i would love to write a full-blown review of the boulder 1012, after having listened to it extensively in my system. unfortunately, i can't do that now, since delivery of my unit has been delayed. (the chassis must be perfect before the innards are installed; anodizing is tough to do perfectly, which is the sole reason for the hold up). i have had, tho, the good fortune to audition the 1012 for many hours in my own and my audio dealer's soundroom (as i've noted before, my audio dealer is also a close friend, whom i often join in "private" listening sessions that nearly always include the enjoyment of a fine red wine--yum). i have a/b'd the 1012 with a number of other high quality dac's, pre's and phono stages. i can tell you, at least preliminarily, that the dac section of the boulder 1012 betters anything else i've compared it to in the playback of "redbook" cd's. the sonic attributes of it's line stage have been exceeded only by the boulder's flagship pre, the 2010 (msrp= $36k). i've done only limited comparative listening through the 1012's phono stage. others i've a/b'd with the boulder include the nagra pl-p and the aesthetix io. i can't give you my final thoughts yet on the phono section, but can tell you it stands up quite well to the heavyweights mentioned; each, of course, has its own sound signature that must be "graded" by its prospective owner.
BTW, i'm really flattered to be asked for my views on any product. once i've gotten the boulder 1012, broken it in and listened to it for awhile, i promise to write a full "review." -kelly
BTW, i'm really flattered to be asked for my views on any product. once i've gotten the boulder 1012, broken it in and listened to it for awhile, i promise to write a full "review." -kelly