On the outside, with the exception of the new, front-panel–spanning display band of mirrored glass, the 2010's replacement, the 2110, looks little different from its predecessor, though changes inside and out are many. And the price has risen, from $48,000 to $54,000.
The 2110's…
It's my impression that Wilson Audio Specialties doesn't work that way. I think they…
In today's zero-negative-feedback world, Boulder almost defiantly uses…
Description: Remote-controlled line preamplifier. Analog inputs: 6 balanced (XLR). Analog outputs (all balanced, XLR): 2 main, 1 Aux. Other inputs/outputs: Boulder Link Ethernet and IR mini-plug. Maximum voltage gain: 20dB. Gain range (configurable): –100 to 20dB in increments of 0.5dB. Frequency response: 0.02Hz–300kHz, –3dB; 20Hz–5kHz, +0.00/–0.03dB. THD+N, 2V output, 20Hz–5kHz: 0.0008% (–102dB); 0.001% at 20kHz (–100dB). Crosstalk, L–R or R–L: –134dB or better, 20Hz–20kHz. Crosstalk, adjacent inputs: –134dB or better, 20Hz–20kHz. Input impedance: 333k ohms.…
Description: Two-way, port-loaded, stand-mounted loudspeaker. Drive-units: 1" doped silk-dome tweeter, 8" paper-cone woofer. Frequency response: 33Hz–21kHz, ±3dB. Sensitivity: 92dB/W/m. Impedance: 4 ohms nominal, 4.35 ohms minimum.
Dimensions: Speaker: 18.5" (470mm) H by 10.5" (267mm) W by 16.1" (239mm) D. Weight: 45 lbs (20.4kg). Stand: 21.6" (555mm) H by 11.8" (302mm) W by 18.6" (476mm) D. Weight: 65 lbs (29.5kg).
Finishes: Many: Upgrade finish, add $3000/pair; custom finish, including paint matching, add $3500/pair.
Serial numbers of units…
Analog Sources: Continuum Audio Labs Caliburn turntable, Cobra tonearm, Castellon stand; Kuzma 4Point tonearm; Lyra Atlas & Etna, Ortofon Anna, Kiseki PurpleHeart, Miyajima Labs Zero (mono) & Madake cartridges.
Digital Sources: Simaudio Moon Evolution 650D DAC/transport; Ayre Acoustics QA-9 A/D converter; Lynx Hilo A/D-D/A converter; Meridian Digital Media System; Pure Vinyl & Vinyl Studio LP-ripping software.
Preamplification: Ypsilon MC-10L & MC-16L step-up transformers; Ypsilon VPS-100, Lamm LP 2.1 Deluxe phono preamplifiers;…
Analog Sources: Garrard 301, Thorens TD 124 turntables; EMT 997, Thomas Schick tonearms; Ortofon SPU-A & SPU 95th Anniversary & CG25i, Miyajima Premium BE Mono II, EMT OFD 15 & TSD 15 pickup heads.
Digital Sources: Halide Designs DAC HD USB D/A converter; Apple iMac G5 computer with Audirvana Plus 1.5.12 playback software; Sony SCD-777ES SACD/CD player.
Preamplification: Hommage T2 step-up transformer, Shindo Masseto preamplifier.
Power Amplifiers: Shindo Corton-Charlemagne monoblocks, Shindo Haut-Brion.
Integrated Amplifier:…
I measured the Boulder 2110's electrical performance with my Audio Precision SYS2722 system (see www.ap.com and the January 2008 "As We See It"). As set up for the review, the volume control operated in accurate 0.5dB steps, the 2110 preserved absolute polarity (ie, was non-inverting, with pin 2 of the XLR jacks hot), and its maximum gain was exactly 20dB, as specified, for both the balanced and unbalanced inputs. The input impedance was very high, at an estimated 170k ohms (the specification states 333k ohms, but the voltage-drop method I use is not accurate for…
For a welcome change from my usual routine, I drove 250 miles north, into snowy upstate New York, to measure Wilson Audio's Duette Series 2 in situ chez Dudley. I used DRA Labs' MLSSA system and a calibrated DPA 4006 microphone to measure the Wilson's frequency response in the farfield, and an Earthworks QTC-40 for the nearfield and spatially averaged room responses. The amplifier used for the quasi-anechoic responses was the solid-state Musical Fidelity 250W monoblock that I bought 10 years ago to use for all my speaker measurements. For the in-room response…