Gryphon Colosseum Stereo v Antileon Evo Stereo

newbiecapri

Member
Dec 20, 2019
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Hi...sorry, i put a kind of double negative. The Evo + SF is a sound that would be consistent with Tube + Evo. (In my post, I had said that Evo would not be inconsistent with choosing a tubed amp. I should have said choosing Evo would be consistent with choosing Tube amplification.)

Hope that makes it clearer. Evo is a good choice if you wish to go for a sound that is Tubed + SF and want all-out assault grunt and bass power.
Thanks for the clarification.
My concern though, do you guys feel the Antileon EVO is an upgrade over the Essence Stereo Or its a sideway move ?
I have heard the Essence a few times and its quiet good. But my curiosity takes the better of me and ask if the bigger brother would bring me more to the plate.
 

Thieliste

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Aug 31, 2014
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Thanks for the clarification.
My concern though, do you guys feel the Antileon EVO is an upgrade over the Essence Stereo Or its a sideway move ?
I have heard the Essence a few times and its quiet good. But my curiosity takes the better of me and ask if the bigger brother would bring me more to the plat
It's simple Essence stereo is a downgrade move VS Evo stereo.
Essence Monos is a sideway move VS Evo stereo.
Keep in mind that if you value mostly warmth and engagement you will need a tube linestage with the Essence amps, VAC and Aries Cerat come to mind.
With the Evo you don't necessarily need a tube linestage, CH Precision L1 would be fantastic with the Evo stereo very liquid.
 

Thieliste

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Aug 31, 2014
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My Essence combo suggestion would be Essence Monos + Aries Cerat Impera ll Ref.
Just my 2 cents.
 

newbiecapri

Member
Dec 20, 2019
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It's simple Essence stereo is a downgrade move VS Evo stereo.
Essence Monos is a sideway move VS Evo stereo.
Keep in mind that if you value mostly warmth and engagement you will need a tube linestage with the Essence amps, VAC and Aries Cerat come to mind.
With the Evo you don't necessarily need a tube linestage, CH Precision L1 would be fantastic with the Evo stereo very liquid.
Thanks for this info...
I think I can believe the Tube pre + Essence stereo combo.
However having heard the Essence pre & power = quiet impressive as well, however on some recordings it can sound a "tad" bright but still very much listenable.
Whats your take on the Essence Pre + ANTIleon Evo combo ?
That's what I thought also on the Essence hierarchy vs the Antileon Evo.
Antileon Evo costing almost twice as much, it has to have something to give more than what the Essence can give.
Thank you again for this nice discussion.
 

Thieliste

Well-Known Member
Aug 31, 2014
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Thanks for this info...
I think I can believe the Tube pre + Essence stereo combo.
However having heard the Essence pre & power = quiet impressive as well, however on some recordings it can sound a "tad" bright but still very much listenable.
Whats your take on the Essence Pre + ANTIleon Evo combo ?
That's what I thought also on the Essence hierarchy vs the Antileon Evo.
Antileon Evo costing almost twice as much, it has to have something to give more than what the Essence can give.
Thank you again for this nice discussion.
Well the linstage used with the Antileon is the Zena it's the same as the Essence pre just the chassis look that changes if i recall.
 

Thieliste

Well-Known Member
Aug 31, 2014
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Vac Pre-amp / CJ/ ARC is more accessible to me than Aries Cerat..
The Aries Cerat Incito S is not too expensive i don't know if it's within your budget otherwise VAC is good too.
I'm not fan of ARC but that's just me.
 
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