Yes I have heard the Boulder 1021 in my own system. A dealer brought it over along with some other high end equipment.
I'm using the CD7 as my standard player and I have not heard a better CD player than it before...
...until now. I'm a strong supporter of ARC's CD7 musical abilities and I've used both the CD3 MK1 and MK2 for a long time so I'm also very familiar with the ARC sound. But the Boulder is better - marginally so but better. The soundstage is larger in all directions and the focus of voice and piano is tighter.
Just when you think you've reached the limit of how far redbook CDs can be pushed, something comes along and pushes it even further.
But value? That depends on where you pain threshold is.
I'm using the CD7 as my standard player and I have not heard a better CD player than it before...
...until now. I'm a strong supporter of ARC's CD7 musical abilities and I've used both the CD3 MK1 and MK2 for a long time so I'm also very familiar with the ARC sound. But the Boulder is better - marginally so but better. The soundstage is larger in all directions and the focus of voice and piano is tighter.
Just when you think you've reached the limit of how far redbook CDs can be pushed, something comes along and pushes it even further.
But value? That depends on where you pain threshold is.