2. amps-preamps
  3. 178162-110991

Recommend Halfler XL-280 Repair/Restore/Rebuild ?

Per the thread title, my long-term Halfler XL-280 requires, at minimum, a repair. As anyone reading this probably knows, this amp was a very popular unit for hobbyists and rebuild shops.

I see plenty of repair kits on eBay, but my next session with a soldering iron will be my first. Can anyone recommend a repair/restore shop, preferably in the mid-Atlantic/northeast?

Or would you recommend instead sending it to either Musical Concepts or Audio By Van Alstine for a complete teardown and rebuild?

 

Much thanks for any advice or pointers . . .

rwstone
russ69's avatar
russ69
3,505 posts
 

30 years old, $600 mid-fi amp? I don't think I would spend any money on it. Doesn't make sense to me. I have/had some old pieces of gear and at some point, you just have to let it go. 

roxy54's avatar
roxy54
7,984 posts
 

I was thinking the same as russ69. I'm familiar with this amp from years ago, and I can understand sentimental attachment, but this amp is nothing special and it looks like you could sink a lot of money into it and end up with an expensive amp that is average or less. Think about it.

rwstone OP
1 posts
 

Okay, it sounds like the consensus is that repairing or restoring the Hafler to original specs isn’t worth the fee and freight, if I can’t do it myself.

But what about the mod shops that utilize the amp chassis, namely those from Audio By Van Alstine and Musical Concepts? That is, would the $1000 necessary to create a "new" amp in the old chassis be better spent on a newly manufactured amp?

russ69's avatar
russ69
3,505 posts
 

That is, would the $1000 necessary to create a "new" amp in the old chassis be better spent on a newly manufactured amp?

Yes. 

roxy54's avatar
roxy54
7,984 posts
 

Agreed.

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