kaepplein@amber.DEC (08/07/85)
RE: Musical Concepts mods for Hafler DH-110 and others. I happen to own a modified DH110K(it) preamp and DH500A(ssembled) amp. I purchased the Musical Concepts M-110SN kit ($155, or $230 installed), LIPS power supply regulator for the 110 ($65 kit/$95 installed), and M-500C ($135 kit/$200 installed). I obtained the equivalent of the LC-500 amp power supply caps ($149) as "samples" from a distributor. I did not purchase the preamp external power supply which I will build myself someday, or the teflon capacitors for: RIAA eq ($115/6pc.), high-pass input filtering ($140/pr.), or bypass ($102/6pc.). I'm saving my pennies for a SOTA first. OK, so what about the sound? Well, its a vast improvement over the unmodified gear. I'd say the amp sound is nearly top rate for solid state. The preamp is not quite as good. It didn't sound quite as good as a modified Dennison Sirus with a big outboard power supply, the only preamp I have compared it directly with. Don't buy a Hafler DH110 and modify it. Buy a Hafler DH-101 or Dyna Pat-4/5 and install the Musical Concepts MC-1 preamp board. They claim that this dual mono preamp in a Hafler DH101 or Dyna PAT-4/5 chasis is better than any of their mods. I have no reason to doubt this. $219 plus an old preamp ($50-$150?) will get you a preamp with $xxxx sound, but $300 finish. How many dual mono preamps do you know of under $1000? The Superphon Revelation ($329) is the only one close in price and one I would like to hear for comparison. If you already own Hafler gear, I consider MC mods a must. It is a great education for the ears. Suddenly you have dynamics and image. You lose the harshness of midfi and CDs. Its amazing what quality capacitors, resistors, and a few circuit changes can do! The best aspect of Musical Concepts is that John Hilig, the owner and electronics designer answers the phone when you call and gives good technical advice. He is in the business for love and openly shares information on his products and makes other audio suggestions. One reason I bought from him is that I liked his honesty and good advice and wanted to support him and his business. Musical Concepts runs ads in the back of Audio and you can write or call (1-4 pm central time) for literature. Musical Concepts, 1060 Fifth Plaza, Florissant, MO 63031, (314)831-1822. Mark Kaepplein (my first posting) ...decwrl!dec-rhea!dec-amber!kaepplein or Kaepplein@Dec-Marlboro.ARPA