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[Rachel @ Grant Fidelity]

Finally the Grant Fidelity Tube DAC09 is ready for launching - for those who heard of Ian's pre-announcement, my apologies for the waiting. I still need to get a few better pictures of it but the product info is up on our site now.

Pre-order and first 30 customers get it for only $275 shipped by Sept 25th. First come first serve. I would like to give the deals to AC members and hear what you say about it. :yes:

Here is a quick look of it: (webpage link is here: http://grantfidelity.com/site/Grant_Fidelity_Tube_DAC-09

Front:


Back:

[pbrstreetgang]

Can you tell us a bit more about the chips and line stage?

[srb]

The specifications state:
 
  - "(5) sets of inputs to allow you plenty of choices - including 2 sets RCA, 1 coaxial, 1 optical and 1 USB 2.0"
 
  - "Supports 16 bit, 20 bit and 24 bit audio sources"
 
  - "Supports sampling frequency of 32k, 44k, 48k, 88k and 96kHz"
 
There is no mention of any limitation on the USB input, so the assumption would be that this applies to USB input as well?
 
Steve

[pbrstreetgang]

Um yea, like in what DAC chip, Os/NOS ect

[iGrant]

Can you tell us a bit more about the chips and line stage?

Active Output Stage, 6N3 tube. Chip info has been filed off to reduce in China copying and won't be published by us.

Cheers,
Ian

[iGrant]

The specifications state:
 
  - "(5) sets of inputs to allow you plenty of choices - including 2 sets RCA, 1 coaxial, 1 optical and 1 USB 2.0"
 
  - "Supports 16 bit, 20 bit and 24 bit audio sources"
 
  - "Supports sampling frequency of 32k, 44k, 48k, 88k and 96kHz"
 
There is no mention of any limitation on the USB input, so the assumption would be that this applies to USB input as well?
 
Steve

We will confirm with the factory, but as far as I can tell 'yes' to the assumption.

Cheers,
Ian

[iGrant]

Um yea, like in what DAC chip, Os/NOS ect

No user interface on the TubeDAC, anything with USB 2.0 Audio should be fine. No special drivers needed.

Cheers,
Ian

[srb]

Um yea, like in what DAC chip, Os/NOS ect

No user interface on the TubeDAC, anything with USB 2.0 Audio should be fine. No special drivers needed.

Cheers,
Ian

I believe he is asking if the DAC is Oversampling (OS) or Non-Oversampling (NOS).
 
Steve

[cryoparts]

If it does 24/96 over USB at this price point, wow, that would be stunning.

Also, please clarify, is it limited to 24/96 through coax S/PDIF and optical, or will it do 24/192?

Looks like a neat product!

Lee

The specifications state:
 
  - "(5) sets of inputs to allow you plenty of choices - including 2 sets RCA, 1 coaxial, 1 optical and 1 USB 2.0"
 
  - "Supports 16 bit, 20 bit and 24 bit audio sources"
 
  - "Supports sampling frequency of 32k, 44k, 48k, 88k and 96kHz"
 
There is no mention of any limitation on the USB input, so the assumption would be that this applies to USB input as well?
 
Steve

We will confirm with the factory, but as far as I can tell 'yes' to the assumption.

Cheers,
Ian

[pbrstreetgang]

Wait so we have to just take a chance? I mean if we knew the chip we can have some determinate if it is for us or not. DAC chips arent proprietary and are off the shelf, if all they have to do is guess at a off the shelf DAC chip when the whole circuit is right there it isnt fooling the Chinese, Its just a disservice to us.

Can you tell us a bit more about the chips and line stage?

Active Output Stage, 6N3 tube. Chip info has been filed off to reduce in China copying and won't be published by us.

Cheers,
Ian

[Rachel @ Grant Fidelity]

Wait so we have to just take a chance? I mean if we knew the chip we can have some determinate if it is for us or not. DAC chips arent proprietary and are off the shelf, if all they have to do is guess at a off the shelf DAC chip when the whole circuit is right there it isnt fooling the Chinese, Its just a disservice to us.

I am working with the factory to get more information shortly. Please just give us a bit time - we will do our best to service customers but also need to work around with suppliers. Stay tuned.

Best,
Rachel

[planet10]

$275? Rachel, at that price they deserve to fly off the shelves.

Rachel donated one of these for the raffle at this past weekend's diyFEST. We got the opportunity to audition it for a couple week. We felt that at $300 (we hoped it would get this cheap) to $500  it would be REALLY good value.



Won by Richard Packham.

more pictures: http://www.silversaltstudio.com/SilverSaltStudio/diyfest_09.html

dave

[iGrant]

Thanks for the pic Dave, sorry I couldn't make it this year, guess there is still beer left . Do let Richard now that by simply changing jumper JP5.1 to JP5 he can turn it into a pre-amp. Running it with the 150w ShengYa Hybrid Mono-blocks at the moment and it sounds quite good as a pre, quiet and the power switch is no thump on and off. I'd still run it as a straight DAC for purity of not having another volume control in there, but then again a bit of drive can do wonders with flea powered amps too eh.

Next year!

Cheers,
Ian

[planet10]

sorry I couldn't make it this year, guess there is still beer left .

A few regulars were MIA... but it was a good time. A chest of beer left over... i still have your tent set aside somewhere.

dave

[chrisby]

Ian & Rachel,  I had the opportunity to listen to the donated unit for a couple of days before the event, and was quite pleased with its performance when compared to my venerable Jolida JD603, which has itself embarrassed more than a couple of much higher priced DACs or single box players. 

Great functionality, and by keeping it simple (I'm beginning to resent the number of remotes it takes to keep a current system fully operational), a great bargain. 

As for the beer, wine and Bombay Sapphire Gin donated to the cause, even with just local regulars, it's not destined to last past Labour Day weekend, and certainly not to the Oktoburfest/Halloween bonfire/weenie roast.

[cryoparts]

A chest of beer left over

Oh, that was supposed to be sent to me!   

Peace,

Lee

[Rachel @ Grant Fidelity]

There is no mention of any limitation on the USB input, so the assumption would be that this applies to USB input as well?
 
Steve

We have clarified with manufacturer - USB chip is used for transfer data only, decoding is still at 24 bit.

[Rachel @ Grant Fidelity]

Can you tell us a bit more about the chips and line stage?

About the chips....

Main D/A converter chip is made by Cirrus Logic. Our supplier requests us not to disclose exact model number and I respect their request. Op-amp chip is made by National Semiconductor LF353N. Both are USA brands.

We provide 30 days in-home audition to all buyers. When you receive it and feel it doesn't meet your expectation for whatever reason, simply return it to us. We will refund your money in 48 hours minus the initial shipping (usually around $20 within USA) if the unit is returned as new.

We have been running the DAC-09 as pre-amp last few days to drive Shengya PSM-150 monoblocks (150wpc) and it sounds wonderful. It doesn't shy from the $1100 Shengya CV15 matching tube preamp at all.

In response to forum members questions, we have updated the website product information last few days. Check out to see if we have answered all your questions. If not, contact us at any time.

The 30 pre-order at 30% off is half way down now. If you want to jump on the deal, don't miss it.

Happy listening.

[srb]

There is no mention of any limitation on the USB input, so the assumption would be that this applies to USB input as well?
 
Steve

We have clarified with manufacturer - USB chip is used for transfer data only, decoding is still at 24 bit.

In other words, from the USB input the DAC-09 will accept high resolution digital files of 24bit/88KHz and 24bit/96KHz and convert them to analog without any loss of resolution (no down converting to 16bit/44.1KHz)?
 
Steve

[droht]

Rachel, can the DAC-09 be run as a pre as delivered or is some tweak required?  Thanks.