Gryphon Sonata Allegro
A cover story in Audio Magazine, Germany, hailed the now discontinued Gryphon Sonata as "A Dream Preamplifier", stating that "The Sonata cuts straight through to the heart of the matter, clearly revealing the quality of the recording and of the source component."
Similar praise is heard around the world, as we push back the envelope with each new model, making Gryphon Audio Designs a force to be reckoned with in High End audio.
Now, Gryphon presents the Sonata Allegro preamplifier, the most sophisticated component of its kind with a splendid, sumptuous exterior worthy of the innovative, no-compromise audiophile technologie within.
Component quality, mechanical construction, user-controlled menu functions and cosmetic design combine to fulfil the high expectations that come with the Gryphon name.
Component selection is based on both technical criteria (residual noise, temperature coefficients, tolerances, distortion, reliability) and subjective sonic criteria, following extensive listening sessions.
DUAL-CHASSIS
Separate preamplifier and power supply chassis of identical dimensions eliminate unwanted interaction between the fully regulated power supply and delicate, low-level audio signals.
Power supplies for the left and right channels are completely independent with DC cancellation circuitry, 8 reservoir capacitors, 33,000 microFarad and 11-stage voltage regulation for each channel, more than enough to drive a medium-sized power amplifier.
The ultra-silent power supply is a virtual battery, but with none of the inconveniences of battery power. The overkill power supply provides improved current flow and reduced residual noise for substantial improvements in sonic neutrality andresolution.
The power supply can also drive the optional Gryphon Legato phonostage, as a stand-alone unit or as a module installed in the preamplifier.
CONTROL AMPLIFIER
Gryphon Sonata Allegro offers four balanced inputs, one single-ended input and Tape In/Out for monitoring during recording. The input selector is outside the audio signal path, acting as a trigger for the precision, loss-less relays placed near the input sockets to shorten the signal path. Source components not in use are effectively isolated from the signal path.
Mirror-image symmetrical construction ensures high common mode noise rejection (Common mode noise in opposite phase cancels itself out, because the preamplifier stages are symmetrical.)
Customized system set-up is made simple with extensive menu-control of such functions as start-up level, channel balance, maximum level, source level matching, display lighting and Green Bias control for Gryphon Antileon power amplifiers.
AUTHORITY AND VITALITY
Gryphon head Flemming E. Rasmussen's highly refined aesthetic sensibilities inform the cosmetic design of the Gryphon Sonata Allegro with its bold combination of satin black brushed aluminum and the high-gloss sheen of the acrylic surfaces. Both chassis rest on spikes for effective isolation from mechanical vibration.
