Dartzeel 108 upgrade?

[jdebonth]

I have been told by Herve that the 108mk2 is in the works and is aimed to be released in early 2014. Herve will first offer new 108mk2 machines and around 6 months later start to take in 108mk1's for upgrade. I would assume 108mk2's to be available mid '14 and upgrades possible as of early '15. Herve has said the power will be "about twice that of the existing 108".

I was considering having my 108 sent in for the SCNP upgrade however this will be standard as part of the mk2 upgrade so I will likely wait.

[Car commander]

I guess I will worry about it in a couple of years. I bet the upgrade will be 15K or so. The SCNP upgrade is supposed to sound "slightly" better. I guess "slightly" better is what we are all chasing.

[asiufy]

Remember that, in order to get more power, Hervé had to add more output devices. And, my guess, that's why it's taking him this long, as he needs to get the new mk2 unit to sound at least as good, natural and coherent as the existing 108.

I'm with Car commander. Stick with the 108 and pick a different speaker, that's what I did If the new mk2 improves things with more power, then you might give another go at the original speaker option.

And what is this SCNP upgrade you guys talking about?


alexandre

[jdebonth]

Alexander - I agree 100%. I think if anything it will be a challenge for Herve to make the MK2 sound as good as the MK1 in doubling the power. Although I have heard from a very prominent 108 owner who moved up to the 458 that the 458's have even more magic than the 108.

The SCNP is a circuit that was introduced in the 108B as of 2010. It improves among other things the current drive. This can be installed at DartZeel on older machines for around 2K$.

p.s. as for me I am fortunate that my #1 speaker choice works beautifully with the 108

[asiufy]

jdebonth,

Ah, my current 108 was made after 2010, so I guess I already have it
Regarding the 458, it took an entirely different project (and more output transistors too) for Hervé to get that much power. I'm guessing he doesn't want to change the 108 project too much, to get more power out of it. After all, he's also coming out with the smaller monoblock, that'll be the 458 project scaled down... THAT is actually going to be the sweet spot in the darTZeel line, at least for me

alexandre

[jdebonth]

I think for a lot of people, myself included, I am just hoping he can keep the price down!

[Thimios]

CHF appreciation due to financial crisis plays a big role in the increase of Dartzeel product prices in recent years.

[Jerome W]

Originally Posted by Thimios

CHF appreciation due to financial crisis plays a big role in the increase of Dartzeel product prices in recent years.

I wonder when the US will invade Switzerland !

[joeinid]

Originally Posted by Jérôme W

I wonder when the US will invade Switzerland !

I hope It's soon. I still have a few items left on my Christmas list.

[Car commander]

The SCNP helps with the DC voltage drift and sounds slightly better according to Herve. The DC voltage drift is easily adjustable. The 458's are 155k I think. I guess we will see. In my current rig their is no point. The SCNP upgrade I about 2800 plus shipping.