This is a collection of equipment (note how I dont call it a system!), the purpose of which was for me to sample as much as possible prior to settling down to equipment I can use in a final room I am building with Rives. Needless to say, I ended up getting deeper and deeper in this, learning that reviews are typically falwed because (i) reviewers have specific motives, (ii) they dont generally have very good systems, and (iii) no system is perfect and therefore personal preferences matter a lot.
The room is by no means great but it is custom designed and measured. It works quite well, even though these speakers need more room to breathe.
Happy to answer questions about my experience with all this equipment, all of which is quite excellent in its own way. I have some on order which I will add when the time comes.
Other equipment I have owned include:
-Tenor 300hp
-MBL 9011 monos
-MBL 6010D preamp
-VTL 7.5 mk i and ii
-Audio Research Ref 3 preamp
-BAT 75se
-Other
UPDATE: Moved to new room, much more spacious and finally allowing me to sit within the prescribed distance for driver integration. Also, I cleaned up somewhat the amp list: I now use the Wavac 833 mkii (4 box) and for solid state the Class A Gryphon Colosseum Solos. Added to the preamps is the Soulution. All cables are Jorma Prime including an 8m length xlr. Power cords being changed all to Valhalla. Here you also see an attempt to test the continuum turntable through a wavac phono. The sound of the system has ameliorated appreciably and it is now starting to be a system after all. Very happy with it.
I listened, in my system, to the Dartzeel 18NS, VTL 7.5 series 3, and Krell KCT. For my taste, the clear winner was the Krell KCT. I like rock, pop, tecno and jazz. I will try to listen to the new Krell Phantom. Cheers,
Thank you very much for your views on the Dartzeel 18NS, Krell Evo 2 and VTL 7.5 series 2.
I had the opportunity to listen to the Dartzeel 18NS in my system last week, and to my surprise, I would not replace my Levinson 380S for it. In my system (Krell 750MCX monos, Dunlavy SC-VI) the Dartzeels had a little more detail, but the bass was not as explosive/visceral as the Levinson 380S.
If your prefer the Dartzeels to the Krell Evo 2, I guess I would not have much to gain with the Krell Evo 2. I will try to get a demo of the VTL 7.5 series 3 in my system, supposedly it solved some of the of the shortcomings of series 1 and 2. Will see...
What about the Soulution 720? Better than the Dartzeel/Krell?
How would you compare the Krell Evolution two with the Dartzeel 18NS, and the VTL 7.5 series 3 (or 2)? Your comments would be greatly appreciated since these are the three preamps I am considering, but I have not been able to hear the Krell Evolution two.
