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GRYPHON APEX STEREO AMPLIFIER

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$137,500.00

Gryphon Apex: The Pinnacle of Performance

It has always been Gryphon’s mission to achieve the highest possible audio performance. in terms of sheer musicality, transparency and realism. With the Gryphon Apex Mono and Apex Stereo Power Amplifiers, Gryphon Audio Designs elevates pure Class A power amplification a titanic leap above what was previously considered possible. The Gryphon Apex takes us several crucial steps closer in the never-ending quest for a more natural and convincing musical illusion.

Years of experience developing the Antileon EVO and Mephisto power amplifiers, as well as ongoing research in the fields of circuit topology, component quality and reliability have culminated in the Gryphon Apex: the new flagship amplifier of the Gryphon Audio Designs brand.

The material specifications of the Gryphon Apex illustrate its cost-no-object design: The Gryphon Apex Mono features a staggering complement of 128 very high-current bipolar output transistors (64 per chassis), 2.080.000 μF (>2 Farad) capacitor banks (>1 Farad per chassis), four separate custom-made 2000 VA toroidal transformers (two per chassis), all housed in a magnificently crafted, constrained-layer-damped chassis. The Gryphon Apex Stereo tips the scales at 202kg (nearly 450 pounds), while a pair of Apex Mono weigh-in at 404kg (900 pounds)!

Given the massive power reserves available at all times, Gryphon Apex amplifiers simply do not “see” the loudspeaker; in other words, Apex’ virtually limitless reservoir of power and current renders it immune to loudspeaker characteristics. No speaker load, no matter how reactive, can affect Apex’ performance. This means that Apex always delivers its ultimate sound quality, regardless of loudspeaker choice. What’s more, unlike other high-power amplifiers, Gryphon’s no-compromise, pure Class A topology offers this prodigious power combined with ultimate refinement and delicacy in musical presentation.

It is Gryphon’s fundamental philosophy that all electronics in the playback chain should strive for neutrality, neither adding nor subtracting anything from the recording, no matter how “pleasing” such distortions may be. The Gryphon Apex is by nature a product for the fortunate few who can afford such a statement: a product for the connoisseurs who seek absolute purity in the reproduction of music. In short, Apex has been created for music lovers whose respect for the musicians, producers and mastering engineers inspires them to seek the truth lurking in the original recording.

  • Exterior design by Flemming E. Rasmussen
  • Electronics design by Tom Møller
  • Pure Dual Mono configuration
  • Zero global negative feedback
  • 64 very high current bipolar output transistors
  • 1.040.000μF (>1 Farad) capacitor bank
  • Extremely low capacitance Class A J-FET input buffer
  • Balanced dual differential class A input circuitry followed by a very fast symmetrical voltage amplifying Class A stage
  • Fully regulated low noise power supply for all voltage amplifying stages
  • DC servo coupling
  • Frequency-independent damping factor
  • Gryphon silver internal signal and power wiring
  • Premium massive Zn foil capacitors used for local power supply decoupling, with a loss factor ten-times lower than of metallized PP-film capacitors.
  • 4-layer up to 105 um copper printed circuit boards
  • Two separate custom made 2000VA toroidal transformers
  • Individual decoupled left/right transformer castings
  • Separate linear power supply for both digital and analog circuits
  • Soft start turn-on prevents triggering of fuses or circuit breakers in the home electrical system
  • True balanced inputs with gold-plated Neutrik XLR input sockets
  • Gryphon gold-plated custom-built binding posts
  • AC polarity indicator
  • 12V Link for remote power on and off
  • Automatic Green Bias setting via Green Bias control link or manual Low/Mid/High bias
  • Firmware upgradeable via USB stick
  • Non-intrusive protection system
  • Standby current consumption < 0,5W
  • Designed and manufactured in Denmark

Power Is Everything

In the world of High End audio amplification, this statement is literally true. With nearly 1700 Watts RMS into one Ohm (Mono), the Gryphon Apex is ready to master even the most challenging speaker loads. The Apex’ output section uses very high-current bipolar output devices which have demonstrated extreme reliability in addition to unprecedented sonic performance. These transistors can be called upon to deliver very large peak power per channel without overload. The output transistors are locally decoupled with an array of ZN film capacitors.

Apex’ driver section enjoys a separate, optimized power supply fed from individual windings on the custom-made toroidal transformers. Our unique and sophisticated mechanical design ensures optimal thermal tracking between drivers and output devices. This driver section features its own generous bank of the finest capacitors available for this application.

Apex’ power supply also utilizes capacitors especially chosen for this design. Absolutely zero global feedback is employed and DC coupling utilizes DC servo circuitry. Internal wiring in the signal path is kept to an absolute minimum. Input wiring is Gryphon Vanta single crystal solid core silver/gold cable. Balanced inputs are provided exclusively. The new and proprietary Gryphon speaker terminals accept bare wire, spade lugs, banana connectors or any combination thereof.

Unique even in this lofty price range, the Gryphon Apex utilizes a completely independent transformer and linear power supply for display and control circuits, preventing digital noise generated by these circuits from contaminating the amplifier circuits.

Pure Class A

True Class A operation has always been a Gryphon hallmark. Why? Because no other circuit topology can match the sonic perfection of pure Class A. Unfortunately, true Class A is even rarer today than when we introduced the legendary DM100 in 1991. Rising consumer awareness has forced some manufacturers to make outrageous, unsubstantiated claims of Class A power ratings that have more to do with marketing than technology. There are a growing number of so-called “new” Class A topologies based on automatic biasing which supposedly allow the amplifier to sense when the bias should increase to ensure constant Class A performance!

Put bluntly, you can’t cheat physics. There are no engineering shortcuts when it comes to pure Class A, so we repeat with no apologies: TRUE, PURE CLASS A means heavy transformers, very large heatsinks, large quantities of expensive parts and costly assembly. While we appreciate and endorse every effort to conserve energy and preserve our global resources, our research into efforts to obtain Class A performance from class A/B topologies makes it clear that there simply is no substitute for the sheer magic of pure Class A.

Eternal Beauty

Exquisitely wrought from the finest materials available, Apex’ gorgeous, “Nordic Noir” chassis incorporates advanced constrained-layer-damping technologies to optimize resonance, while the specification of non-magnetic materials virtually eliminates electrical interference.

In every design and construction aspect, Apex is designed to be cherished and appreciated for a lifetime. It is an amplifier whose performance is unlikely to be surpassed. Ever. Experience Apex and we are sure you will agree.

  • 2 x 210W @ 8Ω, 2 x 420W @ 4Ω, 2 x 800W @ 2Ω and 2 x 1490W @ 1Ω at 115V/230Vac
  • Noise, unweighted 20-20kHz: < -80dBV
  • Noise, A-weighted: < -86dBV
  • THD+N: < 0,02%, 50W @ 8Ω
  • IMD (DFD): < 0,02%, 50W @ 8Ω
  • Output impedance: 0,015Ω
  • Bandwidth (-3dB): 0,3Hz to 330kHz
  • Gain: +31,0dB
  • input level: 1,16Vrms
  • Input Impedance, balanced (20-20kHz): 20kΩ
  • Power consumption (Maximum): 3700W
  • Power consumption (Idle): Bias H: 1000W / Bias M: 660W / Bias L: 320W
  • Power consumption (Standby): < 0,5W
  • AC inlets: 2 sockets for power cords with C19 receptacle
  • Dimensions, WxHxD:59,3×37,1×88,6 cm, 202kg net.
  • Shipping dimensions:102 x 81 x 67 cm, 265kg

 

Note: Specifications can be changed without notice.

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