Boulder v Gryphon
- Thread starter AJR
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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
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.
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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.
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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.
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Mr Peabody
Well-known member
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'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.
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!
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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.
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.
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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.
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.