Dartzeel w/Other Preamps.

I had the 108 pre-SCNP connected to a VTL 7.5III preamp and it sounded great. I upgraded to the 108 Model 2 and the improvement was huge. The 7.5III is a great companion to the 108

I've never owned an 18NS but would like to  do an A/B comparison with the VTL someday. A audio business owner I know sells Dartzeel, and he loves the 108 Model 2, but feels while the 18NS is a great sounding preamp, there's a lot better bang for your preamp buck out there.  He would recommend the the Aeris Cerat line of products, which he also sells.

I've had numerous email conversations with Herve' over the past few years. While @thanasakis has had issues with the Dart, I can't help but feel if Herve' is made aware of an issue, he'll do what he can to fix and improve his product.

I should be satisfied as I've been out of audio for 22  years, but now it's starting to knaw at me and I've only had the amp for less than two weeks 😵. 

Before getting into more trouble, at least let what you have settle in real good and really get accustomed to the way your current system sounds...

That's the scary thing with audio - there's always something better around the corner!

Alrighty. 

The 18NS is among the finest pre-amplifiers—one benefits greatly from using the pre-amplifier with the 108 in single-ended mode. The same is true when using a DAC with internal volume control. The 18NS has a sophisticated phono pre-amplifier, with recent models updated to accommodate Herve's newest darTZeel low-output moving coil cartridges. All to say, a portion of the 62,000USD price of the 18NS is for its exceptional phono stage. If you are digital-only, perhaps a higher-performance DAC (although I understand the Holo is quite good). I am watching closely the soon-to-be-released Lampizator Posiden, which, in addition to an end-game DAC, incorporates Lukaz's latest pre-amp circuit. US retail is approximately 25k. Two line-level inputs are included.  

Enjoy your 108, and have fun with your next step.