Gryphon Apex Power Amplifier

Description

Overview

The Apex is the flagship power amplifier from Gryphon, introduced in 2022 and offered as a two-channel Apex Stereo or as Apex Mono monoblocks. It continues Gryphon’s pure Class A tradition, drawing on the company’s experience with the Antileon and Mephisto to reach a new level of power and refinement. For the reference system, it is Gryphon’s ultimate expression of amplification.

Design & build

Each chassis is a constrained-layer-damped aluminium structure in Gryphon’s deep-black “Nordic Noir” finish, built from non-magnetic materials to minimise electrical interference. True pure Class A demands heavy transformers, large heatsinks and substantial parts, and the Apex is engineered accordingly: Apex Stereo weighs 202kg net, while a pair of Apex Mono totals some 900 pounds.

Sound & performance

Apex Stereo delivers 210W per channel into 8 ohms, doubling to 420W into 4 ohms, 800W into 2 ohms and 1490W into 1 ohm. With such reserves the amplifier is effectively indifferent to loudspeaker load: no reactive impedance materially affects its performance, so it delivers its full quality regardless of the speaker it drives. Measured noise is below -86dBV (A-weighted) with THD+N under 0.02% and a bandwidth of 0.3Hz–330kHz.

Key features

Each Apex chassis carries 64 very-high-current bipolar output transistors (128 per Mono pair), a capacitor bank of 1,040,000µF (over one farad per chassis) and two bespoke 2000VA toroidal transformers, with four per Mono pair. The design uses zero global negative feedback, and an output impedance of just 0.015 ohms gives the amplifier a firm grip on the loudspeaker.

Technology

Pure Class A operation, a Gryphon hallmark since 1991, is chosen because no other topology matches its sonic purity, at the cost of weight, heat and expense that the Apex accepts in full. The absence of global negative feedback, the very large power reserves and the low output impedance together allow the amplifier to combine effortless power with delicacy across the range.

Specifications

Type: pure Class A power amplifier (Stereo or Mono). Apex Stereo output: 210W/8 ohms, 420W/4 ohms, 800W/2 ohms, 1490W/1 ohm. Apex Mono output: 225W/8 ohms, 450W/4 ohms, 880W/2 ohms, 1690W/1 ohm. Output devices: 64 bipolar transistors per chassis. Capacitance: 1,040,000µF per chassis. Transformers: 2 × 2000VA per chassis. Output impedance: 0.015 ohms. Bandwidth: 0.3Hz–330kHz. Weight: 202kg (Stereo, net). Made in Denmark.

Who it’s for

The Apex is for the listener assembling a reference system around demanding, full-range loudspeakers, who wants an amplifier that will never run short of power or control. It suits a dedicated listening room where its scale, mass and heat can be accommodated, partnered with an equally capable preamplifier and source.

Why buy from Hidden Home Technology

An amplifier of this class rewards careful matching to the loudspeaker and room. We can advise on partnering equipment, arrange a demonstration, and handle delivery, siting and setup across the South. Speak to our team to arrange a listen or to specify Apex Stereo or Apex Mono for your system.