Pandora Closes as Helios Rises for Gryphon Audio

Gryphon is positioning Helios as a more attainable way into its reference electronics, but it doesn’t feel like a standalone release. While Gryphon also introduced the Antileon Revelation power amplifier at High End Munich last year, the Helios suggests a broader refresh of the company’s core amplification lineup rather than a one-off addition.

The underlying architecture, however, stays true to form. Helios retains Gryphon’s familiar dual-chassis layout, pairing the preamplifier with the PSU 5 Dual Mono Power Supply. Inside, each enclosure houses fully discrete, monaural circuits, a long-standing design approach that continues to define the brand’s electronics.

Construction has moved on from the Pandora, with extensive use of extruded and CNC-machined aluminium to improve rigidity and control vibration. Each chassis sits on Gryphon-designed spikes, while supplied coasters allow the preamp to be stacked directly atop the PSU 5 without concern for surface damage or interference. The company says the shift from the Pandora’s C-core transformers to custom toroidal units also reduces magnetic radiation, making that stacked configuration more viable in practice.

Down at the circuit level, the single-ended, Class A input buffer remains, but now uses a revised dual JFET design intended to reduce noise and improve transparency. The signal path itself is kept deliberately simple, just two transistors and a single resistor, which reflects Gryphon’s long-held view that less in the way helps preserve speed, tone and overall musical coherence.

Importantly, the Helios adopts the same single-ended input stage developed for the Commander, a notable piece of trickle-down engineering first developed for the Commander.

Volume control is handled by a microprocessor-controlled, 85-step relay attenuator using Vishay MELF resistors. Gryphon says the impedance of the volume stage has been halved compared to the Pandora, which in turn extends bandwidth and improves overall performance. A dedicated single-ended output per channel has also been added, addressing a limitation of the outgoing model and widening compatibility with downstream amplification. As expected, the design continues to avoid global negative feedback.

Component choice remains firmly in the ultra-high-end camp, with WIMA polypropylene capacitors, Panasonic long-life electrolytics, Vishay resistors, and Texas Instruments shunt regulators forming part of the platform. Gryphon also points to specially selected bipolar and JFET devices used exclusively within its designs.

Beyond its role as a line stage, the Helios is positioned as a system hub. Home Theatre Bypass is supported via both XLR and RCA connections, and all inputs can be individually named and gain-adjusted. The rear panel also accommodates Gryphon’s DAC3 digital module and PS3 phono stage, allowing the preamplifier to be configured or upgraded over time. 

Helios is also the first Gryphon electronics product to introduce a new design language. Penned by long-term employee Søren Slebo, the aesthetic retains the brand’s “Nordic Noir” identity while introducing a more sculptural form, inspired, somewhat poetically, by the flow of a waterfall! Mr. Slebo is responsible for mechanical and industrial design for Gryphon Audio Designs. A 4.3-inch touch display sits behind bonded tempered glass, while the brand’s signature inverted triangle motif remains, albeit revealed more subtly when the preamp is stacked with its matching power supply.

The Gryphon Helios is available now, with European pricing set at €22,800 | US$29,800 for the preamplifier and €15,800 | US$20,800 for the PSU 5 Dual Mono Power Supply. Additional regional pricing and availability are yet to be confirmed.

For more information visit Gryphon Audio