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Is that the best Dartzeel clone?? NHB-268 Three "Black Widow" Dartzeel based amplifier review!

HiFi Zone

64,567 views

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Remote beer tap control :D
https://paypal.me/hfzytreviews
Behind the scenes photos:
Instagram: hifi_zone_yt
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I forgot to mention very nice antivibration feet in the video (two metal cylinders separated by 3 steel balls type).

Now this amp is really expensive and I was on the fence with getting one for past 18 months.
We all can learn how does it sound thanks to the courtesy (and bravery) of Mr Seweryn who bought one and was so kind to contact me and to offer that beast for a review!
Its the heaviest amp so far (43KG!), its smaller than T9.4 but noticeable heavier.
Those handles in the front and the back are not for the show: they are really useful.
But how does it sound?

This guy is available directly from manufacturer on Taobao here:
https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?ft=t...
Ive got the info that manufacturer terminated agreement with brzhifi so I am removing that link.
2026-06 update: its available in manufacturers store here:
https://www.sp-audio.com/product/blac...

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Audio setup used in my listening sessions (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 - X26III - fk Dragon XLR - NHB-268 - AST Silver - Dali ikon 1 mk2, Dali Opticon 1, Oatlons (big and small) ML 15i, ML 35Xti, ML XT B100, ML Ascent I speakers. And of course: M10 beasts.

Power: two Pavalle power strips with additional DIY EMI filters, power cords: fk AQ Dragons Source (DAC) fk AQ Dragon HC (amplifiers) and RCore LPS with Sonic Scientific Hades 12V for Su-6 and OCXO power supply.

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$2 off $18:【HFZ2】 $5 off $39:【HFZ5】 $10 off $69:【HFZ10】 $20 off $139:【HFZ20】 $23 off $169:【HFZ23】
$35 off $249:【HFZ35】 $55 off $379:【HFZ55】 $70 off $499:【HFZ70】

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20 Comments

@eazydraw4681 9 months ago

Brilliant thank you both for this opportunity to see a review of this amp that I’ve also been looking at on and off for a couple of years

@Brunello143 9 months ago

Thank you for the excellent review. I had already suspected that the T9.4 would perform very well in comparison. I now own two of these power amplifiers and am extremely satisfied. In the past, I've owned amplifiers from McIntosh, Vincent, and various other high-end manufacturers, and the T9.4 blows them all out of the water. The control over the drivers is unparalleled. The sky's the limit when it comes to even better amplifiers.

@mordormordo1986 9 months ago

I just wish my T9.4 had this aspect.Perfection!!
Tom thank you for the amazing review and the owner to allow you making this review :))
The comunith on this channel gives you the blessings for buying your new clone, so be proud :))))))

@Levinston-f3z 9 months ago

Thank you for your review of the Black Widow 268three. We will continue to strive for improvement. We will enhance the product quality and sound. All the issues you raised will be addressed one by one. As it is a replica of the 108 case, to achieve better sound, the internal components have been designed to high standards. Therefore, the internal space may seem a bit tight. However, these problems have been solved in the 368. Yes, because the 368 has a much larger size and a higher output power.

@robk5745 9 months ago

Glad you did this one, people pay a lot of money for a mid range like this one, a lot more than the cost of this for sure. The bass being tighter than the 9.4 would likely be helpful for bigger speakers with more or larger drivers that need tremendous control.

@slidetek 9 months ago

You never fail to impress with your straightforward, educated honest reviews. This is one I’ve had my eye on for some time, it’s nice to see an up close overview and now, review. Keep up the good work, we appreciate all you do! And your little bamboo skewers as well! 😂🤣 Happy New Year friend, here’s to a healthy and plentiful 2026.

@Levinston-f3z 3 months ago

Starting from May 2026, 268three power amplifiers will be upgraded to Noratel brand using two 650W power transformers.

@marcoottofly 9 months ago

It would also be interesting to compare the 268 three SP Audio with the A9.4 Transaudio in class A!

@user-bf7no5sl9q 5 months ago

You should do thorough electrical testing on amps to offer comfirmation of power amount and quality.

@carlosnefra 9 months ago

Grazie!

@Levinston-f3z 9 months ago

I would like to thank Mr. HIFI ZONE again, and thank you for your evaluation, which made me have a direct conversation with global enthusiasts for the first time.👍

@slidetek 9 months ago

Just as a side note: I bought the Pass Aleph clone (reviewed here) over a year ago as a goof, it was a bit over $800 to my doorstep at the time. It absolutely devastates my BAT VK220 for a fraction of the price. I can only guess the rest will sound as good at the price.this is tempting AF, because I don’t stare at my equipment when listening. Maybe it just me?r

@Gassten 9 months ago

Amazing! Im so happy with ur recomendation of T9.4 blows alot of others away. Did you ever try changing opaps on the T9.4 or does it dont work? Thx alot

@Sid_Wakooshi 6 months ago

Got mine delivered to UK via DHL. Arrives in a wooden box on a mini pallet style thing with extremely good packaging. They really listened to the feedback. Came a couple weeks ago and after the burn in it just keeps getting better and better. took a while to arrive due to waiting for the updated version but my god was it worth it! communication was excellent. I have a bunch of amps and im blown away by the value of this one.

@Levinston-f3z 9 months ago (edited)

268three has no large feedback circuit, so it sounds more like a tube amp. But it has more details than a tube amp. In terms of the richness and midrange performance, I think 268three is more appealing. As for the comparison with T9 of Burmester circuit, the weakness of 268three is obvious, which is determined by the circuit structure. Because T9.4 has deep negative feedback, its control and power are definitely better. In terms of tone, we have done Burmester circuit, Goldmund, FM, etc. Overall, I think 268 has more musical expressiveness and is more natural. If there is anything wrong, please point it out, blogger.

@samiam30000 6 months ago

Took delivery of the Black Widow III today (it took 16 days for the amplifier to be built after the order was placed and it arrived to EU in 3 days via DHL). This thing is HEAVY, almost pulled my back dragging it into its new place in the rack. Won't be judging the sound until it passes the burn in period but it sounds quite different from the Burmester clones and a First Watt J2 i have on hand (reminds me of tube amps i used to own). Using it to power Blumenhofer Geniun FS 2 speakers.
Looking at the interior it looks like the manufacturer fixed most of the issues that were mentioned in the video (missing DC servo op amps, spacing between the transformers from the boards). Also have to give props to the manufacturer for promptly answering all my questions via email.
Only disappointing detail with the piece I received is that it is missing the SR Audio badge on the front plate. Will post an update on the sound after burn in.

@Proton819x 7 months ago

Thanks for the informative review. I was wondering, if you were connecting your Gustard X26 III directly to the amp, using symmetrical XLR connections, without a pre-amp in-between. Have you also tried a setup with the Cary SLP-90, using RCA connections? If yes, how did this setup sound in comparison to the symmetrical one? Have you tried any other pre-amp with symmetrical connections instead with this amp? In a setup with this amp, would you still recommend the Cary SLP-90 as the best choice, or would you rather go for a symmetrical pre-amp?

@Oz-Jameson 8 months ago

Hi Tom, I enjoyed this review on the Black widow, can you recommend mono blocks that are as good or better than the Black Widow and not taller than 9" thank you

@robk5745 9 months ago

Another very important note on this amplifier is the burn in time required and how much they change of time. Even in the original review by 6 Moons he mentions how the amp sounds as you describe it here before proper burn in. He gave it almost 3 weeks of 24/7 play time and another reviewer had it before him too. He said it did totally change though, I tend to believe him with 6 of those massive capacitors per side and the amp design. I know you have to give it back but I would definitely buy this and put two months of play time on them and I bet you’ll be shocked

@stillaliveandwell5291 9 months ago

Interesting the first link Lyele doesn't say no shipping to usa although l did not try to buy and has it for 500 less than Sunshine which is the second link and says immediately will not ship to usa.