2. amps-preamps
  3. 1221817918

darTZeel NHB-18NS

Hi,
Does it make sense to use the darTZeel NHB-18NS with other amplifiers? My fear is that the darTZeel amplifier will not be the best match for power hungry Avalon Indra speakers.

I listen mostly to vinyl and was tempted by the darTZeel given the integrated phono-stage, as an upgarde from my current Nagra PL-L with VPS phono stage.

I gathered that some of the renowned reviewer (US & UK) have chosen the darTZeel NHB-18NS as preamp whilst little is said on the amplifier side.

My idea is to partner the darTZeel NHB-18NS with the VAC 300.1. I have not and will not be able to audition the combination. I did hear the Indra's with the CAT JL2 signature that has similar power to the VAC.

Avalon (over the phone) say that VAC should be a good/great match.

Thanks for your views & comments.
Tim
timnaim

Showing 3 responses by timnaim

timnaim OP
24 posts
 
Bar81 & Joey54

Being in France offer many advantages; however one of these is not a large selection of High End HiFI dealers.

France has at the "most" 6 retailers that carry a decent selection of brands; Avalon is carried by one shop & VAC is not distributed. DaeTZeel has no distributor in France.

You are pretty limited when it comes to to auditioning let alone home audition. This is one of the big advantages of an open market such as in the US.

The best I could do was Nagra pre, CAT JL2 sig & Avalon Indra. Then Wavac pre with CAT + Indra's.

There is the Netherlands & Belgium but much the same situation when it comes to partnering equipment; you kind of have to listen to each component on its own; then work it out from there! Maybe fly to NYC (my wife is from NYC) but hey that would be abusing the time of dealers knowing farewell that I would not buy anything from them...

I am going to Milan this WE and during that stay there is a High End Audio show; this will enable me to listen to the Dartzeel.

FYI I can get a good deal on a SH VAC 300.1 in the Netherlands.

Would appreciate comments on the equipment, this would give me some guidance.

Tim
timnaim OP
24 posts
 
Well the Milan and then Paris show both had regional tastes to them.

Milan was vibrant. A vast choice of larger and smaller companies. Public was truely into "music" and the whole thing was quite entertaining.

Paris was say "serious" and to be honest I noticed nobody into the "music".

Back to the quest :

Marten design bird = not for me. I heard this is 5 different configurations powered by SET, Push Pull, Hybrid and SS. The sound was good, nice, precise, balanced yet lacked ? The bass was tight, the mid was true and the treble seemed endless, but no matter how I listened and with all musics, classic, vocal, jazz, rock, R&B.....there was for me a lack of soul

Then I heard the Magico V3, now this hit me from the go, wow and music seemed the only question that came to mind. I have no idea if the V3 is delivering the goods with the same perfection as the Martens? What it has is soul in bucket loads.

So this quest is over now for some time and my system is now :

Raven AC/Phantom II/Lyra Scala
Nagra Pl-L
Reimyo CDP-777
Nagra PL-L
VAC 300.1
Magico V

Thanks Jfrech & Andrewrona the Nagra is fine no need for the Dartzeel at all.

Will post some images of system soon.
Tim
timnaim OP
24 posts
 
Images of system posted
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