Boulder arrives at Suncoast Audio

Mike said:
More candy today. [emoji39]

993024793ebc2b726d595372883bba7c.jpg



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...


Yee-hah!

I will be very interested to hear how these sound driven by those Boulder monsters... :celebrate008_2:
 
UltraFast69 said:
I want to like the Gaia, just have not heard them in right conditions


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
Click to expand...

Yes, was that at Axpona in the basement area? You have to hear them in a store or home environment.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
bart said:
Yee-hah!

I will be very interested to hear how these sound driven by those Boulder monsters... :celebrate008_2:
Click to expand...

It’s a great combination so far. These babies light up when given proper power.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Mike said:
More candy today. [emoji39]

993024793ebc2b726d595372883bba7c.jpg


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

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].


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
phunge said:
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.
Click to expand...

I was thinking about going with the 1160 and VAC Signature MK II but after getting the speakers - Focal Stella or the Rockport.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Bob82 said:
I was thinking about going with the 1160 and VAC Signature MK II but after getting the speakers - Focal Stella or the Rockport.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

I bet that would be superb.
 
Bob82 said:
I was thinking about going with the 1160 and VAC Signature MK II but after getting the speakers - Focal Stella or the Rockport.
Click to expand...

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!
 
Mike said:
Yes, not sure if you caught it, but I dropped constellation.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

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
 
Jabba said:
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
Click to expand...

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.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Mike,

Great description of the Boulder sound! Can’t wait to give them a listen.

Ken
 
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.....
 
Mike said:
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.


Send from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Well I don't know if it's nonsense. I guess whoever is going to spend $ 50,000, besides sounding stellar, wants more things ........
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top