Jay, I loved the Mercedes tire analogy and also the clean window example. I'm sure there is no going back once you hear that kind of clarity. Your channel is great. Thank you for your hard work.
Well-articulated Jay. Best description I’ve heard comparing a more romantic sound vs a more analytical sound. It even helped me better understand/articulate why I prefer the latter.
Jay, I believe you hit the nail on the head when you said the Luxman could benefit from easier Speakers to drive! You spoiled me on the Pandora Mephisto combination! You have Blessed me with that Knowledge and I Thank GOD for You! That combination is what I will be shooting for as my Retirement System!
Interestingly enough, based on the comments I've heard about your shootout... It does not make me want to own this Essence amplifier ! Not that I would spend that much to begin with... But the Luxman sounds classier and more romantic! Can't wait to hear your recordings...
This is a great test! The 4 integrated amps that match separates are the Pilium Leonidas, DartZeel Integrated and Audionet Humbolt…the class D Mola Mola Kula is actually better than the separates but is Class D and a tier under these.
Very interesting shoot out. Thanks for telling it like you heard it. Who knows, with a more sensitive speaker maybe the Luxman may have been better. But this is just a snapshot in time and all of you liked the Essence better with Magico. Congrats on the 13.5k subs!
Isn't this comparing apples to oranges since one amplifier is rated at 50 watts and the other is rated at 150 watts in 8 ohms? Am I missing something? If power isn't a factor and you are only evaluating sound quality, then I get it. What's funny is the Gryphon essence has massive capacitance reserves but when Stereophile measured its output power (Mono version) it didn't even make its rated power output claims.
I use Ref 6 and Pass Labs X350.8 and I love the sound. If your speaker is more difficult to drive, maybe you can consider Ref 6SE + Pass Labs X600.8 or XA16.8.
Hey Jay, based on this discussion it seems like in the previous comparison between the Moon 860a V2, Luxman M-10X and Constellation, you preferred the Moon 860a V2?
Certain speakers are going to play to a type of amps strengths and vice versa. I have not heard Gryphon but did hear Luxxman before. Very musical and engaging but kind of syrupy and not as clean. The warm sound pulls you in but the syrup side grates on you with length of listening time. I can say the same for amps that slam and sound very clean but too technical. On those the life is sucked out of them. I think most listeners trying to hit the magic of clean, musical and engaging with no harsh top end, and great sound stage. You want to test soundstage play on Qbuz Kygo and Will Heard nothing left song. It's 24/48 I think but sounds amazing.
Actually, I don't know what I voted for because I chose the song numbers. One of the performances was acceptable for me. Why. I have a very good, but really good amplifier. It is incredibly resolving. The reproduction of the Tidal for me is extremely resolving, but at the same time natural. The recordings I listened to were generic, but they definitely lacked naturalness. They were compared to my play too dry. Devoid of naturalness. One performance did not have good dynamics but was more tonally acceptable.
The result here isn't surprising. The Luxman is essentially an average sounding Class B amp that only produces Class A power up to 12W. The Essence is a pure Class A amp that produces Class A power up to 55W. A fairer and closer shootout would have been to compare the Essence to a Boulder 1160.
@@henriksrensen3220 The finest solid state amps in the world are pure Class A: Gryphon, Boulder (2 series and higher), etc. Even the top Class AB amps (e.g., Boulder 1160) play in Class A up to a point before switching to Class B. The better the amp, the higher the Class A range before the switch. Class A has more detail and resolution than Class B. Not all Class A amps are created equal, but if we are talking about top tier solid state amps such as Boulder and Gryphon, no Class B amp would compare to them.
@@jbsaudio I agree some of the best amplifiers are class a, but certanly not all of them. Class a/b designs can be better sounding than class a designs. I love Gryphon and i own gryphon amplifier myself
@@henriksrensen3220 I own a Gryphon Mephisto and there is no solid state Class A/B amp that sounds better than a Mephisto in terms of every criteria that we use to evaluate solid state power amps. A Boulder 1160 is an A/B amp that may sound as "good" as an Essence, depending on your preference (the Essence is more musical/the 1160 sounds more resolving), but the 1160 would still be operating in Class A at the max wattage of the Essence.
I would love to see a comparison between the Essence & a comparable Boulder; thanks.
Jay, I loved the Mercedes tire analogy and also the clean window example. I'm sure there is no going back once you hear that kind of clarity. Your channel is great. Thank you for your hard work.
Well-articulated Jay. Best description I’ve heard comparing a more romantic sound vs a more analytical sound. It even helped me better understand/articulate why I prefer the latter.
Jay, I believe you hit the nail on the head when you said the Luxman could benefit from easier Speakers to drive! You spoiled me
on the Pandora Mephisto combination! You have Blessed me with that Knowledge and I Thank GOD for You! That combination is what I will be shooting for as my Retirement System!
Jay since you have an Audio Lab...shouldn't you wearing a white coat ?
Oh yeah damn right.
Or have actual test equipment to make measurements with?
@@DrBroncanuus I never said he didn't. What are you talking about?
I prefer the Essence, by far.
Hey Jay I am ready to move on Constellation Taurus Amp, very serious I know we have our differences but I am ready to buy.
Interestingly enough, based on the comments I've heard about your shootout... It does not make me want to own this Essence amplifier ! Not that I would spend that much to begin with... But the Luxman sounds classier and more romantic! Can't wait to hear your recordings...
This is a great test! The 4 integrated amps that match separates are the Pilium Leonidas, DartZeel Integrated and Audionet Humbolt…the class D Mola Mola Kula is actually better than the separates but is Class D and a tier under these.
Interesting. Looking forward to hearing them. Thanks for setting up the shootout.
Very interesting shoot out. Thanks for telling it like you heard it. Who knows, with a more sensitive speaker maybe the Luxman may have been better. But this is just a snapshot in time and all of you liked the Essence better with Magico.
Congrats on the 13.5k subs!
The Griffin may be fantastic to listen to...
Love the commercial. Reminds me of the internet in 1999.
Isn't this comparing apples to oranges since one amplifier is rated at 50 watts and the other is rated at 150 watts in 8 ohms? Am I missing something? If power isn't a factor and you are only evaluating sound quality, then I get it. What's funny is the Gryphon essence has massive capacitance reserves but when Stereophile measured its output power (Mono version) it didn't even make its rated power output claims.
Jay, just rewatched your video with Alexia and REF6SE. Sounded amazing!! I am looking at the se6. Would you recommend the 6SE with solid state monos?
I use Ref 6 and Pass Labs X350.8 and I love the sound. If your speaker is more difficult to drive, maybe you can consider Ref 6SE + Pass Labs X600.8 or XA16.8.
Hey Jay, based on this discussion it seems like in the previous comparison between the Moon 860a V2, Luxman M-10X and Constellation, you preferred the Moon 860a V2?
Do you think the gryphon essence can drive the vivid giyas? Thanks
Jay, if you get the chance you might test the latest classe delta with your S7. I had the Essence monos with the pree…….
I heard that Western Electric has put out a new amp.
Who are those people; an introduction would be nice
Certain speakers are going to play to a type of amps strengths and vice versa. I have not heard Gryphon but did hear Luxxman before. Very musical and engaging but kind of syrupy and not as clean. The warm sound pulls you in but the syrup side grates on you with length of listening time. I can say the same for amps that slam and sound very clean but too technical. On those the life is sucked out of them. I think most listeners trying to hit the magic of clean, musical and engaging with no harsh top end, and great sound stage. You want to test soundstage play on Qbuz Kygo and Will Heard nothing left song. It's 24/48 I think but sounds amazing.
nicely said .
Lamm m2.1
Hi Jay, can you test the Denon pma-a110 against the luxman 900.
Cheers.
Jay is so knowledgeable, and he has nailed to describe how sweet sound vs quick speed and grip sound.
Actually, I don't know what I voted for because I chose the song numbers. One of the performances was acceptable for me. Why.
I have a very good, but really good amplifier. It is incredibly resolving. The reproduction of the Tidal for me is extremely resolving, but at the same time natural. The recordings I listened to were generic, but they definitely lacked naturalness. They were compared to my play too dry. Devoid of naturalness. One performance did not have good dynamics but was more tonally acceptable.
Do Essence vs Apex
Would not make much sense. The Apex is on another level
@@henriksrensen3220 They are, but it'd still be good to know how they stack up
you say that, comparatively, the diablo 300 is colder than the essence. okay. but the devil 300 is cold per se?
Ice cold
there no contest luxman is good but not in gryphon territory
The result here isn't surprising. The Luxman is essentially an average sounding Class B amp that only produces Class A power up to 12W. The Essence is a pure Class A amp that produces Class A power up to 55W. A fairer and closer shootout would have been to compare the Essence to a Boulder 1160.
Class A Is not always better, far from it actually
@@henriksrensen3220 The finest solid state amps in the world are pure Class A: Gryphon, Boulder (2 series and higher), etc. Even the top Class AB amps (e.g., Boulder 1160) play in Class A up to a point before switching to Class B. The better the amp, the higher the Class A range before the switch. Class A has more detail and resolution than Class B. Not all Class A amps are created equal, but if we are talking about top tier solid state amps such as Boulder and Gryphon, no Class B amp would compare to them.
@@jbsaudio I agree some of the best amplifiers are class a, but certanly not all of them.
Class a/b designs can be better sounding than class a designs.
I love Gryphon and i own gryphon amplifier myself
@@henriksrensen3220 I own a Gryphon Mephisto and there is no solid state Class A/B amp that sounds better than a Mephisto in terms of every criteria that we use to evaluate solid state power amps. A Boulder 1160 is an A/B amp that may sound as "good" as an Essence, depending on your preference (the Essence is more musical/the 1160 sounds more resolving), but the 1160 would still be operating in Class A at the max wattage of the Essence.
@@jbsaudio which sounds best is a matter of taste