SKU: 40737318689

Dartzeel CTH-8550 MkII Integrated Amplifier

Sale price$34492.50 Regular price$38325.00
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Description

Dartzeel CTH-8550 MkII Integrated AmplifierCTH 8550 MkII Traditional thinking suggests that when looking to go all out in a quest for ultimate sound quality, the only choice is to stay with a separate preamplifier and power amplifier(s). However in recent years, darTZeel has turned that thinking on its head with the release of the CTH 8550 MkII integrated amplifier. This is a no compromise, dual mono design, including separate channel windings from both toroidal transformers. With its 50 ohm

CTH-8550 MkII

Traditional thinking suggests that when looking to go all out in a quest for ultimate sound quality, the only choice is to stay with a separate preamplifier and power amplifier(s). However in recent years, darTZeel has turned that thinking on its head with the release of the CTH-8550 MkII integrated amplifier.

This is a no compromise, dual-mono design, including separate channel windings from both toroidal transformers. With its 50-ohm Zeel inputs, optional high-quality phono stages, all sources including turntables are accommodated. The darTZeel CTH-8550 is equipped with a plasma control panel, offering excellent contrast when viewed from any angle. A range of menus allows you to individually configure all settings for each input source.

The quality and design of the volume control is paramount to the sonic performance of an integrated amplifier and in the case of the CHT-8550 MkII, that is handled by an optical encoder notched magnetically, for unrivalled touch and precision.

However, as much as we invite you to peruse the specifications and technology, this amplifier is all about digging out the emotional expression in music. This is where the darTZeel sound separates itself from virtually all other brands, with a musicality, liquidity and flow that is a benchmark for integrated amplifiers around the world. Keep listening, and you will also hear immense detail & resolution, slam, grip and natural tonality. Unbelievable.

The creator of darTZeel instruments Hervé Delétraz infuses his sense of humour into his creations. The volume control is labelled the ‘Pleasure Control’ and in our experience, it sure is! This amplifier has an uncanny sense of communicating the heart of the musical message and ultimately, that is why music lovers and audiophiles pursue the hobby of music reproduction.

It is beyond a simple ‘recommendation’, we say that if you want the ultimate integrated amplifier experience, you simply MUST audition this beauty. Enjoyment guaranteed.

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Reviews

Hi-Fi+, Chris Thomas, 2021

Forget the debate about tubes v solid state. Amplifiers like the darTZeel transcend such things. Some amplifiers are just really, really good to listen to. It’s as simple as that. It surely has to do something with the ‘voices’ the amplifier can convey to us and musical tales they tell. It is harmonically rich, very clean, crazily textured and able to resolve everything from micro to large scale dynamics plus it is immaculately seated timing-wise, which is crucial. You don’t need constant examination and evaluation. It would be way too crass. The system just lives and breathes atmosphere. That’s what we have here. The CTH-8550 MkII is a wonderful amplifier because it brings you face to face with the art form called music, and you won’t find how it does it on any spec sheet. You just listen, get involved, and give it your trust. If you love music for its form and emotional power, the darTZeel will thrill you. I love it.

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The Sound Advocate, Howard Milstein, 2021

The amplifier manages to establish a full-size surge of musical dynamism -that being the variation in loudness between notes being one of its most special virtues. It has a huge, 3 dimensional open sound while still maintaining the most absolute stereo locational effects of the program sources it displays… this is an amplifier that can initiate and reproduce a remarkable scope of the music and sound that emanates before you. Recognizing the above, the darTZeel in most cases will bring many audiophiles to a supreme state of musical heaven.! It simply is an amplifier that begs you to keep listening to the music of your choice, forgetting everything else going on, while only having to reach for another piece of source material to continue on the fantastic voyage.

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Part-Time Audiophile, Rafe Arnott, 2016

Whenever I got someone to dismiss sticker-shock from the equation, and talk to me about the amplifier’s merits based solely on performance after hearing it in my system, they spoke of musicality, and how right it sounded regardless of the genre it was tasked with playing… the 8550 as something that brings people together – as it did in my home – to enjoy the experience of fantastic music playback… musically, the 8550 is a sonic knockout, full stop.

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Stereophile, Wes Phillips, 2009

We proponents of the High End are fond of citing “intangibles” such as pride of ownership and the satisfaction of knowing you own The Best. These are real and quite considerable—and the darTZeel CTH-8550 delivers them in spades. It is a genre-defining product: a contender for The Best by anyone’s definition of the term….It was about as transparent a window onto recordings as I have ever heard… I was floored by the CTH-8550’s quality, performance, and convenience. It is a dream component.

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Product Specification

Type Integrated amplifier
Nominal Output Power 200 watts RMS (230 watts peak) @ 8 ohms
330 watts RMS (360 watts peak) @ 4 ohms
400 watts RMS (500 watts peak) @ 2 ohms (software limited)
Line Gain 0 dB nominal, up to + 12 dB (+22 dB custom)
Power Stage Gain 26 dB @ 8 ohms
Analog Input Impedances 1 x Zeel BNC 50 ohms
1 x RCA line > 30 kohms
1 x XLR > 30 kohms

Optional Phonos:
Phono MM = 47 kohms. Neumann RIAA 4th pole included
Phono MC = 1 kohms. Neumann RIAA 4th pole included

Line Output Impedances RCA = 75 ohms, darT BNC = 50 ohms
Speaker Output Impedance < 0.33 ohms from 20 Hz to 20 kHz (measured under 8 ohms)
Frequency Response 2 Hz – 200 kHz, +0, -3 dB
Rise Time < 0.8 µs
Slew Rate > 88 V/µs, peak-peak
DC Output Voltage < ± 15 mV max
Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) < 1 % from 7 Hz to 77 kHz within the output dynamic range
Temporal Distortion None, at any level and load, as specified above
Crosstalk < – 90 dB from 20Hz to 20kHz
Signal to noise ratio > 115 dB (A) @ nominal power
Power consumption 3 watts Standby, 40 watts @ idle, 1,000 watts @ maximum output power
Dimensions in mm 440 (W) x 350 (D) x 170 (H)
Total depth with handles: 415mm
Dimensions in inches 17.32 (W) x 13.78 (D) x 6.7 (H)
Total depth with handles: 16.4 inches.
Net weight 28kg (61.7lbs)
Shipping Notes
  • Free Standard Shipping on $100+ Orders to the USA.
  • Except Preorder products are shipped in 48 hours.
  • Delivery to the USA:
  1. Standard Shipping : 3-10 business days
  • If time is of the essence, please consider selecting expedited delivery for faster service.
Exchange/Return Notes
  • We offer a 30-day return/exchange service after receiving.
  • Final sale items are not eligible for returns or exchanges.
  • To process your return/exchange, please contact us at [email protected]
  • Please click here for more details>>> Return & Exchange Policy
SKU: 40737318689

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Pat Traynor
Draper, US
★★★★★ 1
No returns and no support. If it doesn't work properly, too bad.
Style: Printer & Inks, Style: Printer & Inks
I was fairly happy with my Epson ET 2800, but was told that I'd get better colors with the F170. So I bit the bullet. The installation went smoothly and I was printing in short order. It was when I started printing items that had some dark gray that I noticed the problem. It was printing green. I contacted Epson tech support and they answered the phone almost immediately. (And how rare is that??) The woman I spoke with seemed to be familiar with the problem and advised me to modify the printer preferences and change the color correction from "ICM" to "No color correction". Well, it wasn't printing green anymore. Now the grays were brown. At this point, she ran out of ideas and gave me an email address for the second level of tech support and asked if I'd send a photo of the printed fabrics showing the problem. I did. That was over three weeks ago. I've sent a couple of followup emails, but they're ignoring me. But the best news was discovering that there are no returns on this product. I didn't think that was a thing with Amazon and I've never had any problems before. So now the 30-day return window is about to elapse and it appears that I'm stuck with an oversized doorstop. In the photo I'm including with this review, the fabric on the upper-left was printed with my Epson ET 2800. On the upper right, the F170 with ICM color correction. On the bottom, the F170 with no color correction.
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Reviewed in the United States on August 12, 2025
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Cherished1
Phoenix, US
★★★★★ 5
Epson SureColor F170 Sublimation Printer Rocks!
Style: Printer & Inks, Style: Printer & Inks
TI’m a newbie at sublimation, and this is my first sublimation printer. I love it! I can’t wait to make more things! I like that it’s not too large, but still can print up to 8.5x14”. The quality seems to be really good, but I also don’t have any other printer to compare it to. This was my very first project! I’m very happy with it so far!
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Reviewed in the United States on May 22, 2026
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B.Nicole
Louisville, US
★★★★★ 5
My Go-To Sublimation Paper — Flawless Results Every Time
Size: 8.5"x11", Size: 8.5"x11"
This is hands down the best sublimation paper I’ve used and the only one I continue to buy. I get a perfect transfer every single time—no fracturing, no fading, and no uneven results. The paper dries fast, which makes my workflow so much smoother, especially when I’m producing items in batches. I use this regularly to make air fresheners and tote bags for my small business, and the color payoff is always vibrant and crisp. The transfer rate is excellent, and it works beautifully on light-colored, high-quality polyester and other sublimation-ready surfaces. If you’re a small business owner or crafter who values consistency, quality, and ease of use, this paper is absolutely worth it. I highly recommend it and will continue to repurchase.
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Reviewed in the United States on January 24, 2026
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Jimmy
Battle Creek, US
★★★★★ 5
Best Sublimation Paper
Size: 8.5"x11"
I’ve been using A-Sub paper for my sublimation projects, and it is easily one of the best. The ink dries almost instantly once printed, so I don’t have to worry about smudging the design or getting those annoying "pizza wheel" marks from the printer rollers. The paper itself feels substantial and doesn't tear or curl easily. One of the biggest wins for me is that it never jams; it feeds through perfectly every time, saving me the frustration of wasting expensive ink and paper. When I go to press my designs, the ink releases almost completely, leaving very little behind on the paper and putting all that color onto the project. The final results look super professional, with colors that are vibrant and sharp rather than looking faded or dull. It has worked perfectly for everything I’ve tried so far, and if you want a reliable paper that gives you consistent, high-quality results, this is definitely the one to get.
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Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2026
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Nadiagne
Cuba, US
★★★★★ 5
Ideal for sublimation beginners.
Size: 8.5"x11"
Asub sublimation paper has been excellent for my projects. The ink transfer is very good, the colors are vibrant and defined, and it dries quickly. It has helped me achieve clean and professional results, even as a beginner. Without a doubt, it's a reliable, high-quality paper for sublimation.
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Reviewed in the United States on February 15, 2026

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