Boulder 812 Headphone Amplifier, Pre-Amp, DAC, and Streamer

2025-10-29T15:06:51-04:00

Vendor: ABYSS Headphones
Type: Electronics
Price: 9450.00

Description

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 4 W into 8 ohms and 1 W into 32 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.

Features

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.

Specs

Headphone Outputs

• 4.4mm Pentacon Balanced
• 4-Pin XLR Balanced
• 6.35mm (1/4”) Single-Ended
• 3.5mm (1/8”) Single-Ended

Headphone Output Voltage

• 16 V p-p

Headphone Output Power

• 4 W @ 8 Ω
• 2 W @ 16 Ω
• 1 W @ 32 Ω

General Specifications

Connections (Back)

• 2 Pair XLR Analog Inputs
• 1 Pair XLR Preamplifier Output
• 4× USB Host
• Ethernet
• USB-B
• 2 Optical Digital Inputs
• Coaxial (RCA, SPDIF) Digital Input

Software Features

• Based on 866 DSP Filter & DAC topology
• Configurable Headphone Sensitivity
• Available Fixed DAC Output
• HTML Programming
• Control via Boulder Controller App
• Input Trim

Hardware Features

• Switch Between Headphone & Preamp Outputs
• Volume Knob & Chassis Machined In-House
• 100 dB Optically-Encoded Volume Control
• Innovative Protection Circuits

Maximum Input Level

• 6.0 Vrms

Power Requirements

• 90–240V

Power Consumption

• 50W Max

Dimensions

• 12” × 12” × 3.5”

Weight

• 14 lbs

Preamplifier Specifications

Maximum Output Level

• 14.0 Vrms

THD+N (2V Output, 2 kHz)

• 0.0017% (−95.5 dB)

Maximum Voltage Gain

• 19.4 dB

Volume Range

• 100 dB

Volume Steps

• 1.0 dB

Frequency Response

• 20 Hz – 50 kHz: +0.00 / −0.03 dB
−3 dB points: 0.02 Hz & 250 kHz

Clip to Noise Ratio

• 116 dB

Input Impedance

• 100 kΩ Balanced

Output Impedance

• 100 Ω Balanced

Recommended Cables

For External DAC Use

JPS Labs Superconductor 4 XLR Interconnect

For PC / Digital Source Use

JPS Labs Superconductor V - Digital Cable

Power Cable Recommendations

Good: JPS Labs Kaptovator Lite High Performance AC Cable

Better: JPS Labs Kaptovator Ultra High Performance AC Cable

Best: JPS Labs Aluminata Reference AC Cable

BOULDER SALES FROM ABYSS TO USA CUSTOMERS ONLY