Boulder 2008

Assuredly a very good phono equaliser. It's a serious product and far from the (miserable) stuff usually available. Whether it's the best, I wouldn't know and, frankly, I couldn't know (how would I judge that:)).

It's unfortunate that at its price (25?30k?) it doesn't include an inverse riaa s/where at one of the inputs.

It's appropriately versatile of course and you also have access to different -- non riaa -- equalisation curves which is very useful if you have vintage LPs (you get a different small circuit board of sorts). They cost extra but aren't ruinous afaik.

It's a very complicated circuit, btw, and don't even think of "tweaking" or "improving"... If anything, ask Boulder to provide whatever tickles yr fancy (i.e. if you want to do away with the 75us pole or play with the idea of a 3,18us, I think) -- at the price, Boulder can easily oblige.

FOr that matter, FM Acoustics also offer an excellent phono equaliser which is less ruinously expensive. There are a few other stratospheric phonos too (most of which I haven;t heard) -- reportedly, one of these made by an A'gon member (Raul -- there's a thread about it). Cheers

Well for what its worth..
I own and very much enjoy a 2008 phono preamp. I have auditioned other phono preamps (albeit none costing nearly as much) in my system and while some were very good, none were able to deliver the whole musical package like the Boulder. It has a smoothness and a dynamic realism that I have not heard with any other component in my system. I agree it is an extravagance and very pricey, I did however purchase the dealer demo unit and it made it a little bit less so. Besides, after hearing many other units at home, my wife, a total non audiophile claimed it was "by far the best sounding music she has ever heard in our room"...what more need be said.
Relax and enjoy. Jerry

I had gotten some confused about the phono between Boulder 2008,FM 222mk3 and Lyra 4.2se.
It is had to A/B test them at the same time.
Is there anyone who can explain the differences and C/P value about these 3 expensive phonogeer?
THanks And Waiting.