Boulder 1021 Disc player

[rockitman]

I searched the forum and really couldn't find any info. Has anyone heard one ? Is the sound up to it's $20k price point competitors...meaning standalone dacs ?

Looks like no digital input, unfortunately.
http://www.boulderamp.com/1021-p1.html

 

[caesar]

I actually spent a lot of time with the Boulder, and I think it is terrific. My reference is attending dozens of live blues and jazz shows every year, and I think the Boulder easily bests the $80K Scarlatti stack. Now the Scarlatti is better at retrieving the detail off a disc, but it also presents all that detail by spotlighting it, which I find un-unatural. The Boulder has great bass and great rhythmic drive, wich is the foundation of music. It is much more organic and puts you in the state of flow, similarly to what you experience at a live show. Another great option is Playabck Designs 5. PD 5 OWNS the SACD reproduction. In an ideal world, you get Boulder for redbook and PD 5 for SACD. Listen for yourself, of course.

http://www.whatsbestforum.com/showt...ll-you-PD-MPS-5-vs.-Boulder-1021-vs.-Scaratti
http://www.whatsbestforum.com/showthread.php?1976-Playback-Designs-DAC-vs-Scarlatti-DAC

 

[rockitman]

Good info caesar. I don't have SACD nor do I intend to start collecting them. I do have alot of 16/44.1 and hi rez pcm material so the PB is out. Not sure I want to give up digital in (AES/EBU) with this unit. It would be nice if it could be used as a dac. How does the Boulder standalone dac (1012 DAC Preamplifier) compare ? Better or on par provided I'm using a good transport (memory buffered) like the Boulder ?

 

[docvale]

I searched the forum and really couldn't find any info. Has anyone heard one ? Is the sound up to it's $20k price point competitors...meaning standalone dacs ?

Looks like no digital input, unfortunately.
http://www.boulderamp.com/1021-p1.html

You can use it as a music server through its ethernet port.

 

[rockitman]

Thanks Valerio...I was aware of that. All my stuff is on CD or DVD however. I really don't want to allocate the time to rip them all to a server/HD.

 

[docvale]

It integrates a CD transport though... I doubt it is compatible with DVDs anyway...

 

[rockitman]

Actually it is...you can burn hi-rez wavs up 24/192 on DVD-R and it will play them.

 

[edorr]

I searched the forum and really couldn't find any info. Has anyone heard one ? Is the sound up to it's $20k price point competitors...meaning standalone dacs ?

Looks like no digital input, unfortunately.
http://www.boulderamp.com/1021-p1.html

Rockitman,

Why pay over $20K money for a network streamer without digital inputs when you don't need network streaming, but you do need a digital input?

If you are in the market for a DAC with CD transport and digital input in this pricerange (which I believe you are), you may want to look into EMM Labs. The new DAC2X is listed for $15.5K. The reference CDSA SE transport shows up on audiogon for around $5K. This would probably be a very compelling combo. I believe an new model for the transport is in the works. Then there is the integrated XDS1 CD/SACD player with digital inputs. A successor for that player may also be in the pipeline.

I'll get my new DAC2X in tomorrow, very interested to learn how good it really is. I may still get the new MSB analog DAC in the house for a side by side shootout with the EMM Labs.

 

[rockitman]

if I go dac only, I will probably use my PS Audio memory transport as source. This one box solution really meets all my needs. I don't really need digital in if all my source is on CD or DVD-R...that's why I am considering it if the sound is up to the SOTA in this price range. I like a one box footprint too as I have many boxes in the system as it is...

 

[edorr]

if I go dac only, I will probably use my PS Audio memory transport as source. This one box solution really meets all my needs. I don't really need digital in if all my source is on CD or DVD-R...that's why I am considering it if the sound is up to the SOTA in this price range. I like a one box footprint too as I have many boxes in the system as it is...

I see. So really what you are after is a very good CD/SACD player. The Boulder could indeed be an interesting option, not least because it would give you the option to play around with network streaming should you ever have the time/desire to do so. I for one could never go back to spinning dics, but ripping an entire library is indeed a bitch.

It would be interesting to find out how it stacks up against XDS1, but unforunately the only way to find out is to line them up next to each other. There will always be a reviewer / owner proclaiming each piece the "the best digital they ever heard", so not much help there.

 

[asiufy]

The Boulder was playing beautifully in the RMAF. They even did a comparison between the same song, on CD and hi-res. Sure there was a difference, but the CD played well enough.
But I'll have to agree with edorr, you're paying for stuff you won't use...
I hadn't heard the new EMM Labs stuff, but it was in a number of rooms at RMAF (most impressively on the IsoMike room), and it always sounded great, so that's a good option right there.
Since you already have a good transport, you could go with the cheaper MSB Analog DAC too.


cheers,
alexandre

 

[AMP]

Out of curiosity is anyone out there using the network streaming features of the 1021? If so can you please comment on the user interface and performance?

I'm in the market for a player and had eliminated the 1021 as it lacked a digital input, but my need for the input is really tied to my need to access digital files via a music server. Assuming the Boulder's performance in this regard is up to par then I can put it back onto my list.

Currently I'm using a Cullen-modified Sonos through my Wadia and am pleased with the results (although it's not as good as playing the disc directly). The aspect of this setup that has kept me going is the fact that the Sonos interface for browsing files is excellent. As there's little info out there on how the 1021 accomplishes this task I'm looking for some first-hand feedback.

 

[BFlowers]

Out of curiosity is anyone out there using the network streaming features of the 1021? If so can you please comment on the user interface and performance?

I'm in the market for a player and had eliminated the 1021 as it lacked a digital input, but my need for the input is really tied to my need to access digital files via a music server. Assuming the Boulder's performance in this regard is up to par then I can put it back onto my list.

Currently I'm using a Cullen-modified Sonos through my Wadia and am pleased with the results (although it's not as good as playing the disc directly). The aspect of this setup that has kept me going is the fact that the Sonos interface for browsing files is excellent. As there's little info out there on how the 1021 accomplishes this task I'm looking for some first-hand feedback.

Interestingly, I lived with the Boulder 1012 DAC/Pre for several years, then changed to the Boulder 2020 DAC and 2010 pre. Later, I had the 1021 CD player on extended loan on 2 occasions. I was trying to see if it was better than the 2020, or if using it as a transport into the 2020 would be preferable to the MBL 1621 that was/is my current transport. I found the 1021 to be a very good player. However, the 2020 is a better DAC (as it should be for 50% more cost). The 1021 was better than the DAC in the 1012, however. When I use the term better, I mean more detail retrieval with less stridency. All of these DACs are very good however. The 1021 is a beautiful piece that is worthy of a home audition. Feel free to PM me if you need more info

 

[StevenTam]

Has anybody tried the new UPnP function?
Very interested on Boulder 1021 as a network player player Hi-Res files compared to the otheres.

 

[AMP]

Hi Steven,

I saw your post come through last week, but got sidetracked and forgot to respond.

I have a 1021 in my system right now and am streaming files to it via UPnP. The streaming functionality works although the limitations of UPnP can cause some frustration. From a performance standpoint I can say that there doesn't appear to be a sonic difference between streaming files to the 1021 vs playing the CD the files were ripped from. As for high-res performance the 1021 is among the best I've heard.

I currently have a Bricasti M1 and Esoteric K-03 in the system as well if either of those will help you with reference points for comparison.

Please feel free to ask any specific questions you may have.

 

[LL21]

Hi Steven,

I saw your post come through last week, but got sidetracked and forgot to respond.

I have a 1021 in my system right now and am streaming files to it via UPnP. The streaming functionality works although the limitations of UPnP can cause some frustration. From a performance standpoint I can say that there doesn't appear to be a sonic difference between streaming files to the 1021 vs playing the CD the files were ripped from. As for high-res performance the 1021 is among the best I've heard.

I currently have a Bricasti M1 and Esoteric K-03 in the system as well if either of those will help you with reference points for comparison.

Please feel free to ask any specific questions you may have.

Very interesting! How does the 1021 compare on redbook to th esoteric k-03?

 

[AMP]

Very interesting! How does the 1021 compare on redbook to th esoteric k-03?

I honestly didn't know what to expect with the Esoteric as my experience with their products was limited to the X series and older. Based on reviews and commentary from people I trust I knew I had to give it a shot.... it's an EXCELLENT player and could easily be all that anyone ever needs. As with most things in audio it just comes down to personal tastes.

The K-03 does a better job of balancing detail retrieval and musical enjoyment than the older players, but it's still a detail and microdynamics champ. One of my favorite aspects of its sound is its ability to reproduce the sense of space around performers and place those performers into a venue. There's a sense of space in the K-03s presentation which is addictive, to say the least. It can, however, be slightly thin sounding especially on recordings that are lacking in body to begin with.

In comparison, the 1021 seems to be a bit more laid back and less concerned with detail retrieval in favor of a more musically pleasing presentation. As with all of the Boulder products I've heard there's a very solid bottom end combined with an excellent rhythmic drive. It definitely gets the music right, but at times I feel like it's glossing over some of the details that give a sense of witnessing a performance at a specific place and time. I can't fault this behavior as, again, it's really just a matter of personal taste.

In some ways the Bricasti seems to split the difference between the two. It's truly stunning and at the price point is extremely difficult to beat.

On high res files the Bricasti and the Boulder pull much further ahead over the K-03.... there's just more of everything.

Right now my brain is in evaluation mode so I'm focusing on minute differences as opposed to just sitting back and enjoying the music. I'm also in the process of finally getting the rest of my CDs ripped and cataloged and that has been diverting a lot of my attention. Fortunately, I have a bit more free time this week and am hoping to get back to listening for fun... and that will be the ultimate test for these three components.

 

[LL21]

Thank you. Great insights and a nice read. Enjoy and look forward to hearing more of your observations over time.

 

[StevenTam]

Thanks for sharing your great experience.

 

[defride]

In some ways the Bricasti seems to split the difference between the two. It's truly stunning and at the price point is extremely difficult to beat.

On high res files the Bricasti and the Boulder pull much further ahead over the K-03.... there's just more of everything.

Cheers for the insights, a couple of questions

Is that comment cd via K-03 v hi-rez or are you also talking about sacd v hi-rez files?

Also, have you tried hi-rez files via the K-03s digital inputs?