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  #81  
Old 04-21-2021, 05:55 AM
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bart bart is offline
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Adelphi, welcome to AudioAficionado!


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Stereo: Hegel H590, Grimm Audio MU1, Mola Mola Tambaqui, Burmester 948 - V3 & V6 racks, Vivid Audio G2 Giyas, REL Carbon Special (pair), Silent Angel Bonn N8 Ethernet Switch & Forester F1, Wireworld Platinum Eclipse IC and SE SC, Furutech Digiflux
AV: Hegel C-53, Marantz AV8802A, Oppo BDP-203EU, Pioneer Kuro 60", Vivid Audio C1 & V1w's, Wireworld Platinum Eclipse, SE & E
Second system (veranda): Halgorythme preamp and monoblocks, Burmester 061, Avalon Avatar, Sharkwire & Wireworld cables
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  #82  
Old 04-23-2021, 11:15 PM
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Adelphi... Welcome to AA!
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FLORIDA
MX136, MC1.2KW(10) MC2KW(2), MCD1100, MS750(2) MVP881, C1000C/P/T, MPC1500, HT-2 SUBS(2) HT3F(2) WS350(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) XCS350(2) JL GOTHAM v2 SUBS(2) SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U 4K PROJECTOR, STEWART 120" MOTORIZED SCREEN, CINEMA-TECH SEATING, WW PLATINUM CABLES
Reference System: ACCUPHASE A300 AMPS, C3900 PRE-AMP, DP1000 CD/SACD TRANSPORT, DC1000 DIGITAL PROCESSOR, DG-68 DIGITAL EQUALIZER, T1200 FM STEREO TUNER, PS1230 POWER SUPPLY, HRS-SXR CUSTOM RACK w/ M3X SHELVES, TAD REFERENCE ONE MK2 LOUDSPEAKERS, WW PLATINUM CABLES
CAPE COD

MX150, MC501(2) MC1.2KW(10) MC2301(2) MR88, MVP881, MCD1100, MDA1000, C1000C/P/T, MPC1500, ESOTERIC K-01X 30th ANNIVERSARY (BLACK) SACD/CD PLAYER, G02-X CLOCK, HT3F(2) XRT2K, XCS2K, XR27(2) JL GOTHAM v2 SUBS(2) JL FATHOM F113v2 SUBS(4) SOUND ANCHOR STANDS(2) KALEIDESCAPE STRATO & TERRA SERVERS 80-TB, LUMAGEN RADIANCE SCALER, SONY VPH-G90U 4K PROJECTOR, STEWART 120" SCREEN, SONUS FABER STRADIVARI, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, FORTRESS SEATING, WW PLATINUM CABLES
Analog Rig: CLEARAUDIO INNOVATION WOOD, UNIVERSAL ARM w/ Da VINCI' CART, 2nd UNIVERSAL ARM w/ GOLDFINGER STATEMENT CART, HRS-MXR REFERENCE RACK-GLOSS BLACK w/ M3X SHELVES, AESTHETIX RHEA SIG PHONO-PRE, BRYSTON BHA-1 HEADPHONE AMP, WW PLATINUM CABLES
Reference System: BURMESTER 911MK3 AMP(3), 088 PRE-AMP, 089 CD PLAYER, 100 PHONO PRE-AMP, 948 POWER CONDITIONER, ACCUPHASE DG-68 VOICING EQUALIZER, AVID ACUTUS REFERENCE SP TT, GRAHAM PHANTOM II SUPREME ARM, BENZ MICRO LP-S CART, GRANDIOSO P1X/D1X STACK, G1X RUBIDIUM MASTER CLOCK, N05 NETWORK PLAYER, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, HRS-SXR CUSTOM RACK w/ M3X SHELVES, SONUS FABER AIDA SPEAKERS, JL FATHOM F113v2 SUBS(2) SOUND ANCHOR STANDS(2) WW PLATINUM CABLES

Library System: GRANDIOSO M1 MONOBLOCK AMPS, C1 LINESTAGE PRE-AMP, K1X CD/SACD PLAYER, G1 MASTER RUBIDIUM CLOCK, E02 PHONO-PRE, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, AERIAL ACOUSTICS 20T V2, AERIAL SW12 SUBS(2), CANTON REF K1’s, VPI HRX TT w/ SDS POWER SUPPLY, ORTOFON CADENZA BLACK CART, KLAUDIO RCM, SHUNYATA DENALI 6000/S v2, SHUNYATA OMEGA QR’s, WW PLATINUM CABLES
Esoteric/Bryston System: ESOTERIC C02-X PRE-AMP, P-02X TRANSPORT, D02-X DAC, G02-X CLOCK, BRYSTON 28B3 CUBED MONOBLOCK AMPS(4), BRYSTON BHA-1 HEADPHONE AMP, SHUNYATA DENALI 6000/S v2(2) EVEREST 8000 POWER CONDITIONER(2) ALTAIRA CG & SG HUBS, AMR-DP777-SE DAC, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, TAD REFERENCE ONE MK2 LOUDSPEAKERS, QUADRASPIRE RACK, WW PLATINUM CABLES
Accuphase/Canton System: ACCUPHASE E800 INTEGRATED, DP570 CD/SACD PLAYER, T1200 FM STEREO TUNER, DG-68 VOICING EQUALIZER, PS530 POWER SUPPLY, CANTON REF K3’s, CANTON REF K5’s, SILENZIO MUSIC SERVER, HRS MXR REFERENCE MAHOGHANY RACK w/ M3X2 SHELVES, WW GOLD CABLES
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  #83  
Old 04-25-2021, 10:20 AM
ghasley ghasley is offline
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Adelphi,

Your ref6 ref75 are terrific. The midrange on the 866 is not better nor is it worse, it is different. ARC does texture very well and the Boulder 866 wont give up much in comparison. If you are madly in love with what you have the 866 may not be for you but I find it one of the best one box solutions created. I dont know your speakers but t he bass from the 866 is better and more controlled compared to what you have. The mids and treble is very nice and neutral(compared to my impression of neutral). Depends on why you have a hifi. The boulder just gets the job done.
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  #84  
Old 04-26-2021, 12:48 AM
Adelphi Adelphi is offline
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@Ghasley,

Thanks for your feedback. My main speakers is a pair of Revel Studio 2 which I consider as a relatively neutral sounding speakers with a good soundstage and excellent tweeters SQ, I am quite happy with vocals reproduction of my gears.
But the bass response in my room is less than perfect, based on my measurement using REW there are some frequency dips around 50-100Hz and I can say it's slightly bass shy in my room. I think a good solid state amp will give a tighter and more extended bass. This is the main reason I consider Boulder 866 at the same time I want to reduce the box count/cabling in my audio cabinet. I need some space for my music Roon/HQplayer PC.

I have no idea should I choose Boulder 866 analog or digital version (with DAC), I haven't find any info about the comparison of Boulder 866 internal DAC vs T+A DAC 8 DSD.
I also need to find out whether the 866 analog version has usb port for 3rd party USB remote /dongle.
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  #85  
Old 05-04-2021, 08:47 PM
Rick721 Rick721 is offline
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Another great review !

https://www.whathifi.com/au/reviews/...866-integrated
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  #86  
Old 05-15-2021, 09:21 AM
ghasley ghasley is offline
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Either version of the 866 has available USB ports for an aftermarket USB dongle based handheld remote control so no worries there.

I compared the digital section of the 866 versus my MSB Discrete DAC with dual outboard power supplies and utilized the pro usb input option fed by an Innuos Zenith mkiii. The 866 is connected to my network via ether regen switch. There were subtle differences but to my ears there were no meaningful differences. In the end, I sold my Discrete Dac setup with no reservations whatsoever.

Is the internal dac of the 866 better than a MSB Discrete? Probably not. But it is so superbly integrated and musical that 99% of the time no one could tell you which was playing. I had more invested in power cables and a usb cable to connect the Discrete to my 866 and thats not even including the interconnects which also exceeds the cost of the 866 digital upcharge.

I listened to music with which I am very familiar, switching between the Boulder digital section and the Discrete and I would be hard pressed to be able to point out any material performance differences other than the MSB did have a slightly larger soundstage if you were being very picky. If Boulder sold the digital/streaming section as a stand alone box it would be a bargain at $5k. I did not expect the Boulder digital section to be exceptional, heck I didnt care if it was frankly. I thought it would probably be just fine to handle my tv sound through it and I fully intended to keep the Discrete for “serious” listening. I eventually sold the Discrete, the Boulder digital section is that good.

The analog only 866 is an amazing integrated competing with anything under $30k to my ears. I wouldnt buy an 866 without the digital section though. It will shock you at how good the digital section actually is. I have purchased three digital 866’s and wouldnt personally choose the analog version to save a few grand.
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  #87  
Old 05-15-2021, 10:23 PM
gds7368 gds7368 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ghasley View Post
Either version of the 866 has available USB ports for an aftermarket USB dongle based handheld remote control so no worries there.

I compared the digital section of the 866 versus my MSB Discrete DAC with dual outboard power supplies and utilized the pro usb input option fed by an Innuos Zenith mkiii. The 866 is connected to my network via ether regen switch. There were subtle differences but to my ears there were no meaningful differences. In the end, I sold my Discrete Dac setup with no reservations whatsoever.

Is the internal dac of the 866 better than a MSB Discrete? Probably not. But it is so superbly integrated and musical that 99% of the time no one could tell you which was playing. I had more invested in power cables and a usb cable to connect the Discrete to my 866 and thats not even including the interconnects which also exceeds the cost of the 866 digital upcharge.

I listened to music with which I am very familiar, switching between the Boulder digital section and the Discrete and I would be hard pressed to be able to point out any material performance differences other than the MSB did have a slightly larger soundstage if you were being very picky. If Boulder sold the digital/streaming section as a stand alone box it would be a bargain at $5k. I did not expect the Boulder digital section to be exceptional, heck I didnt care if it was frankly. I thought it would probably be just fine to handle my tv sound through it and I fully intended to keep the Discrete for “serious” listening. I eventually sold the Discrete, the Boulder digital section is that good.

The analog only 866 is an amazing integrated competing with anything under $30k to my ears. I wouldnt buy an 866 without the digital section though. It will shock you at how good the digital section actually is. I have purchased three digital 866’s and wouldnt personally choose the analog version to save a few grand.


Thanks for your thoughtful review! I had an all-Boulder system for about 5 years and respect its strengths. Glad you find the built in digital section strong. Every time I consider a new component I immediately tally up the cost of the uber-expensive interconnects to make it all happen.
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  #88  
Old 05-18-2021, 12:51 PM
ghasley ghasley is offline
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My pleasure gds7368. I hear you loud and clear. When you do the math on the 866 qualitatively you begin to wonder how they can offer it for the price. I know part of the fun in our hobby can in fact be the unnecessary complexity we enjoy introducing but for me (and for those who I want to enjoy the hifi) the 866 eliminates the vast majority of the variables. The Roon integration is also quite clever.

I recognize that many in our hobby won't explore the 866 BECAUSE it isn't like most offerings but somewhere, deep down, if they listen to one they will have to admit it accomplishes the playback of music in an extraordinarily simple and high quality way.
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  #89  
Old 05-18-2021, 12:51 PM
ghasley ghasley is offline
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Sorry for the duplicate post

Last edited by ghasley; 05-18-2021 at 12:55 PM. Reason: duplicate post
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  #90  
Old 07-29-2021, 12:13 PM
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866 owners, I'm wondering if anyone has experimented with isolation, footers, etc. I have the 866 with DAC. The options I have are roughly 15 years old -- old still points and vistek aurios. I'm considering buying a Townshend Seismic Platform, but wanted to see if anyone has blazed a trail already. I checked audiogon and found nothing specific to the 866. Thanks in advance.
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