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Boulder 1060 - Amp for Life ??

I am narrowing down my list of amps and the Boulder 1060 is very high on my list. I could maybe justify the cost if this is truly an "Amp for Life" as some in the press have characterized it. I know I will catch heat from people who say that 18K for an Amp is insane no matter how long you keep it. Is there such a thing as an “Amp for Life” or is this just a marketing gimmick to justify the outrageous price tag?
dan2112
danielk141
488 posts
 
I own 5 stereo amps right now. My Rowland Model 2 & Pass Aleph 3 are amps I'll probably keep for a long time. The others I'll sell to fill my current (& ever changing) wish list. That list includes Pass Aleph 2 monoblocs or Pass X250,& Rowland Model 6's or Rowland Model 8TIHC.
18K is too much to pay for an amplifier, in my opinion. Who says you have to buy brand new?! Put a wanted ad on Audiogon, & get to know your local Boulder dealer. Almost all hard-core audiophiles are on the permanent upgrade path. If you are patient enough, this piece will come up used & mint.
To me used means broken in, usually at 1/2 of retail..
Now what kind of speakers are you planning to shower with big money power?
cornfedboy
1,645 posts
 
dan2112: the boulder 1060 is a truly great amp that you can live with for quite a long while. at least until you get the urge and coin to move even higher up the ladder to the 2060 or 2050. you see very few used boulders on this or any other site, particularly current models. one of their unique features is user switchable voltage input, allowing the amps to be used in most countries without factory modifications. IMO,18k is NOT too much for an amp if you can afford it. -cfb
gregm
3,021 posts
 
Dan, I think you're asking 3 questions:

1) Is there such a thing as an "amp for life"?
Probably not, although you may end up keeping one -or more- for a long time (as Daniel above).

2) If there is..., is the Boulder 1060 one of these amps?
Only your ears, your musical tastes, your taste in speakers, your experience of other amps... can answer that one. Difficult to forecast the future with so many parametres involved.

3) 18k: too much for an amp?
In relative terms, no. What about $50k Mercs or $150k speakers, or $40k amps for that matter -- the list is endless. True, used items are cheaper than new.

The ultimate answers to these questions IMO: the END -- i.e. your enjoyment of music @ home -- should justify the CHOICE (a Boulder?) and the MEANS ($18k: can I do this?).

Your happiness, your money, your tastes... you rule!

Cheers!
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