Hansen Prince: Dartzeel, Soulution or Boulder

Hififreak, I'm a big fan of the Hansens and all the electronics you mention, albeit only recently with the Soulutions.
I concur that the darTZeels are the warmest, the Soulutions the most neutral and that the Boulders split the difference.

I think your idea of the darTZeel pre with the Soulution amp could be a winner if the output and input impedances match (not sure there).

I'd be interested in what you ultimately choose.

Hi Khrys,

What a stunning room you have, a very very nice clean setup with superb equipment. And with a Steinway as reference it's really nice to compare your equipment. I love listening to piano music on my system. But indeed, there is nothing like the real thing :).

When you purchased your Boulder equipment, did you compare them with Dartzeel and Soulution or was the Boulder just right when hearing them and you didn't have any need to look elsewhere?

It's hard to decide as I'm planning to buy used (new out of my league) so there is some risk involved. There are some people I often communicate with that own Soulution or Boulder with their Hansen speakers but taste is always a bit subjective.

I probably don't go wrong with any of these 3 brands, but from past experience the Dartzeel is probably not as fast as Boulder/Soulution with complex classical plays. But the voices on Dartzeel are absolutely superb.

Maybe I should just base my decision on what's available on the used market. If I can get it for a good price I can try it and sell it again if it's not that much to my liking.

I'm planning to make a choice in the next few weeks

Ayre and Audio Research make the best amps for MY ears

Stringreen, the marvel of YOUR ears is truly inestimable. Thanks for sharing.

Hififreak, thanks for your comments. The Steinway humbles many components, my own included. I did compare the darTZeel combo with the Boulder in my system before committing but did not have an opportunity to put the Soulutions into my rig before buying.

The darTZeels were exceptional but just a bit too polite.
The Boulders had a bit more immediacy, dynamics and edge that proved compelling.

I recently upgraded my preamp from the 1012 to the 2010 and the resulting improvement has been unprecedented in my experience. I am lucky enough to have the means of acquisition and accessibility to virtually every SOTA preamp and by comparison the 2010 is transformative.

You cannot go far wrong with any of your choices but audition a Boulder 2010 if you are able.

Khrys,

I had exactly the same with my Dartzeel. Loved the sound, voices are just incredible, but I also thought there were a little too polite. Missed a bit of pose sometimes, all music sounded nice even though sometimes it wasn't. I could easily live with the Dartzeel again but would be nice to have a Dartzeel which is a bit more dynamic. Maybe their mono blocks but they are way out of my budget.

The Vitus Audio equipment is incredible as well. Ever heard them and compared them with your Boulder equipment??