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Boulder Amplifiers 812
Through the worldwide success of the 866, Boulder has expanded the 800 series with the 812 DAC, Preamplifier, headphone amp.
By applying the design philosophy from the 866, and over 35 years of experience designing DAC’s, preamps, and amplifier circuits, you get a device that has precision, top of the line performance. Plus the quality and reliability you would expect from a Boulder product, in a refined package.
The 812 is Boulder’s first headphone amp, and we didn’t hold back. It has a separate sophisticated headphone amplifier circuit, four types of connections, and headphone sensitivity settings within the Boulder Controller app. With 200mw into 8 ohms and 80mw into 600 ohms, the amplifier section in the 812 will drive any headphones or multiple headphones at once. It is a headphone enthusiast’s dream come true.
It can be used just as a preamp, a DAC, a headphone amp or any combination of the three. With all the features and its versatility, the 812 is perhaps the highest value product Boulder has ever produced.
The 812 is something for long-term Boulder fans, headphone enthusiasts, or for someone starting their first Boulder system. We wanted to create something accessible and multifunctional that could fit into any sound system or become the system itself. The 812 accomplishes that.
Sophisticated headphone amplifier. Allows for 1/8" mini, 1/4", 4-pin balanced and Pentaconn headphones.
Streaming capabilities, Roon endpoint, UPnP playback and Air-Play functionality.
A software-enabled fixed DAC out option.
A dedicated Boulder app controls the 812 and makes custom setup adjustments, like headphone sensitivity. Optional RF remote for volume control and switching inputs also available
Two pairs of balanced analog inputs. One pair of balanced analog outputs. Two Toslink optical inputs, one coaxial input and one USB-B input.
Along with assembly and testing, every circuit board and piece of metalwork is produced in-house at Boulder's dedicated facility for unparalleled quality assurance.
In-house manufacturing efficiency improvements have made the 812 an incredible value in comparison to previous preamplifiers and DACs.
Stylish headphone bay cover to keep dust out of headphone jacks.
Easily switch between headphone and preamp mode with the output exchange button.
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Boulder 812 — compact, transparent DAC/preamp/headphone amplifier
Harnessing Boulder’s signature clarity and muscular control, the 812 is a compact all‑in‑one DAC, streaming endpoint, preamp and headphone amplifier that excels at transparency and musical coherence. Reviewers such as Steven Stone (The Absolute Sound) and Jerry Del Colliano (Future Audiophile) praise its lucid imaging, tight, addictive bass and preserved rhythmic drive, with an impressively spacious soundstage on large-scale recordings. As a networked endpoint the 812 is Roon-stable and offers abundant digital and balanced analog I/O, four front-panel headphone jacks and a configurable DAC bypass. Boulder’s machined chassis, high-resolution optical volume control and refined metalwork deliver near-reference build quality. Ideal for nearfield systems, desktop listening and headphone aficionados, the 812 pairs flagship sonic performance with extensive connectivity as a premium single-box solution.
Pros
- Reference-level transparency and coherent imaging that preserves depth cues and musical detail.
- Extensive connectivity and stable network operation — Roon-ready endpoint, multiple digital inputs, balanced analog I/O, configurable DAC bypass and four front headphone outputs.
- Exceptionally built and finished: machined chassis, artful metalwork and a high-resolution optically encoded volume control.
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Cons
- Complex ergonomics and menu system with no native dB volume readout can complicate precise level matching during critical listening.
- No unbalanced (RCA) analog inputs and no built-in phono stage, which may frustrate vinyl users or those reliant on legacy unbalanced sources.
- Some advanced studio-oriented options are missing — no AES-EBU input and no integrated room correction.
Transparency
92/100
Reviewers consistently describe the 812 as neutral and non-editorializing: TAS calls it 'transparency, neutrality, and not editorializing' and notes it 'doesn't impose itself onto a recording.' Future Audiophile highlights resolution and an unobtrusive presentation. Those comments support a top-tier transparency score while stopping short of explicit 'black background' language, so the score is very high but conservative relative to ultimate reference-level claims.
Sound Quality
90/100
Dynamics
90/100
TAS notes preserved 'rhythmic drive and dynamic contrast' and a strong sense of solidity. Future Audiophile emphasizes tight, engaging bass and lively palpability. These consistent remarks indicate excellent micro/macro dynamics without suggesting any compression or softness.
Soundstage Imaging
91/100
TAS describes superb lucidity and extreme spaciousness on large recordings ('as spacious as the Grand Canyon'), and Future Audiophile reports production elements dancing outside the speakers while vocals remain rock-steady. The 812 maintains excellent depth cues and precise imaging across source material.
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Build Quality
96/100
Both reviewers emphasize exceptional industrial design and construction: Future Audiophile calls the metalwork 'artful, yet rock-solid' and suggests the 800 Series metalwork 'might be the best we’ve ever seen.' TAS notes weight, fit and an engraved cover that fits perfectly. High-end hardware features (machined chassis, high-resolution optically encoded volume control) support a near-reference build score.
Features Connectivity
94/100
The 812 is heavily featured: two balanced XLR analog inputs, one pair XLR preamp outputs, multiple digital inputs (USB-B, USB hosts, optical, coax), Ethernet/Roon endpoint support, fixed DAC out, and four front-panel headphone outputs with a cover. Reviewers also note configurable headphone sensitivity, software bypass of the DAC, and an optional RF remote. The combination of a full DAC/preamp endpoint plus extensive headphone functionality places it at the top end of the features range.
Value for Money
89/100
At a $29,500 price the 812 sits firmly in the luxury tier, but reviewers judge its value positively: Future Audiophile says 'value is relatively high' given Boulder’s decades of expertise, and TAS suggests it can be a 'perfect fit' for small-room or nearfield systems. That tone equates to a justified-premium score rather than bargain-tier value.
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