Dartzeel NHB-18NS and NHB-108B .... The new King

:heart:

Eventhough I am still waiting for my D'Agostino preamp to arrive (very soon), I've been going back and forth with the amps. I think many of us realize at this level it's largely a matter of personal taste. I've been using a 50 ohm BNC connection between the Dartzeels, the preferred connection. I am going to go out on a limb and declare my Dartzeel combo the winner. The Dart seems to have a more natural ease and on my TADs, possibly more detail too (but not in a critical way). It's almost as if I can see more into the sound stage with a little more air around voices/instruments. The Momentum feels thicker and fuller (some would say more meat on the bone), but long term I am not sure I like it as much. Using the companion Dag preamp on the Momentum may prove as satisfying so I need to come back to this comparison. One thing I need to say is that I have not gone with top of the line interconnects and power cords but with reasonably priced cables. I really love my Dartzeel amp/preamp, but realize the Dartzeel amp will not drive every speaker like the D'Agostino. I can only imagine how nice the Dartzeel 458's sound.

I know I've told you before how much I like the Dart just on looks alone over the Dag's, which I still have trouble with in terms of looks, so I won't say it again. :D At 100w/8 ohms, there are plenty of speakers the Dart will drive so that shouldn't be the make it or break it factor. Maybe once you have lived with the Dag pre for awhile and made the final decision on what's going to stay, that would be the time to try out different cables.

Are you considering moving on from the TAD's?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by dlb2

I know I've told you before how much I like the Dart just on looks alone over the Dag's, which I still have trouble with in terms of looks, so I won't say it again. :D At 100w/8 ohms, there are plenty of speakers the Dart will drive so that shouldn't be the make it or break it factor. Maybe once you have lived with the Dag pre for awhile and made the final decision on what's going to stay, that would be the time to try out different cables.

Are you considering moving on from the TAD's?

---

I have to be honest and say that I've thought about it, but I can't think of what would be an actual upgrade. When everything is right, OMG! It's amazing. I'm going to hear a pair of SF Evos this weekend to get a feel for them. I believe vinyl on my Dart/TAD combo will be outstanding. I am not sure the Dart will be all that comfortable on the Evos, but I am sure the D'Agostino will. I am at the point of possibly adding a different speaker later on once the vinyl rig is setup and playing. I may ultimately to sell the "unused" gear and move on. :)

Glad to here you're liking the Dart combo. Now sell that Dag and buy yourself some top notch interconnects and power cords. :rolleyes:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by johnthomas

Glad to here you're liking the Dart combo. Now sell that Dag and buy yourself some top notch interconnects and power cords. :rolleyes:

---

Think I could get you interested? :)

I think I'll hold out for the Constellation Centuar

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by johnthomas

I think I'll hold out for the Constellation Centuar

---

That should be really nice.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by johnthomas

I think I'll hold out for the Constellation Centuar

---

Was not impressed at all with the Constellation amp. Maybe it was the speaker pairing.

Glad to read you are so pleased with the sound of your Dartzeel combo, Joe! Happy Friday!

Thanks Jeff.

Joe,

I would not sell anything before spending sometime with the matching preamplifier. You risk having a nice surprise! IMHO using the D'Agostino without its preamplifier (well burnt) versus the DartZeel combo is not a fair comparison. :reallymad:

You are correct. I will take my time and really make sure :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by microstrip

Joe,

I would not sell anything before spending sometime with the matching preamplifier. You risk having a nice surprise! IMHO using the D'Agostino without its preamplifier (well burnt) versus the DartZeel combo is not a fair comparison. :reallymad:

---

Joe,

PLEASE tell me you're not using Nordost on the darTZeel.
That explains the lack of "meat on the bones", at least when compared to the D'Agostino.
Nordost is a no no with darTZeel. Avoid it.
If you can, try to find a used/demo Transparent MM2 power cord, fits the 108 like a glove. Or the more expensive Kubala Sosna Elation.

Ha!

No I am not using the Nordost with the Dartzeel. I don't like that combo. I am using Transparent/Acoustic Zen/Cardas, it's much better. The Nordost works very well on the Dagostino.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by asiufy

Joe,

PLEASE tell me you're not using Nordost on the darTZeel.
That explains the lack of "meat on the bones", at least when compared to the D'Agostino.
Nordost is a no no with darTZeel. Avoid it.
If you can, try to find a used/demo Transparent MM2 power cord, fits the 108 like a glove. Or the more expensive Kubala Sosna Elation.

---

Joe,

I cannot tell you how happy I am for you.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Elberoth

Joe,

I cannot tell you how happy I am for you.

---

Thank you Adam. Herve makes awesome gear. There is something so natural and addicting to my Dartzeel gear.

Happy for you as well, Joe! While the chase is fun, finding the right gear with the right synergy that works for you is even better, IMO. Allows you to just sit back and enjoy the music even more...:audiophile:

Hi Allen,

I am VERY curious what you end up with in your new room. How's the hunt?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by socfan12

Happy for you as well, Joe! While the chase is fun, finding the right gear with the right synergy that works for you is even better, IMO. Allows you to just sit back and enjoy the music even more...:audiophile:

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by joeinid

Ha!

No I am not using the Nordost with the Dartzeel. I don't like that combo. I am using Transparent/Acoustic Zen/Cardas, it's much better. The Nordost works very well on the Dagostino.

---

Joe
Very surprised that you like the Nordost on the Momentums. I think you are the first person I have heard about who has gone that way. I am pretty sure Chuck dumped his Nordost right away.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by still-one

Joe
Very surprised that you like the Nordost on the Momentums. I think you are the first person I have heard about who has gone that way. I am pretty sure Chuck dumped his Nordost right away.

---

That's interesting. What didn't Chuck like about it?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by joeinid

Hi Allen,

I am VERY curious what you end up with in your new room. How's the hunt?

---

Haha, funny you ask. Was going to email you later tonight.

You know how there's a Vinyl Fever growing on Audio Shark? Think I caught it too!:P (I call Jeff about Vicoustics and within 24 hours I wind up buying an LP!). So now I'm wondering should I just get a proper pre/phono/TT instead of new speakers, LOL!

I am so easily suggestible!:P:snicker::bonkers:

You are getting sleepy. You want TAD CR-1's. Woooooo. Woooooo. CR-1's, mmmmm, mmmmm.

:)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by socfan12

Haha, funny you ask. Was going to email you later tonight.

You know how there's a Vinyl Fever growing on Audio Shark? Think I caught it too!:P (I call Jeff about Vicoustics and within 24 hours I wind up buying an LP!). So now I'm wondering should I just get a proper pre/phono/TT instead of new speakers, LOL!

I am so easily suggestible!:P:snicker::bonkers:

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by joeinid

That's interesting. What didn't Chuck like about it?

---

I am sure he will jump in when he sees this. He is still in China now.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by joeinid

You are getting sleepy. You want TAD CR-1's. Woooooo. Woooooo. CR-1's, mmmmm, mmmmm.

:)

---

http://www.emotioneric.com/hypnotized.jpg

:hi:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by socfan12

http://www.emotioneric.com/hypnotized.jpg

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by socfan12

Haha, funny you ask. Was going to email you later tonight.

You know how there's a Vinyl Fever growing on Audio Shark? Think I caught it too!:P (I call Jeff about Vicoustics and within 24 hours I wind up buying an LP!). So now I'm wondering should I just get a proper pre/phono/TT instead of new speakers, LOL!

I am so easily suggestible!:P:snicker::bonkers:

---

Good to see your planning ahead :D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by joeinid

:hi:

---

Hehe. You know, I get a tingle every time I see that Constellation/Ref1 pic you posted. Sigh...:heart:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by A/V Solutions

Good to see your planning ahead :D

---

Jeff, next time I call to talk acoustic treatments, let's stick to topic!:D

Wife hands me the package the other day, says she thinks this is an LP, but you don't have a turntable, honey?!:weird::lol:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by socfan12

Jeff, next time I call to talk acoustic treatments, let's stick to topic!:D

Wife hands me the package the other day, says she thinks this is an LP, but you don't have a turntable, honey?!:weird::lol:

---

:rofl: priceless! :lol:

:exciting:

Smart wife.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by socfan12

Hehe. You know, I get a tingle every time I see that Constellation/Ref1 pic you posted. Sigh...:heart:

---

Way too much money. CR-1's are much more cost effective. Ask anyone, better driver integration on the smaller speakers. ;) Don't forget the TT and all the accessories.

http://www.emotioneric.com/hypnotized.jpg

:roflmao:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by socfan12

jeff, next time i call to talk acoustic treatments, let's stick to topic!:d

wife hands me the package the other day, says she thinks this is an lp, but you don't have a turntable, honey?!:weird::lol:

---

LOL:)

Awesome Joe, good to hear.

When you mentioned in your first DAG thread that it had more meat on the bones then the Dart I knew it would be the one going - Dart has this in prefect balance and a more "meaty" presentation would be too much IMO.

Personally as soon as I hooked up the cr1's to the 108 it was game over for me on the gear swapping. This was the type of sound I had been searching for since the beginning. All the time spent equipment searching are now spent on discovering new music and artists and this is so much more rewarding! I am now back to where I was before the hifi bug bit me a few years ago but with an awesome system and excellent sound in my room :audiophile:.