Post by Citroen on Jan 20, 2022 13:04:04 GMT 12
"Fantastic Beasts. Here’s where you find them. Portable DAC/amps tend to be compromised because they focus on a great digital OR a great analogue section. But not both. The xDSD Gryphon is different. Just like its mythical namesake, it is two beasts in one. From the Ultra-Res digital stage using the Burr-Brown MultiBit at the core to the PureWave analogue power section pumping out 1,000mW and other things in-between, it takes serious headphones to tame the Gryphon." - Separate Bluetooth + DAC + amp stages: each optimised for maximum performance
- Digital sources via USB, S/PDIF or Bluetooth
- Analogue sources via 4.4mm or 3.5mm inputs
- Using the latest QCC 5100 series Bluetooth v5.1 as the starting point, for wireless connectivity.
 HeadFi Review"xDSD Gryphon: the new portable standard Pros: Unmatched versatility Outstanding design, both physical and functional Premium build quality Superb sound quality, both wired and wireless Cons: Some questionable software 'features' and early firmware issues Could use more premium accessories Bluetooth 'bug' prevents LDAC connection on some devices" Oh, I want one! RRP NZ$1099
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Post by colinf on Jan 22, 2022 19:29:14 GMT 12
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Post by Citroen on Jan 22, 2022 19:38:28 GMT 12
Anything else you can tell us about this product or design colinf? Any fixes to the software glitches?
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Post by colinf on Jan 23, 2022 5:55:18 GMT 12
Yes! The design brief was to meld the xDSD and xCan into one unit and update the circuitry with balanced configuration, and update the digital section. Also have a display to see what the status of the unit is, with sampling rate, MQA type, volume and filters shown. The pcb was made with 4 layers to allow for all the different signal and grounding paths. The preamp section was made balanced to achieve better separation and lower noise floor. The Bluetooth input has “CyberSync” which is where the volume control synchronises its level with the readout on the connected device. That was very complex and I’m glad the software team managed it! Also lower jitter with the global masterclock timing (GMT) system. The Burr Brown (TI) dac has a combination of R-2R for the most significant bits and delta sigma for the least significant bits, which gives it good depth and smoothness from the delta sigma part and decent dynamics from the R-2R part. The amp section has “PureWave” and “OptimaLoop”. PureWave is iFi lingo for pcb design that separates the channels physically and with separate, defined grounding. OptimaLoop is a unique negative feedback configuration with multiple paths. Each nfb loop overlaps the next loop so that the total distortion reduces by a squared amount, in the process allowing for less overall negative feedback. So although it sounds natural, the thd is kept very low. The iDSD Diablo has the most complex version of OptimaLoop, and the Neo iDSD and xDSD Gryphon have an adapted version for the more compact output stage. Here’s a pic of my 3 babies! The 1st prototype on the left (with very basic firmware to assess the various hardware and 3D printed case), pre production unit tweaked, and mass production unit on the right.. Re firmware, it’s extremely difficult to foresee all the (tens) of different systems it will be connected to and some small bugs inevitably turn up as people use them. Make sure the firmware is up to date by downloading it on the website. Currently V1.22 for the Xmos and V2.07 for the Bluetooth section. 
AMR-iFi R&D
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Post by cartridgeguyonline on Jan 23, 2022 6:37:01 GMT 12
I think I'll let that one go through to the keeper....
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Pundit
Post by paulsaints on Jan 24, 2022 11:47:03 GMT 12
Yes! The design brief was to meld the xDSD and xCan into one unit and update the circuitry with balanced configuration, and update the digital section. Also have a display to see what the status of the unit is, with sampling rate, MQA type, volume and filters shown. ... Hi Colin - any thoughts on comparing the Gryphon to the Neo IDSD - apart from the obvious portability?
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Post by Citroen on Jan 24, 2022 16:16:39 GMT 12
I think I'll let that one go through to the keeper.... Not exactly sure what that means, but it doesn't sound very positive! 😉
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Post by colinf on Jan 24, 2022 22:12:05 GMT 12
I think CGOL is referring to my tendency to get on the too-complicated side when explaining things!
AMR-iFi R&D
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Post by colinf on Jan 24, 2022 22:43:01 GMT 12
Yes! The design brief was to meld the xDSD and xCan into one unit and update the circuitry with balanced configuration, and update the digital section. Also have a display to see what the status of the unit is, with sampling rate, MQA type, volume and filters shown. ... Hi Colin - any thoughts on comparing the Gryphon to the Neo IDSD - apart from the obvious portability? Apart from the different connections (full size USB-B, XLRs and RCAs on the Neo; compact connections USB-C, 4.4mm and 3.5mm on the Gryphon) the battery power means isolation from external power sources and is generally a cleaner power source. The PCB is also very compact with short grounding paths. As the Neo is a desktop unit the output can be switched from variable to fixed, which bypasses the volume control and extra associated circuitry. Sonically I like them both for different reasons. The Neo is clear but can be on the analytical side, and has a touch better depth, also a slightly bigger soundstage. The Gryphon has that even-handed, warmer sound with natural dynamics, and the facility of bass boost and/or presence boost which allows some headphones to sound better. On my Focals I generally prefer the Gryphon.
AMR-iFi R&D
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Pundit
Post by paulsaints on Jan 25, 2022 12:49:45 GMT 12
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Post by colinf on Jan 25, 2022 21:35:22 GMT 12
Thanks for the link. The battery-powered units do seem to have a house sound - perhaps a tendency towards naturalness and serenity. Must admit, having the Gryphon in the room, I think it’s a cool little unit. It has a sense of presence on the table, your eye is drawn to it. The front leds with their different colours make it look alive.
AMR-iFi R&D
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