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Killer value, DartZeel soulmate : Cary SLP-90 tube preamplifier clone - Full review!

HiFi Zone

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Remote beer tap control :D
https://paypal.me/hfzytreviews
Behind the scenes photos:
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Added 2024-11
So if you've read through some comments and got here:
Links to the store at the end, DartZeel clone review is here:
Meet The D5 Pro: A DartZeel NHB-108 Miracl...
And in the description for DartZeel video you'll find (tested as reliable) store links.

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This is full video review, there was also first look vid a little bit earlier.

A lot of you, like A LOT were asking me about my preamplifier recommendations for the D5Pro (DartZeel) clone.
This one is based on classic (1990!) american Cary SLP-90 circuit and uses four standard, popular ECC82 (12AU7) tubes.
Its not expensive, it has some modding potential so it can grow with you, and 12au7 are available in reasonable prices - even for some great NOS tubes it will not ruin your wallet.

You can get yours from the same shop I got mine from (so tested as safe and reliable - and has exactly the same units as in review, as very often the same chassis can have more or less different iternals):
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3e...
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3I...
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_c3a... (better caps version)

As you're asking for better tubes recommendation (for an upgrade path): get these:
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_Evb...
And then go down the rabbit hole of tube rolling mwaaaaahahhahahaaa

I've also seen that one as a DIY kit (though this build has great power supply, chassis and volume control, so I may till be cheaper overall to get ready finished one):

https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_DeN...

Audio setup used in testing (you can find reviews of most of these in my channel):

FLAC/DSD files - Foobar2k - Fully passive 11th gen Intel PCwih LPS - AQ Jitterbug -
Chord USB - Singxer SU-6-IIS via fk AQ Thunderbird - Gustard X26 Pro and Semibreve DA50 (yes two DACs) - fk Thunderbird RCA - PREAMPLIFIER - fk Thunderbird RCA - D5Pro (DartZeel clone) - fk Dragon/K2, Red Dawn - Dali ikon 1 mk2, Dali Opticon 1, ML 15i ML35XTi and ML Ascent I electrostat speakers.

Power: two Pavalle power strips with additional DIY EMI filters, power cords: fk AQ Silver Cloud (Singxer and Ascents) AQ Dragon Source (DACs), AQ Dragon HC (amplifier)

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New set of Aliexpres codes valid untill October 31st only.
I've chosen some popular devices that I recommend (like Cary clones or C2860+ preamp) and you can reach them via collection page:
https://s.click.aliexpress.com/e/_Ew8...

Ali portal says these codes should be valid almost everywhere in the world, with few exceptions, and for almost everything (minus mobile phones but thats the way it is)
$15-2: 【IFPPJWWL】 $35-5: 【IFPKVWAG】 $65-9: 【IFP9OI52】 $99-14: 【IFPHCJVG】
$169-23: 【IFP7421X】 279-40: 【IFPNXV5Z】 $379-55: 【IFPTBFPT】 $559-80: 【IFPPYCF4】

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20 Comments

@leeandrewclarke 2 years ago

Interesting you claim the Cary is the 'soulmate' of the Dartzeel clone since I impulse-purchased the Dartzeel on the strength of the review you wrote and combined it with a Conrad Johnson clone pre-amp built in the same chassis as the Cary in your video. Firstly, the Dartzeel clone is perhaps the best £400 I've ever spent on hi-fi. If it was a £3000 amp, I'd call it fantastic value. At £400, it's so good it's a joke. The grace, fluidity, tonal shading and controlled power it imparts revolutionized the sound of my system and I've owned power amps well into the £3000 range. The Dartzeel clone was playing a whole different level to any of them. What encouraged me to try the Dartzeel was how blown away I was with the Conrad Johnson clone pre amp.

I own three pre-amps and found the best fit with the Dartzeel was the Conrad Johnson tube amp clone. Tubes do seem to go very well with the Dartzeel. If the Cary sounds anything like my CJ clone, I'm sure it's a wonderful match.

Incredible what about £700 can get you these days, if you are willing to buy these Chinese clones. Just amazing. Anyway, I've sold my Audio Note Pre, my Gold Note power amps and my Pass power amp, made a stack of money and have an even better sound. That's not how hi-fi's supposed to work so I feel like I've gamed the system. These clones are that good. Those who refuse to try these clones have no idea what they're missing.

@larryjin3996 1 year ago

Thanks for the review and recommendation. Not impressive out of the box but after a few days of burn-in, has jaw dropping performance. Never would have had the guts to spend this much at AliExpress without your videos. You are doing a tremendous service to the audio community!

@charliebarber3932 1 year ago

Thanks for the slp90 / Dartzeel combo recommendation. You've changed my hifi life! Enjoy the beer.

@eazydraw4681 1 year ago

And as it’s your number recommendation ordered from Wolf on the bay uk … thank you for the time and effort you put into these reviews

@Firebottleman 1 year ago

So the sound has great fluidity, and is smooth. Thank you for the review. Good work!

@Geoduck. 1 year ago

I was asking your opinion about a preamp to match the Dartzeel clone. This answers all my questions, thank you.

@Koru-AI 1 year ago

Great video thanks for the info!

@joecharpentier6636 1 year ago

Hello. I am purchasing the Preamp on Monday from a US seller. He installed PSvane Horizons in it already and he said it brought this already amazing preamp to a whole nother level. I purchased some NOS RCA Black plate 5814a's. 2 matced pairs. I read that the RCA's work amazingly well

@michaelwright1602 1 year ago

Thank you! I followed your link for both the Cary and the tube upgrades and saved a pretty penny as they are having their Black Friday sales! They say I should see both the amp and tubes around the second week of December, thanks again! And I will report back. ;-)

@ivarbrinkman2195 1 year ago (edited)

Many thanks for this review. You have put a new level of detail into my listening with Quad esl57's. Never thought that a separate tube pre amp in combination with class A power could make that much of a difference. As they say in Kansas: you can''t beat this price with a stick !

@pyrolusite 2 years ago

Thank you!! I really appreciate this review. I am thinking on pulling the trigger with the Cary as. Datzeel combo!

@randharma 1 year ago

Thanks! You have made this poor boy’s listening far far better

@michaelwright1602 8 months ago

Tubes, a follow up. Setup, XiangSheng DAC05AIIx4 with five Burson V7 Vivid dual op-amps and one Western Electric 396A NOS tube. Cary SLP-90 with a matched pair of Psvane Art tubes in the output section, towards the rear at the RCAs. Then, a matched pair of the Psvane Horizon tubes in the gain section, towards the front of the amp. D5Pro amplifier, miniDSP out to four REL T-Zero subs. Speakers are the Cabasse Murano.

The addition of the Horizon and Art tubes took the sound of the above to another level, the detail of the horizon, the warmth and tonality of the Art tubes, combine for a very airy, holographic and detailed sound. This is very difficult to explain sound wise, incredibly dynamic, imaging is insane, and the details being pulled out, with no harshness and absolutely no sibilance. If you own a Cary SLP-90, just get these tubes, you can thank me later.

@pd5338 1 year ago

Finally received my Cary clone today. I swapped in the upgrade tubes and have been listening for the last 4 hours. I’ve already been listening to the D5 Pro for over a month now, what an awesome amp! Our friend was right, this Cary clone preamp pairs extremely well with a D5 Pro. It pulls out little details I was missing before on tracks I thought I knew very well. I’m re-listening to all my music rediscovering what I loved before with all the added details and a Lucious liquid hypnotic sound. Another added benefit is that I can for the first time listen to tracks at quite a low sound level without feeling a need to turn up the volume all the time. I know this preamp has to burn in but I’m already hooked. What a great pairing! Highly recommended!

@hementg 1 year ago

Thank you so much for your review and content. Bought this preamp last month on your recommendation and review and it’s everything you described. Clarity and soundstage expansion is out of this world and im still running unit in. Amazing piece of equipment at a ridiculous budget price. Your videos are so helpful. Next on the agenda is the D5 pro. And at some point i will also upgrade tubes. But the stock tubes are great for now. Love your videos. Keep ‘em coming.

@anthonyb1321 11 months ago

I used to have a tube phono stage. I loved the full sound stage, but there was always a background hiss. This concerns me about this premap, especially as others have reported noise. Undecided.

@anthonyb1321 9 months ago

Well, I bought one in the end. An upgraded one from ebay with Horizon tubes. I was worried about tube hiss, but I have to say it's silent. Paired with a Krell KSA 100 clone it sounds superb.

@tatherton124 2 years ago

Thanks for the review and your recommendation I have ordered one to pair with my D9 clone

@twindaddy14 1 year ago

Thanks!

@olaf9938 1 year ago

Since a year I watch your video’s. I’m from the Netherlands. Really love your way of (complete honnest) communication. Also like your other colleagues that tested the Chinese clones. Because of you, and your YouTube colleagues, I said goodbye to my Linn Intek amp, that I owned over 30 years, and bought the D5 PRO + Cary SLP-90. Did an upgrade with NOS tubes of Philips. WAUW! I was for decades in audio heaven but now I’m in audio walhalla. I listen to all kinds of music (accoustic, pop, indie, electronic…) Thank you for all your insight in these video’s.
Rest of my set up. Linn Nexus loudspeakers (also over 30 years and first owner, still love them), Denafrips Ares II dac, Bluesound Node (130) with upgraded linear power supply. I will post my comment also with your D5 PRO review.