I got the chance to listen to the new Boulder 2100 pre-amp, mono amps, at Dallas Audio Concepts yesterday. The rest of the system was: Boulder 1021 CD, 2008 phono, Linn LP-12 Keel, Ekos SE, Radikal, Kandid, Valhalla 2 interconnects and speaker cable, Wilson Alexia. I listened to several cuts on CD and then LP. These included: CD - Johnny Cash "Solitary Man", Shelby Lynne "Just a Little Lovin", "I Only Want to be With You", LP - Miles Davis "If I Were a Bell", Roseanne Cash "Miss the Mississippi", Peggy Lee "Black Coffee" (mono). Several characteristics were evident:
1. The Boulder gear is VERY neutral especially playing through the digital chain. You hear what is on the recording. This was especially evident to me since my system is ARC REF Anniversary and Ref 210s w/ KT120s, MSB Diamond on Alexia.
2. Bass presentation is about the most authoritative I've ever heard. Think older Krell monos but more detailed.
3. The openness and transparency on the mid-range and treble were excellent. I've heard the 2000 series before and did not remember the degree of transparency that I heard yesterday. Cymbals had excellent air and space around them; the hall ambience in the Shelby Lynne recording was presented as if you were in studio.
4. Big soundstage left to right, floor to ceiling. I thought images were presented at the correct height. Three dimensional.
Overall, outstanding system. 1000W / channel ! For real! Boulder has not updated the 2000 series in 17 years. Impressive. $$$$$$$$$$ too!
1. The Boulder gear is VERY neutral especially playing through the digital chain. You hear what is on the recording. This was especially evident to me since my system is ARC REF Anniversary and Ref 210s w/ KT120s, MSB Diamond on Alexia.
2. Bass presentation is about the most authoritative I've ever heard. Think older Krell monos but more detailed.
3. The openness and transparency on the mid-range and treble were excellent. I've heard the 2000 series before and did not remember the degree of transparency that I heard yesterday. Cymbals had excellent air and space around them; the hall ambience in the Shelby Lynne recording was presented as if you were in studio.
4. Big soundstage left to right, floor to ceiling. I thought images were presented at the correct height. Three dimensional.
Overall, outstanding system. 1000W / channel ! For real! Boulder has not updated the 2000 series in 17 years. Impressive. $$$$$$$$$$ too!