Description
Now, Gryphon Essence takes us closer in the never-ending quest for a more natural and convincing musical illusion. Years of experimentation and extensive research in the fields of circuit topology and component quality and reliability have resulted in the development of an amplifier that impresses immediately with its ability to cruise effortlessly through even the most demanding musical passages, regardless of volume level. As a result of the constant high power reserves available at all times, the Essence simply does not “see” the speaker, so its reactive load cannot degrade amplifier performance. Unlike other high-power amplifiers, Gryphon’s no-compromise, pure Class A topology allows the Essence to offer extreme power reserves on demand, combined with refinement and delicacy in musical presentation.
It is our fundamental philosophy that all electronics in the playback chain must ideally be neutral and not add or subtract anything from the recording, no matter how “attractive” such distortions may be. The Essence is by nature a product for the fortunate few who can afford such a statement, just as it is a product for the increasing number of audiophiles who seek purity in the reproduction of music, a product for music lovers who respect both the musicians and recording engineers enough to refrain from adding or subtracting anything in relation to the original intention of the recording.
Power is the name of the game and the Essence is equipped to take on even the most vicious and nightmarish of loudspeaker loads. The output section uses Sanken bipolar output devices which have demonstrated extreme reliability in addition to outstanding sonic performance. The Essence Stereo employs 10 transistors per channel, while the Essence Monoblock features 20 of these devices per unit. These transistors can be called upon to deliver massive amounts of momentary peak power without overload.
Fully symmetrical input- and gain stages improves transient response, soundstage depth and ambience retrieval.
The separate driver section has its own power supply from individual windings on the custom-made toroidal transformers. Unique mechanical design ensures optimal thermal tracking between drivers and output devices. The driver section features its own generous bank of high quality capacitors.
The power capacitor bank in the Stereo version is an astounding 440,000 µF array of exceptional capacitors, and 880,000 µF in the Monoblock edition, in both versions bypassed by high quality polypropylene capacitors throughout the power supplies.
Global negative feedback is non-existent and DC coupling employs DC servo circuitry. Internal wiring in the signal path is kept to an absolute minimum.
Gryphon Essence utilizes a completely independent power supply for display and control circuits, effectively preventing digital noise generated by these circuits from reaching the amplifier circuits.
The wider view: Gryphon Essence reviews in brief
The Essence is where Gryphon’s line of separate preamplifiers and power amplifiers begins. The stereo power amplifier gives 50 watts a channel in pure Class A into 8 ohms and doubles that into 4, with a dual mono layout and a very large reservoir of capacitance. A link from Gryphon’s preamplifiers can switch it on, and it can also run in a cooler Class AB mode or a high-bias Class A mode with less power.
The three reviews we read all tested it with its partner, the Essence preamplifier. What Hi-Fi? carried Australian Hi-Fi’s review in February 2021 and promised “a tremendously musical and supreme performance”, praising the pure Class A sound and its tone. Tom Lyle of Enjoy the Music heard it drive his large electrostatic speakers without trouble most of the time and found the pair transparent to the source. Alan Sircom of hi-fi+ was the most enthusiastic. He heard authority and first-rate detail and imaging, with the energy to make familiar music sound new, and he found nothing he would call a fault beyond the 45 minutes it takes to reach its best after switching on.
Living with it takes some planning. Class A at this power means a lot of heat and a heavy chassis, which What Hi-Fi? and Tom Lyle both mention, and with his power-hungry speakers at very high levels Lyle’s own far more powerful amplifier went louder. Sircom adds that anyone who likes a mellow, laid-back sound may find it too expressive and upfront.
It suits a listener who prizes the Class A sound over sheer volume and wants a Gryphon system that can grow. Its natural partner is the Essence preamplifier that all three reviews used, and another Gryphon preamplifier such as the Zena is the other way to go. We can demonstrate it and talk through the speakers it will meet.
What the reviewers say, in a nutshell
- What Hi-Fi?, February 2021. First published by Australian Hi-Fi. Musical with a beautiful tone in pure Class A. It runs very hot and is big and heavy.
- Enjoy the Music, Tom Lyle, March 2021. Transparent to the source and able to drive his demanding electrostatic speakers, though a far more powerful amplifier went louder.
- hi-fi+, Alan Sircom, April 2021. Authority, detail and excitement in equal measure. Nothing to fault beyond a long warm-up.
Read what the critics say about more of our power amplifiers in The Hi-Fi Review Bible.
