Boulder v Gryphon

**AJR** · January 16, 2021, 03:19 PM

My two favourite amps.

Does anyone have strong views in terms of preference and if so why?

Mike - I won’t ask you to pick a winner. Your other threads sum it up well.

**Mike** · January 16, 2021, 03:21 PM

Originally Posted by AJR

My two favourite amps.

Does anyone have strong views in terms of preference and if so why?

Mike - I won’t ask you to pick a winner. Your other threads sum it up well.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

**AJR** · January 16, 2021, 03:24 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Maybe MSB now...

**Mike** · January 16, 2021, 03:28 PM

Originally Posted by AJR

Maybe MSB now...

I love those M500’s with the Select II. A perfect match.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

**AJR** · January 16, 2021, 03:31 PM

It’s the dream team.

But I love my Antileon Evo. Rich, powerful, detailed, 3D.

Like my double espresso.

**divertiti** · January 29, 2021, 12:05 AM

Originally Posted by AJR

My two favourite amps.

Does anyone have strong views in terms of preference and if so why?

Mike - I won’t ask you to pick a winner. Your other threads sum it up well.

Mike posted a picture of Boulder 3060 in the Best Amplifier thread so I guess that's the answer...

**Alpinist** · January 29, 2021, 01:35 AM

Originally Posted by divertiti

Mike posted a picture of Boulder 3060 in the Best Amplifier thread so I guess that's the answer...

I would take the Boulder 3060. Gorgeous Class A sound with an iron grip on the bass. Build quality is second to none. If purchasing a MSB DAC, I would take one of the MSB amps (M500, S500, S202), which produce a perfect synergistic match with their DACs.

Ken

**Mike** · January 29, 2021, 08:06 AM

I prefer the x1xx series from Boulder. The new x1xx series sound is sooooo good. It literally has zero trace of solid state/transistor Sonic artifacts.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

**Q3Di** · January 29, 2021, 10:08 AM

Mike,

How do you characterize the sound of Boulder 1160/1161 vs Luxman 900? Which one would sound more like tube? Thanks

**Alpinist** · January 29, 2021, 10:20 AM

Originally Posted by Mike

I prefer the x1xx series from Boulder. The new x1xx series sound is sooooo good. It literally has zero trace of solid state/transistor Sonic artifacts.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Hi Mike,

Are these new components on their website? I couldn’t find them.

Ken

**Mike** · January 29, 2021, 10:24 AM

Originally Posted by Alpinist

Hi Mike,

Are these new components on their website? I couldn’t find them.

Ken

Ken - meaning - 1160 Vs 1060 and 2160 Vs 2060 and 2150 Vs 2050, etc. The x1xx is the new series.

The 3 series remains (for now) 3050/3060.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

**Mike** · January 29, 2021, 10:26 AM

Originally Posted by Q3Di

Mike,

How do you characterize the sound of Boulder 1160/1161 vs Luxman 900? Which one would sound more like tube? Thanks

I guess the 1160, but it’s not “warm”, but it is smooth and has meat on the bones. The m900 is very sweet sounding and musical. The 1160 is very smooth and musical. Keep in mind, the 1160 is twice the price of the m900u.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

**Mr Peabody** · January 29, 2021, 10:58 AM

I missed what you would be paring the amp up with.

I've not owned any of those but as an audio nut just on the amp sonics my choice would be Gryphon. Gryphon provides a good sound stage and imaging, strong sound. I have been holding my opinion on Boulder but you did ask, it is super clean and controlled but too much so for me, it's like the music is so transparent it's like a hologram, I have a hard time believing it's live, I know that don't make sense. I gravitate toward sound that comes the closest to fooling me it's live. With that being said our Bolder dealer doesn't have the top of the line amps in the line yet, our area isn'T very good for suPer high end sales for some reason.

I've only heard MSB once and it was very different, I'd need more experience to say if I could enjoy it. Back to fooling myself again. The music was from a super black background but the sound wasn't vivid, more of a subtle delivery.

**divertiti** · January 29, 2021, 01:40 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

I guess the 1160, but it’s not “warm”, but it is smooth and has meat on the bones. The m900 is very sweet sounding and musical. The 1160 is very smooth and musical. Keep in mind, the 1160 is twice the price of the m900u.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Mike, appreciate you sharing your thoughts and experiences. Have you tried two 1160 in mono configuration? Is it a big step up in SQ vs. a single? How would a pair compare to a single 2160?

**Mike** · January 29, 2021, 01:59 PM

Originally Posted by divertiti

Mike, appreciate you sharing your thoughts and experiences. Have you tried two 1160 in mono configuration? Is it a big step up in SQ vs. a single? How would a pair compare to a single 2160?

I haven’t tried. But I know this: if you can go 2160, go 2160 and don’t look back.

Come hear ours!

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

**divertiti** · January 29, 2021, 02:17 PM

Originally Posted by Mr Peabody

I missed what you would be paring the amp up with.

I've not owned any of those but as an audio nut just on the amp sonics my choice would be Gryphon. Gryphon provides a good sound stage and imaging, strong sound. I have been holding my opinion on Boulder but you did ask, it is super clean and controlled but too much so for me, it's like the music is so transparent it's like a hologram, I have a hard time believing it's live, I know that don't make sense. I gravitate toward sound that comes the closest to fooling me it's live. With that being said our Bolder dealer doesn't have the top of the line amps in the line yet, our area isn'T very good for suPer high end sales for some reason.

I've only heard MSB once and it was very different, I'd need more experience to say if I could enjoy it. Back to fooling myself again. The music was from a super black background but the sound wasn't vivid, more of a subtle delivery.

I think there's some confusion here, "transparency" in audio reproduction is about not having any distortion or artifacts between the listener and the music itself, and having black enough background and high enough resolution to be able to hear all of the music for what it is. It's not that the music content itself is hollow or "transparent". That's what myself and many listeners look for, a clean window into the music rather than the amp editorializing by accentuating certain parts or changing the tonal colors.

**Mike** · January 29, 2021, 02:37 PM

Originally Posted by divertiti

I think there's some confusion here, "transparency" in audio reproduction is about not having any distortion or artifacts between the listener and the music itself, and having black enough background and high enough resolution to be able to hear all of the music for what it is. It's not that the music content itself is hollow or "transparent". That's what myself and many listeners look for, a clean window into the music rather than the amp editorializing by accentuating certain parts or changing the tonal colors.

You’ll LOVE the Boulder.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

**divertiti** · January 29, 2021, 04:12 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

You’ll LOVE the Boulder.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Thanks Mike, I also love effortless dynamics and jump factor, sounds like Boulder is the ticket for that too. One other consideration is the Audionet Humboldt which is said to have the same characteristics but possibly even more neutral and pure. Have you had any experience with it and how would it compare to the 1110+1160 combo?

**Mike** · January 29, 2021, 04:26 PM

Originally Posted by divertiti

Thanks Mike, I also love effortless dynamics and jump factor, sounds like Boulder is the ticket for that too. One other consideration is the Audionet Humboldt which is said to have the same characteristics but possibly even more neutral and pure. Have you had any experience with it and how would it compare to the 1110+1160 combo?

I haven’t heard it. Kind of stayed away since their reported financial troubles.

You really should come and hear the Boulder combo in my store.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

**gshelley** · January 30, 2021, 01:40 AM

Hi Mike (or others)
Is Boulder working on a 3160 and any timetable for its expected release?
Heard the 3060 very briefly and was smitten with the sound. I’m typically not drawn to the Boulder sonic signature and the 3060 seemed different. Leaning more organic direction.

**BlueFox** · January 30, 2021, 02:09 AM

Originally Posted by divertiti

I think there's some confusion here, "transparency" in audio reproduction is about not having any distortion or artifacts between the listener and the music itself, and having black enough background and high enough resolution to be able to hear all of the music for what it is. It's not that the music content itself is hollow or "transparent". That's what myself and many listeners look for, a clean window into the music rather than the amp editorializing by accentuating certain parts or changing the tonal colors.

I agree, but I place the ‘transparency’ effect to be more in the speakers.

**Mr Peabody** · January 30, 2021, 04:58 PM

Boulder certainly was clean and editorial is subjective.

What I heard wasn't a black background from Boulder but more like no background at all, that's what I meant by hologram. Maybe Mike can comment if they still have that type of character.

Originally Posted by divertiti

I think there's some confusion here, "transparency" in audio reproduction is about not having any distortion or artifacts between the listener and the music itself, and having black enough background and high enough resolution to be able to hear all of the music for what it is. It's not that the music content itself is hollow or "transparent". That's what myself and many listeners look for, a clean window into the music rather than the amp editorializing by accentuating certain parts or changing the tonal colors.

**Mike** · January 30, 2021, 05:13 PM

Originally Posted by Mr Peabody

Boulder certainly was clean and editorial is subjective.

What I heard wasn't a black background from Boulder but more like no background at all, that's what I meant by hologram. Maybe Mike can comment if they still have that type of character.

There is literally no similarity between the old Boulder 1050/1060/2050/2060 and the new Boulder 1150/1160/2150/2160. I think it’s why Boulder takes on average 10 years or more to produce a new series and this one, will be nearly impossible to beat. They have retained the 3D/hologram sound signature and just added layers and layers of sound completely void of any solid state artifacts.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

**bluegrassphile** · February 5, 2021, 10:02 AM

I think they also used to refer to it as "accuracy." Or, "colored" vs "uncolored." Only problem using those terms is I'm showing my age.

Thread: Boulder v Gryphon

Thread Tools

Display

Boulder v Gryphon

Re: Boulder v Gryphon

Re: Boulder v Gryphon

Re: Boulder v Gryphon

Re: Boulder v Gryphon

Re: Boulder v Gryphon

Re: Boulder v Gryphon

Re: Boulder v Gryphon

Re: Boulder v Gryphon

Re: Boulder v Gryphon

Re: Boulder v Gryphon

Re: Boulder v Gryphon

Re: Boulder v Gryphon

Re: Boulder v Gryphon

Boulder v Gryphon

Re: Boulder v Gryphon

Re: Boulder v Gryphon

Re: Boulder v Gryphon

Re: Boulder v Gryphon

Re: Boulder v Gryphon

Re: Boulder v Gryphon

Re: Boulder v Gryphon

Re: Boulder v Gryphon

Re: Boulder v Gryphon

Posting Permissions

GigaFoil v4 Inline Ethernet Filter

Forum Software Update

Axpona 2024: In 2023 at the Axpona...

Esoteric K-05XD

Aurender and Roon

The Smith Chart and...Power Cords

Magico Pricing

I call out Stealth Cables and...

Why the Cloak and Dagger?

Magico S5 mk3