Opinions on Hafler DH-220

Paden501
Paden501 Posts: 286
edited November 2009 in Electronics
Hey I'm wondering what everybody's opinion of the David Hafler DH-220 power amplifier is. I've got the opportunity later this week to pick one up for a modest price, and I was wondering if anyone has experience with this or other amps of the Hafler line.

If I get it, it'll be used to power my 1Cs.

Thanks,
~Matt
My System

Front L/R: Definitive BP10Bs
Surrounds -Polk Audio Monitor 4As
Preamp: B&K Reference 20
CD: Jolida JD100a
L/R Amp: Carver TFM-24
Turntable: Pioneer PL-516 W/ Shure M97xe
TV: Sony 52" XBR9
Post edited by Paden501 on
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Comments

  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited October 2009
    no first hand experience, but these guys seem to

    http://www.musicaldesign.com/ampmods.htm

    here is the one i was lookinf for--good lucl and keep us posted

    http://www.musicaldesign.com/mc_amp_mods.htm
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • Paden501
    Paden501 Posts: 286
    edited October 2009
    Thanks George. It looks like there's an upgrade path for this amp anyway, which is really nice to have...
    ~Matt
    My System

    Front L/R: Definitive BP10Bs
    Surrounds -Polk Audio Monitor 4As
    Preamp: B&K Reference 20
    CD: Jolida JD100a
    L/R Amp: Carver TFM-24
    Turntable: Pioneer PL-516 W/ Shure M97xe
    TV: Sony 52" XBR9
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  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited October 2009
    The 220 is a decent amp but due to age will likely be in need of a reburb, the filter and feedback caps,and bridge rectifiers are all candidates for replacement if they have'nt already been.
    Testing
    Testing
    Testing
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  • Fongolio
    Fongolio Posts: 3,516
    edited October 2009
    I sold a Hafler DH-220 just a few months ago. I found it to be a very warm almost tube like amp with power beyond it's 115 wpc rating. Never tried it on my SDA 1C's but it powered my RTiA7's easlily. There are still a lot of parts to be found for it online. I found mine at a garage sale and paid $50.00 canadian dollars. A steal!!!
    SDA-1C (full mods)
    Carver TFM-55
    NAD 1130 Pre-amp
    Rega Planar 3 TT/Shelter 501 MkII
    The Clamp
    Revox A77 Mk IV Dolby reel to reel
    Thorens TD160/Mission 774 arm/Stanton 881S Shibata
    Nakamichi CR7 Cassette Deck
    Rotel RCD-855 with modified tube output stage
    Cambridge Audio DACmagic Plus
    ADC Soundshaper 3 EQ
    Ben's IC's
    Nitty Gritty 1.5FI RCM
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  • debussyj
    debussyj Posts: 198
    edited October 2009
    I had one back in the mid 80's. I was driving my Polk speakers with it and it did a nice job. Then I got the electrostatic bug and the Hafler just didn't have the juice to drive what I liked. I also found the amp to get physically hot, more so than the Adcom GFA-555's I replaced it with. Just my 2 cents.
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  • Paden501
    Paden501 Posts: 286
    edited October 2009
    Thanks for the opinions guys.

    I think I'll give the Hafler a shot. Sadly I won't be home for another 2 weeks or so to try it out.
    ~Matt
    My System

    Front L/R: Definitive BP10Bs
    Surrounds -Polk Audio Monitor 4As
    Preamp: B&K Reference 20
    CD: Jolida JD100a
    L/R Amp: Carver TFM-24
    Turntable: Pioneer PL-516 W/ Shure M97xe
    TV: Sony 52" XBR9
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  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited October 2009
    Fongolio wrote: »
    I sold a Hafler DH-220 just a few months ago. I found it to be a very warm almost tube like amp with power beyond it's 115 wpc rating. Never tried it on my SDA 1C's but it powered my RTiA7's easlily. There are still a lot of parts to be found for it online. I found mine at a garage sale and paid $50.00 canadian dollars. A steal!!!

    I don't have a Hafler but I've heard plenty of them back in the day..and completely agree with Fongolio's description of their sound above. I really like that sound and they seemed to have decent power...but they are old and no longer made so...yeah....you'll probably need some parts and work.....depending!

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
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  • mmadden28
    mmadden28 Posts: 4,283
    edited October 2009
    No experience, but I'll post a local CL link for a Hafler Pro2400 for $195
    http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/msg/1432347481.html
    In case your interested and in the area

    (no affiliation)
    ____________________
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    HT:Onkyo 805, Emotiva XPA-5, Mitsu 52" 1080p DLP / polkaudio RTi12, CSIa6, FXi3, uPro4K
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  • Paden501
    Paden501 Posts: 286
    edited October 2009
    Well I went to Savannah and picked up the DH-220 today. It seems like a pretty nice amp. I haven't heard it because the seller didn't have any speakers left (he'd just sold his). It fired up when plugged in though and for the price I was willing to take a chance on it working (he swears it works).

    The seller also threw in a DH-110 pre-amp for not too much more so I grabbed that as well.

    The only thing about the whole deal that I'm not thrilled about is that both pieces are an OD green color. I really wish they were black, but I guess if it bugs me that much I can paint them (a buddy of mine paints cars, and has the equipment to do it right).

    I'll give some comments on the setup once I get home to try it.
    ~Matt
    My System

    Front L/R: Definitive BP10Bs
    Surrounds -Polk Audio Monitor 4As
    Preamp: B&K Reference 20
    CD: Jolida JD100a
    L/R Amp: Carver TFM-24
    Turntable: Pioneer PL-516 W/ Shure M97xe
    TV: Sony 52" XBR9
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  • Paden501
    Paden501 Posts: 286
    edited November 2009
    Well I got home finally and hooked up the Hafler. I have to say that I agree with all of the comments above. The sound coming out of it is very warm. Compared to the Pioneer amp that I was using before, the highs are much less forward and the bass is tightened up a bit.

    The amp's got the added bonus of having both channels working all the time, which the Pioneer only had about half the time (right channel liked to run several db lower for some reason).

    The amp lacks a little mid range though, or maybe it's a combination of the amp and the brightness of my 1Cs w/ SL2000s I don't know. Either way, the midrange is taking a bit of a back seat still.

    All in all, I like this amp. It's a marked improvement over the pioneer I was using.
    ~Matt
    My System

    Front L/R: Definitive BP10Bs
    Surrounds -Polk Audio Monitor 4As
    Preamp: B&K Reference 20
    CD: Jolida JD100a
    L/R Amp: Carver TFM-24
    Turntable: Pioneer PL-516 W/ Shure M97xe
    TV: Sony 52" XBR9
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  • George Grand
    George Grand Posts: 12,258
    edited November 2009
    The 110 isn't a bad preamp either.
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