Gryphon Essence Mono

POWER AMPLIFIER

- JASON VICTOR SERINUS

Oh goody!” thought self, to self: “Another Gryphon component to review.” As eloquent and revelatory as that statement may be, there’s an even more illuminating backstory.

I had been aware of Denmark-based Gryphon Audio since the advent of the Gryphon Exorcist, a now-discontinued demagnetizer that cost far more than your average break-in CD, but I only began to encounter Gryphon electronics at audio shows a few years ago. While at first they seemed available for review only as a complete package, Jim Austin was able to arrange for me to review the Gryphon Ethos CD player–D/A processor ($39,000). I reported on that player in the January 2020 issue of Stereophile. To my surprise, I found the Ethos an “open, marvelously detailed, and fresh-sounding unit that makes listening an absolute joy.” I had not expected my experience to be so positive.

Baggy for kitty