Gryphon Antileon Revelation Help

[agencal]

Hi everyone. I ama about to buy some electronics to drive my Estelon X Diamond Signature Edition. I tried MSB Premier and S500 but found to sterile any bright for my taste altough it had the biggest holographic soundstage and detail i ever heard.
Anyways, now my dealer offered Gryphon for me but in my budget i can my 3 combinations. Considering that i am a fan of Huge Soundstage and Holography which one sould do the job better? (ok i have a dedicated trated room and have a good speaker setup) By the way i will use my beloved Mola Mola Tambaqui as roon end point and stream qobuz on roon.
I do not have all the components at the same time to compare but i had some gryphon class a stuff and i loved them at that time.
1. Zena Pre + Antileon Revelation Stereo
2. Commander Pre + Antileon Revelation Stereo
3. Zena Pre Antileon Revelation Monoblocks

Thank you for your time.

 

[Down Under]

Hi everyone. I ama about to buy some electronics to drive my Estelon X Diamond Signature Edition. I tried MSB Premier and S500 but found to sterile any bright for my taste altough it had the biggest holographic soundstage and detail i ever heard.
Anyways, now my dealer offered Gryphon for me but in my budget i can my 3 combinations. Considering that i am a fan of Huge Soundstage and Holography which one sould do the job better? (ok i have a dedicated trated room and have a good speaker setup) By the way i will use my beloved Mola Mola Tambaqui as roon end point and stream qobuz on roon.
I do not have all the components at the same time to compare but i had some gryphon class a stuff and i loved them at that time.
1. Zena Pre + Antileon Revelation Stereo
2. Commander Pre + Antileon Revelation Stereo
3. Zena Pre Antileon Revelation Monoblocks

Thank you for your time.

Definitely option 2.
Always get the best preamp you can and the Commander is outstanding.
Big Gryphon fan here.

 

[agencal]

Definitely option 2.
Always get the best preamp you can and the Commander is outstanding.
Big Gryphon fan here.

Thanks God to find you then )

Some says ''if you are after soundstage and musicallity go for Pandora,Commander is too analytical and cold for you'' I tried MSB Premier dac directly to MSB s500 amp and it was like ear bleedingly bright. Afraid to have that sound again.

 

[Down Under]

Thanks God to find you then )

Some says ''if you are after soundstage and musicallity go for Pandora,Commander is too analytical and cold for you'' I tried MSB Premier dac directly to MSB s500 amp and it was like ear bleedingly bright. Afraid to have that sound again.

I agree with you about the MSB.

 

[agencal]

I agree with you about the MSB.

And what about pandora to commander?

 

[Down Under]

And what about pandora to commander?

If you can afford the Commander head in that direction.

 

[JiminGa]

Hi everyone. I ama about to buy some electronics to drive my Estelon X Diamond Signature Edition. I tried MSB Premier and S500 but found to sterile any bright for my taste altough it had the biggest holographic soundstage and detail i ever heard.
Anyways, now my dealer offered Gryphon for me but in my budget i can my 3 combinations. Considering that i am a fan of Huge Soundstage and Holography which one sould do the job better? (ok i have a dedicated trated room and have a good speaker setup) By the way i will use my beloved Mola Mola Tambaqui as roon end point and stream qobuz on roon.
I do not have all the components at the same time to compare but i had some gryphon class a stuff and i loved them at that time.
1. Zena Pre + Antileon Revelation Stereo
2. Commander Pre + Antileon Revelation Stereo
3. Zena Pre Antileon Revelation Monoblocks

Thank you for your time.

I've spent a lot of time with Zena, Pandora and Commander. I am very familiar with Mephisto/Evo/Apex stereo vs mono blocks so I have a good idea about what investing in monos yields.. Obviously I have not heard the Revelation yet but have heard very good things from someone who has. I have one on order myself. For me spending extra money on the preamp vs monos gets you a lot more bang for the buck. The Commander is awesome but it is dead neutral. As it should be. It's not cold or sterile. In fact paired with a Revelation it should be perfect. The Evo retains a little bit of the richness of previous Antileons and I'm told the Revelation is more like a combo of Evo and baby Apex. Together it will be hard to beat.

 

[agencal]

I've spent a lot of time with Zena, Pandora and Commander. I am very familiar with Mephisto/Evo/Apex stereo vs mono blocks so I have a good idea about what investing in monos yields.. Obviously I have not heard the Revelation yet but have heard very good things from someone who has. I have one on order myself. For me spending extra money on the preamp vs monos gets you a lot more bang for the buck. The Commander is awesome but it is dead neutral. As it should be. It's not cold or sterile. In fact paired with a Revelation it should be perfect. The Evo retains a little bit of the richness of previous Antileons and I'm told the Revelation is more like a combo of Evo and baby Apex. Together it will be hard to beat.

Great insight thank you. I am leaning tworrds to Comöander + Reveration camp. As i understand you right having. a commander in the expence of having monos is rhe right way to have better holographic soundstage and a better overall sound character?

 

[JiminGa]

Great insight thank you. I am leaning tworrds to Comöander + Reveration camp. As i understand you right having. a commander in the expence of having monos is rhe right way to have better holographic soundstage and a better overall sound character?

Yes.

 

[Ron Resnick]

I've spent a lot of time with Zena, Pandora and Commander. I am very familiar with Mephisto/Evo/Apex stereo vs mono blocks so I have a good idea about what investing in monos yields.. Obviously I have not heard the Revelation yet but have heard very good things from someone who has. I have one on order myself. For me spending extra money on the preamp vs monos gets you a lot more bang for the buck. The Commander is awesome but it is dead neutral. As it should be. It's not cold or sterile. In fact paired with a Revelation it should be perfect. The Evo retains a little bit of the richness of previous Antileons and I'm told the Revelation is more like a combo of Evo and baby Apex. Together it will be hard to beat.

My understanding is that historically the Antileon line has been the warmest/smoothest sounding of the several lines of Gryphon amplifiers. I am hoping the Revelation is consistent with this history.

What have you heard specifically about the sound of the new Antileon Revelation mono?

 

[JiminGa]

My understanding is that historically the Antileon line has been the warmest/smoothest sounding of the several lines of Gryphon amplifiers. I am hoping the Revelation is consistent with this history.

What have you heard specifically about the sound of the new Antileon Revelation mono?

Hi Ron. No, I think the Antileon line will continue with this “warmer” character but I think this has been overblown since the Evo came out. I would not necessarily use “smooth” to characterize an Evo but I know what you mean. I’ve heard that the sound has taken a step closer to the Apex sound probably due to its sharing the use of the same transistors now though there are a number of other internal changes as well such as a new circuit board and input buffer design which would contribute. I was told that it is a really great sounding amp. I trust what I heard but until i hear it for myself I can’t say for sure. I ordered one to find out. Love Gryphon and for me the Commander Antileon pairing is perfect synergy with absolute quiet resolution in a real flesh and bone presentation

 

[Down Under]

Hi Ron. No, I think the Antileon line will continue with this “warmer” character but I think this has been overblown since the Evo came out. I would not necessarily use “smooth” to characterize an Evo but I know what you mean. I’ve heard that the sound has taken a step closer to the Apex sound probably due to its sharing the use of the same transistors now though there are a number of other internal changes as well such as a new circuit board and input buffer design which would contribute. I was told that it is a really great sounding amp. I trust what I heard but until i hear it for myself I can’t say for sure. I ordered one to find out. Love Gryphon and for me the Commander Antileon pairing is perfect synergy with absolute quiet resolution in a real flesh and bone presentation

Flesh and bone is the key.

 

[JiminGa]

Flesh and bone is the key.

Fully agree.

 

[Ron Resnick]

Hi Ron. No, I think the Antileon line will continue with this “warmer” character but I think this has been overblown since the Evo came out. I would not necessarily use “smooth” to characterize an Evo but I know what you mean. I’ve heard that the sound has taken a step closer to the Apex sound probably due to its sharing the use of the same transistors now though there are a number of other internal changes as well such as a new circuit board and input buffer design which would contribute. I was told that it is a really great sounding amp. I trust what I heard but until i hear it for myself I can’t say for sure. I ordered one to find out. Love Gryphon and for me the Commander Antileon pairing is perfect synergy with absolute quiet resolution in a real flesh and bone presentation

Thank you.

 

[audioguy3107]

I've spent a lot of time with Zena, Pandora and Commander. I am very familiar with Mephisto/Evo/Apex stereo vs mono blocks so I have a good idea about what investing in monos yields.. Obviously I have not heard the Revelation yet but have heard very good things from someone who has. I have one on order myself. For me spending extra money on the preamp vs monos gets you a lot more bang for the buck. The Commander is awesome but it is dead neutral. As it should be. It's not cold or sterile. In fact paired with a Revelation it should be perfect. The Evo retains a little bit of the richness of previous Antileons and I'm told the Revelation is more like a combo of Evo and baby Apex. Together it will be hard to beat.

Hi Jim, I'm also considering the Antileon Revelation as well (currently have the D. D'agostino S250). We're in the process of building a new home which will be completed sometime around January/February which is the "go" date to have everything in place. We currently have the electrical run so that monos will work the best in the room, but of course the Revelation Monos will set you back a bit. I see your handle.......do you happen to be in the Atlanta Area? I don't think there are any Gryphon dealers here any longer now that Evolution lost the line unless I'm mistaken.

- Buck

 

[JiminGa]

Hi Jim, I'm also considering the Antileon Revelation as well (currently have the D. D'agostino S250). We're in the process of building a new home which will be completed sometime around January/February which is the "go" date to have everything in place. We currently have the electrical run so that monos will work the best in the room, but of course the Revelation Monos will set you back a bit. I see your handle.......do you happen to be in the Atlanta Area? I don't think there are any Gryphon dealers here any longer now that Evolution lost the line unless I'm mistaken.

- Buck

Yes I am in Milton. I owned the s250 for awhile. I had replaced an Antileon Signature with it. I literally thought something was wrong with my speakers with the s259. I called Andy Payor. I had the amp checked. When I replaced it with the Evo all the magic returned. If you go from an s250 to a stereo Revelation it will be HUGE. I use The Sound Environment in Omaha. They were just here for 3 days tuning my system.

 

[audioguy3107]

Yes I am in Milton. I owned the s250 for awhile. I had replaced an Antileon Signature with it. I literally thought something was wrong with my speakers with the s259. I called Andy Payor. I had the amp checked. When I replaced it with the Evo all the magic returned. If you go from an s250 to a stereo Revelation it will be HUGE. I use The Sound Environment in Omaha. They were just here for 3 days tuning my system.

Wow, that’s awesome! I know Zach there quite well, that’s who got me the Momemtum HD preamp……especially since Alan at Hifi lost the line last year. I’ve been talking Zach throughout our build. One of my wife’s requirements in the new library was no amplifier or cables in the middle of the room so monos it is!! I’m over off Hamilton Mill near Buford, love to see the Gryphon gear in place if ever possible!

- Buck

 

[JiminGa]

Wow, that’s awesome! I know Zach there quite well, that’s who got me the Momemtum HD preamp……especially since Alan at Hifi lost the line last year. I’ve been talking Zach throughout our build. One of my wife’s requirements in the new library was no amplifier or cables in the middle of the room so monos it is!! I’m over off Hamilton Mill near Buford, love to see the Gryphon gear in place if ever possible!

- Buck

I know Zach well. He spent 3 days here a couple of years ago with Todd and Gale setting up my Orions. I’ll message you when they come back out here in November/December.

 

[audioguy3107]

I know Zach well. He spent 3 days here a couple of years ago with Todd and Gale setting up my Orions. I’ll message you when they come back out here in November/December.

That would be great Jim, really appreciate it, that’s the time of year I’ll be looking to get everything squared away. Look forward to your impressions.

 

[LL21]

I've spent a lot of time with Zena, Pandora and Commander. I am very familiar with Mephisto/Evo/Apex stereo vs mono blocks so I have a good idea about what investing in monos yields.. Obviously I have not heard the Revelation yet but have heard very good things from someone who has. I have one on order myself. For me spending extra money on the preamp vs monos gets you a lot more bang for the buck. The Commander is awesome but it is dead neutral. As it should be. It's not cold or sterile. In fact paired with a Revelation it should be perfect. The Evo retains a little bit of the richness of previous Antileons and I'm told the Revelation is more like a combo of Evo and baby Apex. Together it will be hard to beat.

This makes a lot of sense to me as someone who has owned Antileon, Colosseum and Mephisto over a 12 year period. A huge admirer of their sound and a level of familiarity with how these amps differ and certainly have enough experience with Gryphon to understand JiminGa's advice.