Have you considered/auditioned the Boulder 1008? It's on my list when I'm ready to upgrade. Waiting to see what Spectral does with their phono.
Yes I view the 1008 as a strong contender. If it transpires that Boulder are developing a 2108 then a 1008 could make the perfect stepping stone, allowing me plenty of time to save the additional funds. And there is something to be said for delayed gratification
As to whether I have auditioned a 1008, I have another confession; I have pretty much put my whole system together without any prior auditions.
When I was working in the trade or buying at the budget end everything was auditioned, but since moving in to the high end that has been fairly impossible. it's funny how you would expect a better level of service the more you spend (and maybe in the USA you will receive it ) but in the UK the chances of demoing a boulder phono stage or pre amp are slim, and a pair of wavac 833's slim to none. this stuff just isn't on the shelf!