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Review of Dartzeel NHB-108 Amplifier

Dartzeel is a relatively new entry to the high-end game. Despite being reviewed by John Marks in a recent issue of Stereophile, the company's only current product offering, the NHB-108 stereo amplifier, hasn't gotten a lot of press on these shores. Hopefully this "review" will do its part in rectifying that.
As many of you probably already know, Switzerland-based Dartzeel is the brainchild of one Herve Deletraz. Herve is a wonderful guy who's dedicated to the very best customer service. As essentially a one-man operation, I'm sure his time is limited, but he's always responded to my e-mails in an extremely courteous, timely manner.

On to the amp. I'm not one for technical details, so I'll leave them to those of you who want to visit Dartzeel's website. Basically, the 108 is a "purist" stereo amp rated at a relatively modest 100 wpc. Its smallish dimensions belie its weight, which measures around 65-70 pounds.

Internally, the amp is incredibly well laid out (if tightly packed), with an attention to detail that one should expect--but doesn't always receive--from components in this price range.

Outside, it's purely love-hate. (Refer to the website for pictures). Either you get it or you don't. Personally, I've grown used to its appearance over time, but it's taken a while to become acclimated. If WAF factor is any sort of issue, practice up on your compliments. Then again, I may be overstating the case. While it's not Liv Tyler, it's not Janet Reno, either. Time reveals its inner beauty.

Performance-wise it's a much more straightforward issue. In my experience the 108 is the most balanced, natural-sounding amp I've ever heard. It has a way with timbre that's downright spooky--up there with the very best tube units one cares to mention. The sound is just "right"--every note is reproduced with a tonal correctness and warmth that is as close to the real thing as I've heard in an amp. Because of it's sheer naturalness, it can take a while to overcome the initial impression that it is somehow soft or rolled off. That is most emphatically not the case! Dynamics are crisp and fast, and the frequency extremes are right where they need to be--not overstated or highlighted at all, just perfectly natural and realistic.

The only potential weakness of the 108 is its power rating. It flows a nice amount of juice for 100 watts, but one could theoretically run into problems with particuarly current-hungry or inefficient speakers. Part of the amp's midrange purity, I believe, is attributable to the use of the bare minimum of bipolars in the output stage. That, of course, comes at the price of power, but in this case the tradeoff is more than worth it. Just take some care in speaker matching--as you should, anyway--and you'll be rewarded with a sound that balances the very best of solid state with a midrange that will make some question whether they even need to fuss with tubes.

Despite its novel physical appearance, the need for careful speaker matching, and the fact that the US dollar has been taking a Tyson-like beating lately, the Dartzeel is a serious contender in the super-amp category. Yes, there are amps out there that do this or that "better" than the 108, but I've yet to hear one that strikes a better balance between the various areas of performance. It's a stunning piece of engineering and a landmark amplifier.

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Product Weakness: Appearance is strictly take-it-or-leave-it. Power rating requires some attention to speaker load. Cost.
Product Strengths: Naturalness, midrange magic of the highest order, speed, dynamics

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Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier: Dartzeel NHB-108
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): EMM Labs DCC2
Sources (CDP/Turntable): EMM Labs CDSD
Speakers: Von Schweikert VR-4 Jr.
Cables/Interconnects: Jena Labs Pathfinder
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Rock, blues, country, some classical
Room Size (LxWxH): 24 x 20 x 7
Room Comments/Treatments: Echo Buster, ASC
Time Period/Length of Audition: 3 months
Other (Power Conditioner etc.): Shunyata Hydra-8
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner
hooper
french_fries
815 posts
 
is there a filter available so i can read and learn something new on these forums (which i value highly overall) and DUMP
all of the personal stuff in the trash? stereophile and
the abs.sound is hit and miss, mostly miss. so, when i ask someone what they REALLY THINK without introducing any monetary motives, i don't think that's asking too much. i have a system which i like alot, even though it errs on the side of richness instead of accuracy, and i would like to hear something that is significantly better SOUNDWISE. and, i like to upgrade once in a while, but i don't have a box full of $100 bills just sitting around for that purpose. so when someone has a speaker that costs over $30,000 i have to wonder- 1.did he/she get it to move a lot of air or do they have a very large room, OR 2.does the product have a certain finesse that you can't get for $10k-$20k. i have some well-founded doubts about #2. for example, wilson audio says that compared to the $125k alexandria, everything else sounds "BROKEN". indeed! as far as i'm concerned, they simply lack the engineering expertise to build a speaker for $30k or less that offers the (best they know how to make) accuracy and musicality in a normal (15x20 or 12x18) room. and that example goes for any number of companies out there. is $75k really necessary to get all the info off a vinyl record, or can a smart designer do it
for $10k? does a preamp have to come in three boxes to reduce noise, or can you do it in one box with partitions made of special materials? in other words, tell it to me like it is, let me hear it, and then i'll buy it. or at least i'll try to save up for it...! oh, as for the dartzeel amplifier- i'd love to HEAR it one day- but, is it as good as my DK ?!....(no, i don't have the freaking dk)...
cinematic_systems
282 posts
 
JTinn,

I think think these three ditti's says it all about you and your philosophy.

NUMERO UNO!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"How many times do we read a review where the measurements were poor but the reviewer loved the product, or the measurements were outstanding and the sound was not to the liking of the reviewer?

So I'm supposed to believe Rick Gardner who's entire equipment review history is equipment he bought from you?
I'll take the measurements, thank you very much!

Numero Dos; As a matter of fact, he has been described to me as a complete lunatic.

This lunatic fixed his system for free (clearly proof that i'm crazy), how much more equipment and cables would you have sold him before you would have said I think something's wrong with your system? Sometimes the truth is bad news for a client and people who post here.

Numero Tres;

"To imagine that a cable capable of extending from DC out to beyond 30 Mhz could smear frequencies that low in the bandwidth is ludicrous. The cables "measure" brilliantly."

First of all you make an assumption and you'd be wrong and just because they measure well doesn't mean they sound good. How many times has a reviewer said something that measures great sounds not so good? I know what I heard and that's what really matters not some measurement.

Now do you see how stupid that sounds when it comes from my keyboard?

Later.
mikelavigne
2,200 posts
 
French Fries.

no

#1. yes, maybe
#2. yes
#3. unfortunately, yes
#4. no, not necessarily
#5. probably, what's a DK?

have a nice day.
howie
230 posts
 
Whoa Cinematic_Systems, can you even read my post before you start barking? Where did I give you the impression that I was trying to "elevate" myself into the creative process? All I did was quote Bill Evans. I find his comments enlightening but I surely never claim to be enlightened nor do I believe that I am. And you misinterpreted the quote. The quote is meant to tell you that critical listening isn't an easy process because personal biases and emotions can get in the way. Because of this, Bill Evans himself may not have been a better judge of a jazz pianist's performance that either you or I.

For some, the creative process may end when the CD is caste, for others, the creative process end with the last note played or sung by the musicians. Many musicians simply have little control or influence over the music reproduction process. Any instrumental sound that goes through a mic already changes the sound. The sound engineer frequently changes the sound to better reflect for example, what he/she thinks a saxophone should sound like. A conductor is only one authority. Perhaps he rightfully should have full control over interpretation. But like many authors, there are many artists that will never tell you what his original intensions are. They want you to freely interpret his music and become involved.

It's easier to have an opinion than it is to be educated on the subject of music reproduction. But it is also easier to have an opinion on music reproduction or music than to be educated in music.

When Lester Young goes on stage, he doesn't care what chord the song is in. He wants to know the lyrics. He's interpreting the sound, the sound reproduction engineers are interpreting his performance, and the listeners are interpreting Lester Young's performance. Ah but you can have a crappy record, transcribe his solos, and still analyze Lester Young's performance. It's not like any of us who has never heard him live knows what he truely sounds like anyways.
sirspeedy70680e509
1,064 posts
 
Cinematic systems,let's just say that my "Buddies" really don't "guess" at anything.They are skilled and experienced hobbyists that have been at this longer than you,or myself,most likely.I believe that they would find your condescending comments humorous,as we are pretty adamant about how sensitive the "average" ear becomes,once you have been at this hobby awhile.

Since we attend many live events,the signature sound of what real music should sound like is obvious.It really is not hard to learn how(assuming you have enough experience,which your customers may not have,if they must be so reliant on your measurements)to listen to and set up a fine "FULL RANGE" system after you have been at it as long as I have.I do make it my business to get out there,and hear different audio systems as well.This is a helpful guage to me.

I don't doubt the importance of measured results,but know that great results can be had with a wide variety of "known" program material,and this is NOT "GUESSING".If you cannot set-up to a high degree with your own ears you really should consider a hearing test.I'm not trying to be rude here,but your comments,to me,clearly seem to be an attempt to bait me.Hey,we're just having a good debate.No animosity intended.

I do believe that when one has the intimate knowledge of living in a home,for a while,they can navigate it in total darkness.When you "know something" you just "know it"!!Experience is a powerful ally!!
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