Boulder Amps

**Mike** · January 2, 2021, 09:37 AM

Boulder Amplifiers: As High End as High End Can Get! - YouTube

**Ritmo** · January 2, 2021, 07:19 PM

Thanks for posting Mike. First interview I've seen from anyone at Boulder. Given the description of their design and construction philosophies, it would be exciting to visit their facilities in Colorado.

**Phishphan** · January 2, 2021, 07:20 PM

Originally Posted by Ritmo

Thanks for posting Mike. First interview I've seen from anyone at Boulder. Given the description of their design and construction philosophies, it would be exciting to visit their facilities in Colorado.

Think we can find a way to sneak a coupe 300 pound amps out the front door without anyone noticing?

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**Mike** · January 2, 2021, 07:25 PM

Originally Posted by Phishphan

Think we can find a way to sneak a coupe 300 pound amps out the front door without anyone noticing?

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We can try. I’m all in on Boulder and Gryphon too for my top two solid state electronics brands. The Gryphon stuff is incredible. The Boulder stuff is different, but also incredible. I love the new Boulder sound, the 1160/2160 is amazing and the Gryphon sound is also killer, loving the Essence and Antilleon Evo. Sweet sweet. I’m eyeing the 2110/2108 as purchases for 2021. Super excited about the new 800 pre/DAC and 800 amp coming out. All below $10k. Imagine those with some A3’s or A5’s? OMG.

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**Phishphan** · January 2, 2021, 08:08 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

We can try. I’m all in on Boulder and Gryphon too for my top two solid state electronics brands. The Gryphon stuff is incredible. The Boulder stuff is different, but also incredible. I love the new Boulder sound, the 1160/2160 is amazing and the Gryphon sound is also killer, loving the Essence and Antilleon Evo. Sweet sweet. I’m eyeing the 2110/2108 as purchases for 2021. Super excited about the new 800 pre/DAC and 800 amp coming out. All below $10k. Imagine those with some A3’s or A5’s? OMG.

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Was thinking of buying a pair of Magico A1s and setting up a mini rig with my TT. ... then of course I thought about a5 replacing my kefs.

Really need a trip to Sarasota (where I do have clients) once I'm back from Aruba

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**apdoc2004** · January 2, 2021, 08:35 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

We can try. I’m all in on Boulder and Gryphon too for my top two solid state electronics brands. The Gryphon stuff is incredible. The Boulder stuff is different, but also incredible. I love the new Boulder sound, the 1160/2160 is amazing and the Gryphon sound is also killer, loving the Essence and Antilleon Evo. Sweet sweet. I’m eyeing the 2110/2108 as purchases for 2021. Super excited about the new 800 pre/DAC and 800 amp coming out. All below $10k. Imagine those with some A3’s or A5’s? OMG.

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Mike,
Boulder's build quality is certainly top notch. I understand that both the Boulder & Gryphon have slightly different sound signature. In your opinion is the performance delta/difference in sound quality more between the Boulder 866 integrated and the 1160 or between the Gryphon Diablo 300 and the Essence/Antileon Evo?
Thanks,
Anshul

**Mike** · January 2, 2021, 09:04 PM

Originally Posted by apdoc2004

Mike,
Boulder's build quality is certainly top notch. I understand that both the Boulder & Gryphon have slightly different sound signature. In your opinion is the performance delta/difference in sound quality more between the Boulder 866 integrated and the 1160 or between the Gryphon Diablo 300 and the Essence/Antileon Evo?
Thanks,
Anshul

Not sure I follow.

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**apdoc2004** · January 2, 2021, 09:23 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

Not sure I follow.

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Mike,
We can assume that the sound quality of the integrated amps from the 2 brands is slightly lower than the more expensive dedicated amps from the same brands. What I meant to ask is if the expected drop in the quality of sound is more going from a Boulder 1160 to the 866 or is it more going from a Gryphon Essence/Antileon Evo to the Diablo 300. In other words, does the Boulder 866 sound closer to the 1160 or does the Gryphon Diablo 300 sound closer to the Essence/Antileon Evo? Which integrated gets you closer to the highest expression of its respective brand's sound?
Thanks,
Anshul

**Mike** · January 3, 2021, 10:55 AM

Originally Posted by apdoc2004

Mike,
We can assume that the sound quality of the integrated amps from the 2 brands is slightly lower than the more expensive dedicated amps from the same brands. What I meant to ask is if the expected drop in the quality of sound is more going from a Boulder 1160 to the 866 or is it more going from a Gryphon Essence/Antileon Evo to the Diablo 300. In other words, does the Boulder 866 sound closer to the 1160 or does the Gryphon Diablo 300 sound closer to the Essence/Antileon Evo? Which integrated gets you closer to the highest expression of its respective brand's sound?
Thanks,
Anshul

I think that question is far too difficult to answer. Both integrated amps have their respective house sounds. You would have to directly compare the 866 to 1160 (or 1161) and Diablo 300 to an Essence for example. But the problem is, the Diablo 300 is AB and the Essence, Antilleon Evo, Mephisto are all class A. Plus, you have to factor in the respective quality of the preamp sections in each integrated. Again, way too difficult to answer and not a comparison I have done directly.

**apdoc2004** · January 3, 2021, 01:41 PM

Mike,
Appreciate your reply

**TheOctopus** · January 3, 2021, 04:08 PM

So is Boulder or Gryphon closer to actual music. Who can answer that? Or is that one of those questions that does not compute? How can we gauge it? Boils down to preference, no?

**Mike** · January 3, 2021, 04:13 PM

Originally Posted by TheOctopus

So is Boulder or Gryphon closer to actual music. Who can answer that? Or is that one of those questions that does not compute? How can we gauge it? Boils down to preference, no?

Come on down and listen for yourself.

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**TheOctopus** · January 3, 2021, 04:15 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

Come on down and listen for yourself.

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Personal preference. I agree with that.

**divertiti** · January 13, 2021, 01:23 AM

Mike, have you heard the 1161? How does it compare to the 1160 for a speaker that isn't power hungry?

**Big B** · January 13, 2021, 04:35 AM

+1

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