I heard Boulder amps under CES conditions a few years ago, when they exhibited with Soundlab .
The average sound was not what troubled me, but more the attitude of Boulder's designer as these shows are notorious for poor sound quality anyway.
I therefore must admit prejudice on this subject.
After noticing that the left Soundlab speaker was plugged into the socket of a table lamp (hence being used as a makeshift extension cord), I freaked.
I ask Roger West who owns Soundlab, and he said that he had not checked out the system, having arrived late for the show. He suggested I speak to the owner of Boulder who was responsible for setting up the system, and express my concerns.
I approached him, introduced myself and explained my concern with using a socket that was adequate only for charging a cell phone and he looked at me strangely. He then replied, "Are you one of those people who believe that power cords make a difference?"
He then went into a rave about how little power the Soundlabs required and that it simply did not matter. This from a designer who is promoting gear that lists for new automobile prices.
It is difficult to accept the opinion of any designer who cannot grasp the importance of that question.
Even if I were wrong and the sound could not be improved with audiophile power cords, plugged DIRECTLY into the wall, the lack of concern with such a shoddy set up should have been an embarrassment to him and everyone who entered the room.
Worse yet, my offer to replace the makeshift set up with loaner power cords from Purist Audio or Cardas was refused. He simply turned his back on me with an arrogant attitude on his face.
Sorry, but he has ZERO credibility with me after that experience.
