My 866 is analog only. I specifically wanted this version to keep the noise down and to have flexibility with streamer and DAC. I sold all my other stuff so all I have now is 3 pieces - Boulder, Aurender and Bricasti. Simple and I love the decluttered look.
Cool room and system and I’m sure it sounds great! Is your 866 the analog version such that you still need the DACs and streamers? (Of course, you might be applying that universal formula:
how much gear you have = N
How much gear you need = N+1
😂
I’ve heard the 866. It’s a terrific unit in every regard.
@swede58 ditto on Pass and Boulder comparison. The X260.8 are the amps you can listen to any music with for hours on end and you won’t get tired - it’s smooth and makes everything sound good.
As to Diablo 333 I’m very curious to hear the Gryphon but haven’t had a chance yet.
Thanks, will hopefully get a chance to try the Stealth.
When I was looking for an integrated I auditioned the 866 and Pass int250 side by side. I liked both but I found the 866 more accurate and neutral, Pass was to my ears more colored.
When The Tracking Angle reviewed the 260.8 monos they did not find the bass quality to be at the same level as the Diablo 333, which they compared them to, and that the 260s were a bit too polite, fwiw.
@swede58 thank you for the compliments. Ody enough the Audience FrontRow USB sounded harsh and fatiguing in my system. Tyr 2 sounded mire natural but aggressive at the same time. Stealth is very relax, natural and vibrant. Overall best sound.
As to Boulder 866 vs the Pass Labs separates - I wanted to simplify my setup. The 866 is very similar to Pass to my ears. It’s a bit more accurate I would say vs Pass that’s sweeter, more syrupy and a bit more grainy than the Boulder. Pass X260.8 do beet the 866 in bass quantity but not necessarily in bass quality. I’m happy so far and don’t regret the move. Hope this helps.
I was wondering if the Front Row USB was fuller/warmer than the Stealth and Tyr2 or is it the other way around?🤔 I’m currently using a Siltech 380 USB between my Bryston BDP-3 and Esoteric K-05XD -> Diablo 300 -> Magnepan 3.7
I see that the Pass 22 and 260 are gone. Is the Boulder 866 better?
@gmdodd Thank You! I’m very happy with my system now. As to CSiB vs. 866…two different amps, both awesome. Coda is actually amazing. It has amazing clarity, speed and is very articulate. Boulder is slightly warmer, a bit more set back and sophisticated in the way it presents music. I can happily live with either of the amps and I wish I could keep both but one of them had to go.
@gmdodd Thank You! I’m very happy with my system now. As to CSiB vs. 866…two different amps, both awesome. Coda is actually amazing. It has amazing clarity, speed and is very articulate. Boulder is slightly warmer, a bit more set back and sophisticated in the way it presents music. I can happily live with either of the amps and I wish I could keep both but one of them had to go.
Great setup- I’m sure it sounds wonderful. I have a similar setup - Boulder 866 & SabrinaX. I’m curious to hear your thoughts on the Coda vs Boulder - did you A/B them? What are the main differences in your room. I know that the SabrinaX are meant to be a little warmer than the Sabrina’s. Anyway - great system - I wish I had a dedicated room like that but I’m stuck with the living room for now - still sounds great to me though!
I use the Nobsound springs under many of my components, but not the amps. The amps are considerably heavier than everything else- even my 86lb DAC. But I found the Nobsound springs are not as effective when placed directly under a component. I found they work better under a shelf and the component then sits on the shelf. One of the problems with the Nobsounds is that I cannot get the Fn below about 7-8 Hz regardless of the weight of the component. And that’s with as few springs as possible in the assemblies such that the two halves are almost touching. They can still be effective but the ideal range is 3 Hz. Maybe try the Nosounds under the component platforms and then damping materials between the component and the platform- or just use the factory feet on the components like I do.
The McMaster Carr coil springs worked out nearly perfect for my amps as well as my subwoofers in my HT system. The subs also sit on big butcher block platforms supported by the coil springs. Weighing over 120 lbs each they put the Fn at about 3.5 Hz. The subs sound amazing being isolated from the floor.
Sure thing. Metal springs are linear- F=kx. K being the spring rate which is constant for a metal, coil or leaf spring. That makes the spring/mass system frequency response easily predictable using Fn= sqrt(k/m), m being mass of the system. So with the 48 lb/in springs under our amps only frequencies around the resonance point, Fn= 3.8 Hz give or take, will pass through. That’s what makes springs great isolators.
Rubber can be a good isolator too and rubber also dampens, ie. It absorbs energy turning it into heat. The problem with using rubber as an isolator is that it is non-linear meaning the spring rate changes with load. Coupled with its damping properties rubber often adds coloration to the sound. It‘s non-linear properties make it harder to predict how it will affect the sound of a component. It‘s mostly going to be trial and error. I find metal springs with some dampening material is the best combination for isolation and minimize coloration. The hysterisis inherent in metal springs also provide some dampening on their own, but it doesn‘t hurt to stuff some dense foam inside the coil springs.
One more comment. I know your system rocks. I think you also seem to have the room set up well. It looks like you have the side absorbers set at the first reflection point which is same as me. I just wanted to mention that one way to find that first reflection point is to put a mirror on the side wall. When you can see the tweeter from your listening position in the mirror, that is the reflection point- same with the ceiling absorbers.
Very nice rig. I have the same amps. A couple of things I did was isolate my amps with springs and I put a large patch of constrained layer damping material on the inside of each of the top covers. The damping material eliminates that ting ting sound when you tap on the amp covers but also has a positive effect on the sound. I bought 48 lb/in springs from McMaster Carr and put them under the feet of my amp stands. That isolates them down to about 3.8 Hz or so. The result is more detail and better imaging. It’s worth a try.
I did have the XA30.8 and the X260.8 at the same time. I sold the XA30.8 and am just using the X260.8 right now. The monoblocks retain all the awesome sound qualities of the XA30.8 but have more /better control over the Sabrinas.
@jafant thanks! I am using Furutech FP-S032n on DAC and FP-S55n on preamp. Still undecided on the power cords for the X260.8 amps so for now using Audience Forte f3.
