Recently I made some changes/upgrades to my system that have really improved the sound and emotional impact of my system. First, I moved my racks and all of the electronics/sources (other than the Boulder 1160 power amp) to the side wall about twelve feet out from where the speakers are and about sixteen feet from the back wall so that there is nothing between or behind the speakers other than the floor and the power amp and the back wall. Next, as now needed a longer primary power cord (from the wall/portable panel to the Torus RM 20) and longer XLR interconnect from the preamp (was a Boulder 1110) to the power amp, I went ahead and upgraded to a 4 meter Audioquest Firebird power cord and a 5.5 meter pair of Audioquest XLR interconnects. Next, I upgraded to Albedo Monolith Reference 8 foot speaker cables. Finally, and most significantly, I upgraded the preamp to a Boulder 2110 preamp. All I can say is WOW WOW WOW!!! What an improvement. My speakers, Magico S3 2023 speakers, sounded on the cool side before these changes - but not any more. The sound is even more detailed than before, but is also so much more emotionally engaging. The difference between the Boulder 1110 and 2110 is just huge (but so is the price, so it should be). Also, getting the gear out of the middle of the speakers is clearly a must. So, I strongly recommend that anyone who is able to do so, get that gear out from the middle of the speakers and off to the side. And if you have the Boulder 1110/1160 combination, I strongly that you consider going to the Boulder 2110 if you can find a way to afford it. Anyone who has generally found Boulder amps and preamps to be on the cool side and lacking in emotional content, especially with Magico and other similar speakers, should consider these changes, especially going to the Boulder 2110 and getting the audio gear out of the way of the speakers. What an improvement. I am also very happy with the Albedo speaker wire and the Firebird power cord and interconnects.
So my bank account is quite a bit lighter, but my question to those who have upgraded from the Boulder 1160 power amp and have a Boulder 2110 peramp, should I find a way to upgrade to the Boulder 2160 (or anything else) and will I see the kind of improvement in doing so as I am seeing going from the Boulder change from 1110 to the 2110?
I look forward to helpful comments.
So my bank account is quite a bit lighter, but my question to those who have upgraded from the Boulder 1160 power amp and have a Boulder 2110 peramp, should I find a way to upgrade to the Boulder 2160 (or anything else) and will I see the kind of improvement in doing so as I am seeing going from the Boulder change from 1110 to the 2110?
I look forward to helpful comments.
