correct, i listen to the device quality most often

[@louv4437]

To be honest they sounded very similar I just felt you got slightly more bass from Gryphon

[@iikatinggangsengii2471]

nothing beats large speakers

[@marktran630]

Both are very capable amps. Bang for the buck (if you can call it that) is the Gryphon as it does not require another pre-amp. Sound wise, it is subject to personal taste. Money no object, I would take the D'Agostino.

[@buzzwordy9951]

I choose Fosi Za3 and qualio speakers. Skip the expensive amps.

[@VirtualHiFi]

Thanks for your vote 😄

[@Michael-y3l9m]

​@@VirtualHiFiremember the old saying that..."The devil is in the detail" gryphon named the 333 accordingly because you can hear so much more decay, the Sound has a richer fuller, a more emersive sound and is fare less fatiguing to the ears live im sure, the devil "diablo" wins hands down imo and the Qualio q's are really special loudspeakers. "real hifi" and the room sounds nice in ear "it shure does". Great review and thanks for sharing 👍

[@aruth51485]

What’s your thoughts on the 333 having a fan inside?

[@VirtualHiFi]

if it's there I did not hear a thing ;)

[@aruth51485]

For sure there is a fan inside but in an interview when they were showing it off they said there think it would not be running unless you install the phono option or the DAC. Not sure I would buy a model that runs a fan inside. I prefer all heat sinks to do the job. Do you have an opinion on fans inside equipment? I have not seen many to compare.

[@tibortoth9254]

What is the music format, CD, vinyl? I need to if you want me to subscribe...

[@RAMIRO61FERNANDES]

Excelent!

[@AdiMaco]

We have no competition here. D'Agostino is on a higher plane of sound reproduction.

[@VirtualHiFi]

Thanks for sharing your choice 😄

[@quant2011]

betwee these two amps, i would choose NAT Audio magma.

[@VirtualHiFi]

Thanks for your vote 😊

[@REX4340]

I think this is the first time your system sounds like real instruments😊

[@libertyss32]

Really? You sure it isnt because you are looking at one of the most beautiful amps ever produced?

[@REX4340]

@@libertyss32 questioning people's listening impressions is ignorant behaviour

[@ramlord6669]

Naughty you are 🔥🐹🔥

[@libertyss32]

@@REX4340 go to sleep

[@iikatinggangsengii2471]

yeah kind of miss highend sound

[@davorcoha7806]

Excellent video!! S350 is winner.

[@Dododaler]

D'Agostino Progression S350 FOR ME, THX

[@fatdoi003]

not quite fair with you comparing a Gryphon integrated amp to a D'Agostino power amp.... you should've either get a Gryphon Antileon stereo power amp or D'Agostino Progression int amp

[@steveboone1569]

Difficult to compare.. an integrated and a separate. 333 is not to lush, round, warm but seems more accurate, less sugar coated. In have an essence class A that seems to be ‘ in between’ both although difficult viz youtube… a comparison with an antillion evo would be more interesting although also class a

[@VirtualHiFi]

Thanks for your vote ☺️

[@danielbrrio]

S350 is more neutral and airy than the 333 which is more nasal. 333 even has more bass, but it's a little uncontrolled than normal for my taste.

[@VirtualHiFi]

Thanks for sharing your vote 😀

[@user-mvgo]

D'Agostino!

[@VirtualHiFi]

Thanks for your vote ;);

[@labgsm8185]

S350 for me..

[@mediascapes2011]

for a sound demo I would play a little more demanding music, this is just far far far toooo sweet and saucy and shows nothing what your system can do, it's like driving 15km/h with a Ferrari.

[@Negatywny2]

Would be shame if 200$ class D amp blew them out of the water :) Fortunately, only most anemic songs were selected that wouldn't make a 40-year-old pioneer sweat :)

[@VirtualHiFi]

There are some dynamic drum tracks that can make the amp sweat. Sorry no metal that is even reasonably uncompressed in the artlist or epidemic sound found by me ;)

[@Grue_ni]

D'Agostino sounds better 👍🏻

[@xetstex]

My amazon echo pop never sounded so good

[@JoseSantos-uc8cl]

It's a Tie.

[@mekore]

with load this benign its a wash...

[@D1N02]

I don't think the za3's will beat these 😋

[@VirtualHiFi]

you bet ? I had a small listening session and well I'd rather have the fosi than the Dagostino ;) but the test will come later

[@D1N02]

@@VirtualHiFi 😮

[@VirtualHiFi]

Yup will try to do a DAVID vs Goliath AMC comparison soon ;)

[@jasonnewby7358]

diablo 300 vs 333

[@VirtualHiFi]

Not sure I can arrange the 300 still. This is yet too small channel to get everything I wish I could test ;)

[@АлександрЗябликов-щ1я]

300

[@АлександрПопов-и8з2м]

Что то не слышно разницы, хотя она должна быт

[@baikal888]

Diablo 333 is better.

[@erichubbs5896]

D'Agostino is the obvious choice for my ears.

[@VirtualHiFi]

Thanks for sharing

[@stuartm137]

100k of equipment and you play elevator jazz. Seriously.

[@VirtualHiFi]

sorry that is a game of YT at the moment. there are no rules and copyright blocks happen constantly. some channels use some tracks and in their county it's working fine, some have the same tracks blocked instantly. On this channel I do reviews of other brands and in order to be fair and keep everything legal I only use music that I have rights to use. Apparently YT is working for some better solution for the creators but not sure when it will be legal to use the music and have a 100% certainty that the video will not be taken down after 2 months.

[@stephanlazarz1921]

1st one.

[@IvicaMarusevic]

Air on the G String - Johannes Bornlof: 12:42~14:12 is the worst trash I HAVE EVER HEARD! It's really ridiculous to be used as test track...

[@stephanlazarz1921]

Jazz sucks.