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Estimated price (community-sourced)
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The Gryphon Ethos is a high-end CD player and DAC dedicated to Red Book 16-bit/44.1 kHz CD playback and advanced digital-to-analog conversion for stereo systems. It combines a StreamUnlimited CD-PRO 8 CD transport optimized for CD with a fully balanced, dual-mono DAC section based on ESS SABRE ES9038PRO 32-bit chips in a dual-differential topology for each channel. As a DAC, it accepts digital inputs via AES/EBU, USB and BNC, supporting PCM up to 32-bit/384 kHz and DSD up to DSD512 via USB, with AES/EBU and S/PDIF limited to PCM up to 24-bit/192 kHz. Ten user-selectable digital roll-off filters, along with asynchronous PCM upsampling to 384 kHz and optional PCM-to-DSD conversion up to DSD128, allow extensive sound tailoring. The heavily regulated, fully discrete, fully balanced Class A analogue output stage uses zero negative feedback and no capacitors in the signal path, providing nominal output voltages of 4.3 V (XLR) and 2.15 V (RCA) with low output impedance. The chassis is purpose-engineered for mechanical stability and vibration control, with constrained-layer-damped acrylic and aluminium construction, an internally decoupled mechanism and precision CD clamp, resting on three adjustable Gryphon Atlas Spikes that act as mechanical diodes to evacuate resonance. A touch-sensitive front display offers adjustable brightness, and a metal system remote is included. Dimensions are approximately 48 x 17.6 x 45.3 cm, weighing approximately 13.7 kg.
DAC capabilities and digital audio processing
Analog signal output specifications
Input and output connections
Size, weight, and appearance
Specifications are community-contributed and may not be accurate or complete. Verify all details with the manufacturer before making purchasing decisions. Terms & Conditions
The closest alternatives on specs, description and the systems they turn up in, with the specs they share set side by side.
The Kalliope matches the Ethos on bit depth (32-bit), max sample rate (384 kHz), output voltage (4.3V RMS), and dsd support (DSD512).
The Grandioso K1X SE's max sample rate is 768 kHz against the Ethos's 384 kHz and its output voltage 5.0V RMS against 4.3V RMS. Both share bit depth (32-bit) and dsd support (DSD512).
The Pacific's max sample rate is 768 kHz against the Ethos's 384 kHz and its output voltage 3.0V RMS against 4.3V RMS. Both share bit depth (32-bit) and dsd support (DSD512).
The Maximinus MK2S's dsd support is DSD128 against the Ethos's DSD512 and its weight 12 kg (26 lbs) against 13.7 kg (30 lbs). Both share bit depth (32-bit) and max sample rate (384 kHz).
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