Grant Fidelity RITA-880S Ultra Linear KT88 Class A 45wpc.

Amazing integrated amp from Grant Fidelity with 47 total hours of usage that I have decided to sell because of it's size and weight. The amp cannot fit in my entertainment center and the weight is over 100lbs., so moving this unit might be difficult should you ever require a professional service visit.

I purchased this amp at the recommendation of Grant Fidelity as their best offering in the $5000 range for an integrated amp. The warm tube sound and dynamics, plus plenty of power to drive my speakers, are a few of the features that stand out with this amp and it is not even broken in yet. This amp seems to represent the best qualities of both high end tube and solid state combined. Also, with 98 efficiency speakers and the amp turned up, it is dead silent. Again, this is an amazing product, there are several reviews that go into detail of how good it is. This model is the upgraded 880S model which has the upgraded Psvane high end Beryllium copper foil capacitors ($600 upgrade), the black digital stepping volume remote and black faceplate.

Even though this amp is class A, it does not get very hot. The amp is a self bias amp, however if the power tubes are replaced you must make sure the bias number is set the same for the new tubes (instructions are provided with the enclosed literature). The amp is very nice to look at as well, with the "old school" blue glow and orange VU meters.

In my short time with this amp I had it hooked to a pair of Tekton Enzo speakers and it was more than enough to power my speakers and it sounded fantastic. The volume did not need to exceed 15 (0-99 range) to fill my large room with loud sound. If you have lower efficiency speakers this amp should power them just fine with plenty of room to spare. The tubes are Psvane KT88, Chinese NOS military 6SL7 (these are reserved at GF for RITA owners), as well as a pair of 6SN7 tubes. This amp is in brand new condition, still not broken in, again only 47 total hours of usage, all the paperwork and original packaging included. Below is some more information on this product:

"The Grant Fidelity RITA-880 integrated amplifier is built like a battleship and weighs as much as a boat anchor. It sounds terrific, has tons of drive, and is largely free of coloration. It manages to sound far more powerful than it is, and can drive tough speaker loads that, at least on paper, should give it problems. The RITA-880 could be light, airy, and delicate. It could also kick serious butt."

"This had the curious result of making the recording sound spacious and constrained at the same time -- an odd production choice that the RITA-880 easily unmasked."

Colin Smith - Sound Stage

Hand built, hand wired - There is nothing else like her available on the market for her looks and KT-88 sound. Rita-880 is Class A Ultralinear design, punching out 45 watts per channel, but sounds more like a 200 w/ch amp and can easily drive any speaker.

The patented illuminated meters are, well, sexy. A nice blue glow with orange meters that you can see thru to the tubes behind. Wrapped in a stunning polished to mirror faceplate. Rita-880 weighs in at around 115 lbs with her custom transformers and shock proof casing.

This could be one of the best sounding amps (in both solid state and tube worlds) you will ever hear at this price.

"Rita produced a tight, gloriously transparent sound with impeccable articulation. The top-end was fast, dynamic, smooth, like very good tube amps should be, while creating an almost solid-state grip on the lower registers. I say almost because unlike some hybrids which often sound like two competing technologies vying for supremacy, the Rita sounds completely natural. It has a warm, organic presentation but retains the inviting flavor of tube reproduction." - Richard Austin - Dagogo review, Sept.2008

More reviews:

SoundStage Reviewers' Choice Award (Oct 2008) and Best Product Debut 2008

Previous customer review (March 2008)

The front faceplate has been changed from previous chrome version to black brushed aluminum - the money used to spent on the faceplate now will be freed for your other audio purchase or tube upgrades.

Power button design has been improved to address the weakness mentioned in the 2008 review.

Features:
•Unique Class A, balanced and non-negative feedback tube circuits
•45 W class A output per channel, 450 Wpp Max per channel.
•Balanced (XLR) and non-balanced (RCA) inputs
•4 x KT-88, 2 x 6SN7, 2 x 6SL7 vacuum tubes, providing you plenty of tube rolling options
•Remote control with digital stepping volume adjustment
•Fully sheathed and anti-shock aluminum alloy case
•Ocean blue Translucent power meters with on/off switch

Specifications
•Power: 45W per channel (Class A, UL).
•THD: 95dB
•Frequency response: 18 Hz - 38 kHz (± 0.5dB)
•Input impedance: 100k ohm
•Output impedance: 4-8 ohm
•Voltage: 120 ± 10 %
•Size (LxWxH): 450×397×280 mm (unpacked)
•Net Weight: 52 kg.
•Main Power Fuse: 10A 250V Fast Blown