Dartzeel amp lives up to hype

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.

Dlanselm - you are a second person to report less than stellar performance from Dartzeel amp. I was considering this amp too, but I have heard form one of the most credible audiogon users that his close friend wasn't impressed at all by dart combo. He uses same speakers as I do - Avalon Eidolon Vision - and much preffered both ARC Ref2/VTM200 combination (which he sold to get the dart) and the VTL7.5/S400 combo he bought AFTER selling the dart combo (pre + power).

Elberoth2, I would be more concerned about the twice failed amp than someone preferring another tube amp. Unless you really trust your friend's comments, this could again be the preferences that some always have for tube amps. I certainly fall into that category, but still remain quite interested in the Dartzeel, especially because of its power and my respect for Glide's reports.