How do I sum up the Essence pre and power amps? If you are expecting some intellectual justification or point-by-point analysis – forget it. It would be as pointless as it would be inappropriate. These amps are all about the whole: the whole performance and the whole experience, just as they are themselves a whole. Split them up to see which one is the better performer? Past experience tells me that Gryphon electronics play best and nicest with their own kind, building on each other’s strengths and the Essence is no different. Brief (!) experiments with the pre and power with other electronics quickly demonstrated that the whole is greater than the sum of the parts – although how a pair of amps in particular might fair on the end of the Pandora pre-amp is certainly an intriguing question.
As audio technology goes, these units are about as far from an academic exercise as you can get. Not because they aren’t high-tech or clever, nicely built or philosophically pure, but because they put the goal so clearly front and centre, the music so far ahead of its means of (re)production. The Essence sound is all about emotional range and response – and, where appropriate it’s also about downright, unadulterated fun. Bubbling over with exhilarating dynamics and boundless energy, these amps are Essence by name, essential by nature. The Diablo 120 remains the bargain in the family, but the Essence combination take its attractive character, all of its attributes and add a healthy slice of insight and refinement, bandwidth and dynamic authority. What’s not to like?
Technical Details
Essence Preamplifier
Inputs: 2prs XLR, 2prs RCA
Input impedance: 50KΩ (balanced), 25KΩ (single-ended)
Gain: 18dB
Bandwidth: 0 to 1MHz
Outputs: 1pr XLR, + 2 prs RCA (tape and sub)
Output Impedance: 15Ω
DAC Section
Inputs: XLR, 2x BNC, TosLink, USB
DAC: 32bit/384KHz
PCM via S/PDIF: 22KHz – 192KHz
PCM via USB: 32KHz – 384KHz
DSD via USB: DSD64, DSD128, DSD256, DSD512
AC Input: 1x C13 IEC
Dimensions (WxHxD): 470 x 165 x 400mm
590 x 570 x280mm (crated)
Weight: 13.4Kg net (24Kg crated)
Essence Stereo Power Amplifier
Rated Output: 50 W/Ch Class A
200 W/Ch Class AB
Inputs: 1pr XLR
Input Impedance: 20KΩ
Gain: 31dB
Outputs: 1pr Gryphon binding posts/channel
AC Input: 1x C19 IEC
Dimensions (WxHxD): 470 x 240 x 460mm
590 x 570 x380mm (crated)
Weight: 45Kg net (57Kg crated)
Prices – Preamplifier: €12,800
Power amplifier: €16,800
