darTZeel NHB-18 NS Reference Preamplifier

I am the second owner of this preamp. It is truly reference, with Herve Deletraz's eye to detail in all aspects of design. Essentially what you get with this pre is a line array of opto-resistive couplers, something like 47 of them paralleled per channel, with a transistor buffer on the output. The unit is battery powered so is free from line noise, which is not a small deal. The bottom line is this pre, to my ear, is the closest I've heard to no pre at all, with the qualification that there is, through combined design elements, something quite beautiful on the output.

I don't have the original box, but I do have a box for the matching amp which I will pack the pre in. I didn't keep the manual as it can be downloaded online here: http://www.dartzeel.com/PDF_Files/preliminary_usermanual_phono_v093_en.pdf
There are a few cosmetic blemishes on the amp. I have tried to photograph them. There are five small dings, two on the red cover near the edge, two on the faceplate, and one on the right outside gold rail. Regarding marks on the faceplate, one is a tiny mark near the centre of the front face below the darTZeel name. The second is on the top edge on the right. There are a few hairlike scratches on the polished dedication plate. There are a few discolourations on one red side panel, barely apparent in the pictures.
There are some scuffs and scratches on the battery charger. The remote is mint.

Batteries are about relatively new with little charge-discharge activity, as this amp has remained mostly off in the last few years with the batteries always plugged into the charger. The preamp has overall seen very little use in its life.

Price very reasonably reflects cosmetics noted above.