Grant Fidelity Audio - Read Only

[yoder]

I purchased an A-348 a few weeks ago and wanted to post my thoughts. Sorry for the long winded post, but I wanted to post the full experience. First off the customer service at Grant is excellent. I had some ground issues, which first came to the surface when I tried to integrate a B-283. Ian helped me above and beyond his responsibilities to help me troubleshoot my issues. We had a good chat about my entire setup and he even helped me with some advice for a DAC for my PC.

Due to this process and my chat with Ian, I decided to go pure 2-channel instead of where I was going with 5-channel, which was getting far too complex. I had a Yamaha HTR-5890 receiver, which I was using for home theater processing. A month earlier I got a Parasound 2100 2-channel processor and 3 x-amps (150W SS monoblocks). I had the Yamaha pre-outs going to the 2100 for HT bypass, 2100 to 2 x-amps for HT and 2-channel listening, and I was going to integrate the B-283 between the Parasound and x-amps. It just made me realize how I was spending so much money, a little at a time, on 5-channel, when I’d rather have a really good quality, simpler, 2-channel rig instead. This, and my good experience working with Ian on the B-283, led me to order the A-348.

Going from the Yamaha to the Parasound and x-amps made a very nice improvement to my system. The sound quality was very good, but a little hard, if that makes sense. When I switched to the A-348 that hard edge went away, but I got a lot more than I was expecting. Not only are the highs less (or non) fatiguing, but they are more detailed and engaging. I currently have them running my Altec 100’s, which are floorstanders with dual 8” woofers, a mid, and tweeter. I have never heard these speakers sound so good. I didn’t know they were capable of such detail and imaging. I expected that bass quality might suffer a little with the A-348, but at .4 V bias I thought the bass was actually tighter. Due to this there is also more punch instead of smearing like my SS setup was apparently doing. When I lowered the bias to .35 V bass still sounded good, but softer and warmer. I preferred the punch of the .4 bias. I left it at .35 though. When I added 2 PC 1.5 power cables and an RPF-120 power conditioner, the bass tightened back up to where I like it at .35 V bias (one PC1.5 to the RPF and another to the amp). Ian had suggested that running 2 PC1.5’s in line might get the bass too clean for his tastes, but it works well for me with the Altecs for my tastes.

In addition to being very engaging and drawing you into the music, the A-348 has a lot of power and a big sound stage. I recently bought some used Amphion Helium2’s at a very low price due to superficial damage for my bedroom setup. When I hooked up them up to my SS setup in my main listening 12’x18’ room they sounded nice, but small. When hooked up to the A-348, they sounded much bigger than their tiny stature and sound filled the room. Bass seemed richer and deeper as well. The Amphions are 86 dB efficient and I believe the Altecs are around 88-90. In both cases I don’t need to turn the volume up much more than half way to reach some very loud levels. I have had the A-348 up to three-quarters. There was no sign of distortion, but unless I’m listening to a very quiet jazz album, this is just way too loud for most tracks.

I don’t really have reference tracks, but I decided to play one of my most listened to albums, Buddy Rich and Gene Krupa on Compact Jazz (I wore out the cassette tape of this album and had to buy a CD after only a couple years). Being a drummer I love this album because over half of the album is drumming duels/solos. I have heard this album on better speakers, but I’ve never heard the drums sound so real. I could hear the character and reverberation of the drums like they were in the room with me. I never knew the quality of the recording was this good until hearing it on the A-348. This album also has some blaring horns. They were still there in force, but never fatiguing even at high levels. After listening to this album on the A-348, I knew it was something special.

I don’t have any prior tube experience to say how the A-348 compares to other tube amps. I have heard what I think is good SS gear such as Onix, av123, Emotiva, and Parasound in similar price ranges for 2-channel setups. The A-348 is on a whole other level, period. I am very happy with the sound right now, but I like the idea that I can make tweaks and upgrades without buying another amp. I continue to be impressed with the sound from this amp and how much I enjoy music, whatever speakers I have hooked up to it. I do have some better speakers, av123 LS6’s, on order, which I think will better show off the capability of this amp. For now though the A-348 is allowing me to fully enjoy my current setup. If you are on the fence about buying from Grant Fidelity, don’t hesitate. They are great to work with. Thanks again Ian and Rachel!

-Dave

[igrant]

Thanks Dave, great having you as a customer and look forward to more chats down the road. Enjoy your gear !

Cheers,
Ian
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[bravo papa]

I had decided to enter the world of tubes with the purchase of the A-348. My unfamiliarity of tubes was supplemented with the assistance from Ian Grant. The sales serivce was informative & courteous,all calls were quickly returned.

The A-348 looked great & sounds wonderful. When I received the amp it was well packaged & heavy I should have listened to Ian's warning more attentively.

The integrated amp & remote control was well built-solid but the remote could have used some polishing on the edges. The remote is heavy duty-just be careful you don't drop it on the wooden floor.

Out of the box the A-348 was equipped with standard el34b tubes. The unit sounded musical,smooth and rounded. The A -348 translated the music into a pleasurable and non fatiguing experience.

It was a pleasure dealing with Grant Fidelity . I am confident they will continue with their courteous sales service and provide unequivocal future customer support.

jw