Hafler dh500 vs dynaco st400

[Jbburkett]

Which amp would I be better off with..? I plan to sell one of the two, and plan to rebuild the other.. any thoughts..? Comments..? Mods...?
Thanks guys...

 

[stokessd]

No experience with the ST400, but I had a dh500 and the fan sound was noticeable in a quiet room. To me that was a non-starter.

Sheldon

 

[Jbburkett]

Well there is more to the issue, Sheldon. I used the DH500 for years with the swan system driving the subwoofer system. Also with peerless 12's and dynaudio 7's and d28s. It was great. I was mid stroke re-working the dh500 and slipped from the hobby. now tryin to get back I'm not sure which amp would be the best audio. Stock or reworked, I guess that is my question.. Thanks for reply....

 

[llwhtt]

Haven't the Hafler output xsistors gone extinct? Lots of choices for the old Dynasaur. I'm rebuilding both a 400 and 416 at the moment, or a least collecting parts for them.

Craig

 

[Ian Finch]

Haven't the Hafler output xsistors gone extinct?.....

I think the outputs were TO3 Hitachi Lateral Mosfets. No problem - drop-ins have been available for decades from: Lateral Mosfet.
You may find Newark also sells these Semelab parts under the Alfet trademark and part numbers.

 

[llwhtt]

I was thinking of the Hitachis and I know they extinct. Haven't kept up with any of the replacements, good to know though.

Craig

 

[Jbburkett]

I appreciate the responses, but you haven't answered the question at hand... Which sounds better and would be best to rework and enjoy... I don't think any component for either is hard to come by.. also the st400 and the pat-5 I have are gold faced.. can anyone explain..? thanks ..jbburkett

 

[llwhtt]

I don't know how any of them sound, both my Dynas were DOA when I got them and haven't seen or heard the Hafler. I've searched everywhere for mods on the Dynas but nobody seems to do anything to them except return them to working order. I know there were/are lots of mods for the DH200/220 but don't know if any of it applies to the 500.

Craig

 

[Jbburkett]

Thanks Craig,
Yes there are a lot of mods for the dh 500. And it seems to be a mainstay in the 70's mod world... I just havent heard of much for the st400. and the pat-5 I have with gold faces.. It makes me curious about the dynaco pieces..

 

[llwhtt]

My 400 also has a gold front whereas the 416 is silver. I just did recap/repair on a NON bifet PAT-5 not too long ago it too was gold.

Craig

 

[eds65gto]

DH 500 / ST400...Hafler vs Dynaco

Hi:
Go to Update My Dynaco for info on Dynaco amps ST400 included.
Go to Home for info on Hafler amp mods for sale and find other threads here on diyaudio and the other site for mods on Hafler amps.
Ed

 

[ouimetnick]

I would go with the Hafler. More reliable design, better components, and also a much simpler design. I have a DH-500 in a million pieces. It will be a project one day, but I haven't gotten around to it.