Gryphon Essence Preamplifier

Gryphon Essence Preamplifier

The Gryphon Essence Preamplifier is a dual-mono, fully discrete Class A line preamplifier developed in the tradition of the Gryphon Pandora and drawing on lessons learned from Gryphon's Mephisto power amplifiers. A single-chassis design, it brings Gryphon's core circuit disciplines, zero global negative feedback, dual-mono topology, and a relay-based volume attenuator, to the entry level of the company's preamplifier range. Designed and built in Denmark, the Essence Preamplifier is the natural partner to the Essence Power Amplifier, and is designed to pair with any Gryphon power amplifier through the Green Bias link.

Heritage and Position in the Lineup

Gryphon's product page states that the Essence system was developed from the experience and lessons of the Pandora preamplifier and the Mephisto power amplifier series. Within Gryphon's current preamplifier range, the Essence Preamplifier sits below the Helios, offering a single-chassis design compared to the Helios's two-chassis configuration. Where the Helios and Commander feature a touchscreen display and more elaborate power supplies, the Essence Preamplifier uses a Vacuum Fluorescent Display and a single transformer-based supply, keeping the component count and footprint compact without sacrificing the dual-mono circuit architecture that defines all Gryphon preamplifier designs.

Circuit Architecture

The Essence Preamplifier uses a high-speed, discrete, single-ended Class A input buffer, the same topological choice Gryphon made for the Commander, chosen for its ability to pass the signal through the fewest possible active components. This feeds a fully discrete, DC-coupled Class A line stage throughout. Zero global negative feedback is maintained at every stage. DC servo coupling eliminates coupling capacitors from the signal path. Local shunt regulators provide noise suppression across a wide frequency bandwidth. The power supply is fully regulated and extremely low noise for all voltage amplifying stages.

A notable construction detail confirmed by Gryphon is the complete absence of internal signal wiring. The only cables in the unit are a short ground lead, display ribbons, and AC power wiring in a shielded channel. All signal connections are made via PCB-mounted sockets, eliminating a common source of variability and shortening the signal path to the absolute minimum.

Volume Control

The Essence Preamplifier uses the same 43-step microprocessor-controlled fully balanced relay attenuator as the Diablo 333 integrated amplifier. Fixed ultra-precision resistors and a minimal number of relays keep the series resistance in the signal path to an absolute minimum at any volume setting. The manual describes the relay design as having sonically invisible qualities, though a faint click at certain volume positions is normal behavior for this technology and not indicative of a fault.

Connectivity

Five analog inputs are provided: two balanced XLR and three single-ended RCA. Input 4 is dedicated as a tape input, and Input 5 is reserved for the optional PS2-S phono module. One balanced XLR output drives the main power amplifier. Two subwoofer outputs, single-ended RCA, are buffered and deliver a full-range, unfiltered signal for connection to a subwoofer or a second power amplifier. A tape output feeds a recording device independently of the volume control. Input 2 (XLR) or Input 3 (RCA) can be assigned as a fixed-gain AV bypass input for home theater integration. A 12V link accommodates remote system power sequencing, and the Green Bias output connects to a compatible Gryphon power amplifier for automatic Class A bias management.

Display and Controls

The Essence Preamplifier uses a large Vacuum Fluorescent Display, which provides high legibility at a distance without the complexity of a touchscreen. Brightness is adjustable in four steps or can be set to off, in which case a discrete blue LED remains illuminated as a status indicator. Front panel touch-sensitive buttons handle input selection, volume, and mute. The included infrared remote provides full system control including direct input selection, volume, tape monitor, and, when the optional DAC module is installed, direct access to digital input selection and filter settings.

Optional Modules

The Essence Preamplifier accepts two optional modules installed in dedicated slots by an authorized Gryphon dealer.

PS2-S MM/MC Phono Module

The PS2-S is a dual-mono phono stage based on the legendary Gryphon Legato design, supporting both moving coil and moving magnet cartridges. MC and MM mode is set via internal jumpers, as is MC load impedance, which is adjustable to 20, 100, 200, 499, or 806 ohms. The default factory load is 100 ohms. MM loading is fixed at 47kΩ with 200pF capacitance. Gain is 64dB for MC and 42dB for MM.

Zena DAC Module

The Zena DAC module is built around the ESS ES9018 DAC chip with discrete dual-mono Class A analog output stages and zero global negative feedback. It adds five digital inputs: USB, AES/EBU, two S/PDIF (BNC), and TOSLINK. USB accepts PCM up to 384kHz and DSD up to DSD512 (DSD256 and DSD512 on Windows systems only). AES/EBU and S/PDIF handle PCM up to 192kHz. A 12.5 Farad super-capacitor bank powers the USB module, providing a battery-like supply isolated from the AC mains. User-selectable fast and slow PCM roll-off filters and DSD filter options are available.

Recognition

The Gryphon Essence system, comprising the Essence Preamplifier and Essence Power Stereo, received awards from HiFi+ and Audio Art magazine in Taiwan. The Essence Preamplifier is designed for the listener building a Gryphon separates system at the entry level of the range, combining Gryphon's fundamental circuit disciplines in a compact, single-chassis format that pairs naturally with the Essence Power Amplifier.