Gryphon Tabu Century speaker amplifer clone first look!

[@edverbeek6292]

Looking forward to the comparison

[@mattmiller4978]

These reviews are awesome. Have a good vacation from all these packages arriving!

[@k4syx]

@@mattmiller4978 Thank you!!

[@Uraim]

4:34 i have used Samwha caps, they are from asia,I used those to recap my Pioneer SA7800 unit, i got 63V 47uf and lower caps, this was in +-50volt power supply, i thoiught, okay lets make a headroom by using 63volt caps instead of 50volts, and i recapped my unit, i just left the main filters there just because they were measuring ok. Then i used the unit, for like 2weeks, those caps started bulging while they had like 48volts on a 63v rated caps, and it wasnt audio way that it can peek up to 63volts... So if you do see samwha caps big like those 6800uf ones will last 1-2years, but if you see those small in it, then run in the opposite side, because you will not gonna notice but those can leak early, they can go bang while they not even reached rated voltage, i tried it, 63volt samwha cap did go bang on 56volts, it scared the hell out of me... So i decided that i will get some Elite caps, that still good! Im sorry to tell you, but the built of this amplifier, may been counterfitted, remember it came from china where standards are under carpet. What i mean by that? So im gonna do an opinion about it: The output transistors may be fakes, MT200 transistors not really a thing anymore, and if you find genuine ones, then they will ask minimum 25 bucks if not 50 for each. You mentioned Texas Instrument semiconductors, since it came from china, it well be a cheap copy, since transistor manufacturers doesnt care much about meeting the standard of any genuine manufacturer in china. About the transformer, i see the primary coils, under which look like a single very thin foil that looks like a fire hazzard for me, i recently done a Toroid transformer with a proper insulating. The chassis, the boards, cables, some smaller caps and the samwha main filters looks ok, but you may wanna avoid the smaller samwha caps, they may gonna go rogue after some use!! I would rather get any other amplifier that was made back in the day, even if its have some issues and needs some work on it done. I'm sorry man, but for me, it isnt too great 💜

[@k4syx]

@@Uraim Hi! Thanks for the info on Samwhas, As I've said I've seen them on some other power supplies, but they went on my "replace me" list anyway. The thing is that the amp as a whole is priced so well, that even if I'd have to replace every single cap there that's still a very good deal. I'm using the burn in time as a kind of reliability test, since the amps I buy are working 24/7 for a week or more then. Thanks again!

[@Uraim]

@@k4syx thats great, i do burn in test with my amp too, since i dont have genuine output transistors. I use a 200Watt bulb in a dim bulb tester, because i dont really trust those PMC transistors i got, planned to replace those with something better.

[@cobar5342]

Looks good so far. It will be interesting to see how it goes over time

[@k4syx]

@@cobar5342 it will be playing 24/7 for at least a week, so that's a nice stability and reliability test before listening sessions:)

[@gino3286]

Hi lovely amp indeed and thanks for the always excellent review i see at 3:43 some space for slightly wider and taller caps This is where better capacitance plays an important role I see that they are 12 and the cost will be important but better caps mean less noise therefore more sonic details The way this amp is built is sublime

[@k4syx]

@@gino3286 yes absolutely agree. All of them are modders and servicemans dream, clean modular build with lots of space inside. I've told this once in review of D5Pro or MFA1, that the price for them is so good, that even if I would have to replace every single cap inside with something better I would still be happy. And they sound really good as they are, so in some free time we can grow them to be even better!

[@gino3286]

@@k4syx hi thank you for your very kind and valuable reply and advice I like the fact that the two boards are identical as they should and not mirroring each other The most expensive parts should be case mains transformers and big caps That is where fake parts could be found Capacitance in the power supply keeps the noise down and provides a reserve of power for music peaks I will wait for your final judgement on the Dartzeel another great amp Kind regards Gino

[@ChicagoRob2]

Hope it sounds as good as it looks.

[@k4syx]

@@ChicagoRob2 yes me too, that's the problem with these, I have yet to see one that's bad. On the other hand before I will order anything, I read, I read and again I read anything I can on them and originals on the web, to get only the best models

[@ChicagoRob2]

@@k4syx I’ve often been tempted to try out one of the “scaffolding” amps. It’s like point to point wiring taken to the extreme.

[@k4syx]

@@ChicagoRob2 yes I'm also wondering if there's real difference, I would want to try such a device in some point in time. They look elegant, and I can see reason in using something thicker, better quality and shielded/insulated than PCB tracks. It makes sense, but does it make difference? I'd like to learn for myself.

[@NoMoreGrace]

thx for sharing the purchase problems important for other buyers to know

[@k4syx]

@@NoMoreGrace yes, I have no idea why they did that. Only the shop I linked to was a serious seller.

[@karilindis]

Nice!, looking forward to the review day. Please also include if you can the power usage on standby, on idle, and maybe max. Enjoy your vacations!

[@k4syx]

@@karilindis Thanks! I will! I will get power measurements - maybe except for max power usage. You know, I have neighbors I like :)

[@user-dapeng661]

Anxiously await your review on how it sounds vs FM300a & dh-s108 😂

[@faithhopelove6945]

It should be much much better...Had the FM300a for 2 Weeks......and i was pretty disappointed about the pretty weak Dynamic Performance.

[@clarencehoover6748]

Perhaps put a section of heat shrink tubing over your antenna pointer and heat with blow dryer or heat gun so you can have an insulated pointer for your safety and to avoid accidental circuit damage.

[@k4syx]

@@clarencehoover6748 I will do a proper pointing arrow with a wooden stick :D It will look good and will be completely safe :)

[@2011FM]

Hello dear friend. I have been curious of hearing your final thought on this Gryphon clone, Tabu integrated amplifier. Hope you would soon consider doing a part 1 of your top five preamplifier & power amplifier combination ranking based on your personal choice/preference. This could be a dope for some HiFi Zone fans.

[@k4syx]

Hi! Yes I hav to get back to these I have lined up, problem is I do this as a hobby after my dayjob (thats funding all of this) and it means mostly weekends. My plan is to review them separately and then do price range comparisions to know whats the bes buy in any given price range. It may take a while to get there though :(

[@thinkIndependent2024]

Yes will be waiting

[@thelastofthedinosaurs]

I am curious too. Looking for an amp for my Audio Note Speakers.

[@DanielMustran_ND-Pipes]

would be cool if we could hear something from this device... how the critical session went? cheers... and yes PLEASE, MAKE A LIST OF WHERE EACH AMP SITS in your opinion.... :)

[@k4syx]

I like the idea for making web site with list that I will update, though that won't be before January as the Q3 is always crazy busy with my day job. Gryphon is waiting impatiently and I need to get to that one right after FM801 and A70 monos... I know, I know it takes ages, but I do this in my free time - I'm not a full time KZbinr :)

[@DanielMustran_ND-Pipes]

@@k4syx you are doing a great job.... i also do diy and in my system have F5 clone... works great but would love something like FM or Dartzeel, even if 1:1 clones - i certainly can't afford the real deal ...... seriously thinking on that Marantz too - it is dead affordable...... although i don't like the fact that it can get to hot easily.....

[@k4syx]

@@DanielMustran_ND-Pipes thats easily fixable by removing top cover and then its rock stable literally for WEEKS of continuous playing music :)

[@carlsitler9071]

Looks very nice.

[@k4syx]

@@carlsitler9071 yes, very neat, clean and practical build. The PCBs look like somebody actually sit down and though the design through. That seems to be common in these clones and that's a good thing.

[@r423fplip]

Looks pretty good. Need some measurements though.

[@riccitone]

So cool. Crazy how well constructed these are for the $. Are you considering doing some cap mods to one of these amps from Ali and compare? Thinking would still be a decent value proposition considering the possibilities 🙏🏼

[@k4syx]

@@riccitone I was thinking about bridging power caps with some MKPs in MF clone, just to check out if it changes anything sonically (some guys on diy forums swear by this). This one may be a candidate for more changes, I'll see how does it sound with stock caps and what would be the cost to get something nicer as resoldering them is easy job

[@benoitbricet8885]

It's not a miracle. If you could order any Hi-Fi directly out of the factory, the prices would be much lower too.

[@k4syx]

@@benoitbricet8885 yes, but still, some of these are cheaper than chassis and transformer cost alone (at least in Europe).. That actually worries me in grander scheme of things happening between China and Western world.

[@BlazSvetlic]

When is full review comming? 🎵

[@k4syx]

@@BlazSvetlic soon, it was waiting in line for fat too long!

[@ruslanmulyk8601]

I had the same issues with chassis. 3 of them were canceled, but 2 were canceled because of missed color - I needed black. I was so angry with them.

[@freeradical6390]

I wonder if they can engrave a custom brand name into the front? Love these reviews! Thanks!

[@k4syx]

@@freeradical6390 Thanks! I think so. I think the cases are made by workshop that specializes in that as - of you'll take a look at holes on the insides of radiators - these seem to be universal builds customized for specific orders.

[@nhegde2]

Thanks for the reviews of the various clones amps and pre-amps. Of all the clone amp and preamps you have reviewed which one(s) is your favorite in terms of sound quality?

[@k4syx]

@@nhegde2 Can't answer that yet as I have 4 amps more to review:) But at the end I will pick one for my main rig, however there's a chance that I will keep more of them as I begin to understand guys collecting amps. These all are unique and excell in different areas..

[@foblivio]

Would you consider it a basic integrated amp or a power amp with a few extras?

[@k4syx]

@@foblivio the latter, it's power amp with simple input selection and volume pot in the signal path, nothing fancy

[@daudibrahim7877]

Maybe you can do a video on changing the capacitors

[@k4syx]

I will when I'll get to that, promise!

[@Gypsyking64530]

Goldmund M29(boya) vs Gryphon Tabu(Transaudio)which sounds better? ( your first impression)

[@k4syx]

Id say, without any direct comparison, that M29 is better. But its like 2 or 3 times more expensive so I would expect that. And I love the functionality too.

[@Milorae]

I am very anxious to see this review. I am holding my finger over buy button and I'd like your input on this exact model. It would be very much appreciated. Hope you'll able to be able to post it soon. Also, could you answer a question please? I am very new to this and I am just trying to get a really decent amp for small amounts of money. Right now I am having an output source from my pc over rca (asus xonar sound card) and balanced outputs or 1/4" from my rme babyface. Will this amp be enough for me to just plug rca from my pc into it and fire away? Or should I buy something extra?

[@k4syx]

I also have big expectations here, the review will be up (should be) within two weeks as I am starting to do things in FIFO order now ;) Youd be able to plug RCAs directly with no problem, but I would really, really recommend getting some better source for it. All the clones so far were excellent and I have no reason to believe this one will be bad apple, and all of them excel with same class equipement.

[@Milorae]

@@k4syx Thank you so much for the answer. The problem is that I'm trying to get somewhat acceptable setup for my desktop, that's the only time I listen to the music, so my pc is my only source. I've pulled the plug and bought mf a1 today and ordered kef q150 yesterday. I am not chasing stars here, I'm just trying to have something affordable and decent at the same time. (i'm upgrading cheap chinese acive speaker that cost me $70) I figured fm a1 is so cheap rn (got it for like $170 w/ shipping), it will be useful anyway. What would you recommend to add to my setup (budget around $200-300) if anything? Thank you again. Your conent is amazing, I binged like your whole channel :D

[@k4syx]

@@Milorae Thank you :) I'd get some good DAC between your PC and MF A1. With that kind of budget go for Semibreve I reviewed some time ago. I have recently done two videos on new SMSL DACs that are twice the price and this little Semibreve DAC bests them by quite large margin. And it can be upgraded with linear power supply, better opamps (so you can also tune it to your preferences) and this little cap brick from Sonic Scientific that I've measured recently. Its so good that it gives me like 90% of sound quality that my Gustard X26 Pro has. I think I will do a revisit video on that one.

[@chunwinglau3471]

Home insurance will not cover if the fire happened because of equipment has no UL, CE etc safety certification. All the electrical components, especially transformer, even wires has to pass the safety standards. Never buy them from unknown source, without traceability.

[@michaelcampbell9459]

Has anyone ever heard of a home fire caused by faulty audio gear that is not tube based, just curious?

[@jonfoss3437]

My adcom has 4 big ass capacitors, when i turn it off with the preamp on, it plays music for about a minute , can this thing do that?? Probly not

[@k4syx]

@@jonfoss3437 Some of the clones do that, but that's more complicated, because it means there is no cutoff relay that protects the speakers. With relay, the music stops immediately because speakers are disconnected internally even before caps go flat. When there's no relay, they keep going on untill there's no more juice in power reservoir.

[@jluis5188]

UNFORTUNATE BRAND NAMING😂😂UNLESS YOUR INTO THAT🎉DO THEY MAKE A + MODEL!

[@peter.pan53]

Warum haben fast alle chinesischen Vorstufen oder Vollverstärker nur maxinal 4 Eingänge ? Eingangswahlschalter mit mehr Eingängen und mehr Chinchbuchsen würden dann max. 50 Euro mehr kosten.

[@k4syx]

Actually, that's a good question. Never thought about it. On the other hand, I think most people would need about 3 or 4: CD, DAC, AVR (maybe) and maybe some console. And in this setup DAC would serve as port multiplier for digital inputs. But that's a good question.

[@crazyprayingmantis5596]

Can someone explain exactly what a "clone" is? Is it just cosmetics or are the parts also copied

[@k4syx]

@@crazyprayingmantis5596 These are amps that are based on well established circuits that have expired patents (if there were any). From what I see they are ranging from copies down to PCB and look - sometimes,if available, the parts will also be the same when possible - to amps that are based on circuit diagrams that were base for new PCBs, sometimes using some new parts, and sometimes with some changes (like adding DC servo to DartZeel).

[@crazyprayingmantis5596]

@@k4syx Much appreciated 👍

[@Reyfox1]

Those "red" and "blue" cables.... another review coming?

[@k4syx]

@@Reyfox1 Yes, I got distracted, but there's a pile of cables waiting for review:)

[@Reyfox1]

@@k4syx can't wait for the review! Enjoy the vacation!

[@alaingingras7224]

Seems many Amplifiers share the same architectures...

[@k4syx]

Yes these are redesigned (PCBs) for diy builds, and some things are common as they work best. Heatsinks and amp boards on the sides, power supply section in the middle (sometimes with cap banks on the sides. And slow start board in the middle (usually the same as you can buy them as ready made modules)

[@shannonwilliams6623]

It looks good to the eye, but the parts are junk. These china things overheat, and the power output distorts when playing, I guess they are ok playing at low volume levels, but moderate listening levels too loud, it cant handle it. And they either need a fan on them and or the lid cover removed. Not efficient in heat dissipation, more power is generated into heat then into amplification.

[@k4syx]

@@shannonwilliams6623 well will see about that! :)

[@lapyiptai5106]

有型無實😂😂😂😂😂

[@k4syx]

Yes, a clone - I think what matters is how it sounds though, as all in all - its just a tool.

[@BostonMike68]

I have been seeing these on alli express and have been wondering how they sound. I don't care if it's a knock off or clone I just want the best bang for the buck 😊

[@k4syx]

@@BostonMike68 exactly. I won't be flashing this to reporters in some gala events, I will be just listening and enjoying music!

[@BostonMike68]

​@@k4syxhow do you like it? How does it sound. I was looking at denefrips amps , but trans audio caught my eyes because of the price and looks like a solid build

[@barskuleli8612]

Looks like waste of money...

[@LexusAllTerrain1]

Why

[@barskuleli8612]

@LexusAllTerrain1 It never can be like real Gryphon. Clones, imitations, fakes are always waste of money. Better to buy more humble real brand devices. It is like wear fake Rolex. It looks like Rolex but you always know it is not. It never gives satisfaction to you. I don't know how much this is but for about 1000$ there are lots of very good real brand amplifiers in market.

[@barskuleli8612]

@LexusAllTerrain1 And also it is obviously seems like produced with very cheap components. It looks far far away from Gryphon.

[@LexusAllTerrain1]

@@barskuleli8612 like Schiit Audio?

[@barskuleli8612]

@@LexusAllTerrain1 I didn't mention any brand...

[@jurgenfahrion9516]

Hallo Freunde ich benutze seit langer Zeit Chinaclone bin mehr als zufrieden 😊😊😊😊Lg Jürgen

[@k4syx]

@@jurgenfahrion9516 Thanks Jürgen!