Heavyweight amplifier showdown- Boulder 2160 v Wavac HE 833 mkII

[zztop7]

No comment.
Watching for the final outcome.
zz.

 

[infinitely baffled]

Gavin, can you expand a bit more on your claim the Boulder 2060 is more fluid. I'm assuming you mean it bridges the divide to tubes better than other heavyweight SS, and hence might be a great choice for someone like me who'd like to entertain the option of Apogees but can't abide the idea of giving up tubes.

Or do you mean it's unmistakably SS, but more grain free than the SS competition and hence has greater ease and transparency? But can't be mistaken for tubes?

Just as an aside;

I just checked hifi shark and ALL of the 2050's shown for sale are scams.

The prices should be the giveaway, and one of the photos is from Alain's dem room, the other is of another customer of Alain's amps. Alain does not have either pair up for sale, if they were they would be no less than 25k per pair

Caveat emptor

 

[dan31]

I have heard that installing a 30 amp line for the big boulder amps makes a difference. Just something to consider if you lean towards the Boulder. It may feel like an extra benefit.

 

[infinitely baffled]

I suspect it's even more important if you live in the US?

I did the same here (UK), and had to keep increasing the value of the fuse due to the frequency of tripping the breaker as it powered up

 

[morricab]

I suspect it's even more important if you live in the US?

I did the same here (UK), and had to keep increasing the value of the fuse due to the frequency of tripping the breaker as it powered up

When will you actually get the WAVACs? Really interested in your findings...

 

[infinitely baffled]

I will check on the logistics tomorrow, and provide an update

 

[infinitely baffled]

Just to add a little spice, Vitus Masterpiece monoblocks will be here 10 October for a visit.

 

[spiritofmusic]

Osteopath on standby I hope, Gavin?

 

[GMKF]

Just to add a little spice, Vitus Masterpiece monoblocks will be here 10 October for a visit.

Wow. The 4-box thing im guessing...

 

[bonzo75]

What pre amps are you using again? If it's the wavac you might want to get a Vitus pre, and boulder pre. I have seen Kondo m1000 and Allnic pre not work with Vitus power

 

[LL21]

Sounds like a great audio shoot-out! Look forward to reading the results.

 

[infinitely baffled]

Osteopath on standby I hope, Gavin?

Are you?

 

[spiritofmusic]

Do you know what my call out fee from E Anglia to Scotland is?

Cheaper to use a local orthopaedic surgeon.

And yer gonna need one.

 

[infinitely baffled]

What pre amps are you using again? If it's the wavac you might want to get a Vitus pre, and boulder pre. I have seen Kondo m1000 and Allnic pre not work with Vitus power

That may be prescient.
I have the Wavac Pr-t1, plus an Audio Research sp14 as back up. Also a Clearaudio Balanced Reference Phonostage, which has adjustable gain, so could be pressed into service if all else fails.

I had the Vitus Masterpiece pre amp here about a year ago, i will check if it's still available

 

[infinitely baffled]

Do you know what my call out fee from E Anglia to Scotland is?

One of my pan-galatic gargle blasters?

(You only need one)

 

[infinitely baffled]

Sounds like a great audio shoot-out! Look forward to reading the results.

Cheers Lloyd ?

it's my humble opinion that you could do worse than hear what Boulder are capable of, before pulling the trigger on FMA

 

[heihei]

Wow - fine collection of power amps you're lining up! Is it worth throwing Audionet Heisenbergs and CH Precision M1s into the mix??

 

[infinitely baffled]

I'm happy to listen to anything you bring 'round

 

[infinitely baffled]

I had to google the Audionet Heisenberg

http://www.hifiplus.com/articles/ra...er-and-heisenberg-monoblock-power-amplifiers/

Interesting that the reviewer hasn't heard a Boulder, according to his list of amps experienced. But they do sound interesting.
I wonder who handles their UK distribution


I suspect the CH Precision presentation may be a little clinical, sterile for me. From Switzerland it's FM Acoustics that hold more intruige, but as a complete second system in a different location.
Like Lloyd i have become used to lots of air being moved in my listening room and could never be without it.
Other presentations are appealing, but in addition not instead

 

[LL21]

I had to google the Audionet Heisenberg

http://www.hifiplus.com/articles/ra...er-and-heisenberg-monoblock-power-amplifiers/

Interesting that the reviewer hasn't heard a Boulder, according to his list of amps experienced. But they do sound interesting.
I wonder who handles their UK distribution


I suspect the CH Precision presentation may be a little clinical, sterile for me. From Switzerland its FM Acoustics that hold more intruige, but as a complete second system in a different location.
Like Lloyd i have become used to lots of air being moved in my listening room and could never be without it.
Other presentations are appealing, but in addition not instead

Looking forward to reading more about your adventures in high end power amps! I do like the Boulder 2060 a lot and nearly got it years ago. I can imagine the 2160 and 3060 must be tremendous. Have recently heard some of the smaller FMs and was very impressed by the overall presentation of the system and got a sense of what the FM was about from listening and speaking with Touraj.