Grant Fidelity Amplifiers

I don't know what the big deal is regarding Grant Fidelity and the Teflon caps that aren't actually Teflon caps.

Grant Fidelity doesn't manufacture the caps, they just bought them for resale, just like Parts Connection. Once it was brought to their attention that they aren't really Teflon caps, they corrected the literature on their web site.

Also, my impression was that Grant would issue refunds to anyone who wanted refunds. In the case of the linked thread, the OP bought the caps from Parts Connection.

What else is a retailer to do? Issue a refund to someone who never bought from them? Assume liability globally for someone else's product? I don't really get the extreme criticism of Grant Fidelity here.

If your local stereo shop represented ARC, and ARC manufacturers bogus preamps and amps, should your local stereo shop apologize for ARC and refund all of ARC's customers? Or just issue a correction and refund only their own customers? There's only so much a retailer / reseller is going to do here. And being overly transparent and frank just opens you up to a libel and slander lawsuit from the manufacturer.

Aside from this cap issue, I haven't heard of any other integrity problem (real, imagined or exaggerated). Haven't heard of anyone having a problem with Grant Fidelity branded tube amplifiers in this way. A KT88 amplifier seems to be a KT88 amplifier.

For the record, I do not own any Grant supplied equipment. A number of years ago I bought some tubes from them. I have never heard their amplifiers, and have no opinion regarding the quality of their amplifiers, caps, or tubes.

My post before it was a little more expansve but didn't pass muster with the moderator. a real diligent search though varous audio forum threads reveals some very interesting tactics and behaviour. you have to wonder why a certain canehjun audio site where he's been a dealer member and paying advertiser for over 5 years and where the forums would indicate he's sold a ton of gear over those years, he only has 16 feedbacks.......

Thanks for the link to the cap thread. I'll keep saving my money for something more widely respected. I owe you all big time.

Mickeyf:

Thanks for the heads up. That teflon cap thread is a little disturbing. Never knew very much about GF as I never purchased anything from them but alot of folks seem to be gaga about the Treasure tubes, I found them to be a little pricey and have heard several people say the Penta SC kt88 is just as good for less money. Better just leave it at that, don't want to fan the flames too hard here

metman:

if you're going to quote a review, you should give a link, but a poster at AA is hardly an unbiased or particularly clever source.

OP do your research, start here....

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?htech&1327073472&openflup&39&4#39

It's not so pretty is it?

BTW, no warranty impies GOOB in my book, wanna bet? Buy it, then come back here in two years and tell me you still have it and you're happy.

Not quite sure what the "All marketing spin" quote is supposed to mean either. I've never heard the amp before and was merely steering the OP to a review of the amp over at AA of which I have absolutely no affiliation with whatsoever.
If you read the website Ian Grant is pursuing alternative treatments for his illness which isn't covered by insurance and hence the reason for the discounts

Mickeyf - I would hope that you are implying that the high praise review is "marketing spin" and not the fact Ian Grant being sick creating the heavily discounted prices....

Crwindy - I have only heard the Rita @ GF's location and it sounded wonderful. I have never owned one nor have any of my friends so I cannot speak to the reliability factor. Given it is a very large amp and weighs a ton and if required to be serviced would cost quite a bit for freight I would investigate deeper into owner's impressions and experiences before taking the plunge. It is built like a brick $_it house! If memory serves me right the RITA has had a number of positive reviews however you weigh their value.

Someone recently reviewed the Rita over at AA and had nothing but high praise for it. It certainly seems like a steal at it's current pricing but I believe the caveat is that it comes with no warranty, but don't quote me on that

All marketing spin.