Should i go Boulder 1060 or Jeff Rowland 625


I am in the market to upgrade my pass labs x260.5.
There is one used Boulder 1060 for sale that i hear lots of good words about it.

Anyone have compared the new Jeff Rowland 625 and Boulder 1060? My existing pre amp is Jeff Rowland Corus.

Thank You for any feedback.

My speakers are B&W 802D
msetjadi

Showing 1 response by mark_nz

I echo Thesoundhouse's comment: "Until there is away to audition your speakers with both those amps you are only guessing."

It is hard to predict amplifier/speaker synergy - although you can eliminate testing some combinations by way of deduction. Perhaps the following experience may help you in the elimination process.

I have auditioned the 802D in combination with Classe, and separately the 802 Diamond in combination with Corus & Jeff Rowland Model 625.
Both combinations sounded good - but I thought the 802D + Classe had a bit better overall tonal balance whereas the 802 Diamond + 625 combination was a bit bright. I also compared the Model 625 to my Cambridge Audio Azur 840W amplifier. (using Wadia CD player and Corus preamp).
Unsurprising the Model 625 best the 840W in terms of detail, transparency, soundstaging, bass control and extension. However the 840W (which has slight warm bass and soft treble) was a better tonal match for the 802 Diamond. The reason for this is that 802 Diamond is brighter and has tighter (less bloated) bass than the 802D.

So based on my experiences a slightly lean amplifier (with good bass control) will better suit the 802D. But equally a more neutral speaker (802 Diamond?) than the 802D may better suit the Pass Labs.
So my suggestion is try different amp/speaker combinations, but if at all possible in situation where can directly compare the amplifiers or speakers - otherwise you guessing how well it will work.

BTW, I am happy Corus and B&W 803D owner.