Re: How Well respected are older Hafler amplifiers (ie. DH220)

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In Reply to: How Well respected are older Hafler amplifiers (ie. DH220) posted by Doug Eisemann on December 13, 2000 at 18:28:49:

They were then, and still are a great value today. Plenty of power, and very fast/clean.
The only thing I would say they lack is tightness, and fluidity.
To have a snare drum rim shot "crack" at eye blinking power, and be able to hear the ride cymble decay, are some of the finess that they were not in the league to do.
As far as performance no limits given, I give them a strong 7, which is saying a lot. As far as value, a very strong 9+
Not quite as smooth or dynamic as the McIntosh gear, definitly not as pricy either. I would put the amp on par with the better (older) Adcom gear of it's day. Upper mid fi, would be a slight understatement.
You would hear an improvement with the Bryston gear, noticable.
You can do far far worse in the new gear department. Even a top of the line receiver would have an uphill struggle topping the Hafler in sonics and value.
Truly one of the mentionable older pieces today.
I built a DH220 in the days' , and found it to be a solid performer....never needing service, for 15 years. I also had a XL280, and found the DH220, to be a little more forgiving in the midrange department. The MOSFET's seemed to be harsh at high power, and edgy in comparison, but tighter bass, and better low level resolution.
Today.....I use an ST70 exclusively. Another of David Hafler's great designs.
If I were to need a new amplifyer, and looking at solid state, I would either choose an older Yamaha integrated, or an Adcom 555, or the DH220, for high performance low cost. If I were to up the ante, the Bryston gear would be appealing. Parasound also comes to mind.

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Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - How Well respected are older Hafler amplifiers (ie. DH220) - Doug Eisemann 18:28:49 12/13/00 (4)

Re: How Well respected are older Hafler amplifiers (ie. DH220) - geary 14:18:05 12/14/00 (0)

Re: How Well respected are older Hafler amplifiers (ie. DH220) - RBP 18:47:24 12/13/00 (2)

Re: How Well respected are older Hafler amplifiers (ie. DH220) - Doug Eisemann 19:25:36 12/13/00 (1)

You are right... - RBP 19:34:33 12/13/00 (0)

Follow Ups

Re: How Well respected are older Hafler amplifiers (ie. DH220) - RBP 18:47:24 12/13/00 (2)

Re: How Well respected are older Hafler amplifiers (ie. DH220) - Doug Eisemann 19:25:36 12/13/00 (1)

You are right... - RBP 19:34:33 12/13/00 (0)

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