Essence

The Drive

The strictly dual mono configuration achieves the shortest possible signal path with minimal internal wiring. In the interest of ultimate fidelity, superfluous circuity such as tone controls, balance controls, headphone connections, mono switching, polarity inversion and more have been banished from the signal path, thereby reducing interchannel crosstalk and signal path coloration to an absolute minimum.

As delivered, the Gryphon Essence preamplifier is a pure line preamplifier with two balanced XLR input and three single-ended phono inputs. With no internal wiring, the only cable are a short ground lead, display ribbons and AC power wiring mounted in a shielded channel from the rear IEC socket to the power switch to minimise 50/60 Hz interference.

Exhaustive investigation and auditioning have preceded the selection of every component part and many original, proprietary parts have been custom-designed and built exclusively for Gryphon.

Because we lavish attention on each aspect of the circuit and fully grasp the purpose and behavior of every single part of the whole, Gryphon’s design team can optimize performance in every, before moving on to the next step. This ensures simplicity, a short signal path and a unity of purpose with a single, well-defined objective: musical purity.

The range of microprocessor controlled, fully adjustable menu items include input naming with up to eight characters, maximum level, start level, input level matching up to 8 dB, AV throughput, user selectable display brightness (100/75/50/25%, Off), default restoration and Gryphon Green Bias. The Gryphon Essence preamplifier can be configured with a 0 dB AV throughput for ideal integration with the owner’s separate multi-channel installation.

As an optional extra, the Essence can be fitted with either an MM/MC phonostage or a digital to analogue converter. The phonostage is a Gryphon dual mono design based on the acclaimed Legato Legacy.

If you are using a compatible Gryphon Class A power amplifier, you may choose to connect the Green Bias control link, a Gryphon invention for automatic regulation of user selectable Class A bias between the sockets marked GREEN BIAS on the preamplifier and on the power amplifier.

Style and 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. The distinctive, luxuriant finish of every Gryphon product arises organically out of the audio circuit design and the user interface for a truly unique integration of form and function.

The exemplary build quality combines brushed, anodised aluminium with subtle black acrylic details for a highly refined aesthetic sensibility.

From the very beginning, every Gryphon product has offered stunning audio performance, sumptuous styling and superb user- friendliness, catering to the needs of the discerning audiophile who demands musicality, convenience and aesthetics, all without compromise.

Essence bass performance is simply superb: firm, well-defined, with massive attack, in a pure demonstration of power.

The wealth of detail and fine handling of bass and high frequencies contribute to the preamplifier’s ability to render the width and depth of a soundstage with three-dimensional realism and instrumental placement with great precision and realistic size.

Features

Exterior design by Flemming E. Rasmussen

Electronics design by Tom Møller

True Dual Mono configuration

Zero global negative feedback

Fully discrete, DC-coupled Class A circuit topology

Microprocessor-controlled 43-step fully balanced relay volume attenuator for best sonic performance based on a minimalist contingent of ultra-precision resistors

High-speed, discrete, single-ended Class A input buffer for best possible sonic performance

Fixed-level AV throughput bypasses volume circuit for seamless integration with surround systems

Optional PCM/DSD DAC module with one USB, 2 x SPDIF, 1 AES and 1 optical input. PCM up to Fs = 384 kHZ, DSD up to DSD512

Optional MM/MC Gryphon PS2 phonostage module based on legendary Gryphon Legato phonostage

Large Vacuum Fluorescent Display for easy legibility

Minimal internal wiring

Stylish infrared remote control

Fully regulated extremely low noise power supply for all voltage amplifying stages

Local shunt regulators which ensure low noise over a large frequency bandwidth

Gold-plated Neutrik XLR sockets for four balanced (Source) inputs and two (Main) outputs

Gold-plated Gryphon RCA phono sockets with Teflon insulation for 2 (Source) inputs, one Tape Output and one single-ended preamplifier (Main) output

Standby current consumption ≤ 0,5W

Adjustable channel balance, source level matching, start-up volume and maximum volume level

DC servo coupling

12V Link In/Out for remote power On/Off control

Green Bias control for Gryphon power amplifiers

Flash memory upgrades possible via PC or Key-fob

Adjustable display lighting (100/75/50/25%, Off)

Designed and built in Denmark

Specifications

Input Impedance, balanced: 50kΩ

Input Impedance, single-ended: 25kΩ

Output impedance: 15Ω XLR, 22.5Ω RCA

Bandwidth (-3dB): 0.1Hz to 1MHz

Gain: +18dB

THD + N: <0,005%

Max output level, balanced: 23-Vrms

Power consumption: ≤ 0,5W (standby), 50W (idle)

AC voltage range 110-120V or 220-240V

Power supply capacity: 2 x 26,000 μF

MENU-controlled functions:

Volume Max Level

Voume Start Level

Input level match, 0 to 8 dB in 2 dB steps

Output level: “Normal” or “-6dB”

Display Intensity: (100%-75%-50%-25%, Auto Dim and Auto OFF)

Green Bias setup

Input Naming

Dedicate Input 2 (XLR) or input 3 (RCA) to Volume-Bypass AV-input

Restore Settings

Dimensions:

47 x 16.5 x 38.5 cm (WxHxD), 13.4 kg net.