Boulder 866 Review 

But the Gryphon is way more expensive.

I would recommend getting the sound you like best. From experience trying to save money in the long term ends up costing more when you want to switch them out. Unfortunately I have not been able to hear a Naim product but have read good things. Best of luck in your decision!

You are a fortunate, that is a beautiful part of the world! I loved BC and the people are very friendly it seemed. Thank you for the kind words, it has been difficult to find the right gear as I cant easily hear the gear locally so just trying to help everyone out and give an honest opinion. It would actually be great if there were more unbiased reviews of normal people in normal spaces giving pros and cons of stereo equipment so hopefully its helping. Your Cornwalls are great speakers, I have heard them and agree, a wonderful large sound stage and presentation and I would say perfect for those music selections you mentioned! I personally think Mac pairs perfectly with what I call the "vintage Klipsch sound". I have really enjoyed the combo in listening rooms. We do have a local dealer to hear both Mac and Klipsch paired together plus they are just beautiful!! The mac I didnt feel like was the sound I wanted with the Sabrina, I wanted more top end, it sounded very good of course but just wanted more treble focus. I do want to own a Mac and probably will with my other system where I am using Klipsch RF7 III's. I am using an Anthem STR in that system now and really like but Mac just has a cool factor with Klipsch and good sound pairing, I think it warms up the horns. To me it seems like your Mac pre and Mac power amp would be amazing with the Cornwalls if you have the space for separates?? I have not heard Accuphase but I did end up landing on a Pass INT-250 and LOVE the combo with the Sabrina. Its like it has the power of the Mac with more treble focus I was looking for without being too treble focused like the Luxman. I did hear the Gryphon and almost purchased it but on my last listen I thought it was too forward focused and too accurate. To describe - like too much sound was coming from the mid-range, like the mid-range gain was turned way up. The bass was powerful and had great punch but too much like an amplified live event for what I was looking for. (More relaxed, warm presentation) I have spoken to dealers and other owners on the Gryphon and they said it was a good description. The Sabrina's are amazing speakers but if I was listening to more rock and roll and alternative I would pair the Mac with them. I use them to listen to more chill music and use the RF7 for the rock and roll. Sabrinas would be an endgame speaker for me the only thing I would change about their sound is the scale. The detail retrieval, lack of resonance and depth of music is unbelievable but you can tell they are more congested coming from a larger speaker like your Klipsch Cornwall or RF7 in my case. So they would stay forever but..... I am considering the Sasha to get a larger scale but yes I am a huge Wilson fan - its my sound. Hope this helps, I think I got everything you asked. Have a great day!

@@takemeoutside4235 Thanks for the detailed response. I'll be keeping an eye out for your Pass Labs review! I like (don't love) the cornwall & McIntosh combo. To be fair they say the cornwalls take 300+ hours to break-in so I'll give them some time. Sabrina's used in Canada range from $6k US and up, but based on your comments regarding scale I may try to audition the larger Wilson's. Does the Pass Labs run hot and overheat your room like some complain about? Does INT-250 have tone controls, I find I like to tweak based on different recordings, I'm not a true audiophile! Shops I plan on visiting over next few months to audition Yamaha 3200, Luxman 507Z and Accuphase E650/30watts Class A. Accuphase I've been offered 20% off retail via email, the market is softening up a bit on luxury items which is nice to see. The Canadian audio market has a used INT-250 about 4 hr drive away for $7,700 US, a year old. Just worry about warranty and not having an authorized dealer close by. Look forward to seeing your future reviews.

@@JamesJones-qs7rr Sure thing! The Pass Labs INT 250 does not run any warmer than Luxman or McIntosh in my set up. I only listen in the 25-35 volume setting maybe that makes a difference? I think the heat comment on Pass may come from their pure class A amps as Class A does put off more heat. The INT 250 is an AB design though an initial A bias. It does not have tone controls or balance so this may put you off on this integrated option. Let us know your comments on those integrates you plan on demoing a great line up!! I just posted the pass review - its long and detailed so may be good when you can't sleep ha! Best of luck in your search!

Thank you for the comment and suggestion! I need to get my review of this integrated up. I nearly purchased the Gryphon Diablo 300 and last minute found a Pass INT 250 to demo. I lost some money on the Gryphon decision but ended up keeping the Pass INT 250 and absolutely LOVE it!! Enjoy that pair you have there!!!

I ended up with the Pass Labs int-250 because I felt like it was a good combination of power of the Mac and details and separation of the luxmon 509x. For me the Boulder 866 would follow because I like the warmer sound but if you like more energy in your treble the Luxmon 509x is what I would choose.

This is a good question! From these reviews I hope if nothing else is gathered it is a strong recommendation to hear them in your home with your setup. They each do create a different presentation. That is my disclaimer :) The simple answer for me is the Boulder 866 because I personally prefer the warmer, more natural and musical presentation. However, I do feel the Luxman is a more sorted out integrated amplifier. If one was to like to hear greater detail and more accurate presentation with a better sense of place I would pick the Luxman all day long. If you want a warmer, more class A musical sound you could listen to for hours, I would pick Boulder. I just feel the Boulder is not complete - I think it needs more power, needs more outputs (sub-woofer) on the back, remote etc. It sounds amazing but those are a few of the things I would change with it. I didn't end up going with either of these two long term but both are really good integrated amps. Hopefully you can find a chance to listen to them both on the same system. One other thought, may be since you are getting up there in price looking at the boulder is to consider Dagostino's progression integrated?? I have heard Sabrina X with that and enjoyed it. I didn't get to hear it in my home so I didn't do a review. Best of luck in your search!

@@takemeoutside4235 thank you for your thoughts! I am currently using pass labs xp-22 with x260.8 on the Sabrinas and am pretty happy but wouldn’t mind reducing the number of boxes if I don’t have to compromise on sonics!

Thank again for the comment! I did try the tone controls on the Luxman however, I felt there is a noticeable sound difference switching the unit out of "straight" to be able to use tone controls - it took away some of the magic I thought. The veil we speak of I guess if I can put a description to it. Im on the same page, it may not have been the best match with the Sabrina but I do know there are a number of people that pair the two and dealers do recommend if someone doesn't want to move up to the Luxman separates. I do feel that was definitely missing - sheer power and drive of the Sabrina.

I have the Wilson Sabrina’s