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DarTZeel CTH-8550 Integrated Amplifier – Hi-Fi+
The CTH-8550 MkII is a wonderful amplifier because it brings you face to face with the art form called music, and you won’t find how it does it on any spec …
Source: hifiplus.com
Date Published: 6/7/2021
View: 7427
darTZeel CTH-8550 integrated amplifier – Stereophile.com
If you can get over the shock, however, the CTH-8550 is packed with interesting technologies—such as its optical Pleasure Control (as Delétraz …
Source: www.stereophile.com
Date Published: 3/6/2021
View: 1405
darTZeel CTH-8550 MkII – Nirvana Sound
The darTZeel CTH-8550 is equipped with a plasma control panel, offering excellent contrast when viewed from any angle. A range of menus allows you to …
Source: nirvanasound.com
Date Published: 3/18/2021
View: 638
darTZeel CTH-8550 MKII integrated Amplifier-review!
Yes– and without basically any limitations, The CTH-8550 MKII permeates recorded music with all its atmospheric qualities. Its precision, …
Source: www.thesoundadvocate.com
Date Published: 2/22/2021
View: 4310
Dartzeel CTH-8550 review – What Hi-Fi?
Dartzeel is a Swiss company and all the stereotypes about Swiss engineering hold true. The CTH-8550 is beautifully made, from its intricately …
Source: www.whathifi.com
Date Published: 6/14/2022
View: 8313
DarTZeel CTH-8550 Integrated Amplifier – Norman Audio
With its dual-mono architecture, 50-ohm Zeel inputs, optional high-quality phono stages and remarkable versatility, the darTZeel CTH-8550 is the integrated …
Source: www.normanaudio.com
Date Published: 3/24/2021
View: 8526
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주제와 관련된 더 많은 사진을 참조하십시오 Dartzeel CTH-8550. 댓글에서 더 많은 관련 이미지를 보거나 필요한 경우 더 많은 관련 기사를 볼 수 있습니다.
주제에 대한 기사 평가 dartzeel cth 8550
- Author: Leandro Ronkoski
- Views: 조회수 13,434회
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- Date Published: 최초 공개: 2020. 3. 31.
- Video Url link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEqS3ye9th8
DarTZeel CTH-8550 Integrated Amplifier
Every musician, regardless of their chosen instrument, is looking for their voice and not just their own sound. When I listen to a great piano player, saxophonist or violinist, I am always aware of the vocal narrative that lies behind what they are saying through the instrument. That is what draws me to their playing and has probably been indirectly responsible for my interest in home audio for years. When you think about serious musicians and why you prefer some over others, I think it’s about their supreme ability to make the instrument talk to the listener through the music. Through technique, physical ability, good ear and taste, they speak to us through our home systems and hopefully, we respond to their message and narrative.
Interestingly enough, Hervé Delétraz refers to his amplifiers as instruments. After having spent some time listening to his CTH-8550 Mark II integrated amplifier, I completely understand why. I reviewed the NHB-18NS preamplifier and the NHB-108 model two amplifier late last year and have never been quite able to shake those experiences out of my head. As this Integrated amplifier, they have a single and mightily focused purpose, and that is to give the musicians we listen to a voice and a way to tell musical tales through one of the most complex art forms ever. It’s what great systems, at whatever price, really should do.
Experiencing both these amplifiers has undoubtedly been a privilege. Still, it has also sparked a quest in me to try to explain why I believe darTZeel amplifiers are so exceptional in a world with many components claiming to do, essentially, the same thing. Let me make something clear – they are not alone in being so ‘musical’ and, to my ears, desirable. But they are one of a small group that shine out and make me want to stop what I may be doing and just sit and listen.
The CTH is unmistakably darTZeel. Its red case and eye-catching gold front panel are instantly familiar, and the quality of the metalwork is beautiful. It’s certainly a bit quirky but in a good and interesting way. Beautifully built close to Lake Geneva, it is designed and fabricated by a music lover to be as close to no-compromise as possible. Let’s say that a device like this is never going to come cheap. In contrast, most bespoke objects, not just audio but also cars, cameras, watches etc., as desirable as they may be, tend to carry a degree of disappointment when you actually get your hands on them darTZeel never disappoints.
Considering its power, the latest CTH amplifier comes in a reasonably compact chassis with gold carrying handles front and rear, giving the component a particular purposeful look. It uses a more conventional volume system than in the NHB-18NS. Yet, with keeping in mind the music must be reproduced with the greatest possible level of emotion, and it is a beautiful thing to operate with its twin soft X-rings, and a slight notion of a haptic response as the knob is rotated. The manufacturer calls it Pleasure Control on darTZeel amplifiers, though most of your interaction with the device will be through a truly excellent remote control. Yes, it too, is beautifully made out of a billet of aluminium in matching gold, providing full access to all features you may ever need. My favourite thing about it is that it will operate even when out of line of sight to the amplifier. For once, I was not forced to get up from another area of my listening room and walk across to stand square in front of a component to adjust the volume!
Every good listening session should be relaxed but concentrated, occasionally bordering on the emotionally intense experience. Getting up and down all the time to adjust the volume or switch inputs shouldn’t be an issue. But, a very friendly nudge and ever-so-polite nod to Hervé – please fit some sort of non-slip feet to the remote. Beautiful though it may be, it’s as slippery as an ice cube and can too easily slide off a chair arm. A small thing but, if I owned a darTZeel, I would have to attach soft dimples to the bottom of the remote handset, which might make it minutely less elegant, but certainly almost perfect.
As far as metalwork goes, the amplifier is superbly executed and the result of 3D-CAD software, a speciality of Mr Delétraz. Laser cutting and welding have taken structural integrity to new levels. The rear panel is a model of efficient design. With seven standard inputs, (RCA and XLR, and, of course, the Zeel 50 Ohm BNCs), superb speaker terminals (4mm banana or spade), as well as RCA and darT outputs plus a couple of USB ports, a fairly compact space has been well exploited. The front panel has the aforementioned Pleasure Control and several small push buttons for input selection or other functions that feel like perfectly polished steel ball bearings. They are relatively inconspicuous as the panel is dominated by the volume control and a plasma screen that shows the volume level and allows each input to be configured through the menus. It’s also legible from tight angles. It is easy to miss small design features like a scalloped channel that houses all the 16 switches and the IR receiver, or the volume control with its central darTZeel logo. For me, it is a thing of beauty. This is, of course, purely a matter of taste and lies in the eye of the beholder. It’s modestly eccentric, but I like it. Internally, the darTZeel is impressive, too. As you may expect with an integrated design of such power, the dual-mono layout is designed around a massive toroidal transformer which deals with the power section.
In contrast, a smaller transformer sits piggy-backed on top of it and caters for the preamplifier section. There is, I am told, a way of isolating both sides of the amplifier to use it as a pre or a power amplifier through the menu, but I never used this option. Another interesting feature is the dedicated USB key that I mistook initially for a keyring. It stores the owner’s name, the serial number of the unit, installed firmware version and voltage settings. This data and would subsequently be used to implement any firmware or software settings.
It should go without saying but probably warrants repeating that equipment of this nature really must be used with suitable components and carefully installed down to the smallest details. My listening was performed with the dCS Vivaldi CD transport and DAC while the streaming included a dCS Bridge and Roon Nucleus. All electronics were placed on a Stillpoints ESS rack, while cables were the ultra-fast and very explicit Nordost Odin 1. The same cable also connected the darTZeel to a pair of the Wilson Audio Duette 2 speakers. I do consider this to be a well-integrated and spiritually rewarding music system.
The amplifier was rather shy out of the box but, after suitable warming up period of 24 hours, music moved onto another level and continued to improve for quite a while after. Long, mood-driven, listening sessions became something to get excited about and as events to look forward to. To say that, in these strange and intensely weird lockdown times, this system helped in some psychologically therapeutic way too, would be an understatement.
With a nominal 200 watts into 8 ohms, the CTH-8550 MkII is a little more powerful than the NHB-108 power amplifier but, as far as my domestic needs are concerned, I would say that power was more than adequate through either one of them. They seem to have deep wells of resources to draw on and the speed with which they deploy the available power, regardless of level, is stunning. The 8550 is one of the very best amplifiers I have heard for low volume, late-night listening.
There’s an interesting thing about pre/power amplification as opposed to integrated amplifiers, especially from the same manufacturer that I need to touch on before I get into the listening. Conventional audiophile reasoning tells us that the pre/power route is the way to go—better instrumental separation, imaging, etc., etc. I agree with all of this except there’s a but at the end of the sentence. For years now, I have found instances where a really good, integrated design had a musical togetherness that was elusive and special. The somewhat tedious audiophile in me readily acknowledges all the goodies that the pre/power route brings to the party, but I have to say there is something so focussed and unified about the CTH-8550’s approach to music that it has completely seduced me. The sense is that it is always on the side of the music as opposed to the audiophile. Don’t misunderstand me though, given the choice I would still take the pre/power darTZeel over the integrated amplifier. It’s just that the CTH-8550, as a great musical storyteller, though different, never really sounds like it is even remotely compromised.
An excellent audio system should be Chameleon-like and almost indistinguishable from the music it conveys. And quite often, when you hear new music with a new component in place, it becomes an experience that has a freshness and intimacy living inside your head, floating in and out of your consciousness as you go about your daily life. Such was the case with Is That So? by John McLaughlin, Shankar Mahadevan and Zakir Hussein. From being something of a McLaughlin fanboy in the past, I thought I was probably done with him after a number of albums plus a live performance that was so full-on and blisteringly intense that they were close to exhausting. His machine-gun guitar lines had become like odd parodies of the early days of the Mahavishnu Orchestra with little resting room, intimacy or space. Whenever he played slowly and with melodic consideration, I loved it. Is That So? is a full-blown Indian spiritual soundscape, dripping with ambience and showcasing Mahadevan’s remarkably agile voice slip, sliding through unusual scales and melodies. At the same time, John provides a synth guitar backdrop, supplemented with some ridiculously good percussion from Zakir. It’s an imposing atmosphere and suits specific day or night moods perfectly. But, be warned, this is powerful stuff, and you might only feel able to dip in and out in small doses.
The darTZeel-fuelled system made this experience like going to a cross between a theatre and an Indian festival. This amplifier brings tremendous precision to the occasion, but with warmth and friendly richness that is calming, yet unusual. This has nothing to do with bandwidth or bass solidity, but more so with meaning and the sheer textures or harmonic interplay between the remarkable vocals and McLaughlin’s decision to play the role of a complex drone instrument. It’s the experience and involvement, rather than the audio artefacts that leave their mark. Close your eyes, the audio system vanishes from in front of you, and that is the best audio experience you can get.
Inertia within an audio system and more specifically, within an amplifier and its ways with music has been a fascination of mine since I first tried to unravel the secret of David Berning’s magnificent QZ amplifiers many years ago. The unforced way which each note unfolds and lives contrasts sharply with a feeling that the amplifier is electronically ‘shaping’ the music. Both darTZeel based systems I have listened to over the past year, have performed very much in the same way. There is very little sense of any grip by or from the amplifier. Notes and musical events just happen, and I would say that the unforced precision the way darTZeel deploys its considerable power into musical dynamism, is one of its most unique virtues. It has an open window approach, and it is an amplifier that projects with such scope, that it shows you just how little of the soundstage in the recordings so many amplifiers manage to recreate.
There’s something about the tonal characteristics of the dry balance of the nylon-strung guitar that has always made it a much better fit with an orchestra, rather than the shimmering harmonic bravado of a steel-strung instrument. It’s the contrast of the orchestra against the loneliness of the tiny acoustic body of the guitar that helps Rodrigo’s Concierto De Aranjuez be such a compelling piece of music. Likewise, the Sonata Suite from Josep Pons featuring Flamenco guitarist extraordinaire Tomatito poses vast challenges for audio systems due to its perspectives. While many systems, though bristling with all the things that audiophiles perhaps traditionally look for, they at the same time bring the tension into the room and it all ends as being instead’ a matter of fact’. There’s power, lush, colourful tonality and romance here as the scales and melodies of north Africa drift across the Mediterranean, before finding themselves caught up in a swirling dish of memorable melodies, handclaps, punctuating foot stomps and percussive fire. The darTZeel is in its element with such a fusion. You simply cannot give this amplifier too many balls to keep in the air. The soundstage (again) is mighty and gives the air and space these musicians demand to bring a piece of complex music to life. My system had a sense of relentlessness about it. Ask it an exceptionally complex musical question, and it always seemed to have the correct answer. A miraculous recovery response matches the speed and power of delivery, and this interaction brings the story to life. Nothing drifts by with the darTZeel as it does with, so much of what we might call, ‘high-end’ systems. It has a clarity of musical purpose that extends beyond the singular momentary performance of the amplifier and into a rare ability to tell the story through pure musical colour and expression.
Forget the debate about tubes v solid state. Amplifiers like the darTZeel transcend such things. Some amplifiers are just really, really good to listen to. It’s as simple as that. It surely has to do something with the ‘voices’ the amplifier can convey to us and musical tales they tell. It is harmonically rich, very clean, crazily textured and able to resolve everything from micro to large scale dynamics plus it is immaculately seated timing-wise, which is crucial. You don’t need constant examination and evaluation. It would be way too crass. The system just lives and breathes atmosphere. That’s what we have here. The CTH-8550 MkII is a wonderful amplifier because it brings you face to face with the art form called music, and you won’t find how it does it on any spec sheet. You just listen, get involved, and give it your trust. If you love music for its form and emotional power, the darTZeel will thrill you. I love it.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Type: Dual mono integrated amplifier
Power Output: 200 watts RMS (230 watts peak) @ 8 ohms
330 watts RMS (360 watts peak)
@ 4 ohms
Inputs: 4× RCA, 1× XLR, 2× Zeel BNC, 1× MM, 1× MC (phono inputs are optional)
Outputs: 1× RCA, 1× RCA (record),
1× darT BNC, 1 pair speaker
(4mm or spade)
Frequency Response: 3Hz–300 kHz
THD: 1% from 7 Hz to 77 kHz
S/N: 115dB (A)
Dimensions: 170 × 440 × 335mm (H×W×D).
Depth with handles – 415mm
Weight: 28kg
Price: £25,000
Manufacturer: darTZeel audio
URL: dartzeel.com
UK Distributor: Absolute Sounds
URL: absolutesounds.com
Tel: +44(0)208 971 3909
darTZeel CTH-8550 integrated amplifier
As the 2009 Consumer Electronics Show neared its end, I wandered into Blue Light Audio’s room, which was dominated by the innards of darTZeel’s new NHB-458 monoblocksthink of a 3D “exploded” diagram and you’ll be on target. So impressive was that display of brute engineering that I almost didn’t notice the amplifier that was actually making the music: the CTH-8550 integrated ($20,300).
Yes, you read correctly: $20,300 for an integrated amplifier. That’s an order of magnitude greater than the typical integrated. Granted, you get a moving-coil input, and it’s built in Switzerland to Swiss standards, and it cranks out 200Wpc into 8 ohms or 330Wpc into 4 ohms, and it’s endlessly user-configurablebut Criminy, that’s a lot of simoleons.
DarTZeel can rightfully argue that each of its products is meticulously engineered by Hervé Delétraz, which means that its products employ unique technologies. And, far from benefiting from any economies of scale, darTZeel components are about one step short of bespokethey’re made by hand, and mighty close to order. But none of that will matter if you can’t get past the sticker shock.
Men are only as good as their technical development allows them to be
If you can get over the shock, however, the CTH-8550 is packed with interesting technologiessuch as its optical Pleasure Control (as Delétraz calls the loudness control), with a range of from Less to More. Manufactured and customized for darTZeel by Elma, it’s the most responsive knob I’ve ever fondled. Its tactile feedback was, well, funI’ll confess to twirling it a few times just for fun as I murmured, “Come in, Rangoon.”
Then there’s the CTH-8550’s display screen, which, along with its CPU, lets you set virtually any parameter to your preferenceand includes both a clock and a function that automatically powers the amplifier on or off at a set time. My first thought regarding this “alarm,” as darTZeel calls it, was to laughbut then I imagined a scenario in which my CTH-8550 powered itself on every evening half an hour before I got home from work, and was ready to rock my world as soon as my butt hit the comfy chair. Of course, the problem with that fantasy is that first I’d need a day jobalthough if I did, perhaps I wouldn’t find the price so daunting.
The CTH-8550 uses a large toroidal transformer for its output stage and a smaller one for low-level signals. (If you use it only as a preamplifier, you can turn off the big toroid via that nifty display.) Delétraz has designed an output stage based on paralleled transistors and short signal paths; he doesn’t say much about it, except that it is supposed to run cooloh yeah, and that it sounds good.
The CTH-8550 has two sets of unbalanced RCA outputs, one following the volume control so that the amp can be used as a preamp, a “darT” output (50 ohm BNC), two “Zeel” inputs (ditto), four unbalanced RCA inputs, plus two more pairs marked MM and MC (MM is optional; an MC module, with user-adjustable gain, comes standard in the US), and a pair of balanced XLR inputs. The speaker terminals are substantialand, even better, they open wide enough to accept thick spades. An IEC mains jack and two USB inputs complete the complement of connectors.
Two USB inputswhatever for? The CTH-8550 comes with a USB flash drive, which arrives blank; you must register your CTH-8550 online to receive a compressed folder with a .dtz extension. Transfer the file to the USB stick and plug it into a USB slot on the CTH-8550, at which point you upload the latest upgrades to the unit’s firmware, as well as your activation code. Skip that last step and your $20,300 component will work for a mere 15 minutes every time you power it on, then shut itself off.
I can clearly see the benefits of uploading firmware changes to the CPU via flash drive, but the whole concept of having to “authorize” a component after forking out 20 grand for it strikes me as creepy and insulting. I can’t conceive of how that benefits the customer.
As with other darTZeel products, the cosmetic package of the CTH-8550 is unique. My sample had darTZeel’s usual livery of gold-anodized faceplate with burgundy chassis (an all-black model is also offered). While the CTH-8550’s fit’n’finish and materials are impeccable, it looks less styled than engineered. In a channel milled into its thick faceplate are 11 LEDs (one per source and one each for the left and right channels) and eight pressure-actuated switches (Menu, Time, Light, Name, Mute, Mono, Balance, Power). There are two massive handles, and another pair on the back, which is goodthe li’l sucker weighs 62 lbs. Between the front handles are the optical control and the display. Most of the CTH-8550’s bling is on the inside.
Four legs good, two legs bad
For all of the CTH-8550’s customization options, I found it simple to use. Most of its settings are set-and-forget. Its heatsinks are mounted under its vented casing, so it can be placed just about anywhere that can support its mass and allows adequate ventilation. For all the pleasure I got spinning the Pleasure Control, in daily use I used the remote control almost exclusively. While the display is easy to use up close, much of its information is in a font too small to be seen from across the room, so I opted for its Auto Off feature.
darTZeel CTH-8550 MkII
Description
Traditional thinking suggests that when looking to go all out in a quest for ultimate sound quality, the only choice is to stay with a separate preamplifier and power amplifier(s). However in recent years, darTZeel has turned that thinking on its head with the release of the CTH-8550 MkII integrated amplifier.
This is a no compromise, dual-mono design, including separate channel windings from both toroidal transformers. With its 50-ohm Zeel inputs, optional high-quality phono stages, all sources including turntables are accommodated. The darTZeel CTH-8550 is equipped with a plasma control panel, offering excellent contrast when viewed from any angle. A range of menus allows you to individually configure all settings for each input source.
The quality and design of the volume control is paramount to the sonic performance of an integrated amplifier and in the case of the CHT-8550 MkII, that is handled by an optical encoder notched magnetically, for unrivalled touch and precision.
However, as much as we invite you to peruse the specifications and technology, this amplifier is all about digging out the emotional expression in music. This is where the darTZeel sound separates itself from virtually all other brands, with a musicality, liquidity and flow that is a benchmark for integrated amplifiers around the world. Keep listening, and you will also hear immense detail & resolution, slam, grip and natural tonality. Unbelievable.
The creator of darTZeel instruments Hervé Delétraz infuses his sense of humour into his creations. The volume control is labelled the ‘Pleasure Control’ and in our experience, it sure is! This amplifier has an uncanny sense of communicating the heart of the musical message and ultimately, that is why music lovers and audiophiles pursue the hobby of music reproduction.
It is beyond a simple ‘recommendation’, we say that if you want the ultimate integrated amplifier experience, you simply MUST audition this beauty. Enjoyment guaranteed.
Videos
Reviews
Product Specification
darTZeel CTH-8550 MKII integrated Amplifier ~ The Sound Advocate
The updated darTZeel CTH-8550 MKII integrated amplifier is intricately explored by Howard Milstein
As the adage goes “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks” To this I would personally and adamantly say, totally true! There is no doubt about it. However, in the case of this high-end audio hobby of ours, once in a while new tricks and surprises, can be learned (as this ‘old horse’ recently found out) as they can quite unexpectedly, be plowed down in front of your face. Indeed, sometimes they can be more startling than one may ever realize!
Many of us who review new audio equipment are in a privileged position. (Which I am overtly grateful for!). We are given the freedom to evaluate in a given time period some of the newest and foremost components available to audiophiles and music lovers. But, don’t be fooled – this is hard work; harder than anyone may realize!
Such was the case with my experience with the darTZeel CTH-8550 MKII integrated amplifier. I was graciously allowed to unveil my ears to this integrated amplifier by distributor Jonathan Tinn of Blue Light Audio in Portland Oregon.
The designer of the darTZeel amplifiers, Mr.Hervé Delétraz is considered to be a man who is overtly passionate about musical reproduction. I now bring you some quotes and most intriguing ideas as stated by Mr. Deletraz:
“One of the things that I’m trying to push with my amplifiers is musicality. I don’t care about the price tag; if a specific audio component cannot convey music with its natural emotions, then it simply fails…… “When people ask me how I do make my components sound this way, it is always very difficult to answer. Simply because I do not know! And as I do not know, I generally say that I put a tiny bit of my soul in every machine. This is not ”not immodesty, but only the closest way I could describe my lifetime devotion into music reproduction.”
There might be lots of approaches to this, but few have so far succeeded”
Mr. Delétraz also suggests that his designs are quite independent of being Class-A, AB, D, or even tubes; believing that one of the main reasons a design has a particular sonic signature depends more on the designer himself than the operating class or technology being used. However, he does admit there are some basic differences, quite obviously, that cannot be denied.
Today, I would dare say that darTZeel amplifiers are somewhat renowned worldwide. As for the few uncompromising audiophiles that have heard this profound amplifier, many have come to recognize it as one of, if not the world’s best high-end amplifier currently being produced today. The unit is a conquering hero that produces a subjective sound quality that “gloats” in reproducing the dynamic range, detail, subtlety, and the most natural musical harmonics and sound fundamentals that may be contained within a great recording or “live feed” concert performance.
Not inconsequentially, Hervé Delétraz refers to his amplifiers as instruments. I must say quite adamantly that after having spent a month (that went by much too fast) listening to the CTH-8550 MKII integrated amplifier, I can completely understand why.
Essentially, I discovered that these attributes of the darTZeel CT-8550 MKII amplifier contain characteristics that bring a listener’s sonic perception to the most soaring comparable quality to many live, simply miked concert CD-r rips, or recorded CD’s, and streaming experiences I may have had when used with the appropriate system components in my listening room! This also applies to its analog vinyl phono reproduction capabilities as well. These are by no means, easy words to say, yet the feeling you get while listening to this amplifier do its work is always quite beguiling!
MKII UPDATES from the CT-8550
Some years back, when darTZeel developed and launched the CTH-8550 in 2008, it started to become one of the most acclaimed (if highly-priced) integrated amplifiers available to the most discriminating users. One could call it a true “analog military machine” as it combined the ultimate virtues of a preamplifier and a power amplifier, in a single housing. (darTZeel does make separate pre and power amplifiers as well – but at an even higher-priced combination. (See further down).
During the upgrade process about 10 years later, darTZeel thought, (as is customary with emphatic engineers), it appropriate to do a bit of modernization for this exquisite and best-selling amplifier. The designer, still thinking the CTH-8550 was close to perfection from a design point of view, reconsidered that rather than starting from scratch, it would be better to revisit this wonderful “instrument” (which is no understatement), and made a few of the following improvements. Rather than starting from scratch, they revisited this wonderful CLASS A/B, DUAL MONO integrated amplifier and systematically changed a few of its essentials. These are important changes, so read on:
1. A new folded sheet metal case of 2.5mm thick aluminum was exchanged instead of the original steel chassis. In today’s times, aluminum is much more suitable for the rejection of radio waves (RFI), such as those of cell phones or Wi-Fi. The phono stages are thus much less disturbed by RFI or radio broadcast.
2. The circuits of the MC phono inputs are of current source amplification topology, as was already the case on the CTH-8550 in 2008, (and this long before some manufacturers recently claim theirs to be the first). Now, an additional gain of 6 dB was added to better marry with cartridges whose output level is less than 0.3 mV. The result displays even more dynamics than before, with truly uncompromisingly blacker backgrounds.
3.The overall power supply has been improved to power the audio cards differently through dual rectifying circuits, thus further reducing external freeloading noise. Looking a bit more intricately, the CTH-8550 MKII was built with scrupulously matched, resistors, transistors, caps, circuit boards, and cabling which is controlled by its two separate toroidal power transformers; one enormously huge one takes care of the 8550’s output stages while the other, smaller one does the work for the pre-amp stage. (I must not fail to mention that the revised CTH-8550 MKII has one of the most fantastic, solidly beautiful though maybe a bit gaudy, remote controls I have ever had the pleasure of using.).
The darTZeel engineers believe that comprehensively, the CTH-8550 MKII is quite a superior product as compared to the original CTH-8550 in terms of audio reproduction qualities and expect it to be produced at least through this coming decade. I cannot comment, never having had the pleasure of auditioning the CTH-8550 in my listening room. As such, the forthcoming evaluation began as a journey with some unexpected consequences!!
The rear panel represents an artisan’s approach to an efficient design. This includes seven standard inputs, (RCA and XLR, and, the Zeel 50 Ohm BNCs), truly excellent speaker terminals (4mm banana or spade), as well as RCA and darT outputs. A couple of USB ports, of compact but proficient size, rounds out its exemplary back panel.
Mr. Delétraz believes this should contribute to better sound reproduction in just about every department. Although the MK1 to MK2 upgrade is not currently available at the moment, darTZeel Audio might offer a partial upgrade in the very near future.
THE LISTENING SESSIONS
I will acknowledge that initially, it was a bit difficult to get my thoughts together for this review of the darTZeel CTH-8550 MKII integrated amplifier. Did you ever hook up a piece of equipment to your system, start to play it and then silently say to yourself, holy-sh_ t; – there is something out of the ordinary going on here? In this hobby, this type of occurrence is few and far between. In fact, after about a few days of listening to this unit, I came to realize that the darTZeel is virtually, a perfect amplifier!
The darTZeel produces music that is indescribably beautiful, exact, nimble, and subtle to the ears, dynamically extraordinary, and incredibly profound. It also is so filled with such musical “correctness’ that one can’t help to sit and listen to music with a feeling of such satisfaction as its sound permeates through your senses without barely…. any type of limitations!
Yes, the beautiful, expensive gold front panel, the metalwork, and the hefty build are a sight to behold, however, it is its eminently superlative reproduction of some of the finest program sources that never fails to thrill you in countless ways.
Massed strings, solo violins, voices, double basses, horns, and full orchestra–whatever the instruments or its tonality may demonstrate, the CTH-8550 MKII brings forth an overall sense of reality and pleasure of the recording venue- be it live and/or studio that never fails to make you just shake your head in wonderment and a bit of disbelief. I have only recently experienced this on a “few” such amplifiers!
Considering its outstanding, dual-mono power supplies and the innate amount of pure power this unit exhibits, the darTZeel CTH-8550 MKII yields nothing in the way it makes music emanate from your preferred loudspeakers into your listening room. This amplifier brings forth to the listener a level of emotion, low level to large scale dynamics tonality as well as the utmost musical precision and satisfaction that is rarely found in components today.
Operationally, you could not ask for a simpler, yet more highly sophisticated design in a solid-state class A/B amplifier. The darTZeel CTH-6550 MKII seems to make you forget about which source components, DAC, or cables you have connected to it. Should I dare say that if you are a tube enthusiast and have not heard this unit, it will ultimately make you forget about the “legendary” tube vs. solid-state debate once and for all! It bridges all the conceived notions and gaps that may have once occupied your mind as such.
One need not constantly switch, compare and/or evaluate other products you may have on hand during the listening sessions. Indeed, I just sat for hours trying out old and newer program sources that kept on producing a sound that was stunning and barely short of amazing!
The CTH-8550 MKII stereo imaging was illuminating and quite revelatory, with incomparable stereo image locational effects locked into its dimensional space- and arguably, the best I have ever heard! The soundstage images never wavered- particularly the most critical central images…. hopefully, if your associated components are up to the job!
The program sources that were further employed and listed below were mostly live and studio-recorded classical, operatic, and acoustical pop that was engineered with a quality of reproduction that blatantly brought forth in each recording an unrelenting congruity of an artist and/or concert hall perspective, along with decadent ambiance depth, detail and a live natural tonality of instruments and their acoustics. There was barely anything that I played with this amplifier that failed to amaze me and satisfy my mindset as to the accuracy and beauty of the music is portrayed.
Almost every program source, be it analog or digital, expertly engineered or just finely recorded musical performances excelled in a way that makes the most ardent music lover just swim in an uncompromising display of musical delight. In this reviewers’ opinion, I can unquestionably make a good case in declaring the darTZeel one of the two or 3 greatest amplifiers on the planet.
Here are a sample of the program sources used for this evaluation:
Bernard Herrmann –The Bride Wore Black, OST revised audio *** Bernard Herrmann -McNeely – Fahrenheit 451- Man in grey flannel suit– Ghost and Mrs. Muir *** Bernard Herrmann: Amazing Piano recording and film score suites with piano- Piano Hangover square/citizen Kane *** Handel: Water music – Nicholas Mcgegan *** Sinatra “In The Wee Small Hours” remastered vinyl *** Maria João Pires ~ MOZART PIANO CONCERTO # 17 / NHK Symphony MP3 ~ WAV container MY VIDEO UPLOAD *** Carlos Kleiber- Beethoven Symphonies 4 & 7 ~ PCM DVD RECORDING *** Paul Simon – Graceland 25th anniversary edition *** Carlos Kleiber Beethoven – Berlin Philharmonic, Symphonies 5 & 7 ~ The Magnificent Seven/ Sederes/ ULTIMATE original re-recording~
ANY MORE, YOU MAY ASK?
Yes– and without basically any limitations, The CTH-8550 MKII permeates recorded music with all its atmospheric qualities. Its precision, inimitable sound beauty, detail, tonality, and pure refinement of reproduced sound make it a component that you will not fail to remember forever in your mind. Essentially, this type of performance removes the need to describe in any detail its sound within any particular area of the frequency spectrum!
Be that as it may, the darTZeel seems to bring forth a feeling that this is what the sound of reproduced music should always be like in your (decently)-tuned listening room. Of course, it goes without saying that equipment such as this should ideally be matched with the highest quality loudspeakers and associated equipment (see below) meticulously installed down to the smallest details.
The amplifier manages to establish a full-size surge of musical dynamism -that being the variation in loudness between notes being one of its most special virtues. It has a huge, 3 dimensional open sound while still maintaining the most absolute stereo locational effects of the program sources it displays. On the other hand, in some instances, it divulges those recordings that can be degenerately manipulative. (I cannot decline to mention this in many of my reviews because it is so blatantly obvious and self-evident). Nevertheless, this is an amplifier that can initiate and reproduce a remarkable scope of the music and sound that emanates before you.
Recognizing the above, the darTZeel in most cases will bring many audiophiles to a supreme state of musical heaven.! It simply is an amplifier that begs you to keep listening to the music of your choice, forgetting everything else going on, while only having to reach for another piece of source material to continue on the fantastic voyage.
It may be worth noting in more detail that darTZeel makes a separate pre and power amp of the CT-8550 MKII. I had mentioned in my previous review of the Naim Supernait 3 that in some instances, there is a supreme benefit to using an integrated amplifier of the highest quality as compared to separates from a particular manufacturer. However, (while not having auditioned the darTZeel separates), instances like this, contrary to most “Melophiles” thinking, could prove the former more true than previously thought.
SUMMARY and VALUE
In summation, and according to its designer, the CTH-8550 MKII is deemed a superior product as compared to the CTH-8550 in terms of its ultimate audio reproduction qualities, and so the stated goal by Mr. Hervé Delétraz appears to have been achieved.
As all of us enthusiasts well know, high-performance audio is a hobby. Nothing more or less. Indeed, and as preached and shown here in the Sound Advocate, many manufacturers’ products offer outstandingly great-sounding components at budget-conscious prices or, contrarily, as in the case of the darTZeel CTH-8550 MKII, a product that could be out of the price range of even some of the most dedicated and determined audiophile and music enthusiasts. Many people often refer to the cost of the CT-8550 MKII which currently retails at about $32,000 (USD). Undoubtedly, this is quite a huge sum of money.
On the other hand, usually, (though not necessarily), better build quality and internal components used will add up to superior sound quality. These are typically the two basic things a consumer will receive when you spend more money on audio equipment. There are always going to be gems that perform better than their price suggests, but even then, there’s always going to be another manufacturer’s product that may infinitely surpass those, most likely for more money.
Most importantly, once you explore products that are above the mass production stage, the cost will rise exponentially as the production runs get smaller, and more boutique manufacturers start to emerge. For better or worse, the more expensive products tend to accentuate the personal preferences of a named designer, rather than objective scientific measurements.
Ultimately, because everyone’s economic circumstances are different, as is our disposable income, spending habits, and personal preferences, not everyone will be able to afford the darTZeel CT-8550 MKII integrated amplifier, yours truly, as a prime example!
However, based on this unit’s incredibly accurate, magnificently awe-inspiring, and outreaching musical integrity when played on my home system, not to mention its superlative build quality, I must say that I am completely intoxicated by it!!
Eventually, the question concerning the darTZeel CT-8550 MKII may not be “can you afford one– but sooner or later, when will you be able to purchase one?” I am still anxiously waiting!
Review Equipment used: Loudspeakers: Spendor SP1 ~ Audio Note UK AN/ED ~ Quad ESL-63 ~ Living Voice R25A anniversary loudspeakers Digital:Border Patrol DAC SE-i ~ Innuos Zenith Mk.3 server/streamer ~ Wyred4Sound 10th Anniversary DAC ~ Audio Note (UK) CD3.1x/2 ~ Analog : SOTA comet 5 and Dynavector high output moving coil cartridge.~ Amplification: PS Audio M1200 ~ Pass Labs XP-12/XA-30.8 amplifiers ~ Audio Note UK I-Zero integrated amplifier Cables / Conditioners: Inakustik AC-3500p power station & LS-4004 speaker cables, AC-2404 reference Air Power Cord ~ Silversmith Audio ‘Fidelium’ loudspeaker cables ~ Wireworld Silver Eclipse 8 bi-wired speaker cables ~ Wireworld Silver Eclipse 8 interconnects & Electra 7 power cords/ Audio Art 1 e” AC Power Cord.
darTZeel CTH-8550 MKII ~~ $32,000 USD.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Type: Dual mono integrated amplifier Power Output: 200 watts RMS (230 watts
peak) @ 8 ohms
330 watts RMS (360 watts peak) @ 4 ohms
Inputs: 4× RCA, 1× XLR, 2× Zeel BNC, 1× MM, 1× MC (phono inputs are optional)
Outputs: 1× RCA, 1× RCA (a record), 1× darT BNC, 1 pair speaker (4mm or spade)
Frequency Response: 3Hz–300 kHz THD: 1% from 7 Hz to 77 kHz
S/N: 115dB (A)
Dimensions: 170 × 440 × 335mm
(H×W×D).
Depth with handles – 415mm Weight: 28kg
USA distributor:
Jonathan Tinn
Blue Light Audio
(503) 868-0500
darTZeel Audio SA https://dartzeel.com/
2 chemin Louis-Hubert
1213 Petit-Lancy / Geneva
Switzerland
Dartzeel CTH-8550 review
Never has the colour of a hi-fi product drawn so much comment from our testing team.
Dartzeel’s trademark combination of a gold front panel and red casework just didn’t work for most of our reviewers, but it may work for you. If the combination doesn’t suit, there’s always the more conventional all-black version as an alternative.
What does 17 grand buy you? Immaculate build, for starters. Dartzeel is a Swiss company and all the stereotypes about Swiss engineering hold true. The CTH-8550 is beautifully made, from its intricately machined volume control to the solid casing.
Top-quality components
Internally, it’s as we’d expect: carefully considered circuit layouts, bulky dedicated power supplies and top-quality components.
The result is a 200W per channel integrated that raises its power output to 330 W as impedance halves. That kind of power is enough to drive most speakers to high levels, even in larger rooms, although it’s only fair to point out that there are plenty of amps that produce more power at a fraction of the price.
As standard, the Dartzeel comes as a line level only unit, with four RCA inputs and a single balanced XLR pair. The amp has a further two connections referred to as Zeel 1 and Zeel 2, though we’ve never come across a source component with only BNC outputs.
To this range of inputs you can add optional moving magnet and moving coil phono boards.
As you can imagine these aren’t cheap, adding £664 and £1022 to the price respectively.
Incredibly adaptable unit
This integrated is massively configurable, from trimming input levels, to disabling the power amplifier stage to transform it into a dedicated preamp.
There’s even an internal timer to switch the amp out of standby just to make sure its circuitry is nice and toasty before listening starts.
The amplifier is supplied with two nicely weighted remote handsets: one is comprehensive, covering all the amp’s features, while the other is a simple device for altering volume level.
In use the CTH-8550 is amazingly crisp and precise-sounding. There’s loads of fine detail and that makes it easy to hear deep into the mix of music such as Schubert’s Symphony No.9.
Gets the listener involved
The amp makes light work of the waves of instrumentation and delivers it all with a strong propulsive quality that really gets the listener involved.
Tonally, Dartzeel gets it right. Despite all the precision there’s not a hint of clinical here: its sonic presentation is sweet without softness, and full-bodied without overt richness. Instruments lack nothing when it comes to texture or solidity.
There’s also enough agility and snap to work well with hard-charging music such as Florence and the Machine’s Lungs.
You can add impressive composure during complex recordings and at high volumes to the plus column too, as well as a well-focused soundstage.
Lacks a little muscle
Yet despite being hugely capable, the CTH-8550 doesn’t set new standards.
Its power output is healthy enough, but the amp never quite manages to pound out basslines or deliver midrange slam with the determination of something like our reference Bryston BP26/4BSST pre/power combo (which weighs in at £9000 less).
There’s also an inability to swing large-scale dynamics with the required authority. For all its insight, the Dartzeel lacks a little muscle: if it had that, even this price tag would look reasonable.
Remember this is no off-the-shelf product. It’s pretty much built to order, and built to the highest standards. That in itself explains part of the outlay.
However, we’re not inclined to give this amp an unreserved recommendation, even if the price was acceptable.
Sure it sounds great, but there are areas of weaknesses, too. At this level kit shouldn’t need any excuses. The CTH-8550 is almost magnificent, but at the price, almost isn’t quite good enough.
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DarTZeel CTH-8550 Integrated Amplifier
DarTZeel CTH-8550 Integrated Amplifier
The CTH-8550 embodies everything that an integrated amplifier should be:
Compact, practical, versatile, musical, elegant and powerful.
Until recently, integrated amplifiers only achieved distinction despite trade-offs in design.
Most integrated amplifiers have been built under budget and pricing constraints that leave little room for high performance.
That’s why darTZeel is proud to present the CTH-8550, the first integrated amplifier without compromise.
With its dual-mono architecture, 50-ohm Zeel inputs, optional high-quality phono stages and remarkable versatility, the darTZeel CTH-8550 is the integrated amplifier of choice for audio enthusiasts.
CTH-8550: at the heart of the music
With up to nine analogue inputs for RCA, XLR and Zeel 50-ohm cables, all sources including turntables are accommodated.
Boasting ample power reserve capacity, a wide range of functional features and unrivalled ease of use, the CTH-8550 is the most complete integrated amplifier in its field.
Sound at your fingertips
The remote control is machined and milled from pure aluminium ingot, offering premium build quality and technology to enhance the user experience.
Dual-mono design
A look inside the darTZeel CTH-8550 reveals a dual-mono design, including separate channel windings from both toroidal transformers.
Its sound image is revealed in an exceptionally pure expression.
Style and functional features
The darTZeel CTH-8550 is equipped with a plasma control panel, offering excellent contrast when viewed from any angle. A range of menus allows you to individually configure all settings for each input source.
Ease of use
Volume control is handled by an optical encoder notched magnetically, for unrivalled touch and precision. Round steel buttons add to the unit’s appeal.
Specifications:
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