Are there significant differences between the 2160 stereo and 2150 monos?

I’m planning on driving Magico M3’s.

I demoed the Boulder 2150 monoblock amplifiers and really enjoyed every minute. When getting ready to purchase, I wondered whether one 3060 stereo would be better than two 2150 monoblock amplifiers (price was close). Talked to Rich Maez at Boulder, visited the factory, concluded that within Boulder the stereo version of the higher version is better than the monoblock version of the lower version ... at least when comparing 2000 vs 3000 components. I would suggest contacting Rich Maez at Boulder and discussing with him. An excellent resource that will help you arrive at your best solution. BTW I have an all Boulder system, Nordost Odin 2 cables , Magico M Pro speakers.

The M3s are fairly sensitive @91db, but have a nominal impedance of only 4ohms. I have not seen any measurements published, it would be interesting to see what the minimum impedance dips down to and the phase to see if the M3 presents a difficult load for an amp to drive.

I own 1050 and 1060 amps, and can tell you there is a substantial difference. I have spent some time with 2160 driving focal Stella, it is a phenomenal amp. The 2150 is literally twice as much amp, but for the price of a pair of 2150 I think I would stretch a bit further and go 3060.

What preamp and sources will you use? The 2160 is extremely neutral, and will pair well with almost anything, but in my experience really shines when used with a tube preamp such as audio research or VAC. The tubed add just a touch of warmth that really appeals to me.

You can order the 2160 in 110V or 220V -- I highly recommend 220V if you can accommodate it. You will definitely want a dedicated line, two if you go with 2150 monos.

Boulder makes incredible gear, if you audition a boulder amp and something is off i would tend to look at the upstream gear and cabling before calling out the amp. It is truly neutral, letting you hear the effect of the other components without adding any character of its own.

Phunge, I am in complete flux at the moment, sort of chicken without head running around. I just ordered the M3 speakers.

I am going to have an Esoteric digital stack, already own the d02x and right now I have the aurender n10. I am contemplating upgrading to the w20, and possibly a transport and clock down the line.

I am leaning towards boulder electronics as I have never heard such a transparent amplifier. Also want all nordost Odin cabling.

Right now I have a mcintosh preamp and have plans on upgrading it as well.

All this stuff is super expensive, so I imagine it will take me several years to build this system up!

That will be a phenomenal system! Esoteric sounds great with boulder, I have spent some time with the esoteric grandioso, vac statement pre, boulder 2160 driving focal Stella with transparent opus cables -- pretty well my dream system!

Thanks! Do you think (or anyone else that has experience with this) that the 2160 stereo amp would be enough to drive the M3's? I.e. is the extra expenditure for the 2150 mono's worthwhile?