Solid State Power Amp Reviews

darTZeel NHB-108 model two power amplifier Associated Equipment

Sidebar 2: Associated Equipment

Digital sources: dCS Rossini SACD/CD transport, Rossini DAC, and Rossini Clock; Synology 5-bay 1019+ NAS, Roon Nucleus+ music server, Small Green Computer Sonore opticalModules (2) and Deluxe opticalModule, Uptone Audio EtherRegen with AfterDark Giesemann Emperor Double Crown Master Clock, Linksys routers (2), and Arris modem, all powered by HDPlex 300 four-component linear power supplies (3) and HDPlex 200 LPS; Apple 2017 iPad Pro and 2017 Macbook Pro laptop with 2.8GHz Intel i7, SSD, 16GB RAM.
Preamplifiers: Dan D'Agostino Momentum HD, darTZeel NHB-18NS.
Power amplifiers: Dan D'Agostino Progression M550 monoblocks.
Loudspeakers: Wilson Audio Specialties Alexia 2 with Acoustic Diodes.
Cables: Digital: Nordost Odin 1, Odin 2, and Valhalla 2 (USB); Frey 2 (USB adapter); Wireworld Platinum Starlight Cat8 (Ethernet), OM1 62.5/125 multimode duplex fiberoptic cables. Interconnect: Nordost Odin 2. Speaker: Nordost Odin 2. AC: Nordost Odin 2, AudioQuest Dragon and Dragon HC. Umbilical cords for HDPlex LPSs and NAS: Ghent Audio Canare and copper.
Accessories: Grand Prix Monza 8-shelf double rack and amp stands, 1.5" Formula platform, Apex footers; Symposium Ultra Platform; Nordost QB8, QX4 (2), QK1 and QV2 AC power accessories, QKore 1, 3, and 6 with QKore Wires, Titanium and Bronze Sort Kones, Sort Lifts; AudioQuest Niagara 7000 and Niagara 5000 power conditioners, NRG Edison outlets, JitterBugs; Tweek Geek Dark Matter Stealth power conditioner with High Fidelity and Furutech options; Wilson Audio Pedestals; A/V RoomService EVP Equipment Vibration Protectors; Resolution Acoustics, Stillpoints Clouds, and Aperture 1 and 2 acoustic treatments; HRS DPX-14545 Damping Plates; Stein Music Blue Suns, Blue Diamonds, and Quantum Organizer; Bybee Room Neutralizers; Absolare.
Room: 20' L × 16' W × 9' H.—Jason Victor Serinus

COMPANY INFO
darTZeel Audio SA
US distributor: Jonathan Tinn, Blue Light Audio
4160 SW Greenleaf Dr.
Portland, OR 97221
(503) 868-0500
dartzeel.com/en
ARTICLE CONTENTS

COMMENTS
CG's picture
Submitted by CG on February 23, 2022 - 1:12pm

Patents are funny things...

A lot has to do with how the invention is presented.

So, for example, the patented darTZeel circuit bears a very strong resemblance to one designed and patented by Richard Baker back in 1967. (You can look it up.) Harris used a version of it in a product they sold in the early 70's, and National sold it by the zillions in the late 70's in one of their products.

Surge's picture
Submitted by Surge on February 24, 2022 - 3:25pm

You are literally referring to how every invention is made - on the backs of previous inventors.

CG's picture
Submitted by CG on February 24, 2022 - 3:49pm

Yeah and no.

There's using the teachings of previous inventions - part of the reason for the patent system in the first place - to build something new. Then there's something a little closer to flattery, perhaps.

If you've ever dealt much with the patent system, you probably have lots of stories of what examiners thought might have been obvious and therefore not patentable and what the examiners thought to be clever extensions of previous ideas. Very often they are right, too. But, not always.

tonykaz's picture
Submitted by tonykaz on February 24, 2022 - 1:57pm

I well recall the early Krell Amps and all the gushing praise people heaped on them ( myself included ), even our own JA in England owned one. Phew, Krell created it's own world that it still dominates.

We've heard polite praise about tarDzeel which I suspect originated from the moneyed 33.3 Museum Curator Class. I wondered if the Brand could keep up with our Domestic guys, hmmm.

Anodising is still rather low-end as a Product Finnish, ( it is tough to get right, fades under UV and easily scratches ).

Should we take from all this that the Wilsons probably need big Mono Amps, even PS Audio if money is an issue?

I was expecting an expansive adjitivorial extravaganza from you on this device , was it missing from the Amp or from your hesitating vocabulary ?

Tony in Florida

Surge's picture
Submitted by Surge on February 24, 2022 - 3:24pm

Fremer preferred the PS Audio P20 regenerator to the AudioQuest Niagara 7000 power conditioner, if you read his recent AC power improvement project, he makes that quite clear.

Glotz's picture
Submitted by Glotz on February 25, 2022 - 9:25am

Because of JVS' observations on the subjective performance of the amp in relation to his references. Despite the amp having high-ish levels of THD and IMD, he found it to be one his favorite amps under review.

I think zero-feedback designs will be my preferred equipment methodology moving forward, as their ability to release maximum depth of field perspective and tonal saturation (as well as most other audible parameters).

Definitely more than one way to skin a cat.

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