Phonostages — Boulder 808

The 808 is a phono stage from Boulder, sharing the 1108's substantial gain figures within a somewhat different connectivity configuration. The 808 brings Boulder's considered engineering to dedicated phono preamplification.

Key specs that matter

One balanced and one single-ended input are provided. MC current-sensing input impedance is 1,000 ohms, matching the 1108. Output impedance is 100 ohms. Gain is 70dB for MC or 44dB for MM, matching the 1108 exactly. Frequency response spans 20Hz to 20,000Hz within plus-or-minus 3dB, also matching. Total harmonic distortion plus noise is 0.01%, also matching.

Sound and use context

Expect exceptionally clean phono-stage performance reflecting the low 0.01% distortion figure combined with the substantial 70dB MC gain, matching the 1108's electrical performance within a somewhat different connectivity configuration.

Pairing

Boulder's own amplifier catalogue offers natural, brand-coherent pairings for a coherently voiced, entirely Boulder-based system.

Alternatives

Boulder's own 1108 offers a more comprehensively connected alternative with dual balanced inputs within the same broader phono-stage catalogue.