AKFest 2010 Coverage

Grant’ Fidelity’s sign proudly proclaims “Nothing Over $2000″. The room was stuffed wall-to-wall with solid state, hybrid and tube components, speakers and cables. It appears that there is nothing they do not make. Auditioning the products was not a viable option. Shown below are the MBS-1 Morel bookshelf speakers ($1150), which are similarly shaped to Sonus Fabers, and a rack of components.

The Opera-Consonance LP 6.1 turntable with T988 tonearm ($1,325). It looks a bit like the Brinkmann Bardo.

The Grant Fidelity DAC-09 USB DAC and headphone amp ($390) (top) was used a a preamp and the Shengya CD-16 CD player ($1850) bottom was used as the digital source.

The PM-150 hybrid monoblocks on either side of an SM8K EL34 integrated amplifier.

Hidden behind the rack was the new Consonance wireless DAC. It was linked to a laptop across the room via a dedicated 16-bit/44.1kHz USB wireless transmitter (left side of laptop). The Airport Express seems like a more elegant solution, but then you are limited to using iTunes.

The BAlabo-like Shengya A206 integrated amplifier ($1650).

The Shengja CD-17 tube CD player ($1200) (top) Shengya A17 hybrid integrated amplifier ($1200) (bottom).

Based up my examination of, and limited listening to, the equipment in the room, I would recommend other components at comparable price points to the entry level audiophile.

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