Helios

Overview

Drawing on decades of expertise from The Gryphon Pandora and design innovations developed for The Gryphon Commander, The Gryphon Helios is the most versatile expression of Gryphon’s preamplifier concept to date. It delivers astonishing performance and versatility, effortlessly integrating into any high-end system with commanding authority and extraordinary resolution.

Years of meticulous research in circuit architecture, thermal behavior, and component synergy have culminated in The Gryphon Helios—a new benchmark in Gryphon Audio Designs preamplifier design.

Features

• Electronics design by Tom Møller
• True Dual Mono configuration
• Zero global negative feedback
• Microprocessor-controlled 85-step relay, volume attenuator featuring precision resistors and ultra-low capacitance relays for best sonic performance.
• Super-fast discrete Class A input buffer developed for best possible sonic performance
• Fully discrete balanced dual differential Class A line stage circuitry followed by a very fast symmetrical current amplifying Class A stage
• Four-layer printed circuit boards with pure copper traces up to 70my thickness.
• PCB-mounted sockets eliminate wiring and shorten signal path.
• Two separate custom made 65VA toroidal transformers, one for each channel.
• Massive power supply capacitor bank for each channel; total of 2 x 83,000uF.
• Polypropylene capacitors for local power supply decoupling.
• Separate power supply for both digital and individual left/right channel analog circuits.
• Fully regulated extremely low noise power supply for all voltage amplifying stages.
• Local shunt regulators for best noise suppression.
• PSU 5 Power Supply chassis with additional DC outputs for external Gryphon sources.
• Optional DAC3 module with one USB, two S/PDIF, one AES/EBU and one TOSLINK input.
• Gold-plated Neutrik XLR sockets for three balanced (Source) inputs and two (Main) outputs.
• Gold-plated Gryphon RCA phono sockets with Teflon insulation for 2 (Source) inputs and one single-ended preamplifier (Main) output.
• Fixed-level AV inputs for seamless integration with surround systems.
• Adjustable channel balance, source level matching, start-up volume and maximum volume level.
• Infrared remote control.
• 12V Link In/Out for remote power On/Off control
• Green Bias control for Gryphon power amplifiers
• Large 4,3” TFT capacitive touch information screen for intuitive control, presented in 4mm glass
• DC servo coupling
• Firmware upgrades easily via USB stick through rear panel
• Separate mechanical chassis for Power Supply and Amplifier circuits
• Standby current consumption ≤0.5W.
• Designed and built in Denmark

Specifications

• Input Impedance, balanced: 25KΩ
• Input Impedance, single-ended: 12K5kΩ
• Output impedance: 8Ω
• Bandwidth (-3dB): 0.1Hz to 1.5MHz
• Gain: +18dB
• THD + N: 0.003% @ 1kHz and BW 10Hz – 30KHz, balanced output
• Max output level, balanced: 20Vrms
• Max output level, single-ended: 9,5Vrms
• Max input level, balanced: 20Vrms
• Max input level, single-ended: 10Vrms
• Power consumption: ≤ 0.5W (standby), approx. 90W (idle, including PS3 and DAC3 modules installed)
• AC voltage range 110-120V or 220-240V
• AC inlets: 2 x IEC C14 inlets (for power cords with IEC C13 receptacle)
• MENU-controlled functions:
• Volume Max Level
• Voume Start Level
• Balance, Left/Right. (6dB in 1dB steps)
• Output level: “Normal” or “-6dB”
• Display Intensity: (100%-75%-50%-25%, Auto Dim and Auto OFF)
• Green Bias setup
• Infra-Red source (Front or Rear Panel)
• Input Level Match
• Input Renaming
• Dedicate Input 3 (XLR) or Input 4 (RCA) to Fixed-level AV-input
• Restore Settings
• Phono Stage MM/MC selection (optional)
• DAC level and filter settings (optional)
• Dimensions:
• Dimensions Preamplifier unit, WxDxH: 47,5 x 38,7 x 17,3 cm, net unit weight: 13,9 kg
• Dimensions PSU 5 unit, WxDxH: 47,5 x 38,7 x 17,3 cm, net unit weight: 18,2 kg
• Shipping dimensions: Two crates; each LxWxH: 58 x 57 x 28, respectively 25,2 kg and 29,2 kg