Gryphon Zena
Danish Gryphon Zena stereo preamplifier, with resistive volume attenuator and fully balanced signal path, designed for demanding hi-fi systems.
Description
The Gryphon Zena is a high-end stereo preamplifier designed by the Danish manufacturer Gryphon. It succeeds the Athena by replacing the ball-bearing volume wheel with touch-sensitive up/down buttons controlling a volume attenuator made up of 43 individual steps, in 2 dB increments. Its function is to manage level and source selection within an analogue hi-fi chain, with a stated aim of maximum neutrality and transparency.
The volume attenuator relies on a network of SMD metal-film resistors combined with hermetically sealed, gold-plated, ultra-low-capacitance Reed Pickering relays, with no more than two resistors present in the control signal path at any given moment. The Zena also stands out for its fully balanced signal path: unlike the Athena, the XLR inputs undergo no conversion to unbalanced before attenuation, which simplifies the signal route. The voltage supplies for the active circuits use shunt regulators to provide very low output impedance across a wide frequency band and good noise suppression, complemented by Wima polypropylene capacitors, aluminium organic polymer capacitors and Von low-voltage Schottky diodes. Internal wiring is kept to an absolute minimum, apart from a short earth wire, display ribbons and mains power wiring mounted in a shielded channel between the IEC inlet and the switch, in order to limit mains-related interference.
The Zena also incorporates an extended AV throughput function: input 2 (XLR) or input 3 (phono) can be configured for 0 dB throughput, allowing the preamplifier to be integrated into a multichannel home cinema setup without degrading its pure stereo performance. In keeping with the brand's higher-end Pandora preamplifier, the Zena dispenses with tone controls, balance adjustment, polarity inversion, headphone output, mono switch and any circuitry deemed superfluous, following a logic of reducing the signal path to the strict essentials.
This preamplifier is aimed at a discerning music lover who already owns a source and one or more high-level amplification stages, and who is looking for a central component capable of preserving the finesse and dynamics of the signal without added colouration. Its integration versatility with a multichannel system via the AV throughput function also makes it a relevant choice for a mixed stereo and home cinema system controlled from a single installation.
What to check before buying used
On models with touch-sensitive buttons such as the Zena, it is worth checking that each of the 43 attenuator steps switches cleanly, without any level jump or one channel lagging behind the other. The sealed Reed Pickering relays are reputed to be reliable, but a unit that has travelled a lot deserves a check of the solder joints and the aluminium fascia, which marks easily at the corners. Listening to both XLR inputs at identical volume also allows you to make sure no drift affects the balance of the symmetrical path.
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