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Hansen Prince: Dartzeel, Soulution or Boulder

Hi all,

I've recently bought a second hand pair of Hansen Prince to build a new system around. There are 3 pre-power amp combo's I'm considering to drive my Hansen. I'm only buying used equipment since new is completely out of my league so trying the equipment at home is a no go.

- Soulution 721/710
- Dartzeel NHB-108/NHB-18NS
- Boulder 2060/2010

All 3 combo's are very expensive. I've heard a few of the components (owned 1) but never with Hansen. Reason why I choose these 3 is that they have a proven record and also good resale value.

Which of the 3 do you think is the best match for the Hansen Prince V2 and why? I'm not interested in other brands or suggestions since opening the box again will lead to more indecisiveness from my side on what route to follow.

I listen to all sorts of music mainly classical (I love piano) and jazz, but occasionally to pop music.

Many thanks for your input.
hififreakk
hififreakk OP
5 posts
 
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??
rhyno's avatar
rhyno
649 posts
 
khrys
just bought a 1060 myself (coming in 3 weeks). while i'm all wiped out on the audio budget, preamp change will be in order. can you comment on what you liked (or didn't) w/ the 1060? (perhaps take back to your system thread, very curious your thoughts and advice). mahalo
ryan
csng1
89 posts
 
Hififreakk
Have you consider Aesthetix Callisto sgn/ eclipse pre they are very good,
I owned the Callisto sgn and Io sgn, with Emperor.
Using krell fpb600.
Yes, the piano is a pleasure to listen they are real especially on low key.
I am hoping to upgrade to mono block. I like tight and solid bass therefore is hard to get a tube amps. Again tubes replacement on amps are expensive.
I heard Callisto eclipse with burmester phono , Bryston 28, with maxx 2
Very beautiful.
Again one day I might buy a high power tube amps,
hamburger
132 posts
 
Hi Hififreakk,
What was your amplifiers outcome eventually?
It will be most interesting to hear your conclusion.
Cheers!
hififreakk OP
5 posts
 
Sorry, been silence or a long time. Below the answer :)

Actually bought the Soulution 710/721 combo. Didn't try Boulder so I can't compare. All I can say is that I'm extremely happy.

Stunning sound. Have to say that in all the forums people find the Soulution cold / neutral sounding.
Perhaps I like a neutral sound, but with my Hansen Prince I find the sound spectacular. Not finding it cold at all. Perhaps people have heard them at sub optimal show conditions or perhaps for a very short time, or maybe my ears are different :) not sure, but Soulution matches very well with Hansen

Still need to buy some better cables as that's my weak point in my set. Pretty cheap power cords and speaker cables. Somehow find it mentally harder to spend money on cables then electronics/speakers.

If that can bring it system to a even higher level I would be even more happy.

Cheers
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