Boulder 2160 vs Dan D'Agostino S250MxV

if you are looking for great solid state also consider t+a

the t+a A3000 is a remarkable performer for a lot less then either of those amps

and you have an upgrade path by adding an s 3000 power supply you can further improve the amp and you can also go mono

Dave and Troy

Audio intellect nj

t+a dealers

Boulder and D'Agostino have fairly different goals in their sound character so I'd say it depends what you're looking for. Both are excellent options.

-nekoaudio I've heard people say D'Agostino have a more tube like sound, is this true?  

Given those two amps and speakers, in-home audition is a must! I wouldn’t buy blind or based on the opinions here. The dealer carrying these lines should be more than willing to facilitate home audition. 

Gryphon.

chauncey

Yes, the D'Agostino amp will exhibit a tube-like presentation and sound.

Visit your local dealer/retailer and listen, listen, listen.

Merry Christmas!

You will need min 250-300W rms  

most recorded music,,during heavy guitar, drums, orchestral crescendos, different frequencies, etc, will need the headroom so you don’t clip the amp.

I know, I know,…..150 is fine, it is, but if you like volume, any,volume at all, you will need 250-300W to ensure the amp don’t clip on you.

I’ve written a lot of messages in here regarding my past 36 years buying,using,listening to music, all kinds, mostly metal, rock, blues, at loud,levels, I have clipped every,amp until I bought the rotel rd1090, lasted me a couple years, BUT,….that was my first high powered amp, 380w 8 ohm, 720+W rms at 4 Ohm, and stable to lower.

mine had a bad inrush current limiter, so one.morning, blue/white flash popped, then some,smoke,….

anyway, I’ve never had less than min 250W amp/s. 
I have not,clipped any amp the past 25+ years. 
having the headroom will,give you that effortless, flowing, never distorted sound, and airy stadium like sound. 
 

I will never go,below 300W any,more. Just my opinion. 
 

my amps now are 600-650W rms at 8 Ohm, 1000W rms at 4 Ohm, stable to much lower. Speakers only rated to 250 MAX,never had an issue, never fatiguing, always clean,clear and amazing. 
 

acoustic guitar is sublime, (eagles, Donovan,, ) electric guitar is “in the room” (Gary Moore, m Schenker, malmsteen)

metal is also great, never clip, or strain the amps. Always fluid and they buzz along with ease

thanks for reading my,dribble. Merry Christmas 🎄🎁 
 

Boulder!!

What makes these higher and amplifiers so much better then the other very nice amplifiers?

I’m looking at these 2 amps as well and will be interested to see what you choose and why. Heard great things about both amps. I lean toward the D’Agostino personally,  it really draws me in with texture, tone and other nuances. Boulder seems more “live” I guess but only heard it briefly once. 

@arcticdeth Alexia V 4 ohm speaker and the S250 is rated at 500 watts at 4 ohm.  90 dB efficient.  Seems like that would give you some headroom.  I'm now leaning toward the Progression S350 as it gives me some budget for a Dan D'Agostino Progression Preamp. 

Think I'm going to try the Dan D'Agostino S250. 

Let me know how you like it.