wjm@whuxk.UUCP (MITCHELL) (09/28/83)
One way to get a medium or high power amp and save some $$ is to build a
Hafler amp from a kit. The Hafler power amp kits are very straightforward
to put together since all you're doing is physical assembly and wiring the
power supply (I built my DH-220 from a kit, and if you need more power
-the 220 is 115 w/ch into 8 ohms- its big brother the DH-500 is also available
that way). You can save about $100 by spending an evening putting the kit
together. Since Hafler amps are not particularly expensive for their power
rating, the kits are an excellent value - the DH-220 lists for $349 in kit
form, and I think the DH-500 runs about $499 list.
I don't like the Carver amp - if you're electrical wiring cannot take a steady
15 amp load forget it. Since the current is out of phase with the voltage
(to use the technical term it has a very low power factor), it won't run up
your electric bill but it will blow fuses and trip circuit breakers. I think
you would be much better off spending your money on an amp of more conventional
design. Admittedly, it will weigh a bit more, but it will probably be more
tolerant of speaker loads - the Hafler, in particular, since it uses FET's in
the power stages does not have the need for the elaborate protective circuits
which will sometimes shut down an amplifier driving an unusual load (like
electrostatic speakers).
Bill Mitchell
Bell Laboratories
Whippany, NJ (whuxk!wjm)