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I examined the Boulder 865's measured behavior using mainly Stereophile's loaner sample of the top-of-the-line Audio Precision SYS2722 system (see the January 2008 "As We See It" and www.ap.com); for some tests, I also used my vintage Audio Precision System One Dual Domain.

Before performing any tests on an amplifier, I run it for 60 minutes at one-third its specified power into 8 ohms, which is thermally the worst case for an amplifier with a class-B or -AB output stage. The Boulder's top panel was quite warm at the end of this period, but soon thereafter…

Have the person you're arguing with inspect the fit'n'finish of this handsome, 45-lb powerhouse, and finger the rugged heatsinks flanking its chassis. Encourage that audiophile to pop the heavy top plate and examine the superior build quality and parts (including WIMA…

Apparent almost immediately were a spare quality to Young's voice, and a very fast hall reverberation that appeared whenever he lingered between phrases. Not a great deal of depth developed behind his voice, nor was his guitar notably supple and pure, but the…

Description: Tube and solid-state, remote-controlled, two-channel integrated amplifier with six line-level inputs. Tube complement: three 12AX7. Maximum output power outputs: 150Wpc class-AB into 8 ohms (10Wpc class-A), 250Wpc class-AB into 4 ohms. Frequency response: 20Hz–50kHz, ±0.5dB. Input sensitivity: 200mV. Input impedance: 47k ohms. THD: <0.1% (1kHz at 1W). Signal/noise ratio: 80dB (no reference level given). Power consumption: not specified.
Dimensions: 16.8" (430mm) W by 5.9" (150mm) H by 17" (435mm) D. Weight: 45 lbs (20.4kg).
Serial Number Of…

Analog Sources: Continuum Audio Labs Caliburn/Cobra/Castellon turntable/tonearm/stand; VPI SuperScoutmaster Reference turntable; Graham Phantom tonearm; Lyra Titan i, Koetsu Coralstone Platinum mono, Shelter 7000, MySonic Hyper Eminent phono cartridges.
Digital Sources: Musical Fidelity kW DM 25 transport & DAC, Cary CD 306 SACD Professional Version SACD player, BPT-modified Alesis Masterlink hard-disk recorder.
Preamplification: Manley Steelhead, Einstein Turntable's Choice, Audia Flight phono preamplifiers; darTZeel NHB-18NS preamplifier.
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I used the top-of-the-line Audio Precision SYS2722 system (see the January 2008 "As We See It" and www.ap.com) to measure the Vincent SV-236MK; for some tests, I also used an Audio Precision System One Dual Domain.

As usual, before performing any tests, I ran the Vincent for 60 minutes at one-third its specified power into 8 ohms, which is thermally the worst case for an amplifier with a class-B or -AB output stage. The measured distortion+noise was 0.021% with the amplifier cold; at the end of the hour's preconditioning, it had risen inconsequentially, to…

Description: Two-way, reflex-loaded bookshelf loudspeaker. Drive-units: 1" Vifa XT ring-radiator tweeter, 5.25" Atohm woofer with a rubber bar over the dustcap. Crossover frequency: 3kHz. Crossover type: 4th-order. Frequency response: 42Hz–35kHz, ±3dB. Impedance: 4 ohms. Efficiency: 88dB.
Dimensions: 14.5" (370mm) H by 8" (205mm) W by 11" (280mm) D. Shipping weight: 48 lbs (21.8kg)/pair.
Finishes: South American Rosewood; add $300/pair for Piano Bird's-Eye Maple, Piano Black.
Serial Numbers Of Units Reviewed: 25399, 26100.
Price: $1200/pair. (One-way…

Analog Sources: VPI TNT IV, Rega Planar 3 turntables; Immedia RPM, Syrinx PU-3 tonearms; Koetsu Urushi, Clearaudio Virtuoso Wood cartridges.
Digital Sources: Lector CDP-7T, Creek Destiny CD players.
Preamplification: Vendetta Research SCP-2D phono stage, Audio Valve Eclipse line stage.
Power Amplifier: Audio Research Reference 110.
Loudspeakers: Amphion Helium2, Epos M16i, Monitor Audio RS6 Silver.
Cables: Interconnect (all MIT): Magnum M3, MI-350 CVTwin Terminator, MI-330SG Terminator. Speaker: Acarian Systems Black Orpheus.
Accessories…