Dartzeel amp lives up to hype

Thanks Kurt. I've had my darTZeel amp for about 5 days now and have been running it 24/7 since it arrived. It sounded really good right out of the box, but I can hear it getting better and better. I am currently using a 30' XLR run into its XLR inputs. Later today I'm going to try using the RCA inputs by using an XLR-to-RCA adaptor plug just to see if there is any difference. But like I said, I am EXTREMELY impressed so far by what I'm hearing. It is, as you and so many others have said, just so musical. The artifacts associated with even the best solid state gear are absent and the three dimensionality and pure harmonics are there just as with really good tube gear, but without the added warmth/bloom.

I got my 50ohm coax cables from l-com.com and am anxiously awaiting my new darTZeel pre-amp which I hope to get by early Feb.

I'd love to hear the DNM some time.

David

Has anyone tried different power cords on the Dartzeel amp? Which on brought out the best.

David,
Thanks for the update...my amp is just about getting to 30days and it has continued to improve. I agree that it sounds nice out of the box but it really locks in as you approach the 30days of constant play.
I hope to get my pre soon as well and imagine it will improve things even more.

If your ever in the Bay Area e-mail me and I'd be happy to set-up the DNM for you.

Kurt
glide2@aol.com

Kurt, thanks for the offer. I may take you up on that. I get out to the west coast 1-2 times a year. In fact, I just got back from Edmonton, Canada...yikes...very cold. I can't imagine the dart amp getting any better from where it is right now, but I guess it will...;)

Snook2, regarding the power cord question, here's what I've done so far in terms of experimentation with input power. First, the dart sounds best if I bypass my Shunyata Hydra2 and go straight to the wall outlet. I have only tried the Shunyata top of the line Anaconda power cord, but will try some others in the weeks ahead. With the Hydra2 in the input power chain some transparency and microdetail is lost. When I spoke to Herve (the owner/designer of darTZeel) he confirmed that others have found the same thing.

Second, I have the advantage of being able to go back and forth between 120V and 240V input power as I have both outlets by the amp. One just has to power down the amp, pop the hood and change two switches (one for each channel). In my room, the 240V mode sounds better. Where it is most noticeable is at the low end where the bass firms up. Of course 240V is what they use in Europe where the amp is designed. That being said, Herve didn't feel that there should be much, if any, sonic difference between the two mode. Since my amp is still in burn-in mode, I will rerun this test after I have 30 days plus on the unit and report back.

Take care guys,

David

I heard the Dartzeel in my own system this weekend, I was considering buying it. But based on the fact that a channel went out during the audition, and from my understandig it had just returned from the factory with the same problem. I would not buy it, reguardless of its sound.

As for its sound when working. It does sound very good it had some "tube magic" with solid state imageing and control of bass. Which is a very nice mix.
However, in my own system my Mcintosh MC2000 with NOS tubes makes better music, and gives up very little in bass control. The Mac sound was more 3D, with much better tone.

Before others ask My system: Martin Logan Summits, Supratek Grange Phono Pre, Oracle Delphi V table, SME V Arm, Ruby 3, and a Mcintosh MC2000 Tube Amp. Room is dedicated and tuned to my taste.