The better amp for Raidho C3.0?

[iosiP]

Hello all,

I would like to change my power amp from Chord SPM-4000 to Constellation Centaur or Boulder 1060.
While I listened to both amps, it was in a different system and my conclusions are:
1. On the (admittedly perfect but rather sterile) Magicos Q4 the Boulder injected some soul and humanity while the Centaur laid it all bare and sounded slightly lightweight. +1 for Boulder!
2. On Kharma (don't know the model, only know they're roughly in the same price bracket as the Q4) the Boulder was a tad warmish and "heavy-handed" while the Centaur had more air and resolution. +1 for Constellation!

I could not listen to any of them in my system but maybe one of you had this opportunity and might help.

N.B. My intention is to add, later and budget permitting, of course, the matching preamp, so an opinion on the pre+amp would be highly appreciated.
Also, I kindly ask you to not suggest other alternatives: I have no interest in tubes (no offense, I hope), Soulution, d'Agostino or anything else besides the Boulder 1060 and Constellation Centaur.

Many thanks!

 

[Mike]

Welcome. I vote for Constellation.


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[the professor]

Welcome to AS!

Between those 2 amps, I believe it will come down to personal preference but have never listened to the boulder on Raidho.

The day I compared the constellation to the new solution and there was no comparison - solution was best.

When I compared my Dags w the Constellation - I liked the Dag better but that is what I was used to. The constellation was very good. This was w D3s so I don't know how the C3.0 would compare.

 

[iosiP]

Thank you all!

I still have to introduce myself (sorry I delayed) but AudioShark is a delight to read!

Now, back to the point: I'm living in a neck of the woods (I think this is the usual expression) so there is not much choice when it comes to audio equipment. Furthermore, the dog fight between dealers is fierce, and it's rather hard to mix'n'match.
So, I ended with the two options outlined above: Boulder or Constellation. Soulution is not represented in my country, so... Soulution is not a solution!

BTW, many thanks to AudioShark for tips on the Raidho setup: the sound got much better with moving the speakers up to the room limits! Still have to get the balls to toe them in as radically as suggested, but for the time being I'll just relax and listen to music.

P.S. Could you please explain what are those dry branches used as sound diffusors? Not that I'm short of wood sticks, but I wonder if there is a particular "audiophile" brand to be used for best results.

 

[iosiP]

Vicoustics have a dealer here, I was thinking about the Multifuser Wood 36 (x2, stacked).
Also, the Wavewood Pro 120 might help (also matches the height of the Raidhos)... obviously I'll have to try both of them.

 

[Hessec]

I can add a little the conversation here about the amplifiers but not the speakers- sorry. I owned a Boulder 1060 for about 3 years within an all Boulder system. At some point I got the itch to try out some new components with my Magico S5- I'm not sure what the Q4 is but i'll assume you mean the Q3? Anyhow, my dealer sent the constellation centaur stereo and virgo 2 preamp to test as these were apparently "the best combo for the S5"- from multiple sources not just the dealer. Well, I wound up keeping the Boulder gear. It was more extended at the extremes and just sounded more in control of the task- you cannot make the Boulder gear sound compressed-it always sounds as if there is unlimited reserves on hand. The constellation gear was quite a bit better at lower volumes and at creating what I would call a false sense of drive in that I felt the mid-low frequencies were exaggerated and masked the fact it was not going as deep or with the control of the Boulder setup. I would say the Boulder was more detailed than the Constellation. Constellation easier to listen to for long periods. However, even though I wanted to love the Centaur/Virgo I just couldn't go for it once I swapped back to the Boulder setup. I then received the Soulution 530 for demo. It really took a few days to settle down but damn......almost like it combines the drive of the boulder with the roundness of the Constellation yet without any loss of attack or decay. It is not as macro or micro detailed as the 1060 but has more of a midrange emphasis. To me, it sounds more like real music not as hifi which is totally against what most Magico and soulution bashers will say. The detail is there without any etch unless the recording is poor. A sense of calmness and ease that makes the music flow- you can admire the resolution but it is not the focus.

Anyhow, back to the Boulder 1060 and Centaur. I think it might come down to the preamp and the sensitivity of your speakers. Your thoughts that the constellation was more detailed and threadbare I really find puzzling. Your ear may be drawn to the Boulder sound? I know the Constellation Centaur was really designed to be used with their corresponding preamp. Without it (Virgo in my case) the centaur sounded totally out of control and heavy handed. If size isn't an issue wait for a nice used 2060 to pop up and you would be more than set!! If you are buying new, I'd say toss up given your preferences as they sound completely different to me. The Boulder is more powerful and resolving but older and certainly a tougher sell (resale) with the Constellation hype these days- that is not to say it undeserved, as the set does sound great....but maybe a little overblown. I could see loving either though.

So, I didn't really help at all I guess...Sorry.

 

[Design Audio Video]

I'll throw the Constellation in for demo with the D3's when a couple of members come over Saturday. Maybe they can post their opinions.

 

[iosiP]

Hi Hessec, and thanks for your detailed answer.

1. Yes indeed, the speakers were Magico Q3.
2. I'm not a fan of the Magico sound (at least for the Q series, I understand the S is more "human"). This may explain my opinion that they worked better with the deeper and more fleshed-out low bass of the Boulder.
3. OTOH, the Kharmas are slightly bottom-heavy (even their looks suggest this :snicker so they worked better with less bottom-end. The slight emphasis in the mids (if any) was well controlled by the ceramic driver so never sounded "boomy".

I'll wait for the results of the demo at Design Audio Video. As for Soulution, the brand has no AD in my country... Well I could take a trip elswere in the EU and buy the gear, but this would give me no chance to listen to it in my system.