State of the industry - Roy Gregory Editorial

[andromedaaudio]

IMO if it’s dark it’s also wrong…

The memphisto measures flat from 0 - 400 khz - 3 db .
I m pretty sure that if a memphisto sounds dark in ones system , it ll be mainly a speaker issue .

 

[morricab]

The memphisto measures flat from 0 - 400 khz - 3 db .
I m pretty sure that if a memphisto sounds dark in ones system , it ll be mainly a speaker issue .

This just tells me you have no idea why an amp sounds dark or not.

 

[MarcelNL]

I have yet to see a measurment that predicts or even correlates with the voicing of an amp, or speaker...IMO freq is the least of your worries, too high neg feedback, dampening factor etc perhaps. What about Transient Inter Modulation?

 

[John T]

Dark is not a Mephisto Sonic Attribute. Neutral/Transparent. If it presents itself as Dark, its something else, NOT the Mephisto.

 

[microstrip]

I have yet to see a measurment that predicts or even correlates with the voicing of an amp, or speaker...IMO freq is the least of your worries, too high neg feedback, dampening factor etc perhaps. What about Transient Inter Modulation?

Sometimes some specific measurements can show a correlation with some aspects of the voicing of an amplifier - but no way predict its sound quality. Any way, the frequency response is since long known to be mostly a decorative/marketing measurement, except for amplifiers with restrained bandwidth or designed to imitate a camel ...

 

[caesar]

IMO if it’s dark it’s also wrong…

But you ca use the tipped - up Nordost cables to get it right

 

[caesar]

I wonder what M. Fremer thinks of J. Valin's Walker turntable. Is he still using it? Magico and Wilson are well represented at TAS.

I also wonder what Fremer really thinks of Kronos. many ,, like the Great Peter Breuninger and Von Schweikert think it’s the “best”, but his silence speaks volumes

 

[andromedaaudio]

When the digital sounds mushy , you need to plug in a thicker power cable .
With the dark sounding gryphon you need to use a bright sounding Nord Ost interlink to balance things out
How ever when you use a wilson speaker you need a dark sounding speaker cable lol,.....

Duh , No wonder newbies get lost completely in the audiophile world lol.

 

[John T]

"With the Dark Sounding Gryphon" ??? What are you talking about? The Antileon is somewhat darker compared to Mephisto/Apex. Too make a blanket statement that Gryphon Amplification is dark, is not accurate at all. Its wrong. The Mephisto is ruthlessly honest. Neutral and Transparent...

 

[morricab]

I also wonder what Fremer really thinks of Kronos. many ,, like the Great Peter Breuninger and Von Schweikert think it’s the “best”, but his silence speaks volumes

It is pretty darn good I have to say

 

[andromedaaudio]

"With the Dark Sounding Gryphon" ??? What are you talking about? The Antileon is somewhat darker compared to Mephisto/Apex. Too make a blanket statement that Gryphon Amplification is dark, is not accurate at all. Its wrong. The Mephisto is ruthlessly honest. Neutral and Transparent...

Lighten up john i was only making a joke .
Ceasar suggested to use the " bright " sounding Nord Ost cable with a dark sounding amp .
Dont blame me i ve never even owned a Gryphon , lol

 

[morricab]

"With the Dark Sounding Gryphon" ??? What are you talking about? The Antileon is somewhat darker compared to Mephisto/Apex. Too make a blanket statement that Gryphon Amplification is dark, is not accurate at all. Its wrong. The Mephisto is ruthlessly honest. Neutral and Transparent...

Ruthless might not be the best of traits…

 

[caesar]

"With the Dark Sounding Gryphon" ??? What are you talking about? The Antileon is somewhat darker compared to Mephisto/Apex. Too make a blanket statement that Gryphon Amplification is dark, is not accurate at all. Its wrong. The Mephisto is ruthlessly honest. Neutral and Transparent...

I think it’s speaker/ system dependent. That’s why I said “some people find it dark”. For example, with tough speaker loads it’s amazing. With vivid giya, it’s INCREDIBLE. Really gets those big side woofers going

 

[John T]

Sorry! I get the humor now! I thought it sounded sarcastic. My stupidity! The Mephisto in my system works for me, hence my surprise.

 

[John T]

@morricab When I say "ruthlessly honest" maybe a bad choice of words. I find the Mephisto gets out of the way of the music or recording. As indicated in my system, in my room which is 30' X 26' X 26H' it works splendidly. With a room this size, with an open loft, you better have an amp with Balls and that has grip...

 

[caesar]

Sorry! I get the humor now! I thought it sounded sarcastic. My stupidity! The Mephisto in my system works for me, hence my surprise.

No John,
Outstanding stuff! I’m a tube guy, with a SET fetish. And Gryphon (and Symphonic Line) are my favorite SS

 

[caesar]

But wanted to be intellectually honest also, since I’m not a slimy reviewer, that in some cases, and for some preferences, guys do find it dark

 

[morricab]

@morricab When I say "ruthlessly honest" maybe a bad choice of words. I find the Mephisto gets out of the way of the music or recording. As indicated in my system, in my room which is 30' X 26' X 26H' it works splendidly. With a room this size, with an open loft, you better have an amp with Balls and that has grip...

Depends how the speaker, how close the speakers are to walls, how far away you sit and how loud you listen. I have found that amps with “balls” often have little else.

 

[John T]

@caesar: I know what you mean I have read "Tube Like" and I have heard "Warm Like". I don't get it or hear any of those characteristics. I play the hell out of this amp on average 6 hours a day. Not once have I thought Dark, Warm, or Tube Like. Its transparent to my delight. Half the stuff we read is BS. How can anyone come up with an accurate sonic observation without listening to the gear for many, many, hours in there room. Listening at a show doesn't tell you much either. I'm really excited about adding the Horizon to my system. Never had a tube component in my life. But I am already building up a nice collection of tubes for the Horizon and its fun learning about the different tubes...

 

[John T]

@morricab: Okay, its a terrible amp and only has Balls, nothing else...