It may be desktop quality but it’s not desktop sized. It is smaller than a phone. It fits well in a pocket. Unlike a lot of DAPs it doesn’t overheat like a sailor on shoreleave. I am not meaning to throw a wet blanket on its merits. The xbass fills the missing link for my Red Halo and makes its reach its potential as a TOTL IEM. I just wish I could use it more, that’s all.
I ordered it in any case, I have a tiny Ray Samuels for IEMs, so not worried.Many other dudes said it is
That is correct, thanks!
Nah. I think it is more like buying a Lamborghini, and then complaining it does not have 2 cup holders...
I don't think very many people will expect the Gryphon to have a mic. The Gryphon is an audiophile DAC/Amp and generally these don't have mics.
The Gryphon is a great product. It does what it expected to do very well. Just the other day, I did a A/B test with the Gryphon vs my desktop setups and came out pleasantly suprised. It does punch above its weight class to be sure.
Well, you make absolutely valid points I think.The Gryphon is a great product. It does what it expected to do very well. Just the other day, I did a A/B test with the Gryphon vs my desktop setups and came out pleasantly suprised. It does punch above its weight class to be sure.
What I am encouraging the makers of portable DAC/amps to consider is that their products have, like many in the tech realm, maintained and even surpassed prior functions while getting smaller. A smaller size expands the possibilities for usage. I have had many “portable” DAC/amps in the past that were portable in much the same way that early cell phones the size of bricks were portable - technically true but not practically so. But that is no longer the case. The Gryphon is not much bigger than a deck of cards.
Was thinking of that and took a pic just to verify:
Just the other day I was doing household chores with it and never had my IEMs sound better on the go.
So those interested in high-end portable audio have two main choices for their on-the-go: DAPs or portable DAC/amps. It makes total sense for DAP makers to be oblivious to phone users as DAP users go that route because they want to ditch their phone. But portable DAC/amp makers obviously need to cater to phone users. They should allow for the opportunity for users to maintain the primary function of their phone: to make phone calls and to receive phone calls. If a product is meant to be used with a phone, it should take the function of the phone into account. If someone in your house decides that the living room couch is where they want to pile their clothes or bags, it is frustrating because it robs the couch of its primary function: to be an uncluttered surface upon which to recline. DAC/amp makers (and I will lump all of them here) treat the phone in much the same way: by not having a mic it makes you work to clear the crap off the couch before you get to lie down.
I am not meaning to come off as a curmudgeon, but as a fan with constructive criticism. I would love to be able to use this as my daily workout buddy, but I can’t because using your speakerphone in public is gauche and there is no other way to answer phone calls quickly apart from removing an IEM and holding the phone up to your ear which is crazy to have to do with something that does, you know, support Bluetooth. I had an original iFI micro iDSD signature black label and that thing had more buttons than Mork’s suspenders. They are clearly a company that values their users feedback and incorporates their needs in product designs. All I am asking is that they find a little space for a mic next time.
The Gryphon is a great product. It does what it expected to do very well. Just the other day, I did a A/B test with the Gryphon vs my desktop setups and came out pleasantly suprised. It does punch above its weight class to be sure.
What I am encouraging the makers of portable DAC/amps to consider is that their products have, like many in the tech realm, maintained and even surpassed prior functions while getting smaller. A smaller size expands the possibilities for usage. I have had many “portable” DAC/amps in the past that were portable in much the same way that early cell phones the size of bricks were portable - technically true but not practically so. But that is no longer the case. The Gryphon is not much bigger than a deck of cards.
Was thinking of that and took a pic just to verify:
Just the other day I was doing household chores with it and never had my IEMs sound better on the go.
So those interested in high-end portable audio have two main choices for their on-the-go: DAPs or portable DAC/amps. It makes total sense for DAP makers to be oblivious to phone users as DAP users go that route because they want to ditch their phone. But portable DAC/amp makers obviously need to cater to phone users. They should allow for the opportunity for users to maintain the primary function of their phone: to make phone calls and to receive phone calls. If a product is meant to be used with a phone, it should take the function of the phone into account. If someone in your house decides that the living room couch is where they want to pile their clothes or bags, it is frustrating because it robs the couch of its primary function: to be an uncluttered surface upon which to recline. DAC/amp makers (and I will lump all of them here) treat the phone in much the same way: by not having a mic it makes you work to clear the crap off the couch before you get to lie down.
I am not meaning to come off as a curmudgeon, but as a fan with constructive criticism. I would love to be able to use this as my daily workout buddy, but I can’t because using your speakerphone in public is gauche and there is no other way to answer phone calls quickly apart from removing an IEM and holding the phone up to your ear which is crazy to have to do with something that does, you know, support Bluetooth. I had an original iFI micro iDSD signature black label and that thing had more buttons than Mork’s suspenders. They are clearly a company that values their users feedback and incorporates their needs in product designs. All I am asking is that they find a little space for a mic next time.
Looking forward to the same pairing aa well 
Wah! Still waiting for the IE600 to arrive at my local shop
