Hansen Prince: Dartzeel, Soulution or Boulder

Ptmconsulting,

Thanks for your input, much appreciated. Wonder if for instance the Dartzeel pre would be a good match which Soulution power amp. I'm expect the Dartzeel pre-amp will be more warmish sounding than the Soulution pre (at least if Dartzeel pre has a similar sound as the power amp). I've owned the Dartzeel amp in the past and liked it a lot. I only would have preferred if the Dartzeel had a bit more power in the bass.

Hi Khrys,

What a stunning room you have, a very very nice clean setup with superb equipment. And with a Steinway as reference it's really nice to compare your equipment. I love listening to piano music on my system. But indeed, there is nothing like the real thing :).

When you purchased your Boulder equipment, did you compare them with Dartzeel and Soulution or was the Boulder just right when hearing them and you didn't have any need to look elsewhere?

It's hard to decide as I'm planning to buy used (new out of my league) so there is some risk involved. There are some people I often communicate with that own Soulution or Boulder with their Hansen speakers but taste is always a bit subjective.

I probably don't go wrong with any of these 3 brands, but from past experience the Dartzeel is probably not as fast as Boulder/Soulution with complex classical plays. But the voices on Dartzeel are absolutely superb.

Maybe I should just base my decision on what's available on the used market. If I can get it for a good price I can try it and sell it again if it's not that much to my liking.

I'm planning to make a choice in the next few weeks

Khrys,

I had exactly the same with my Dartzeel. Loved the sound, voices are just incredible, but I also thought there were a little too polite. Missed a bit of pose sometimes, all music sounded nice even though sometimes it wasn't. I could easily live with the Dartzeel again but would be nice to have a Dartzeel which is a bit more dynamic. Maybe their mono blocks but they are way out of my budget.

The Vitus Audio equipment is incredible as well. Ever heard them and compared them with your Boulder equipment??

Sorry, been silence or a long time. Below the answer :)

Actually bought the Soulution 710/721 combo. Didn't try Boulder so I can't compare. All I can say is that I'm extremely happy.

Stunning sound. Have to say that in all the forums people find the Soulution cold / neutral sounding.
Perhaps I like a neutral sound, but with my Hansen Prince I find the sound spectacular. Not finding it cold at all. Perhaps people have heard them at sub optimal show conditions or perhaps for a very short time, or maybe my ears are different :) not sure, but Soulution matches very well with Hansen

Still need to buy some better cables as that's my weak point in my set. Pretty cheap power cords and speaker cables. Somehow find it mentally harder to spend money on cables then electronics/speakers.

If that can bring it system to a even higher level I would be even more happy.

Cheers