Hafler DH200 or Son of Ampzilla? Which to use?

It's not that amps have gotten that much better over time, it's the fact that these were (especially the Hafler) low priced amps. I built a DH200 from a kit in '78, did a few mods to it and cranked the bias way up toward class A. It runs a toasty warm and it is still in my daughter's system. Kind of dark sounding overall but still working after 26 years. On the other hand, I also owned a Threshold 400A back then which sounded wonderful and still does to this day.

My preference( I'm familiar with both of them) would be the Hafler DH200. I would also encourage you to get an upgrade mod from Musical Concepts and then it should compete with most amps even today.I don't know what your speakers are, but my Hafler amp was driving some Vandersteen 2B speakers with very synergistic results.

It depends on which version of the SON you have. The original version was really great and the later on not nearly as good. I owned both the son and hafler years ago and my early son was wonderful until I lost a channel and when it came back from repair, one channel had a different circuit board so the channels sounded different. The DH-200 is probably the safest bet. If you have questions, E-mail me

Dave

I've owned both. They are two very different sounding amps. Make sure the GAS SOA is biased correctly; that is,it will run so hot that you cannot keep your hand on the top panel for more than 10 seconds. I've had technicians lower the bias to reduce heat and extend product life only to have me return the unit and demand it be reset to its original spec. Remember, this was the late 70's-early 80's - the Julian Hirsch and Len Feldman era.

In my experience the Hafler is cleaner, smoother, dark and slightly distant sounding. The SOA when biased properly will be a little more on the tube-ish side. Slightly plump bass, a nicely projecting midrange, and good but not ultra extension treble.