DK Design Group vs. Boulder

Ok, so one thing is already clear. You were listening to a DK VS-1 Reference Mk. 2 that sold for $2995, it is the only model that had the digital meter on the front. All future models do not have a meter.

If you had the Aesthetix going into one of the inputs, this could have resulted in a sonic degradation as you are adding more components then necessary in the signal path.

So, Audiofankj, I take it that you think Boulder equipment is better?

Ok spoke with the gentleman today... it is a DK VS-1 Ref. Mk II...

I have heard his system with just his Esoteric DV-50 and both VPI super scoutmaster going into the DK alone... speakers were Usher Dancer 8871's. It was alright. It wasn't BAD, it wasn't GREAT. He liked it.

Since then, I have heard same system with the Aesthetix Callypso (I think) preamp. He confirmed tonight he is running the Aesthetix via balanced cable into the balance inputs on the DK. (So technically, I guess this would be going through two preamp sections???)... he swears it sounds MUCH better this way. When I heard it this way, not to my knowledge it was going through an input, I would have to agree - it did sound much better.

Did I do an A/B comparison? no. Was it weeks in between? Yep. Am I can expert? nope. Am I sure it sounded much better with teh Aesthetix? Yeah, it was not close.

Audioaril, you ask if I think Boulder equipment is better? I have no idea. Never owned one, never heard one. What I have seen is thread after thread on how the DK integrateds beat integrateds by known respectable manufacturers that retail for 3-8 times the cost (doesn't necessarily make them better) and these members swear the DK "kills" it.

I don't think so. Most of these members, like yourself explain no other parts of your system, and just expect us to believe the DK will just totally "blow away" a decent performer.

You may be selling to peeps here, but I for one, am not buying.

I guess then I should get a new pre-amp? Maybe running three pre-amps in series is even better?

I agree with you on that one, Audioaril - it makes absolutely no sense to me to run a preamp into the integrated. When I questioned him about it, he said the guys at Aesthetix said it would be fine as long as both preamp sections weren't turned up too loud...

I wouldn't imagine it would have made an improvement, nor did I have ANY idea he was running it into the aux input balanced. However, it did sound better to me. He swears it sounds much better and the phono section on the Aesthetix is very good, as I think he said the phono on the DK needs jumpers moved and leaves a lot to be desired... That is only hearsay, I haven't heard a comparison on the phono sections.

Damn,I better sell my DK-MK3 after garnering all this info on how bad it is although it does sound better than a Plinius 100MK3 and a ML-32 ref.My opinion only and thanks for the info.Bob