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Cameron Oatley
ExtremeHiFi
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi

Note that this is a discontinued product. You may want to visit the brand's page here to browse their newer products.

What reviewers think

Bloggers and YouTubers have tried this product—so we've summarized their strongest opinions below. Links to full reviews follow.

Product Strengths

  • All the instruments became clearer and better focused with the PowerZone in the system, with noticeable bass improvement
  • The PowerZone optimizes the electrons' vibrational flow and minimizes spurious resonances and the distortions they create
  • Music playback was described as 'more comfortable' with familiar recordings delivering increased width and depth
  • The PowerZone helps the signal flow in a natural way, by using a better adapted environment

Product Considerations

  • The PowerZone 3 is an expensive product
  • The review mentions the reviewer changed two things at once in a demo: adding the conditioner and changing power cables
  • The reviewer notes that the theory behind power products and how they work in tandem with a system is impossible to predict

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Vs PS Audio P20: The PowerZone produced a very different experience, with one friend commenting 'Where did the bass come from?'

Takeaway: The Gryphon PowerZone 3 can improve the clarity, focus, and bass of a high-end audio system, resulting in a more comfortable and enjoyable listening experience. It is an effective addition to power conditioning products.

What are hifi reviews useful for? (1) Identifying products you should demo in person at a dealer. (2) Learning which products reviewers unanimously praise as the best they've heard (this means they probably are legitimately great). (3) Identifying a product's attributes that satisfy your idiosyncratic needs and tastes. Beyond that, we often discount what reviewers say because they heap praise on most products—and are often apprehensive about publishing strong criticism or comparisons between products. Further, they seldom have more than a few products on-hand, often relying on their memories to compare past products. Always listen for yourself.

All

Powerzone 3

reviews

[{"title":"Gryphon POWERZONE 3.20","link":"https://trackingangle.com/equipment/gryphon-powerzone-3","source":"Tracking Angle","datePublished":"2024"}]
An excellent review of a great product
/
Publisher
/
3/1/2022
An excellent review of a great product
Publisher
/
3/1/2022

Manufacturer details

  • HAFNERTECH™ by Paul Hafner
  • SmartStack™ by Meneta Group
  • PowerZone 3.10 UK
  • Powerzone 3.20 UK
  • Powerzone 3.10 US
  • Powerzone 3.20 US
  • Powerzone 3.10 EU
  • Powerzone 3.20 EU
  • Designed and built in Denmark
  • PowerZone 3.10 has 1x8 high quality Furutech outlets
  • PowerZone 3.20 has 2x4 high quality Furutech outlets
  • PowerZone 3.10 is equipped with 1 HAFNERTECH™ module
  • PowerZone 3.20 is equipped with 2 HAFNERTECH™ modules
  • PowerZone 3.10 is rated for 20 amp, and can handle a full system including Apex Stereo
  • PowerZone 3.20 is rated for 40 amp, and can handle a full system including Apex Mono
  • EU CE Approved
  • PowerZone 3.10:
  • Dimensions (WxHxD) : 486 x 125 x 285 mm
  • Net. Weight 10.9 kg
  • Shipping dim.: 61 x 39 x 28 cm
  • Shipping weight: 19.5 kg
  • PowerZone 3.20
  • Dimensions (WxHxD) : 486 x 125 x 285 mm
  • Net. Weight 11.9 kg
  • Shipping dim.: 61 x 39 x 28 cm
  • Shipping weight: 20,6 kg

Forget everything you know about signal processing: compared to all other Power Conditioners, Gryphon PowerZone 3 introduces a unique and entirely superior way of improving the signal passing through it. In an electrical circuit, current flow is attended by micro-vibrations on a molecular level; basically, all current flow is, by definition, the transmission of energy through micro-vibrations.
Forget everything you know about signal processing: compared to all other Power Conditioners, Gryphon PowerZone 3 introduces a unique and entirely superior way of improving the signal passing through it. In an electrical circuit, current flow is attended by micro-vibrations on a molecular level; basically, all current flow is, by definition, the transmission of energy through micro-vibrations. Following Paul Hafner’s theory and approach, the vibration of electrons in the conductor creates a series of minute resonances generated by the signal passing through it. Paul’s specific approach differentiates a Dynamic (variable) signal from a Static signal.
Manufacturer Site

Brand highlights

Taking a step back to look at reviewers' thoughts of the brand's entire lineup—not just this product—what stands out most is the following:

  • Gryphon amplifiers use a distinctively robust power supply featuring custom-made toroidal transformers and substantial filter capacitance, contributing to exceptional dynamic headroom and speaker control.
  • The brand's industrial design, originally led by Flemming Rasmussen, combines bold aesthetics with practical functionality, creating visually striking components with user-friendly interfaces.
  • Gryphon prioritizes short, direct signal paths and minimal internal wiring to maintain signal purity and transparency, enhancing sonic performance by reducing potential noise and interference.
  • They offer modular designs with optional phono stage and DAC modules, allowing customers to tailor their components to their specific system needs and upgrade in the future.

Diablo 333

  • Positioning: Gryphon's top integrated amplifier, succeeding the Diablo 300.
  • Description: Integrates advanced technologies from Gryphon's flagship models, offering enhanced musicality and power. Features a dual mono configuration and optional phono and DAC modules, providing flexibility and high compatibility with various audio systems. This amplifier is ideal for users with a higher budget who desire a compact yet powerful system for larger rooms.

Essence

  • Positioning: The entry-level high-end power amplifier in Gryphon's lineup.
  • Description: Offers pure Class A operation with a focus on sonic neutrality and dynamic ease, making it ideal for small to medium-sized rooms. Features a dual mono design with separate power supplies for the output and driver stages, which is a step up from integrated designs like the Diablo 333.

Antileon Evo

  • Positioning: A mid-tier power amplifier known for its high current capability.
  • Description: Excels in delivering high instantaneous current, ensuring compatibility with demanding loudspeakers, which is a significant advantage over the Essence. Uses pure Class A bias and features a dual mono configuration, offering superior control and speed.

Mephisto

  • Positioning: A high-end power amplifier designed for the most demanding audiophiles.
  • Description: Offers exceptional current delivery and stereo separation, making it ideal for large rooms and high-end audio setups. Features a dual mono design with separate power supplies, providing superior channel separation and control compared to the Antileon Evo.

Apex

  • Positioning: Gryphon's flagship power amplifier, representing the pinnacle of their design and engineering.
  • Description: Delivers immense power and refinement, capable of driving any loudspeaker with ease. Features pure Class A operation with a massive power reserve, surpassing the capabilities of the Mephisto. This amplifier is for those with an unlimited budget who demand the absolute best in audio performance and are willing to invest in a statement piece for their audio system.
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Avg. Product Price
$10,001-$20,000
Used For Sale
15
 Available (Scroll Down)
Brand Popularity
115
 of 900+
Badges
Top 50 Brand
Top 250 Brand
Products Listed
27
Founding Year
1985

Our take on the brand

Gryphon is one of the most respected high-end amplifier brands in the world. Its bass grip is phenomenal, thanks to an unusually high level of capacitance, which keeps everything tight and controlled, even with demanding speakers. Gryphon is also known for its bold, brutalist design—a look that a lot of people love. You’ll find their gear all over Europe and Asia, and the Diablo 333 is often considered an ‘endgame’ amp by those chasing the very best sound and aesthetics.

Look inside the brand

Brand Page

Our interview with the brand

What are two key technological innovations or strong opinions that differ you from other brands?

What's your approach to customer support?

What are your favorite tracks for showcasing the strength of your products?

What other products pair best with yours?

From our interview with
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Brand Page

What if you spend more?

No items found.

What competes at this price?

GigaWatt
PC-4 EVO+
11933
/
Released
2021
GIGAWATT PC-4 EVO+ is the quintessence of years of experience, research and work on uncompromising power conditioner design. The PC-4 EVO+ power conditioner not only effectively protects against interference and overvoltages occurring in the power supply, but most importantly guarantees a marked improvement in the sound and video quality of powered devices, without dynamic limitations.
Check Amazon
GigaWatt is a hifi manufacturer specializing in power conditioning and power distribution systems that minimize noise in hifi systems.
Expand Details

Our Summary

No items found.

Product Strengths

  • Improves sound quality by removing subtle grain, leading to a purer reproduction of sound
  • Enhances dynamics and impact, allowing music to flow more freely and organically
  • Effectively eliminates noise from the powerline, as demonstrated by removing a surging buzz in one system
  • Offers surge protection and overload protection without throttling current flow
  • Features high-quality components such as proprietary power sockets, RLC filtering blocks, and silver-plated copper wiring, ensuring robust and clean power delivery

Product Considerations

  • May require a 'settling in' period to reach its optimal performance
  • The choice of power cable can influence the sound signature, requiring experimentation to match system needs
  • Careful cable management is needed to avoid cable chaos, due to the size and number of outlets
  • The initial investment may be significant

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Vs PC-3 SE EVO+—the PC-4 EVO+ '21 offers better differentiation in individual groups of instruments at the micro level

Takeaway: The PC-4 EVO+ offers a clean and robust power solution for high-end audio systems, enhancing sound quality and dynamics by eliminating noise and removing restraints, making the music more engaging. It is a well-built, top-class product that improves the overall listening experience.

Video review

Our take on the brand

GigaWatt is a hifi manufacturer specializing in power conditioning and power distribution systems that minimize noise in hifi systems.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page
Stromtank
S-1000
15975
/
Released
2022
Everything that distinguishes the StromTanks can already be found in our smallest model: a mains-independent generated perfect sine wave for the best sound. Whereby „small“ should not be considered underpowered, because the entry into the StromTank world can also be the perfect choice for many. Depending on the system configuration and listening habits, there are no limits to absolute music enjoyment with the S1000-SourcePower. The main reason for this is the LFP batteries, and in the case of the S1000-SourcePower we are using 8 batteries (24V System). Due to their high cost, they have not been utilised in the audio sector so far, but they are extremely powerful, durable and safe. That is precisely our claim. Given the impressive dimensions of the StromTanks, it may seem almost ironic to say, but they are comparatively compact thanks to current battery sizes. Just a few years ago, the dimensions of a comparable device would have been simply absurdly large. If you prefer to listen to classical music with HiFi system that is not oversized, the S1000-SourcePower is your StromTank. By the way: even when our StromTanks are charging, your system sounds better. You don‘t believe that? You don‘t have to, you can hear it. Connect your system to the S1000-SourcePower and give it and yourself a few days. You will no longer want to listen without a StromTank.
Check Amazon
Stromtank is unique among power conditioner brands for completely disconnecting audio systems from the power grid and using lithium iron phosphate batteries to deliver pure sine wave power. Their battery management system, developed with the Fraunhofer Institute, actively monitors and balances cells while handling both front-end and power amplifier components, unlike typical power conditioners that only support low-power devices.
Expand Details

Our Summary

No items found.

Product Strengths

  • Provides cleaner, more stable power to high-end components
  • Improves color saturation and transparency
  • Increases soundstage depth, width, and height
  • Makes the music more real and live
  • Lowers the noise floor, allowing more low-level detail to be reproduced, and a more coherent AC sine wave to be supplied to the equipment

Product Considerations

  • The Stromtank S 1000 emits a quiet hum
  • The 450VA continuous output power is not sufficient to deliver full power via some monoblock amplifiers
  • The batteries will last roughly 15 years before energy storage drops by 20% if recharged once per day

Comparisons (according to reviewers)

  • Compared to the AudioQuest Niagara 7000, the S-1000 provides more silence and space, and allows reverb around vocals to be more discernible
  • With Stromtank battery power, the Dan D'Agostino's ability to convey detail increased to darTZeel levels, and its soundstage magic increased

Takeaway: The Stromtank S-1000 helps reveal the full potential of audio components by providing cleaner power, resulting in a more engaging and detailed listening experience. It can make a significant and noticeable improvement to soundstage depth and clarity.

Video review

Our take on the brand

Stromtank is unique among power conditioner brands for completely disconnecting audio systems from the power grid and using lithium iron phosphate batteries to deliver pure sine wave power. Their battery management system, developed with the Fraunhofer Institute, actively monitors and balances cells while handling both front-end and power amplifier components, unlike typical power conditioners that only support low-power devices.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page
GigaWatt
PowerMaster
11991
/
Released
2023
The GigaWatt POWERMASTER is an Ultra Hi-End power conditioner. It is the pinnacle engineering achievement of the GigaWatt brand, summing up the company's 25 years of development. PowerMaster guarantees effective surge protection, as well as a spectacular sound experience.
Check Amazon
GigaWatt is a hifi manufacturer specializing in power conditioning and power distribution systems that minimize noise in hifi systems.
Expand Details

Our Summary

No items found.

Video review

Our take on the brand

GigaWatt is a hifi manufacturer specializing in power conditioning and power distribution systems that minimize noise in hifi systems.
Website author headshot
Julian Shapiro
ExtremeHiFi Writer
Product Page
Product Page

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