The 3000 Series and thus the Boulder 3010 Preamplifier have become synonymous with the ultimate in sound quality; a level of performance reserved for only the finest audio systems in the world. But traditional thought says that the more features and functions added to a preamplifier, the more of an affect they have on sound, right?
 
In the 3010 Boulder’s engineers have proven traditional wisdom wrong and achieved something monumental. The 3010 is easily the greatest performing preamplifier in the history of the company. It’s also the most flexible preamp we’ve ever designed. Which very likely makes it the finest preamplifier available.
 
FEATURES
Matched, dual-phase 993SD gain stage improves thermal tracking and optimizes ground
Variable Blend control allows recordings with hard-panned images or mono LPs played with stereo cartridges to create a stable center image
Ethernet connection downloads future software updates and connects to IP-based home control systems
Three balanced outputs can be operated independently for multiple zones or together for bi- or tri-amplification
Boulder's own fully-balanced volume control significantly reduces distortion and step noise
Programmable Soft mode temporarily reduces output to levels suitable for conversation
Independent, real-time controls to adjust gain on all active inputs and outputs
Separate enclosures for left and right analog sections keep all control and power circuitry from affecting sound
Large, full-color, 14.9-inch (38 cm) LCD display clearly indicates all controls, settings, and audio paths
Network browser control of all preamplifier functions
Separate power supply chassis with individual supplies for left channel, right channel, preamp control, and low-power Standby mode
HTML page to program setup preferences, input and output options, and custom input and output names
Programmable Theater Mode enables seamless use in home cinema systems
OpenHome compatibility for use in network controlled and distributed home A/V systems
Low power consumption Standby mode is compatible with all energy efficiency requirements
 
 
The 3000 Series has become synonymous with the ultimate in sound quality; a level of performance reserved for only the finest audio systems in the world. But doesn’t traditional thought say that the more features and functions added to a preamplifier, the more of an effect they have on sound quality?
 
Once again, Boulder’s engineers have proven traditional wisdom wrong and achieved something very special. The 3010 is easily the greatest preamplifier in the history of the company. It’s also the most flexible preamp we’ve ever designed.
 
Isolated Architecture
 
The 3010 is a four-chassis preamplifier with each major portion of circuitry isolated from the others to maximize performance. The four portions of the 3010’s casework include a separate housing for the four individual power supplies (left analog, right analog, supervision and user interface, and standby), the left-channel analog gain and output, right-channel analog gain and output, and the largest portion of the chassis for the display, controls, and computer supervision.
 
By isolating each section of circuitry and their respective power supplies, Boulder has eliminated crosstalk between channels and prevented any of the analog gain stages from picking up noise generated by any of the power supplies, the host computer, or the display. As a result, Boulder has achieved a -102 dB noise floor for the preamplifier and channel-to-channel Basic Design crosstalk of -135 dB. RF and EMI interference is also vanishingly low. While numbers and specifications are open to interpretation, the sonic capabilities of the 3010 are not: it is quite simply the clearest, most detailed and accurate preamplifier ever built.
 
Front Panel Controls and Full-function Display
 
By far the most flexible preamplifier Boulder has ever created, the 3010 ‘s front panel hosts seven control knobs to tailor the preamplifier’s configuration to suit the preferences of the user. Adjustments for Input Trim (to adjust and even the level of each input), Balance, Blend (to merge the left and right channels when listening to recordings with hard-panned images or mono LPs), Volume, and even level adjustments for each of the three balanced outputs. Individual output adjustments can be used to vary the level of multiple zones around the home or to manage loudspeaker response in bi- or tri-amplified systems.
 
The front panel of the preamplifier is dominated by a large, 14.9-inch (38 cm) LCD display that shows the selected source and all settings and adjustments for the complete signal path. The chosen input name, volume, input trim, output trim and any shift in balance or polarity are all clearly indicated on the front panel.
 
In addition to current playback status, the front panel display is also used in tandem with the front panel buttons for a comprehensive set of programmable Setup and Option configurations.
 
Analog Design 
 
Boulder’s heritage lies in the broadcast and recording studio industries where we made use of the best possible gain stage: the original discretely implemented 993. The 993SD gain stage is the latest generation of 993 and unique to the 3010. It is the heart of the preamplifier and the primary reason why it performs at such a high level.
 
The 993SD combines two gain stages in a single package and features better thermal tracking and a new grounding scheme. It is contained in a machined clamshell housing manufactured by Boulder on our own CNC machining centers and potted in a unique resin that allows heat to be distributed evenly throughout the gain stage and maintain stable operation. Each 993SD is responsible for amplification of the audio signal and buffering between the preamplifier and the amplifier. The result is immediately and audibly superior.
 
3000 Power Supply
 
In order to maintain ideal separation for the standby, left channel analog, right channel analog, and control/user interface sections, four independent power supplies are mounted in a separate chassis called the 3000.
 
The standby power supply is a small, ultra-efficient supply that keeps the supervisor section of the unit awake when in standby mode in order to meet even the toughest power consumption regulations. The standby power supply is then turned off and completely switched out of the active circuit when the 3010 is powered on. The analog and control/user interface supplies have their own transformers and regulation, each of them larger than some small power amplifiers.
 
Transformer hum is not permitted. To prevent the transformers from humming or emitting mechanical noise due to vibration, each is potted in a proprietary compound and encased in a riveted steel enclosure. A DC blocking circuit is then added to maintain absolutely silent operation.