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Boulder arrives at Suncoast Audio
Quote:
Originally Posted by
UltraFast69
I’m trying to figure out how to restrain myself. I’m very happy with D’Agostino, real happy until I see Boulder.
Boulder at RMAF last year had a fantastic room!
Restrain Ed, restrain.
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Resistance is futile. [emoji6]
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Re: Boulder arrives at Suncoast Audio
Is there a “no like” button [emoji851]
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Re: Boulder arrives at Suncoast Audio
Quote:
Originally Posted by
UltraFast69
Is there a “no like” button [emoji851]
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Ha!
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Re: Boulder arrives at Suncoast Audio
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Ritmo
I can offer my room and 101s to test the Boulders with MBL! :exciting:
Hahaha, make sure you bi-amp too ... :)
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Re: Boulder arrives at Suncoast Audio
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...c3a4f02a44.jpg
Custom made AQ Hurricane for the Boulder.
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Re: Boulder arrives at Suncoast Audio
Geez, candy store! :yahoo1:
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Re: Boulder arrives at Suncoast Audio
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Ritmo
Geez, candy store! :yahoo1:
More candy today. [emoji39]
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...72883bba7c.jpg
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Re: Boulder arrives at Suncoast Audio
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Re: Boulder arrives at Suncoast Audio
Totally in love with this Boulder gear. OMG. The 1160 is a great amp, but this 2160, mama Mia! I demoed them both today for a gentleman looking to upgrade from his 1060 and he said to me “with the 1160, the speakers sounded really good, but the 2160 took them to the crazy good level.”
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Re: Boulder arrives at Suncoast Audio
Quote:
Originally Posted by
UltraFast69
Is there a “no like” button [emoji851]
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You could try the 'report' button... :P
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Re: Boulder arrives at Suncoast Audio
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Mike
Yee-hah!
I will be very interested to hear how these sound driven by those Boulder monsters... :celebrate008_2:
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Re: Boulder arrives at Suncoast Audio
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Mike
I want to like the Gaia, just have not heard them in right conditions
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Re: Boulder arrives at Suncoast Audio
Mike and Suncoast Audio are on fire! Awesome Mike!!
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Re: Boulder arrives at Suncoast Audio
Quote:
Originally Posted by
joeinid
Mike and Suncoast Audio are on fire! Awesome Mike!!
We have the fun toys!
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Re: Boulder arrives at Suncoast Audio
Quote:
Originally Posted by
UltraFast69
I want to like the Gaia, just have not heard them in right conditions
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Yes, was that at Axpona in the basement area? You have to hear them in a store or home environment.
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Re: Boulder arrives at Suncoast Audio
Quote:
Originally Posted by
bart
Yee-hah!
I will be very interested to hear how these sound driven by those Boulder monsters... :celebrate008_2:
It’s a great combination so far. These babies light up when given proper power.
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Boulder arrives at Suncoast Audio
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Mike
It has all become very easy now: Munich High End 2020 was cancelled due to Covid-19, so let’s all convene at Suncoast Audio.
I think in either venue you can hear about the same amount of top gear. At Mike’s the listening rooms are just better [emoji3].
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Re: Boulder arrives at Suncoast Audio
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Mike
Yes, was that at Axpona in the basement area? You have to hear them in a store or home environment.
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RMAF
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Re: Boulder arrives at Suncoast Audio
Quote:
Originally Posted by
UltraFast69
RMAF - and I’m a fan of how they look, great design!
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Re: Boulder arrives at Suncoast Audio
Quote:
Originally Posted by
phunge
Hi Mike,
As I know you are a VAC dealer, I am curious to hear how you like pairing the VAC pre-amps with the Boulder amps. In my system I use a VAC Statement Preamp paired with Boulder 2160 driving Focal Stella EVO. I find this combination to be pure magic, the VAC front end pairs incredibly well with the muscle of the boulder pure class A.
I was thinking about going with the 1160 and VAC Signature MK II but after getting the speakers - Focal Stella or the Rockport.
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Re: Boulder arrives at Suncoast Audio
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Bob82
I was thinking about going with the 1160 and VAC Signature MK II but after getting the speakers - Focal Stella or the Rockport.
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I bet that would be superb.
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Re: Boulder arrives at Suncoast Audio
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Bob82
I was thinking about going with the 1160 and VAC Signature MK II but after getting the speakers - Focal Stella or the Rockport.
That sounds like a fantastic setup. I have used the 1060, 1050, and now 2160 on Focal Maestro EVO and Stella EVO. They all paired and worked together very nicely. You often hear reports of Focal sounding bright, and boulder sounding analytical -- i have not found either to be the case. I've always used tube based preamps, audio research and VAC, and I would put the sound just slightly on the warm side of neutral. I haven't tried with solid state pre-amp. I do think the Boulder gear is incredibly neutral, as are the Focal EVOs. I think this allows the system to fully reveal the slighly sweet character of the tubes. These systems also make the effect of every cable change fully apparent -- it becomes quite easy and fun to fine-tune the sound to your liking. I didn't find the boulders to very sensitive to power conditioning, but the VAC certainly benefits from it.
Have fun with your auditioning!
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Re: Boulder arrives at Suncoast Audio
Never heard the Giya , need to make an effort to do so in the future ...
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Re: Boulder arrives at Suncoast Audio
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Mike
Yes, not sure if you caught it, but I dropped constellation.
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Congratulation on your new brand. As a longtime owner of Constellation I am curios about the difference between the two brands. As a current dealer of Boulder and former dealer of Constellation I should think you should be the one to ask.
Kind Regards
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Re: Boulder arrives at Suncoast Audio
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Jabba
Congratulation on your new brand. As a longtime owner of Constellation I am curios about the difference between the two brands. As a current dealer of Boulder and former dealer of Constellation I should think you should be the one to ask.
Kind Regards
Well, as I mentioned, I loved the sound of the Constellation and the folks there are great. But it wasn’t a seller. People asked me why, and I heard everything from “oh, I saw the inside of those amps online and I’m not interested” to “I heard the build quality wasn’t great” to “I don’t like the looks.” All nonsense in my opinion, but the numbers don’t lie.
Sonically, the Constellation sounded most like tubes. They had sneaky power on tap too. Just when you think the amp would run out of juice, they kept on chugging.
I hate to say the Boulder is in another league, but it is certainly different in a good way. The build quality is second to none. That’s the truth. The sound is completely without fault in any area. Bass is tight and fast, mids are natural and beautifully rendered and the top end has all the detail, but is smooth. Very very smooth. The one thing I can say is that these Boulder amps have zero trace of solid state artifacts and characteristics. They sound like music. There is no region which sticks out - like puffy bass or a bright top end. Nothing to fault. The Boulders are dynamic and have seemingly endless power. That must be from the giant power cord! I think the sound can also be attributed in part to the magic of class A.
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Re: Boulder arrives at Suncoast Audio
Mike,
Great description of the Boulder sound! Can’t wait to give them a listen.
Ken
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Re: Boulder arrives at Suncoast Audio
I've listened to countless combinations at dealers over the last 35+ years. The one that's had the biggest , longest lasting impression was Boulder and Magico at Goodwin's in Boston. Certainly worth a listen.....
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Re: Boulder arrives at Suncoast Audio
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Mike
Well, as I mentioned, I loved the sound of the Constellation and the folks there are great. But it wasn’t a seller. People asked me why, and I heard everything from “oh, I saw the inside of those amps online and I’m not interested” to “I heard the build quality wasn’t great” to “I don’t like the looks.” All nonsense in my opinion, but the numbers don’t lie.
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Well I don't know if it's nonsense. I guess whoever is going to spend $ 50,000, besides sounding stellar, wants more things ........
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Re: Boulder arrives at Suncoast Audio
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Re: Boulder arrives at Suncoast Audio
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Boulder arrives at Suncoast Audio
First pic Constellation Vs second pic Boulder Vs third pic Gryphon? Yeah, I know. The inside pics of the Constellation scared some folks. I still think they sounded good. But yes, the Boulder and Gryphon Mephisto are just incredible.
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Re: Boulder arrives at Suncoast Audio
I own Constellation, but not € 50,000 just € 13,000. And it does sound very, very good, but if I were to spend 50,000 I would think twice. I think that at Constellation they despised aesthetic design and at those prices it is a mistake.
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Re: Boulder arrives at Suncoast Audio
Quote:
Originally Posted by
nonesup
I own Constellation, but not € 50,000 just € 13,000. And it does sound very, very good, but if I were to spend 50,000 I would think twice. I think that at Constellation they despised aesthetic design and at those prices it is a mistake.
The people are great, the sound is great, but man, many people see the insides and just won’t buy. Boulder and Gryphon have impressive insides and sonics to match.
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Re: Boulder arrives at Suncoast Audio
I know, I'm late to the party but Congratulation Mike for getting Boulder. Heard nothing but good things about it. Have you had a chance to compare Boulder vs. Gryphon, Simaudio and Pass labs? Sad to see Constellation go. Focal Sopra gone too?
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Re: Boulder arrives at Suncoast Audio
Quote:
Originally Posted by
ben
I know, I'm late to the party but Congratulation Mike for getting Boulder. Heard nothing but good things about it. Have you had a chance to compare Boulder vs. Gryphon, Simaudio and Pass labs? Sad to see Constellation go. Focal Sopra gone too?
866 vs Diablo 300 vs Moon 700i V2 vs INT-250. I'd spend a day in Sarasota for this, for sure. Not many dealers could present these integrateds head to head. It'd be like RMAF 2020 had been relocated to Suncoast. Just no water slide.
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Re: Boulder arrives at Suncoast Audio
Quote:
Originally Posted by
aardvarkbark
866 vs Diablo 300 vs Moon 700i V2 vs INT-250. I'd spend a day in Sarasota for this, for sure. Not many dealers could present these integrateds head to head. It'd be like RMAF 2020 had been relocated to Suncoast. Just no water slide.
Ha! Come on over. And don’t forget Luxman, T+A, MBL, VAC, and a few others!
Suncoast Audio is the place to go for world class integrated amps.
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Re: Boulder arrives at Suncoast Audio
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Mike
Mike, is that a pair of stenheim alumine 5's i see back there :) - maybe some new products coming your way?? haha
Also, if those M2's are taking up too much room, feel free to send em up to NYC!
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Re: Boulder arrives at Suncoast Audio
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Skanda
Mike, is that a pair of stenheim alumine 5's i see back there :) - maybe some new products coming your way?? haha
Also, if those M2's are taking up too much room, feel free to send em up to NYC!
Haha! Yes sir, we have the Alumine 3’s and Alumine 5’s on display. Long story on how we ended up with Stenheim. The M2’s are pound for pound my favorite Magico. OMG, they are so good. Total disappearing act.
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Re: Boulder arrives at Suncoast Audio
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Re: Boulder arrives at Suncoast Audio
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Re: Boulder arrives at Suncoast Audio
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Re: Boulder arrives at Suncoast Audio
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...54370f96e1.jpg
The network port on the 866 is now certified for Roon. Nice!
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Re: Boulder arrives at Suncoast Audio
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Re: Boulder arrives at Suncoast Audio
The 866 sounds like a fantastic integrated. I’m just not sure how I feel about no remote, or a dongle. Well, I do know. I don’t care for it.
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Re: Boulder arrives at Suncoast Audio
Quote:
Originally Posted by
DeadHead
The 866 sounds like a fantastic integrated. I’m just not sure how I feel about no remote, or a dongle. Well, I do know. I don’t care for it.
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Boulder has several recommendations for conventional remotes. All are around $20. That’s what we use. I’m old school and prefer a traditional remote. It works great. You use it and forget it doesn’t come with a conventional remote. The ones they recommend (all available on Amazon) work all the functions.
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Re: Boulder arrives at Suncoast Audio
Hi, looking at those photo's, compared to the boulder and gryphon, it does make me wonder, the cost of parts in the constellation amps, don't get me wrong, all the reviews of constellation amps are all, very positive, but the inside's, look more like an old valve amp of 20 years ago, it does not fill you with confidence, and they aren't cheep,
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Re: Boulder arrives at Suncoast Audio
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Mike
Well, as I mentioned, I loved the sound of the Constellation and the folks there are great. But it wasn’t a seller. People asked me why, and I heard everything from “oh, I saw the inside of those amps online and I’m not interested” to “I heard the build quality wasn’t great” to “I don’t like the looks.” All nonsense in my opinion, but the numbers don’t lie.
Sonically, the Constellation sounded most like tubes. They had sneaky power on tap too. Just when you think the amp would run out of juice, they kept on chugging.
I hate to say the Boulder is in another league, but it is certainly different in a good way. The build quality is second to none. That’s the truth. The sound is completely without fault in any area. Bass is tight and fast, mids are natural and beautifully rendered and the top end has all the detail, but is smooth. Very very smooth. The one thing I can say is that these Boulder amps have zero trace of solid state artifacts and characteristics. They sound like music. There is no region which sticks out - like puffy bass or a bright top end. Nothing to fault. The Boulders are dynamic and have seemingly endless power. That must be from the giant power cord! I think the sound can also be attributed in part to the magic of class A.
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Now that you have heard the Boulder 3060, where are you on the "another league" question?
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Re: Boulder arrives at Suncoast Audio
Quote:
Originally Posted by
FastEddy
Now that you have heard the Boulder 3060, where are you on the "another league" question?
Probably the best stereo amp I’ve ever heard. It’s drinking 240v. Completely unflappable.
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Re: Boulder arrives at Suncoast Audio
I look forward to your pairings. The 2160 1160 are fantastic amps for my use I settled on the 866.