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Replacing Hafler 220 amp and 110 preamp with a vintage amp

BetaMaster64

BetaMaster64

New Member
I've been thinking of buying a vintage amplifier using money from selling my Hafler 220 amp and 110 preamp. I found them at a flea market last year for $40. They've served me well for the time, but they do a lot more than what I use them for, which is mainly just a typical stereo setup, consisting of a Technics SL-D2 turntable with an Audio-Technica LS-500 cartridge, with Sony SS-440 speakers. I never researched the value of them until recently, because I didn't plan on selling them. Now that I see that they sell for around $150-200 each, I'm considering selling them and using that money to buy a vintage receiver. One that, preferably, takes up less space.

Basically, my main question is, is it worth trying to buy a vintage receiver with the money from those two units? If so, what receivers would you recommend? Would it be worth buying a separate preamp for said receiver, or should I just use the "phono" input supplied (assuming that such an input is present on the receiver)?

Any advice is appreciated!
 
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It's been retired for about 2 years but I used a Hafler DH220 steadily prior to that for about 5 years and found it very agreeable. I'm only able to listen at low volume levels so how loud something plays is of no consequence. Ironically it only got bested sound wise by an even older amplifier that had major modifications done to the point of it's having 4 times the Hafler's power.

My preference is away from Japanese electronics and I have been for some time, very content with US made amplification.

There are lower power units at my disposal, more along the lines of what would be considered appropriate for my environment and listening conditions. Even though I may only be using 1 watt of power for the most part, there is a certain richness to the sound I do not get from units in the 20/30/40 and even 60 watt range.

And a DH110 is none to shabby of a pre-amp. I have one of those as well along with a DH101 which is my personal preference between the two despite it's economical build quality. Both have a sizable jack-pack and my only criticism of the DH110 is it's stepped volume pot. For my use it would have been better to have incorporated another 2 or so steps on the low end of the scale. Or, if it had a non-stepped pot as has the DH101.

Hafler power amps from that era are MOSFET and although I'm not a complete devotee, they do a nice job. Likely David Hafler's intention. .

Unfortunately those Hafler products you have, in my opinion, do not command the money their performance deserves. I attribute that to cosmetics. Receivers have been in vogue for some time especially the silver ones so their premium should be taken into account when considering using proceeds from selling the two Hafler pieces to fund such a purchase.

Another thing to consider is capability for radio reception. That fell by the wayside for me a long time ago and even though I have a tuner, it's been years since I last used it. I am sick to death of advertising and refuse to let it infiltrate through the stereo system. Plus there has not been a good radio station in my area since Christ was a cowboy. Also, the tuner section(s) take up a fair bit space internally and that can make things more difficult for DIY. At least that's my perception.

EDIT: But, truth be told I see the attraction. I like shiny and lights too.
 
I also agree with the PIG, that the Hafler gear is quite good as it is and it can be improved on. The preamp is the weaker of the two, if you were into vinyl. I know that you are new to this game, so it is not likely that you are. There are some old units out there, but they all will require re-work of some kind to get the best out of them.
 
The Hafler DH 200(220) and the DH 110 ARE vintage. I personally would not consider going for a receiver; I consider that a backwards move provided the Hafler gear is working properly. I have this pairing that I built in 1981 and they are still in use. I have done a fair amount of rehab on them but they work great and I never plan to sell them.
 
Getting a receiver with the general poor sound from FM stations these days seems like a bad mistake. I had one for 11 years before it was stolen. Great amp that I used in a small DJ set-up in the late 1970's.
 
Expanding the question a bit, if you're considering what to swap out next, I'd suggest the speakers. The Hafler gear is better than what you're hearing right now because you can't hear past the speaker's presentation.

Then, you can tweek out the Haflers a bit more with some upgrades - extensively discussed here at AK. I'd suggest some ADS 810s or similar speakers or, perhaps, some older KLH's like Model 17, or 5. Plan on recapping the KLHs before you pass judgment on them, of course.

I'm still running Hafler gear after all the decades I've been at it. So, don't throw the baby out with the bathwater.

Cheers,

David
 
BetaMaster64 said:
Basically, my main question is, is it worth trying to buy a vintage receiver with the money from those two units?
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Down grade.....
Mister Pig said:
No way in the world would i sell those hafler pieces for a vintage receiver. A definite step bsck in sound quality. I would keep them, they are good solid pieces to build around.

Regards
Mister Pig
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Agreed..
 
Another happy original Hafler owner/builder still using the amp. Bought three kits, built them and swapped one for a pair of tube amps. The rig is the tube amps and one of the Haflers driving the speakers right now.

The DH-220 is an excellent sounding amplifier. You will have a very hard time finding a receiver that sounds better. You will probably find receivers that don't sound as good or maybe if you are really lucky find one that you like the sound of as much as the Hafler. As David said, I would be looking to upgrade the speakers in that system.
 
I would recommend against "selling first" in hopes that the next piece is better.

If you think something else might be better, hang on to what you have and test both. Then sell the one that gives you less satisfaction.

If you stay in this hobby long enough, you'll end up doing that anyway :D
 
I appreciate the advice, guys!
It looks like I'll be keeping the Hafler amp/preamp, and instead aim for better speakers. My main incentive for wanting something else was getting something that looked a bit nicer, but quality comes before visual appeal!
I never usually go out of my way to buy audio equipment, but I will keep an eye out for speakers at flea markets or yard sales (or curb sides, if I happen to get that lucky).

I'll reply to some individual stuff, now...

dshoaf said:
Expanding the question a bit, if you're considering what to swap out next, I'd suggest the speakers. The Hafler gear is better than what you're hearing right now because you can't hear past the speaker's presentation.

Then, you can tweek out the Haflers a bit more with some upgrades - extensively discussed here at AK. I'd suggest some ADS 810s or similar speakers or, perhaps, some older KLH's like Model 17, or 5. Plan on recapping the KLHs before you pass judgment on them, of course.
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Speakers were definitely one of next things I wanted to look into replacing. Either those or the turntable. Whatever I find first at a yard sale, or flea market! I'll also keep an eye out for ADS 810s, and some KLS models. I think I remember seeing KLS speakers before, actually...

GChief said:
Welcome to AK and I see this is your first post. Even if that’s not what you wanted to hear come back and discuss it!
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Thank you! This seems like an extremely informative place, and the community seems excellent, so it felt like an appropriate place to look for advice.

Yukon888 said:
I would recommend against "selling first" in hopes that the next piece is better.

If you think something else might be better, hang on to what you have and test both. Then sell the one that gives you less satisfaction.

If you stay in this hobby long enough, you'll end up doing that anyway :D
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I've actually been in the record collecting hobby since around 2006, when I got my first record player for Christmas from my grandfather (RCA 45-EY-2 with "Surfin' Bird" and "G.T.O."...ah the memories). I started buying/repairing/reselling vintage audio equipment around 2013 (and finally got a nice turntable...don't remember what it was, though), and have been doing that regularly. If I find something that's an upgrade to what I have, I'll buy it and sell the inferior thing. Normally I don't go out of my way to look for something. All of my setup came from various flea markets/yard sales/dumpsters over the past many years. I also check Craigslist regularly for good deals. Lots of people have great speakers posted right now, but none of them are the types of deals I'm looking for.

UncleBingo said:
I have a hard time imagining that the Hafler combo takes too much space...Go for better speakers, imo.
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They are such a size that I can't fit them both in my bookshelf, which makes me have to use more than one shelf (one of the shelves I'd like to use to hold 45s). I just recently finished high school, so I still live with my parents, so my setup is pretty much confined to just my bedroom, which has very limited space! This is the kind of space I'm dealing with (excuse the mess, I've been moving stuff around)... Nonetheless, I do see ways to improve the setup to save space.
vzTbl1N.jpg
 
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congrats on keeping the Haflers.

if you want better sound quality, the 110 benefits greatly from a recap.

if you have channel output problems, they're related to the muting circuit -
the fix is easy or the bandaid is even easier.

lastly the volume control has a ratchet gear that steps the continuous analog to simulate
stepped functions (CJs did the same on some models). good news is that it's an ALPs.

I never met a Hafler I didn't like - and enjoy the music.
 
Any receiver that sounds better than your Haflers isn't going to be cheap. You might find a Sansui out there at a great price, but it will need to be reconditioned. $$$$$. And phono sections from the past don't come close to the technology of today available from separate pre-preamps. Unless you have some great FM stations, why do you want a receiver?
 
twiiii said:
Any receiver that sounds better than your Haflers isn't going to be cheap. You might find a Sansui out there at a great price, but it will need to be reconditioned. $$$$$. And phono sections from the past don't come close to the technology of today available from separate pre-preamps. Unless you have some great FM stations, why do you want a receiver?
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I was mainly looking for something that looks nicer and takes up less space. Others have pointed out that getting a receiver in place of the Haflers is a bad choice, so I'm going to just keep what I've got -- maybe reorganize the layout so that it's more efficient. I also wouldn't be using it for more than my turntable and cassette deck/reel to reel, so I realize that I wouldn't be gaining anything.
I appreciate the advice, though!
 
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