Boulder 2110 Series

[jfrech]

I certainly did not intend for this to become a discussion on isolation transformers. I have detailed info on what was used as you might imagine. For the sake of brevity, we used a 15KVa Ultra-K isolation transformer (a commercial, not audio unit) The neighborhood transformer is only 30 ft from the isolation transformer, and serves only 2 houses. This is what allowed my to easily bypass the unit by running a second line from the neighborhood transformer to my subpanel. The isolation transformer is housed in it's own closet, which is directly beneath my audio room. The run from that transformer to my custom subpanel (which is in another "closet" inside the listening room itself) is maybe 15 ft. The outlets are right off the subpanel with the longest run being 10 Ft. All of the wire in the walls is custom wound, etc, etc, etc. The whole project was done very intentionally, and cost a handsome sum of money. All the more reason I tried to stick with it as long as I did. Despite the above, I imagine someone with more expertise than I (which would not be difficult) could find some fault with what the power consultant chose to do. What I found to be objectionable about the sound was that the bass was loose and poorly controlled, treble was mushy, and the overall presentation lacked clarity. Fortunately, I was very familiar with how these components were supposed to sound, or else I would still be chasing gremlins.

Hi,

Congrats on your new room, amps and finally sorting through things to get to the state you're at !! Thanks for posting about your journey...and soon I've love to make the drive to DFW for a listen! Anytime you're in Austin, please let me know...

 

[cuprone1]

Sorry if I post here but if there is someone who sells his Boulder 2010 preamp please contact me.
Thanks
Piero

 

[LL21]

Sorry if I post here but if there is someone who sells his Boulder 2010 preamp please contact me.
Thanks
Piero

Try this one?

https://www.audiogon.com/listings/s...amp-2016-12-29-preamplifiers-77069-houston-tx

 

[cuprone1]

Thanks. Noticed. 20.000 $ too expensive BMHO.

 

[andromedaaudio]

Looking through the product range.
Hell what a beautifull audioproducts / machining they ve made
Especially the 2110 2120 i imagine one could buy this stuff on looks alone

 

[dan31]

Boulder 2100 series is excellent. I would end with the 2110 pre and the 2160. My Aesthetix Io gives me all the tubes I need on the front end source.

 

[Hamburger]

Any owners of 2110 and 2160 who can share user experience? I have been offered an opportunity to buy a 2 year old set. What brands' cables go well with them? Thanks.

 

[joey_v]

I have the 2060 amp and heard the 2110 pre connected to 3060. Personally I think they are among the best you can buy especially at used prices. Bulletproof and great service when you call the mothership for assistance. A 2 year old set would be fantastic. I assume this is the set on audiogon. The best I could describe the preamp is space. The best I could describe the amp or Atleast the 2060 amp is it had the magic and sparkle of the tube monoblocks I had (Cary 211FE, their top PP) and the grip (but more) of my Classe M600 Delta Monoblocks. Basically, best of both worlds.
Currently I have the Audio Research Reference 40th Anniversary preamp hooked you my 2060. I found Audioquest Wel to be a great match at the speaker wire.

 

[Hamburger]

Thanks joey-v for your comments.

Btw, what are the retail prices of 2110 and 2160; has there been a price increase since it was launched at $54k and $59k, respectively in 2016?

Also, i read some forumers saying that doubling the "rails from 110V to 220V sounds better". Can somebody explain what this means? I am low on tech.

 

[infinitely baffled]

Any owners of 2110 and 2160 who can share user experience? I have been offered an opportunity to buy a 2 year old set. What brands' cables go well with them? Thanks.

Well, the main experience i can share so far is making sacrifices in order to afford it! (2160)
I'm almost a year into a 3 year payment plan.

Cable-wise, i find Entreq to be absolutely incredible, i would never have believed how much difference cables could make

My advice?
Go for it!

 

[infinitely baffled]

Thanks joey-v for your comments.

Btw, what are the retail prices of 2110 and 2160; has there been a price increase since it was launched at $54k and $59k, respectively in 2016?

In the UK its £72k list for 2160

 

[LL21]

In the UK its £72k list for 2160

Yes...i was just telling someone that the UK price for the Boulder 3050 monos is nearly USD$400K!

 

[chuck]

Any owners of 2110 and 2160 who can share user experience? I have been offered an opportunity to buy a 2 year old set. What brands' cables go well with them? Thanks.

I passed on a used 2110 to get a new 1110 for $10K less. Last I checked the list on the 3060 is $130K in the US.

 

[infinitely baffled]

I passed on a used 2110 to get a new 1110 for $10K less. Last I checked the list on the 3060 is $130K in the US.

Your system deserves at least a 2110 chuck

 

[dan31]

Your system deserves at least a 2110 chuck

Anyone get to listen to 3010? I don’t know how you would split the difference? Must be a nice preamp.

 

[chuck]

Your system deserves at least a 2110 chuck

The little 1110 gets the job done very nicely.

 

[Hamburger]

LL21,
Did you eventually compare the Mephisto with the 2160?
I am more familiar with Gryphon than Boulder. I would like to hear your comments. Thank you.

 

[chuck]

Anyone get to listen to 3010? I don’t know how you would split the difference? Must be a nice preamp.

I was in Colorado in January, coincidentally my 1110 had just been completed and was in the main listening room for final checkout, so I stopped in. We listened to my 1110 then the 3010. It was a noticeable step up relative to the 1110 in sound, which was impressive.

 

[joey_v]

I was in Colorado in January, coincidentally my 1110 had just been completed and was in the main listening room for final checkout, so I stopped in. We listened to my 1110 then the 3010. It was a noticeable step up relative to the 1110 in sound, which was impressive.

Hello Chuck

HOw was the 3010 different?

 

[chuck]

Hello Chuck

HOw was the 3010 different?

As I understand the development of the preamps, they put a lot of effort into new tech for the 3010, the 1110 was developed next and a lot of the 3010 tech was used in the 1110. They sound a lot alike but the 3010 has more of everything. I'm not a reviewer -- there is a review of the 3010 in TAS and several reviews of the 1110.

The 3010 is three times the size, has one more input and is $109,000.00 more expensive -- it takes a lot to make a better preamp than the 1110.

That was in the Boulder factory room which Boulder says is a tool designed to maximize the differences in electronics, rather than sound "good" in the audiophile sense. In my room, a room in a residential house that is setup to sound good, I think the differences would still be apparent but probably less obvious.