Gryphon Elektra Owner's Manual

OWNERS MANUAL

THE GRYPHON ELEKTRA

INTRODUCTION

First of all, we would like to thank you for purchasing the
Gryphon Elektra preamplifier created by Gryphon Audio
Designs for Audio Reference use.

The Gryphon Elektra is a refined product of leading edge
technology. This manual will enable you to fully utilize and
appreciate its quality.

ELEKTRA

“Elektra, Opera in one act by Richard Strauss. First
performed in Dresden, Germany 1909.
Elektra, daughter of Agamemnon, awaits the coming of her
brother Orestes. When he returns he kills their mother and
her lover, to revence the murder of his father”.

UNPACKING

Keep the box and all the packing material in a dry place.

INSIDE THE BOX

You should find:

1 Elektra Preamplifier
1 Elektra power supply
2 AC cables
2 Power supply cables
1 pair of white gloves
1 acrylic polish
1 packing list
1 purchase registration card

If Orestes module is included:

2 power supply cables
1 pair of Lemo connectors

If Green bias is included:

1 Green bias control link

If anything is missing or if the box shows any sign of damage
you must contact your Gryphon dealer or importer
immediately.

INSTALLATION

We do not recommend that you place the preamplifier
directly on top of the power supply. The length of the power
supply cords allows you to place the power supply some
distance away from the preamplifier. If you wish to place the
power supply beside the preamplifier we suggest that you
place it on the left side of the preamplifier where the risk of
electrical interference is at a minimum.

AC POWER

The Elektra should ideally be connected to a separate AC
group independent of other equipment.
The Elektra is designed for use with a three-pin AC connector
with separate ground, but may in some countries be used
with alternative grounding. Your Gryphon dealer or importer

will give you further details

AC GROUNDING

In order to utilize the AC filtering section of the amplifier,
connection to ground is essential. Generally, overall
performance can be greatly improved with proper
grounding. The degree of improvement will depend on local
conditions.

AC POWER CORDS

Use only a dedicated AC power cord. Do NOT use
loudspeaker cable or other wire not expressly designed to
carry high current. Improper cable or cables of insufficient
gauge will generate heat and the insulation may melt with
disastrous results.
AC cords DO have an audible effect on sound quality, but
experiments should be carried out with due consideration to
safety.

AC CONDITIONERS ?

The Elektra has its own built-in AC conditioner, if you use
external line conditioner or other devices, we strongly
recommend that you listen to the Elektra without these
devices before you make your decision.

Remember to listen for correct sound and not merely different
sound.

AC POLARITY

Do not run long, thin, curled extension cords.
The Elektra is a true dual mono construction and we must
strongly emphasize the importance of symmetrical AC power
polarity for each channel. Asymmetrical AC polarity will
strongly degrade soundstage recreation and other important
aspects of the Elektra’s performance.

FRONT PANEL
FUNCTIONS

The dual mono concepts demand separate selector and
volume controls.

SOURCE SELECTOR
The left knob on each section is the source selector and
display confirms the source selected.
Clockwise:
Mute
OPT. ( To select the optional Orestes phonostage )
CD
TUNER
TAPE
AUX

VOLUME CONTROL
The volume controls are located at the right side of each
section. The separate displays shows positions from 0 to 23
to facilitate precise interchannel tracking.

REAR PANEL
CONNECTIONS

GROUNDING POST

It is unlikely that you will need to use this unless the Orestes
is installed. ( Consult the Orestes section of the manual )

OUTPUTS 1/2/3

The Electra has 3 outputs for poweramplifiers to facilitate
easy bi- or triamping.
Output 1 and 2 are RCA standard types. Output 3 is for
direct connection to amplifiers with balanced inputs.
( Standard ref. AES 14-192 & ANSI S4.48 - 1992 )

PIN 1 Ground
PIN 2 Positive
PIN 3 Negative

If you wish to connect more than 1 balanced power amplifier
to your Elektra, your Gryphon dealer can make a dedicated
cable that allows you to take advantage of a balanced
power amplifier inputs ability to drive an interconnect cable
in balanced mode from a single ended source.

Conversion from single ended to balanced:
The XLR type connector to the power amplifier input is
terminated as above.

SINGLE ENDED TO
BALANCED
INTERCONNECT

The RCA type connector that connects to the preamplifiers
out put is terminated as follows:
PIN 2 wire connects to POSITIVE ( HOT )
PIN 1 ( screen ) & PIN 3 ( COLD ) wires are both connected
to the screen of the RCA connector.

If you are using an amplifier that does not meet the AES or
ANSI standards you must consult your Gryphon dealer
before making your own cables.

BALANCED TO
BALANCED
INTERCONNECT

INPUTS

The rear panel has WBT RCA connections for the 4 input
sources, tape output and 2 Power amplifier outputs.
Connect the external power supply to the DC power supply
input.
The covered slot above the connections is for connecting
turntable, power and impedance selection on the optional
Orestes phono module.

DC POWER SUPPLY

Connect the external Elektra power supply to the DC power
input with the supplied cables. Be careful to route the AC
and DC power supply cables free of input interconnects. The
DC power connectors are a Swiss made lock-type connector.
Turn clockwise to lock firmly to avoid accidental
disconnection.

BALANCED XLR - XLR

FROM RCA TO BALANCED XLR

SIGNAL FLOW >

XLR
PIN 2
PIN 3
PIN 1

XLR
2 POSITIVE
3 NEGATIVE
1 GROUND

SIGNAL FLOW >

RCA
Plus
Minus

XLR
2 POSITIVE
3 NEGATIVE
1 GROUND

GREEN BIAS
(optional)

The unique Gryphon “Green bias” system will enable your
Elektra to automatically program the Class A bias of your
Gryphon Antileon power amplifier. (See the Antileon manual
for further information). It is the actual position of the
Elektra’s volume control (not the playback level), that sets the
Antileon bias.
The Elektra’s Green bias circuit board can be set in 2
modes:

Position of volume control Antileon Bias
LOW HIGH
0-2 0-4 50%
3-6 5-8 75%
7-23 9-23 100%
The Elektra is factory set at the high position.
If your speakers are very effective you may consider
changing the setting to the low position. Your Gryphon
dealer can do this for you.

ELEKTRA
POWERSUPPLY

The Elektra Line version power supply is supplied with 2 DC
outputs ( left and right ) and 1 set of cables.
The Power supply is prepared for optional power supplies for
the optional Orestes phonostage.
Each channel has its own on/off switch on the rear of the
power supply. For optimum performance at all times, we
suggest that you leave your Elektra permanently on.
If you decide to turn your Elektra on and off, please
remember to turn the power amplifier off before the
preamplifier is turned off - and turn the preamplifier on
before the power amplifier is turned on.

BURN-IN & WARM-UP

Your Gryphon Elektra has been thoroughly tested and
burned in before shipping. Performance will, however,
continue to improve during the first 100 hours of normal
use. After this time, the Elektra will reach optimum
performance 45 minutes after being switched on.