RMAF 2008_mod1

“Now You Can Afford Hi-Fidelity Audio”
www.grantfidelity.com
Phone: 1-888-477-5379
(403)251-0466
Email: [email protected]
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Grant Fidelity is a 3-year-old Canadian business, located in Calgary, Alberta, specializing
in the design, outsource manufacturing and distributing of high fidelity and musician
audio products in both Canada and the US. This year is Grant Fidelity’s first time to
exhibit at the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest in Denver. Prior to RMAF, Grant Fidelity has
exhibited at the Vacuum Start of the Art Conference (VSAC) in Vancouver, Washington
in May 2008 and has conducted Open Houses across Canada.
Unlike many North American audio businesses, Grant Fidelity does all their production
in China by partnering with the top audio producers in that country so that the end
products are more affordable for consumers but without discounting audio and build
quality. The business partners behind Grant Fidelity include Ian Grant, a veteran
recording/live engineer/producer with over 20 years of professional engineering
experience, and Rachel Zhang, a Chinese businesswoman with 15 years experience in
international business in both China and Canada.
Grant Fidelity’s product mix includes everything you will need for an audio system –
from the wall plug out, extending all the way to speakers, even including equipment
stands and acoustic treatments.
The products Grant Fidelity brought to RMAF 2008 are combined together to form two
distinctive systems to fit two budget levels from $2,800 up to $7,500. Both of them are
very reasonably priced and beautifully crafted. Here is an overview of the RMAF
showroom with both systems on display:
1. Reference System
The Grant Fidelity Reference System is also called the RITA (Reference Intergrated
Tube Amp) System which centers around their flagship KT-88 and EL-34 tube amp.
The back row is the RITA system, including:
Choice of:
1) RITA-880 Integrated KT-88 tube amp (Back Left), comes with triple chrome
faceplate (it works like a mirror – you can see the floor reflection in it ), heavy
duty anti-shocking brushed aluminum chassis, weighs 110 lbs and punching out
45 watts per channel power, Class A UL. Retail $5,299, Introductory pricing
currently at 25% off - $3,975 USD.
Or:
2) RITA-340 Integrated EL-34 tube amp (Back Right), comes with standard brushed
aluminum faceplate and steel chassis, weighs 85 lbs and punching out 35 watts
per channel power, Class A Ultralinear. Retail $4,500, Introductory pricing $3,500
USD.
Both RITA-880 and RITA-340 comes with transparent power meters at the front –
through the front panel, customers can see the glowing tubes under the blue LED
light, which can be turned off as you wish. A common scene of the Grant Fidelity
room during the show is that people get down on their knees to look through the
meters.
Plus:
Choice of:
1) MCD-100 Tube HDCD/CD Player (Middle Back Top) with RCA and Balanced
output, Philips transport, dual transformers for tube and digital, and Class A
power circuit. Retail $1,499.
Or:
2) MDVD-100 Tube CD/HDCD/DVD Player (Middle Back Bottom) with RCA and
Balanced output, up-sampling HDMI, 5.1 channel, a perfect solution for Home
Concert with both stunning audio and pictures. Retail $1,199.
Plus:
Full set of cables, including:
1) MRCA-1 or MXLR-1 Gold Coated Copper Interconnects, Retail $399 & $450 per
pair, 1 meter length. This cable is very dynamic and lively. It was previously
distributed under the name of “Golden Dragon” but now falls under Grant Fidelity’s
exclusive distribution arrangement with the Chinese manufacturer at a much more
affordable price.
2) MSC-2.5 Pure Copper Speaker Cables, Retail $499 per pair, 2.5 meters length.
3) PC-1.5 Power Cord with RF filter, Retail $149, 1.5 meters length.
4) RPF-120 Power conditioner with 1:1 transformer to separate your system from your
house and grid, to clean up your power and to isolate your equipment from power
spikes and micro-surges. Retail $379, with 8 outlets which are more than enough for
most system needs. Classic looking and quite heavy.
The System:
The entire system MSRP is just over $8,300 USD and with system discount, it comes
to $7,535. The system has been reviewed by Dagago.com and the comments are:
“You‟ll be hard pressed to find a more complete overall package in terms of build
quality, and sound reproduction than what is offered here. Highly recommended!”
With the challenge of global economy is facing in the coming year caused by financial
market meltdown, Grant Fidelity’s affordable pricing will make lots of music lovers’
dollars stretch much longer and further, but still having a top quality playback system to
appreciate their be-loved music.
2. Performance System
The Grant Fidelity Performance System definitely has a retro, classic tube amp look –
all tubes are exposed out of the chassis, unlike in the RITA amplifiers, tubes are
enclosed inside the chassis. Of course the performance amplifiers come with tube
cage for safety measures. (Cage uninstalled in the picture)
The Performance System is centered around two different integrated tube amplifiers
with color scheme including black and silver.
The Performance System includes:
Choice of:
1) A-534 Integrated 300B tube amplifier (back left), with EL34 as the driver tube to
drive 86dB and up efficiency speakers and still generate the heavenly 300B
sound. Retail $1,979, weigh 60lbs, 9.5 watts per channel, with headphone jack
right tapped off the 300B’s which makes it among one of the best sounding
headphone amps you could find at any price.
(Pictures shows A-534 with upgraded TJ Fullmusic 300B tubes installed)
Or:
2) A-348 Integrated EL/34 (optional KT-88) tube amplifier (back right). This is a 2in-1 amp allows consumer to choose to use either EL34 tubes or KT88 to have
two distinctive sound but without having to own two amplifiers. Retail $1,329.
Weighs 55lbs. 35 Watts per channel.
Both A-534 and A-348 come with remote control so customers can fully enjoy
their music sessions from the comfort of their chairs. Power supply is also
separated from the output section to minimize interference.
Plus:
CD-327A defeatable up-sampling tube CD player which comes with custom DAC, output
stage with affordable 12AX7 tubes, isolation feet and remote control. It was designed to
allow your CD’s to sound as close to vinyl as possible. Retail $949 USD.
Plus:
Full set of cables, including:
1) RCA-1 Interconnects – Retail $99, 1 meter length.
2) SPC-2.5 Speaker Cables – Retail $129, 2.5 meters length
The above interconnects and speaker cables are made of 5n OFC copper with a
very dynamic and accurate response. Cabling is often used as a tuning device to
take out unwanted signals from the playback system. However, these two budget
priced cables are designed in a way to match the Performance System without
choking sound. After all, our tube amplifiers are already sound so good that you
probably really don’t want anything to be taken out by your cabling for a truly
complete experience of your music.
3) PC-1.5 Power cables – Retail $149, 1.5 meters length (same as in Reference System)
4) RPF-120 Power conditioner – Retail $379, 8 outlets (same as in Reference System)
The System
The entire Performance System starts at MSRP $3,183. With system discount, it is only
$2,865 USD with the A-348 amp and $3,500 USD with the A-534 amp.
The A-348 package has been recently reviewed by Mike Peshkin at Positive Feedback
Online. The recommendation couldn’t be any stronger:
At the MSRP it's a no brainer. At the package price? You would have to be one
of those guys who has to pay top dollar in Georgetown for a pair of shoes you
could have gotten in this „burg for $100 less so you could say, "I bought these
shoes in Georgetown for $400."
Buy the system, and when your buddy who deals in wine futures asks what you
paid you can tell him, "It was only $11,000." Even if he knows something about
listening, he'll believe you.
Although Grant Fidelity is still developing their dealer network in both Canada
and the US, they do offer direct sales to non-dealer area with a 21-day free trial
plus free shipping and duty prepaid.
Speakers & Equipment Stands:
During the show, Grant Fidelity also debuted their RBS-1 Bookshelf speakers,
which comes with Morel drivers, real 1st order crossover, triple wood cabinets
with clear finish. With both Reference and Performance systems, these speakers
vanished completely into the soundstage in the showroom. Projected retail
$2,000 USD and will be in stock in Jan 2009.
Equipment Stands
Except the Reference System equipment stands, Grant Fidelity speakers and
Performance system were presented at RMAF with Skylan stands – a very well
established and well known brand located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
TJ Fullmusic Tubes
Besides the complete audio system, announced at the RMAF 2008, Grant Fidelity
also starts to distribute the well known TJ Fullmusic tubes to satisfy more tube
lovers. TJ Fullmusic is a Chinese tube manufacturer with 10 years history. Owner
and his son are ambitious in continuously upgrading their 300B line of tubes to
compete with the legendary Western Electric 300B tubes. Grant Fidelity will
carry TJ Fullmusic mesh plate, carbon plate 300B tubes, plus being the very first
North American distributor for newly designed TJ Fullmusic Special Edition
carbon plate 300B tubes.
Retail pricing:
300B/n - Premium Mesh Plate $325 per matched pair
300B/C - Carbon plate $499 per matched pair
300B/SE - Special Edition Carbon Plate $750 per matched pair
All tubes come with white ceramic base, gold pin and 12 months manufacturer
warranty.
(300B/C, $499 per pair - left; 300B/SE, $750 per pair, right)
(300B/n - $325 per pair)