Most importantly, you get the sonic virtues that have made Boulder a legend: tonal neutrality and freedom from coloration like nothing else, incredible dynamic range, and high resolution without fatigue or distortion
At last, there is a solution for listeners with smaller living spaces or more efficient systems. Those who want a truly high-performance amplifier in a more manageable package. There are systems and locations where larger amps simply don’t fit or more powerful options are unnecessary and the 1161 Stereo Power Amplifier was developed as a compact, less powerful alternative that gives up nothing in terms of performance. The dynamics, the control, the delicacy, the resolution–everything is still there. There are no sonic drawbacks. The 1161 has the same operational feature set as its larger brother, the 1160, and yet it’s packaged in a chassis the that’s same width and depth as the 1110 Preamplifier. So you see, it is possible to have everything, even with less.
CONTINUOUS POWER; 8, 4, 2 OHMS150w
PEAK POWER, 8 OHMS200WPEAK POWER, 4 OHMS350WPEAK POWER, 2 OHMS450W
THD, 8 OHMS, 150W0.003%, 20 kHz: 0.01%THD, 4 OHMS, 150W0.004%, 20 kHz: 0.015%THD, 2 OHMS, 150W0.005%, 20 kHz: 0.025%
EQUIVALENT INPUT NOISE (EIN), 20 KHZ, BW1.5 μV
MAGNITUDE RESPONSE, 20 HZ TO 20 KHZ+0.00, -0.04 dB
MAGNITUDE RESPONSE, -3 DB AT0.015 Hz, 150 kHzVOLTAGE GAIN26 dB
INPUT IMPEDANCEBalanced: 200k ohms, Unbalanced: 100k ohms
COMMON MODE REJECTION (BALANCED ONLY)60 Hz: 90 dB, 10 kHz: 70 dB
CROSSTALK, L TO R OR R TO L-100 dB or better, 20 Hz to 20 kHz
INPUT CONNECTORS3-pin balanced XLR
OUTPUT CONNECTORSTwo sets of 6 mm / .250-inch wingscrews
WEIGHTAmplifier: 54 lbs. (24.5 kg) Shipping: 64 lbs. (29.0 kg)
POWER REQUIREMENTS100, 110-120, 220-240 VAC, 50-60 Hz
POWER CONSUMPTION15W standby, 100W nominal, 1000W at maximum output
Excellence defined
In a world where countless hi-fi reviews lead to a conclusion where the reviewer says, “Is the XYZ amplifier worth the price asked? I don’t know, I can’t make that decision,” I have no reservation saying the Boulder 1161 is one of the best values in high-end audio today. On their website, Boulder says that the 1161 “has no sonic drawbacks.” For a change, the product exceeds the manufacturers claim.
And that’s what you write the check for. Given the Boulder 1161s sonic performance, build quality, and that it is as obsolescence proof as a component can be, I find it to be a more than worthy candidate for one of our Exceptional Value Awards for 2019. If you seek what Boulder offers, there is no better. And if you don’t need the raw power of the 2000 or 3000 series, this amplifier can easily be the last one you ever buy. Unless of course, you get a hankering for a bigger Boulder…