2120

About the 2120

The Boulder 2120 is a reference D/A converter and network streamer designed for state-of-the-art digital playback, combining extensive digital processing capabilities with fully balanced analog output stages for direct connection to power amplification. It provides traditional digital inputs including coaxial S/PDIF, balanced AES3, Toslink optical, and USB-B, along with HDMI and Ethernet for networked playback and streaming functions. The 2120 accepts PCM audio with word lengths up to 32 bits and sample rates up to 384 kHz, and supports DSD (DSF) at 1x and 2x rates, as well as common file formats such as AIFF, ALAC, FLAC, WAV, MP3, and OGG Vorbis. A high-precision asynchronous digital architecture, including Boulder's proprietary Precise Interval Clock and Eigen-algorithm digital filter, is employed to minimize jitter and optimize both frequency and phase response. The analog section uses isolated left and right channel circuitry derived from the 2110 preamplifier, with ten proprietary Boulder 99S gain stages per channel and dual balanced outputs, powered by a three-output supply that separately feeds left analog, right analog, and digital sections, plus an independent low-power standby supply. The chassis is divided into four isolated enclosures—left audio, right audio, user interface, and power supply—to reduce noise and interference. An internal digital volume control with an 80 dB range in 1 dB steps allows the 2120 to function as a control center feeding a power amplifier directly. The front panel incorporates a large full-color LCD display that presents metadata, input/source selection, resolution and data rate, progress information, and album art when available, while control and configuration can be handled via networked interfaces and integration with third-party control systems.