Gryphon Antileon EVO Stereo Power Amplifier
Description
Overview
The Antileon Signature, like its predecessor, the original Antileon, was born a classic, establishing itself immediately in High End circles as one of the most acclaimed amplifiers of all time. Loyal devotees around the world praise its singular ability to maintain a firm grip on even the most demanding loudspeakers and reveal the innermost soul of any musical performance.
Now, the Gryphon Antileon EVO, available in stereo and single-channel configurations, takes the next evolutionary step.
A long time coming and well worth the wait.
Current Events
All amplifiers are not created equal, even if their published specifications might suggest otherwise. The extreme high current capability of the Gryphon Antileon EVO, for instance, is something that must be experienced first-hand, not merely gleaned from a specifications sheet. The wattage (W) that an amplifier is capable of generating is in fact the mathematical product of two factors, Voltage (V) multiplied by Current measured in Amperes (A).
On paper, a low-current, high-voltage amp would appear to produce the same number of Watts as a low-voltage, high current amp, but only if one does not take into account the crucial fact that the ability to generate high instantaneous current is far more critical and relevant to actual audible performance.
For this reason, the Gryphon Antileon EVO, like all Gryphon amplifiers before it, is a true high current design. With exceptional peak-to-peak current capability, the Gryphon Antileon EVO ensures compatibility with even the most viciously reactive loudspeaker loads, permitting the loudspeaker of your choice to perform at its very best.
Unapologetically Uncompromising
Recent decades have seen concerted efforts by audio manufacturers to encourage a shift away from high-power Class A amplification in favour of newer, more “efficient” topologies with claims that they can deliver the same level of performance in a lighter, more compact and decorator-friendly form factor.
The truth behind these specious allegations and the true motivation behind the promotion of lightweight amplification are very straightforward. It is an elementary exercise in cost cutting.
As material costs (copper and steel in particular) skyrocket, designers under the “guidance” of corporate accountants have been skimping on the costly massive power transformers and banks of high-current capacitors that generate the reservoir of electrical power that ultimately becomes the audio signal that drives your loudspeakers.
But it is the size and quality of these components that directly determine the amplifier’s performance potential. Heavily regulated, stiff power-supply voltages and high current capability are crucial to achieving the control and speed that translate into musical clarity and resolution.
Despite bold claims, the audio industry has not found a better way to do it, just cheaper ways to almost do it.
Unlike so many current models crippled by downsized power supplies and capacitor banks as designers struggle to mitigate the impact of ever-rising raw material costs, the Gryphon Antileon EVO employs pure Class A bias with full power instantaneously available at all times, regardless of the actual load.
TRUE, PURE CLASS A requires heavy transformers, high electrical consumption, lots of heat, substantial heatsinks, and very, very expensive parts and manufacturing.
There is no shortcut to the sheer magic of pure Class A.
Infinite Separation
While monoblock power amplifiers are by no means rare in the uppermost echelons of High End audio, few – if any – are executed as conscientiously and uncompromisingly as the single-channel Gryphon Antileon EVO Monoblock. More than 90% of all other mono amplifiers have been “designed” easily and speedily, simply by bridging the two channels of an existing stereo model.
Unfortunately, while bridging increases nominal output power, other critical parameters take a major hit.
Because the Gryphon EVO monoblock employs parallel-coupling instead of series coupling (bridging), distortion is cut in half, damping factor is doubled and output impedance is cut in half, doubling current capability for absolute control of loudspeaker loads as low as 1 Ohm.
Two physically independent audio channels on separate chassis effectively eliminates any interaction or interference between the two channels for infinite separation and the rock-solid holographic imaging that has become a Gryphon hallmark.
With completely separate power supplies isolated on independent chassis, even the most extreme instantaneous current draw in one channel will have no impact whatsoever on the other channel. The ready availability of high current on demand lends an effortless smoothness and consistency to the musical performance of the Gryphon Antileon EVO monoblock, even at realistic concert hall levels.
As a single-channel design, the Gryphon Antileon EVO monoblock doubles the transformer capacity and the number of transistors and power capacitors operating in each channel, enhancing its suitability for use with typical High End loudspeakers with low sensitivity, low impedance and large phase angles.
Features:
- Exterior design by Flemming E. Rasmussen
- Electronics design by Tom Møller
- 175 Watts Pure Class A mono
- Parallel coupling (not bridging/series coupling) reduces distortion and output impedance by 50%, doubles damping factor and current capability
- Fully balanced input and Voltage Amplifier Stage (VAS)
- 40 High current bipolar output transistors
- 670,000 µF power capacitor bank
- Newly developed ultrafast J-FET input stage
- Custom-developed ultra-low noise regulated power supply for voltage amplifier stage (VAS).
- DC servo circuitry with Mundorf RXF Polypropylene capacitors for power supply decoupling
- Takman REY precision resistors
- Flat frequency response to beyond 350 kHz
- Gryphon Guideline Reference gold-embedded silver internal wiring
- Custom-built dual toroidal transformers
- Shielded, epoxy-damped transformer casings suspended for effective vibration isolation
- Isolated power supply for display and control circuits
- No output relays
- Frequency-independent damping factor
- Proprietary Gryphon double binding posts
- Automatic Green Class A bias setting or manual Low/High bias selection
- AC power status and polarity display
- Rigid mechanical structure
- Microprocessor-controlled non-invasive “smart” protection system
- Double sealed, mil spec PCB with 105 µm copper traces
- Upgradeable microprocessor software
| Specifications | |
|---|---|
| Features | |
| Dual mono | YES |
| Class A | YES |
| Green Bias | YES |
| DC-coupling | YES |
| External Power Supply | YES |
| MultiVoltage Operation | NO |
| Negative Feedback | Limited |
| AV-input | YES |
| Remote control | YES |
| Auto Power Up / Down | YES |
| Input for external IR Receiver | YES |
| Microprocessor controlled | YES |
| Software upgrade | YES |
| AMX / Crestron | NO |
| Wireless data transmission | NO |
| Vacuum Fluorescent Display | YES |
| Touch Buttons | YES |
| Balanced circuit | YES |
| MM/MC, PS2 | Optional |
| DAC module, PCM/DSD | Optional |
| Electrical | |
| Output Power (RMS) @ 8Ω | 150W, Class A |
| Output Power (RMS) @ 1Ω | 1200W |
| MAX Output Power (PEAK) | 5000W @ ½Ω |
| Output level balanced, max | 23Vrms, +29.5dBu, +/-32.5V |
| Output level single ended, max | 11.5Vrms, +23.5dBu, +/-16.25V |
| Maximum input level | MC = 7.2mV, MM = 0.095V |
| Noise, Unweighted, 20-20kHz | < -78dBu |
| Noise, A-weighted | < -81dBu |
| Dynamic range | 111dB |
| Distortion (THD+N) | < 1% @ 150W, < 0.06% @ 50W |
| Input sensitivity | 0.975V |
| Gain | +31dB |
| Bandwidth (-3dB) | 0 - 350kHz |
| Channel Separation | Infinite |
| Input impedance, balanced | 20kΩ |
| Input impedance, single ended | 25kΩ |
| Output impedance | < 0.04Ω |
| Balanced inputs, per channel | 1 x XLR |
| Single ended inputs, per channel | 3 x RCA |
| Speaker outputs, per channel | 1 set |
| Power consumption (Stand-by) | < 0.5W |
| Power consumption (Maximum) | 2500W |
| Power consumption (Idle) | 500W (High B) |
| Power Supply Capacity | 2 x 335000 uF |
| No. of AC inlets / cable plug type | 2x IEC C13 |
| Mechanical | |
| Size (W x H x D), cm | 57 x 26 x 60 |
| Weight, netto | 84 kg |
| Shipping weight and dimensions (L x W x H) | 112 kg, 78 x 71 x 46 cm |