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Well I would calmly vote for the Boulder 1060 as I know it well. This amp has enormous power reserves and delivers 600 watts @4ohms and has a damping factor of around 4000! The 1060 is also fast thanks to it's vast array of output transistors and distributed power supply. Damping factor is really the more relevent indicator of an amp's ability to control a speaker. It is also extremely well engineered and reliable. Depending on your budget, you can step up to the 2100 or even 3000 series. As you move up the Boulder line, you just get more of everything. Don't believe earlier hysterical comments about Krell. Boulder ran an a-b comparison at a Dealership in which a 1060 was thrown up against Krell Evolution 900 mono blocks and was much more dynamic and powerful sounding (especially in low bass). Paper specs are bs, and frankly Krell trade off their reputation. Boulder are the real deal. No other manufacturer has that level of engineering capacity or in-house content. |
08-16-13: Audiolabyrinth
I would say check the latest reviews...
I also will add, todays reviews mean nothing but a interest for an audition, these reviewers are payed good money to say what ever is good for the company!
Firstly, don't comment on Boulder's circuit design when you haven't even bothered to read any of their technical white papers (I have). Secondly, your above statements go to the heart of your lack of credibility. You're clearly speaking out of your rear end and it shows. Could Krell have built the Boulder 3060? They couldn't even contemplate an amplifier at that level, but that's what Boulder do every day. Secondly, if your beloved Krell amp is so good...why aren't they building them today? Thirdly you need to learn to spell before lecturing Boulder about how to design a power amplifier! |
08-16-13: Audiolabyrinth
@ p59teitel,,competitive fanboy postings notwithstanding!, you hit the nail on the nailhead!, lol!, Ha, ha, Ha! Well that just goes to show...small things amuse small minds. |
08-17-13: Mbovaird
Thanks everyone!
I'm leaning toward the Soulution 501 monos. Thoughts? If you're considering mono blocks, you should also look at the similarly priced D'Agostino Momentum mono's. I'm perfectly happy with my Boulder 1060 at half their price, but if I wanted to spend that kind of money on an amp (and had the room), I would personally wait for the new Boulder 2160 class a stereo amp due out in September. Here is a link to a blog spot - http://cybwiz.blogspot.com.au/2013/08/boulder-2150-inside.html |
Mike, the Raidho D3's sound like amazing speakers. You mentioned some very good amps. I own a pair of Magico S5's and have heard the S5's with Vitus & Soulution amps. I liked the Soulution 710 which sounded very smooth and relaxed, much like the S5's. As for Vitus, i've only heard the S5's with the Vitus RI-100 integrated and liked the tonal balance, but overall preferred my Boulder amps which subjectively sound more powerful & transparent. If you were going for Vitus, I would recommend their mono's which achieve more acceptable channel separation. I've heard various Rowland amps, including the 725 mono's. I don't know, when I hear them I hear some artifice which I find a bit fatiguing in long listening sessions. Maybe that's due to the op amps or switcher psu? The weak point of Rowland imho is their preamp. Spectral i'm not a fan of. They sound too clinical and bright for my liking. You correctly pointed out the Raidho's diamond drivers & ribbon tweeter require plenty of clean power which can match them for speed. I don't have access to D'Agostino or Constellation gear; both could be good options. If you're still auditioning amps later in the year, i'd include the new Boulder 2160 which should be excellent. Boulder have also just released the new 2110 preamp which from all i've read is outstanding. Enjoy the process. |
@Csontos, I don't think it's helpful to stick your nose in and make a mockery of comments made when you know nothing of the past history of that member. You haven't been the victim of vicious personal attacks and breaches of your privacy by this member, so your comment is not well received. |
I always find it interesting when people compare amplifiers more than twice the price of your own amp and (surprise surprise) find they sound better. I also find it interesting when those same people espouse clear preferences toward specific colorations and tonal emphasis in amplifiers, whilst conversely displaying an amazing apathy and lack of understanding of a manufacturer's design and manufacturing process in the case of Boulder. |
08-23-13: Audiolabyrinth
@ Mbovaird, Hi, I was waiting patiently for you of all the posters here!, I knew you would come back and say what you did of the Boulder amps, my post earlier on this thread ring TRUE!, they suck! How eloquent. Did you learn that at University? A guy compares two $55k amps to a $25k amp and prefers the $55k amps...how profound. |
Enjoy your Boulder amp.....but no one will convince me otherwise. I know what I heard.
Mbovaird (Threads | Answers | This Thread) That's right, what *you* heard. New is not always better. You don't like the Boulder, good for you. There is always more to the story when members get this animated about defending certain brands. Members reading your comments may rightfully question your agenda. |
08-24-13: Mbovaird
Melbguy1 - you are paranoid. Move on. You love Boulder - great. Enjoy it. Excuse me? I think you should take your tripe to another forum and leave folks good and alone to enjoy their hobby instead of spreading crap on this forum. You're the one who needs to move on mate...to another forum! |
09-07-13: Isochronism
Narcissistic Psychopathic disorder is never self realized by those who suffer from it. Very sad. I am not making a joke. Sadly true |
I think you know very well Audiolabyrinth I have been subject to various malicious, almost insane attacks on my amplifiers (including in my review of the Boulder 1060), so it's a bit rich to be calling me on that now. Everyone has limits, and mine have been pushed to braking point. Understand there is a cause and effect. I still believe Mbovaird comments were subjectively biased and a disservice to anyone considering Boulder products, because Mbovaird has not spent hundreds of hours researching Boulder products, reading reviews, technical white papers, first hand factory tours and getting to know the designers of their products like I have.
That said, i'm prepared to let bygons be bygons. Yes I have listened to almost every Vitus amp and like them alot. Yes I have also listened to Soulution, Dartzeel, Rowland, Boulder 800 & 1000 series, CH Precision, Audia Flight, Aesthetix, Ayon, Modwright, Bladelius and many others. One day, when I eventually post a virtual thread on this forum, I will paint a clear picture. |
Hahaha, thanks Csontos, I needed a good laugh! |
Sorry Csontos, I know audio is subjective. The Boulder 1060 is a $25k amp and is very good. It's just you description of Boulder as a "light weight" and blowing them out of the water is a stretch for a boutique amp. I'm sure Mike Bettinger is a good audio engineer, and i'm sure it is a very musical amp. But really Boulder, like Vitus, Rowland etc are all big players in high end, so you'll have to forgive my reaction. The most important thing is how the amp sounds. If it is a good match for your speakers and system, and brings a smile to your face that's all that matters. |
Csontos, it is not a competition. Not at all. Enjoy your amp. |
08-31-13: Joeinid
It was easier to sell the amp/preamp as a pair. Besides, the Dagostino preamp does sound OUTSTANDING. Sure it's quirky and some will not mind but I go through too much gear not to move on. Anyway, I want the Dagostino monos. I still want Accuphase A-200's and some other gear. Life is too short not to experiment. You want every amp Joe, hahaha! :) |
You know I absolutely love the D'Agostino amps, and my friend who owns the D'Agostino amps/preamp just bought a pair of D3's! So, I will get to hear that combo too. Here is what a friend of mine recently told me - "I have the Dagostino amp and preamp but in a week or two will be trading them in. The gear sounds great but the preamp is driving me crazy. No zero point on the tone control. Flashing LEDs on mute that's annoying. No dimming on the front lights and general quirkiness." He always preferred his Dart amps anyway. I'm also interested in the Viola Acoustics amps. The monos were favorably reviewed in the latest Tone Magazine If you knew what I know about that publication, you wouldn't take any of their reviews seriously. There is an old saying "the blind cannot lead the blind"... |
Mike, I think you may have missed my point about overall synergy. No point to have a great amp, then mix and match preamps. I don't think that's a good idea. You know my views on this :)
Blind comment...you need to read between the lines here.
Gear swapping like changing socks is not my thing. I'm building a simple, but awesome high end a/v system to get off the merry go round and focus instead on enjoying my music and dvd's. I guess whatever floats your boat. |
Can you explain more?
Regards,
Metralla (System | Answers | This Thread) Not without having a team of lawyers filing a defamation suit. |
09-08-13: Csontos
Wasn't one of the operatives in the op, 'control'? Are you like a failed comedian who has nothing to do? |
@Isochronism, I would tend to have more respect for someone who is evidently more interested in music than someone who has an incessant need to make themselves feel better about their audio equipment. |
Iso, I think you missed my point. I was referring to your previous comment in defence of Judyazblues. It was a value judgment on the merits of your comment, not your interest in music. |
A member of this forum doesn't need to actually converse with you to understand your character. They can do that by simply reading yours posts in the background. Judyazblues called it the way he sees it, and from my point of view that is fair enough. I think you should take it on the chin. I don't think you really want this thread to become an airing of your past history on this forum. My advice is put it behind and you move on. |
Yes, you're a very charming when you're not hacking into people's computers, posting private information about them you harvested to attack them, undermining the sale of thier items, posting bogus negative comments in thier reviews, intimidating members who come to thier defense and puffing up your ego as if you're Nelson Pass, when in fact you're clueless. More than happy to post transcripts of your personal attacks on me. Just let me know how far you want to take it.. |
