Boulder's New Integrated Amplifier
Housed in a radical new casework, with wavy heat-sink fins, sloping fascia and 7” touch-screen display, the 866 represents a deliberate departure from Boulder’s established, four-square, lab-look styling. As always, the success (or otherwise) of the softer, more lifestyle looks will be decided by the market, but the facilities offered by the all-analog 866 certainly reflect current conditions. The unit offers only three balanced inputs (acknowledgement of the increased switching functionality expected of today’s DACs), a 200Wpc output into 8 ohms (compared to the 865’s 150Wpc) and control via the configurable touch screen or Apple/Android app. Adding the internal DAC provides Ethernet/streaming, USB, S/PDIF, TosLink and Airplay inputs. In digital form, the 866 is Roon Ready and UPNP/DLAN capable, with software updates via download or USB and all configuration and setup carried out through the touch screen or remote app. On paper, the Boulder 866 represents both a significant
step up on the 865 it replaces and a capable and carefully considered offering in what
many electronics manufacturers have identified as a key growth market. How it stacks up
against the likes of the incumbent Gryphon Diablo 120 or the Levinson No.585.5 (or new
No.5805) remains to be seen, but for many prospective owners, we suspect that the name on
this particular Boulder will weigh enough to tip the balance. |
oulder electronics are renowned for
their size -- with that size generally expressed in terms of dimensions, weight and price.
So the arrival of the 866 integrated amplifier ($12,250 in analog-only form, $14,450
including an internal DAC) will come as welcome relief to all those who hanker for the
company’s heavyweight equipment but buckle under the load of the cost. In fact,
Boulder claims to have expended enormous effort in streamlining manufacturing and reducing
component costs in order to increase the 866’s value. The pricing is certainly
aggressive and the feature count compared to its predecessor, the $14,000 865, suggests
that the company has been successful -- essential if the 866 is going to compete in what
is rapidly becoming one of the most closely fought market sectors.