Bob C.

05/10/2010

Product Review: Grant Fidelity A- 348 Integrated with KT 88 option.

To put this review into context, I’ve been involved in this wonderful hobby and leisure time pursuit for more than 35 years. During that time I’ve journeyed from Receiver/Turntable/Floor standers to higher end separates constantly seeking a higher level of realism and satisfaction. Then came digital and a whole new series of challenges and investment, but it was still fun. Years passed and then it all came to a sudden end. I’m going to refer to this as “the day the music died”. This, of course was the big switch to Home Theatre. It took five years to conclude once and for all that no matter what you do, how you configure, set up or tweak, you just can’t find musical satisfaction listening to high quality source material through a home theatre setup! So I acquired 2 integrated amps (forgot to mention that I sold off all the good stuff to buy the Home theatre gear) added some good two channel loudspeakers and split the systems into video and audio. Halleluiah, the joy is back! So, if you haven’t done this, do it now!

Once you start down this path (and by all means please go) music starts to sound so good again that you’ll want more. That brings me to the Grant Fidelity A-348.

During my daily info search for product reviews and best buy amplifier/integrated options I discovered this company and an innovative approach to delivering the best products at real world prices and thought that I would like to try something different because, quite frankly, other pieces were starting to all sound the same with variations in dynamics and tone but not really doing anything special. A couple of e mail exchanges with Ian resulted in a solid recommendation to give tubes a try.

So, based solely on Ian’s suggestion, I ordered an A-348, added the KT 88 option based on a couple of existing reviews and some broader information on the merits of the KT 88 tube in this application.

I followed all of the suggestions for placement and break in along with the most important factor of all, time. This baby needs break in time (like about 100 hours total) in order to really sing, and sing it does. (Don’t worry; it doesn’t sound horrible out of the box, just “normal”)

Ok, this thing is absolutely amazing. When I listen now, I keep thinking, “You’ve got to be kidding!” This piece is really good. Music pours out. Voices are real, images dance and low frequencies sound like real base. This amp also makes all of my other components sound better. It’s like I also got a new and improved CD player.

Where it really shines is in the turntable playback. Voices sound sweet and lifelike. Play Nora Jones and you’ll remember why she won all those Grammys. You can hear why Oscar was the best, you’ll rush out to buy new vinyl issues of old favorites. Life will be good again and music in the round will become a distant memory.

Go and get one fast and enjoy!

A couple of technical issues:

Do not fear manual bias. You’ll need a digital volt meter, a table and some practice. One or two re-sets and it will hold true. (I set at 52).

I also added some Grant Power chords, well worth while.

Other equipment:

Phono: Clearaudio Emotion with Ortophon 2M Black, Musical Fidelity Phono Stage.

CD: Rega Apollo,

Loudspeakers: Soliloquy 5.3 (90DB, 8 Ohm)

Cables: Cardas CrossLink, Van Den Hul and Cardas interconnects.

Randy B.

05/10/2010

- from customer Randy B. by email in March 2009:

"...I want to let you know the A-348 is working wonderfully. It is such a big improvement I still cannot believe my ears. I thank you very much for helping me make this purchase. Also, the CDP is working and sounding great. The pair make a great system."

Music Lover

05/10/2010

"A348 is an amazing amp"

I purchased the A-348 in late December 08. After using it for the last few weeks all I can say is wow. The amp is so open and accurate that I have upgraded my CD player to a mid-level Marantz with good quality DAC's and to new speakers. This amp reveals everything so if you use a cheap cd/dvd player - you will hear it. I am trying to keep the signal paths (input+output) as simple as possible, no preamp or tone controls. I thought I would miss those tone controls but I don't. What you hear is everything that was on the CD and it's mastering. I can now say that recording quality varies greatly from artist to artist - disc to disc. I have found the low end to vary the most - some discs are fine but on some it just seems they forgot to record anything below 50Hz. In the past, my powered sub would make up for that and artificailly inflate the bass. I don't miss that because now I hear the music - all of it as it was intended. I also like the fact that I can upgrade to 88 tubes and change the character of the amp and power output. This is a purchase you will not regret and Ian and Rachel were great to deal with and answered any question I had.

David Chen

05/10/2010

From past customer in Dec 2008:

"This amp powered my Maggies with Rock music"

- by customer David C., Oct 2008:

Been using this amp, paired to a difficult to run Magnepan 2.5R, for about 1 year now. Beautiful combination! By far it's the best sounding amp I've ever owned, it's also by a long shot the least expensive of any of the amps I've owned. Previously I was running Bryston, Linn, and Audio Refinement (the multi-5 is a fantastic HT amp). I've never knew my Maggies was so bass capable until the A-348 came home with me. The top end was much better and the mid-range is smooth and delicious. A very musical and warm amp and is a perfect match for my CD only system. Was initially very concerned that this amp may be underpowered for my Maggies. Others have told me I need at least 150 wpc in order to properly run the Maggies. I need not worry. This amp powered my Maggies with rock music at a volume that annoyed the neighbours without much difficulty. Recently upgraded to the KT-88 and yes it was a huge improvement without spending a lot of $$. Highly recommend giving this amp a listen. Don't be surprise if you find you can't part with this amp. Take the money you save and spend it on music and beers. A lot of beers! PS - Dealing with Ian and Rachel at Grant Fedility is NOT like dealing with the big box stores or the "boutique audiophile" stores. Be prepared to get prompt responses and great customer service. If your used to dealing with the big box stores you've been warned. Might be in for a shock, at least you'll have a good stock of music and beers from the money you saved on the amp to help.

From a very happy customer, David Chen

Chris M.

05/10/2010

from past customer Chris M. in Oct 2008:

"This amp gets me much closer to music"

by customer, Chris M.

Since I have not experienced many tube amps, it would be difficult for me to do an A/B comparison but the A-348 clearly gets me much closer to the music than my previous SS gear. For a very reasonable price, this amp added the fullness, soundstaging and level of realism that I suspected I was missing. I also played a number of CD’s through the amp and although it is not my preferred medium, it made them far more enjoyable, removing much of the hard edge I associate with CD’s.

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