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Modded Hafler DH-220 vs XL-280

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ivandrocco

New Member
Interested in purchasing one of these Hafler amps. Curious if anyone has opinions about a Musical Concepts PA-6 modded DH-220 vs the stock XL-280. Other threads suggest that modifying the XL-280 isn't worth it because the 200/220 mods are similar to the stock 280 design.
 
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I love my Hafler amps - a P500 (pro version of the DH-500), XL-600, XL-280 and a DH-200. I've got Musical Concepts driver boards and related mods in the DH-200, P500 and the XL-600 with the XL-280 having had the electrolytics swapped out.

The MC driver boards are quite different from the original Hafler driver boards so don't let that throw you. Also, there have been about 6 different versions of the MC driver boards over that past 20 years. The latest PA-6 version is the best yet - its what's in the XL-600.

As for a comparison of a PA-6 modded DH-200 vs the XL-280 in stock form, remember that the XL-280 is a dual-mono amp with 2 separate windings that share the same AC power transformer core. To do up a DH-200 in a similar fashion, you'd have to install the dual-mono system from MC. I've done it and its all a tight fit! Then, if you installed the MC driver boards, you'd be pretty close. Also, the XL-280 has 6 MOSFET output devices per channel whereas the DH-200/220 has 4 devices per channel.

As for audio improvements, the PA-x series boards do noticably improve the presentation and really do get the most out of the MOSFET devices in the Haflers. You do, however, have to evaluate whether you're willing to invest the kind of $$ needed to update a Hafler in this way. You'll not get what you have in them on the 2nd hand market so be prepared to keep the amps long term (as I have) if you're going to start swapping out driver boards. This applies not only to Musical Concepts products - any of the other driver boards on the market for Hafler amps have the same consideration.

BTW, it is amazing that amps that are approaching 40 years of age have more than one vendor still supporting the amps with replacement parts!

Cheers,

David
 
Thanks David, great info. With a PA-6 modified DH-220 and stock XL-280 both available at a similar price, which route would you choose?
 
Go with the PA6 - it really isn’t a Halfler any more. Then upgrade the power supply at your leisure.

The XL-280 would need some updating anyway.

Cheers,

David
 
Old post, but I am about to update my XL-280. I have already done a recap of the driver boards with a kit from QUA-CO. It is kinda bright, IMO, but still new, and things need to burn in. Musical concepts PSU upgrades are in the mail. I wanna talk MC driver boards!
 
Ben Anthony said:
Old post, but I am about to update my XL-280. I have already done a recap of the driver boards with a kit from QUA-CO. It is kinda bright, IMO, but still new, and things need to burn in. Musical concepts PSU upgrades are in the mail. I wanna talk MC driver boards!
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You won't get a response from dshoaf.. He passed away in 2018.
 
Ben Anthony said:
Old post, but I am about to update my XL-280. I have already done a recap of the driver boards with a kit from QUA-CO. It is kinda bright, IMO, but still new, and things need to burn in. Musical concepts PSU upgrades are in the mail. I wanna talk MC driver boards!
Click to expand...
Careful with the mods on the XL series. I haven’t heard a musical concept sound as good as stock. The XL series has only one cap in the signal path and thus no phase shift. The MC mods are in effect bringing the amp back to a DH front end which is in my opinion - a shame.
 
Well, I wasnt careful. I went with the PA-7 driver boards and power supply updates. The amp really sounds great to me, now.

It may be due to theold components of the original, but there is a LOT more there, now. Details, detail, and still smooth enouggt to play nice with the new/old Thiel CS 2s.
 
Enjoy. It’s all about having fun. My 280 I bought on eBay with a blown left channel. Someone tried to do the musical concepts mod and butchered it. It cost about $400 to bring it all back to original spec. As the repair guy told me - stock they are bulletproof. When you do the MC mod, you no longer have a Hafler. You have a musical concepts amp.

Now, my XL600 is stock and was never broken. It outperforms just about anything out there except for Mac MC1.2KW monoblocks.

what is interesting is how similar the 280 and 600 sound. At normal levels, they are very very similar. The key here is normal levels - not ear bleed. Both detailed, rich, and nuanced. Now, due to no phase shift the soundstage is crystal clear. Just amazing. I can pick out instrument placing. I can hear performers walking across the stage. Truly stunning.
 
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