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| Letters -- March 2007 From a Gryphon owner March 28, 2007 Editor, I just wanted to address Wayne's concerns about Gryphon. As a long-term owner of Gryphon and Rockport products, I can say that they are both great companies. I'm sure that in the unlikely event of an equipment failure, any concerns would be addressed by them promptly and courteously -- it comes with the territory. Having said that, the Gryphon gear (in particular to Wayne's concerns) is so well made, I think the odds of actually having an issue with it are very slim. I've become acquainted with a number of other Gryphon owners and I've never heard of one failure amongst them. From my experience, Flemming Rasmussen is a first-class fellow who looks after his customers and their gear. Just buy some and then step off the audio merry-go-round! Larry Gryphon concerns March 27, 2007 Editor, I'm feeling a little put off by Gryphon not having a service center in the US. It seems telling of the company’s concern for customer satisfaction. Could you offer your opinion on a second- or third-choice amp purchase for the Rockport Meritan/Sheritan combo? I've read your review of the Vitus integrated but can't find any info within their website. Also I'll look into the Simaudio products. The mid-region tonality, analog quality is my main focus. Wayne Gryphon has been in business for many, many years, and I’ve not once heard of service issues with the company. I can’t say that about many of the highest-end esoteric brands. The only outlet for Gryphon products that I know of here in the US is Ultimate Audio Video. I would pose your concerns to the store’s owner, Ron Lapporte, and see what types of assurances he can give you. My experience is the Gryphon product is bullet-proof in regard to reliability. Vitus is another fine alternative, and one I am enjoying quite a bit currently. Here is a direct link to the product page for the SS-101 on the Vitus Audio website. And yes, Simaudio is quite good, and another favorite of mine. To me these are three excellent choices….Jeff Fritz Gryphon responds: Be assured that we are very concerned about consumer satisfaction, or else we would not have maintained our position -- and still be growing -- in the high end for nearly 25 years. I personally entered high-end audio in the beginning of the 1970s. We have only a single shop (Ultimate Audio Video) selling our products in the US and they -- with our support -- take care of the products that they have sold. Whenever the (rare) need for service arrives, we have always been there for the Gryphon customers, and the products are designed in such a way that any competent repair center can service it. We provide technical support and hot line know-how to any repair center with a Gryphon. Nobody can analyze a potential Gryphon problem better than us in a dialogue with a technician. This system works very well and in most cases it is a simple matter of adjustment or replacing a module that we send in a few days. We find this to be more efficient than a single service center that everything has to go to. There are many very skilled technicians in your country, and our products are modern constructions based on sound principles and -- with our support -- do not require any "magic" hands to repair or adjust. In this business, products come and go and many manufacturers live from one product to the next. In our book, taking care of your reputation is the only key to staying in business for as long as we have. When we evaluate dealers to represent us, we weigh their ability and commitment to honor after-sale service as much as their skills to sell products. The super seller will sell a product here and now; the shop with the good service will also sell one tomorrow, next week, next month, next year. And we are proud to know that Gryphon owners are profoundly loyal to the brand. Best wishes, Flemming E. Rasmussen Signature v.2 and Statement March 19, 2007 Editor, Apropos: “I can tell you that it is refreshing to see a company pushing technology to new heights while remaining grounded in the realm of affordability. I will be listening to, and writing about, the next-to-the-top-of-line Signature S6 v.2 ($4000/pair) soon on Ultra Audio.” Would it be possible to review the S8 v.2 instead? Pretty, pretty please with a cherry on top. Marc Mickelson reviewed the S8 several years back and was very enthusiastic. It would be great to read how the S8 v.2 compares to the S8 with all the improvements not only to the tweeter. It is impressive too that there is virtually no price increase. For what it is worth, the frequency response of the S8 is the most linear I have ever seen measured (as shown on SoundStage!). It is more linear than that of the Thiel CS2.4 and the Revel Ultima Studio and the Wilson Sophia (old version). There was also a review complete with measurements of the Anthem P2 on SoundStage! and it too has amazing measurements with vanishingly low output noise unbalanced (3dB less than the Classé CA-2200) and 4dB less in balanced, less distortion than the Classé and it retails for $2500! Problem is there is not one (believe it or not) dealer in Southern California who is both a Paradigm Signature dealer and an Anthem Statement dealer (confirmed for me by the rep after contacting all the listed dealers for Paradigm Signature). So my suggestion is to pair the Anthem Statement P2 stereo amplifier with the Paradigm Signature S8 v.2 and see the results. That would really hit the nail on the head per your comments. Anyway, thank you so much for having the temerity to write this: “All of this raises the question of whether an affordable product like the new Paradigm Signature v.2 speakers would be considered in the upper echelon of the loudspeaker world by certain folk. I’m sure that to a specific segment of the audiophile market, the answer is ‘no way.’ But this attitude is wrong-headed to me. In the end, you just have to use performance as the final arbiter, not price. As obvious as that seems, it’s just not a universal belief.” I wish that phrase were reprinted in all of the audiophile journals! Christopher Frank Thank you for the kind comments and reading our sites so thoroughly. I did not get to hear the original S8, so a comparison to the v.2 is for me is impossible. However, we do have a reviewer on our sister site, www.hometheatersound.com, who not only reviewed the S8 as part of a home-theater system, but bought the review samples. He is scheduled to write about the newest models as soon as they are available, so a direct comparison is only natural. Keep an eye out on that site, or e-mail me in a few months for an update. Personally I can’t wait to get my hands on the S6 v.2!...Jeff Fritz Simaudio and Wilson March 14, 2007 Editor, Recently you reviewed the Simaudio Evolution W-8 amplifier and Wilson Audio WATT/Puppy 8 speakers. Given your considerable experience with Wilson products, in particular the various iterations of the WATT/Puppys, what level of power have you found to work really well with them? I ask you this question in particular, given your penchant for solid-state amps like Halcro, Gryphon, Boulder and Simaudio. Also, did you find that the Simaudio W-8 could "keep up" (for lack of a better term) with the Boulder 1060 amp you owned in the past? M. Tan The W-8 was a great match with the Alexandria X-2, so I see no issue with it driving the W/P 8. There are folks who use much less power on W/Ps than the W-8's 250Wpc, so I do believe you could get away with considerably less power. In fact, the Wilsons are known for their ability to sound fantastic with the lower-powered Lamm amps. I have a 50W class-A Vitus amplifier now that drives the 8s superbly. So in the end, I think it comes down to quality over quantity. As to your second question, the W-8 was every bit as enjoyable as the 1060. While the 1060 might have been just a touch more neutral, the W-8’s warmer, more expansive presentation made it a better match with a lot of the music I enjoy….Jeff Fritz Gryphon love affair March 12, 2007 Editor, Very nice article on Gryphon. I've just been introduced to the Gryphon line unexpectedly and it totally turned my head around. For the first time ever I want to leave tubes (Joule Electra Rite of Passage and Lamm ML2.1 amps) for this gear. Twice this Gryphon combo on Rockport Merak II / Sheritan speakers opened my eyes. Am I in love or just infatuated? Just looking for confirmation of sorts from you, as I do think I need a reality check from time to time. Your response will be greatly appreciated during this vulnerable time. Wayne I recently heard a Gryphon/Rockport combination and must tell you it was absolutely amazing. I’ve been extremely fond of the Gryphons for several years now and I’ve wondered on more than one occasion why I did not buy them when I had them here. I’ve found similar satisfaction in other Danish gear, namely the Vitus Audio equipment. But there is no doubt that Gryphon is special. So I’d say that what you have heard on two occasions is definitely the real deal….Jeff Fritz About "Reviewers and Equipment Loans" March 6, 2007 Editor, First of all, my hat's off to you for having the guts to challenge this topic. Being in the industry since 18 years of age -- from doing repairs, modifications, part-time sales at a local audio shop, to manufacturing, plus eight prior years being an audiophile from the outside -- I have seen my fair share of problems. I personally have dealt with a few of those reviewers/publishers that you speak of. I have seen more than I care to see in terms of bias and favoritism. You made some very good points. However, I believe there is one point that the article has missed: With all the equipment loaned by the manufacturers to reviewers, who pays the cost? If the manufacturers are paying for it, where do they get the money to afford to do that? This article has posed some very interesting questions. I hope we can all start asking some questions to ourselves and to the manufacturers that make the gear. Gilbert Yeung “…bug me to no end” March 2, 2007 Editor, I was forwarded your editorial about the policy as it pertains to reviewers’ use of long-term loaner equipment. Two aspects of reviews are touched upon in your editorial that, as a consumer, bug me to no end. First is the reviewers’ false sense of entitlement that they deserve to have the best gear, even when they don't have the money to buy it. File this one under consumer-sponsored welfare for audio addicts. Second is the notion of the equipment's value in reviews. This is an important aspect but rarely does the context allow for a fair comparison. How many times do reviewers own the gear, or would even pay retail if they did? Proverbially a Ferrari 308 is questionable from both an engineering and maintenance perspective. But for $2000 or even free? Perhaps a hell of a deal. Lord knows there is a person somewhere who'll buy it second-hand. Even more so once it makes the cover of a major publication. It was interesting to see how many people have commented on the $100,000+ turntable Michael Fremer has acquired (and perhaps more directly how he could). In any case, hopefully dialogue such as this will help the publications lock down on their policies. Or so I hope. Bradley
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