Boulder 1021 CD Player, Only $24,000

Filed under: Home Audio > CD Players



Boulder has announced that $1,000,000 of research and development went into their new 1021 Disc Player. This is strictly a redbook player from what I have read, no SACD or DVD-A. The player does read a multitude of formats though; FLAC, AIFF, WAV, OGG Vorbis and God forbid even MP3 files (may lightning strike you down from the heavens if you use this to play MP3 files). So what in the world is special enough to justify a $24,000 CD player that doesn't come with a hard drive to store music on? Full feature list available below...

- Internal Volume Control: In addition to traditional fixed output, the 1021 features a DSP controlled and activated variable output mode, enabling direct connection to amplification.
- 6.5" full-color LCD Display: Track listings, menus, setup features and fullscreen feedback are provided via a long-life, LED illuminated VGA display. A parallel video output connection is provided to also feed secondary displays.
- Automatically displays Ddsc track listings: Artist, album, and track listing information is pulled from a choice of Internet, internal database, metadata or CD Text and displayed automatically. Innovative portions of the display have worldwide patents applied for and pending.
- Numerous disc memory features: The 1021 will memorize thousands of listener preferences and programmed play lists for discs if instructed to do so.
- Boulder Ultra-Low Jitter Precise Interval Clock: All data clocking and synchronization is handled by Boulder's own Precise Interval Clock, located as close as possible to the D/A conversion section and fed back to other portions of the player for virtually no jitter.
- Dual Buffering Systems: Buffers in both the hardware and software domains are utilized to eliminate any effect that processing or data retrieval hardware may have on sound quality.
- Boulder UpandOverSampling System: Redbook CD data is upsampled and bit-rate converted in software to a minimum rate of 24-bits at 705.6 kHz. Original data rates higher than 16/44.1 kHz will be processed at even greater rates.
- Boulder 983 Gain Sections: The 983's performance has been thoroughly proven in a number of previous Boulder 1000 Series products. The 983 features massive current output to render interconnect length insignificant and exceedingly low voltage gain distortion.
- Unmatched Disc Reading Accuracy: The 1021 features a disc reading mechanism that is specified with an error rate of less than one bit-error per 800MB for a disc in good condition. Read-Until-Right disc reading capability is also featured to ensure accurate data retrieval with less than perfect discs.
- Boulder's Eigen Digital Filtering Algorithm: Digital filtering is achieved with unparalleled accuracy with flat frequency response and phase accuracy.
- Resonance Controlled, Interlocking Chassis: The chassis is machined, damped and assembled at the Boulder factory to eliminate any resonances that contribute to audible distortions.
- Numerous External Connections: Connections for a parallel VGA display, Ethernet, IR input, Boulder Link, AES digital output, and 12V triggering are included for seamless system integration and external control capability.