(Hi-Fi News & Record Review magazine, UK) The Gryphon Genetic Code The genetic code of all things Gryphon is derived from what one writer defined as: “a code of perfectionism, the likes of which I’ve only ever seen at the Bugatti atelier in Alsace or at the great watch houses in Switzerland.
In the Very Best Company In virtually every area of consumer goods, including such diverse fields as fashion, motoring, furniture, wine and spirits, there exists a revered top tier of luxury and excellence, a small, yet crucial, High End segment populated by innovative leaders who march to the beat of a different drum with scant regard for mundane concerns such as mass production or cost.
Gryphon Audio Designs was founded in 1985 as an offshoot of 2R Marketing. The first product, the now legendary Gryphon Head Amp, grew from a one-off spare time project developed only for the designers’ own home systems. Although the Head Amp was initially strictly a hobby project, not an actively pursued commercial venture, demand generated by reviews and word of mouth acclaim led to the formal establishment of Gryphon Audio Designs as a separate corporate entity.
The Gryphon story is extensively documented in two volumes, The Gryphon Unplugged: 25 Years of Gryphon Audio Designs (2010) and The Art of the Gryphon: Form and Function in a Spiritual Union (2015), a sumptuous photo gallery of Rasmussen’s designs.
The Gryphon Master Tape Collection In the Gryphon listening rooms, we have over the years had exclusive access to a unique library of original master tapes of recordings made during the Golden Age of studio engineering from 1956- 1976. Unlike conventional commercial LP releases, these master tapes capture the dynamic contrasts and subtle inner harmonic structure of the musical event, forcing us to work to a higher standard in our efforts to maintain the integrity of the original musical performance.
The peerless finish, build quality, ergonomics and pride of ownership that contribute to the totality of the Gryphon concept can only be fully understood and appreciated up close and in person.
AC Voltage Your Gryphon unit is especially made for the AC voltage of the country to which it has been shipped. If the voltage has been changed, the warranty is void and the product may be unsafe or malfunction.
45 minutes after turn-on. Mains Switch The main ON/OFF switch on the Essence Preamplifier is placed on the bottom right side of the unit, near the front. If the blue LED to the left of the ON/STD symbol flashes 3 times in STB mode, this indicates incorrect / defective AC mains voltage.
A unique new volume control was developed for the Zena and this principle is also used in the Essence Preamplifier. It is not a digital device, but a discrete solution based on fixed resistors in an ultra-short signal path involving a very small number of relays selected for perfect function and sonically “invisible”...
M in the top right corner of the display. MENU This remote button selects the Essence Preamplifier MENU options, described later in this manual. The black button in the centre of the remote is the OK button and is used to confirm the choices made in the menu.
Menu Activated Functions When entering the Essence MENU options; some of the Essence remote buttons will have different functions for navigating through the menu: MENU button is now used to return to previous menu item. MENU is also used to exit the MENU options, when not having entered a sub-menu.
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Vol. 26-42 Bias high DEDICATE INPUT TO AV This option allows you to use either input 2 (balanced) or input 3 (single ended) on the Essence Preamplifier as an input for a source with its own volume control e.g. Surround Processors.
Use input 5 to connect to the optional Phono module and the GROUND terminal for your turntable. GREEN BIAS If you are using a compatible Gryphon power amplifier, you may choose to connect the Green Bias control link for automatic regulation of Class A bias of your power amplifier.
Remote Codes The Essence Preamplifier remote control uses the Philips RC-5 standard for infrared communication. The following RC-5, system 16 codes are used for the Gryphon Essence Preamplifier: ON/STB ....12 Direct Analog Input Select MUTE.
Backlit touch-sensitive front panel controls • 12 V DC link input and output • Green Bias link output for automatic Green Bias control with any Gryphon power amplifier • Stylish infrared remote control • Flash memory upgrades possible via PC or Key-fob •...
Optional Zena DAC module The Zena DAC module is the perfect match for the Essence preamplifier, adding 5 top notch digital Green Bias inputs to the Essence existing five analog inputs. With the DAC module built in, the Essence display informs you about the chosen digital input sampling frequency, PCM/DSD format and chosen digital filter setting.
Zena DAC module inputs SERIAL NO. INPUT 6: USB Connect your PC, Mac or streamer via your preferred dedicated USB Audio cable. Please see separate PC/Mac player information and guide on: www.gryphon-audio.com. Accepted USB formats and sample rates: • PCM (Pulse Code Modulated): Fs: 44.1Khz, 48Khz, 88.2Khz, 96Khz,...
Optional Zena DAC Features and Specifications • Zero negative feedback • True Dual Mono Class A Analog configuration • Zero negative feedback • Sabre ES9018 High-End D/A converter • USB input compatible with following audio formats via PC/MAC/Linux: PCM: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192, 352.8 and 384 kHz, up to 32 bits •...
Gryphon business card holder, designed by Georg Jensen The Gryphon Sculpture, created by sculptor Kaj Hansen, individually sandcast, polished and hand-finished Gryphon carpet, 2x3m or 1.5x2m Book The Art of the Gryphon: Form and Function in a Spiritual Union, 140 pages photo gallery...
10 days of purchase. Alternatively, you may wish to register online from our website. www.gryphon-audio.com To confirm your warranty registration, you will receive a little Gryphon token to welcome you to the family of Gryphon owners.
Important Safety Instructions 1. Read these instructions. 11. Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer. 2. Keep these instructions. 12. Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when 3. Heed all warnings. unused for long periods of time. 4. Follow all instructions. 13.
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