In the world of audio quality, there’s a vast assortment of equipment from top-notch brands to choose from. To an audiophile who knows a lot about sound reproduction and how to get exactly what they want, it’s nothing confusing except deciding on some of the best features they find to be a must and the price they’re willing to pay for it.
For someone who isn’t yet an audiophile, well, things get a little complicated, what with all the different pieces of audio equipment available. Especially when it comes to a component like the integrated amplifier. The reason it’s such a crucial part of a hi-fi system is that it’s a combination of both preamplifier and power amplifier in one design.
As such, the sound you get from the source, like a turntable, streamer or CD player, gets better in quality thanks to the boost in signal and volume. It’s also a two-in-one solution that saves you some money as you don’t have to buy separate amps for the job. It provides more value for your money, makes for a simpler setup with fewer cables and connections to worry about and can easily become the central hub of the audio system.
While all integrated amps are designed to help out with allowing music lovers and audiophiles to enjoy the music the way it was intended to be enjoyed, some do a better job than others. This is certainly the case with the no-compromise DarTZeel CTH 8550, which is a true work of art both inside and out, from the Swiss engineering to the refined aesthetic. After all, it has “Close to Heaven” in its name.
What Makes DarTZeel CTH-8550 Second to None?
While it may seem overpriced for some people who would rather invest in more affordable alternatives that aren’t anywhere near 30k, there’s more to this outstanding Swiss amp than meets the eye, and one brief moment of using it is enough for you to think it pure perfection. The reason this amp comes at this cost has to do with the brand being all invested in the quality of sound, meeting their high standards of reality.
The Unique Idea
One doesn’t have to delve too deep into the CTH 8550 design to understand its uniqueness and why it’s one of the best, if not the best integrated amplifier on the market. And, it all starts with the designer, Hervé Delétraz, and his idea behind the concept with the standout sonic signature. As a man passionate about music reproduction, he invests a lot of thought and care into the design, calling the amp an instrument rather than an amp.
Unlike other high-end designs, this product is geared towards simplicity rather than complexity, with single-ended circuits as opposed to the dominant balanced. This choice doesn’t come at the expense of quality of sound, and goes to show why the CTH 8550 can be an amp that rivals even some more high-end and more expensive counterparts.
Speaking of which, the founder’s pursuit of perfection in terms of sound quality was his first intention, and not that of creating a luxury brand, the higher cost being the result of quality invested in each and every detail of the amp. Always striving for perfection, the DarTZeel 8550 MKII is an upgraded version superior in the audio reproduction with changes in the components and dual-rectifier supply.
The Different Kind of Dual Mono
Not hesitating to take a different approach for the benefit of sound reproduction, the designer and brand chose to keep the pre and power amp sections separate, with smaller toroidal transformers sitting atop the larger ones. This, along with the setup of having the bottom circuit board to handle power rectification and the upper two for preamp input, makes the DarTZeel CTH 8550 a powerful integrated amp with 200W @ 8 ohms, 330W @ 4 ohms and 400W @ 2 ohms (software limited) output.
This might it has doesn’t affect your usage in any way, no matter how long you blast your music for, all thanks to the effective heat control that positively reflects on the durability of the components. The heat control maintains their reliability over years of use, guaranteeing optimal performance long-term, making this piece of hi-fi system one of value for years to come.
The Exceptional Sound
It doesn’t matter what music genre speaks to you the most, whether you’re into jazz or classical music, and regardless of the kind of speaker you have, the DarTZeel 8550 can handle it all gracefully, providing you with exceptional quality and a sound packed with emotion. This blend of power and finesse invested in the DarTZeel design makes it an amplifier that produces very realistic sound textures.
This is great news if you’re after a listening experience unlike any other; the performance of the instruments truly comes to life with this piece of hi-fi gear. If you want to feel every detail of your favourite songs, without exception, this amp deserves all the attention. It doesn’t even fail to impress with the refinement it provides at low volumes.
The Build Quality
Sound quality isn’t the only impressive aspect you can expect out of this mighty amp, as it’s equally appealing with the build and aesthetic, too. Designed for years of use, it’s robust with notable thickness and weight, especially with the chassis. The choice of red and gold colour combination easily reflects the sound reproduction you experience from it, the passion and energy paired with refinement.
The control of the amp is an experience in and of itself, with a unique volume knob that continues spinning and adds to the appeal of the design. While the buttons give a neat tactile feel, there are advanced features implemented too, with a user-friendly display blending analogue with modern like the use of an enhanced remote control. There’s also the USB device serving as a key you use to unlock your amp. It’s a detail that makes the amp USB upgradable too.
