Фонокорректоры — Boulder 1108

Boulder Amplifiers places the 1108 in its 1100 Series and describes this solid-state unit as its second generation of 1000-level phono preamplifier and its highest-performing single-chassis phono stage. It is a fully balanced design that accepts both moving coil and moving magnet cartridges, and it was conceived for listeners running more than one turntable, tonearm or cartridge.

Key specs that matter

Two pairs of balanced inputs are provided, and each can be converted to unbalanced use. Two pairs of balanced outputs follow, one intended as the main feed and the other as a record output. Gain at 1 kHz reaches 70 dB for moving coil and 44 dB for moving magnet. The maximum input impedance is 1,000 ohm in MC mode and 47 kohm in MM mode. Boulder specifies RIAA accuracy of plus or minus 0.10 dB between 20 Hz and 20 kHz, THD of 0.01% and MC equivalent input noise of 98 nanovolts, measured flat across the audio band. The output can swing up to 16 Vrms, and crosstalk is held at -100 dB or better. Net weight is 16.8 kg, and the packed shipping weight is 23.2 kg.

Engineering and use context

Resistive and capacitive cartridge loading is set through Personality Cards that slide out of the rear panel, so each input can be matched to a particular cartridge. Besides the standard RIAA curve, the 1108 offers EMI, FFRR (London/Decca) and Columbia equalisation settings for LPs made before 1955. A switchable low-cut filter removes low-frequency noise caused by turntable rumble or damaged discs. Amplification is based on Boulder's proprietary 985 gain stage, which is enclosed in a housing milled out of one solid aluminium block. The casework uses interlocking panels to damp vibration. Each section of the circuit sits on its own board, and all boards are engineered and built in Boulder with extensive surface mount construction. Functions are logic-controlled with no microprocessor, operated by ten hand-polished stainless steel front buttons that include standby, input and EQ selection, the low-cut filter and a mono mode. Power consumption is rated at 32 W, and the universal supply works from 100 to 240 V AC at 50 or 60 Hz.

Pairing

Because both inputs and outputs are balanced, the 1108 connects most directly to a line preamplifier with XLR inputs, while the second output pair can feed a recorder at the same time.

Alternatives

Boulder also builds the 808, a more compact phono preamplifier from its 800 Series with a single balanced input.