Maintenance on Hafler DH200 & DH101


I just acquired these two units from a friend. Just wondering if there is anything I should do to maintain them. I plan on cleaning all the switches with deoxit. I was told by a local repairman that the caps shouldn't need replacing, but I'm not sure what he bases that on. Any suggestions based on experience? Also, can anyone comment on the sonic signature of these two pieces?

Thanks, Peter
peter_s
On the DH 200 thak off the cover and find the MOSFET outputs. Take out the 2 screws and slip the MOSFET out of the socket. Clean all connections and slip the MOSFET back in ,put in the two screws and move on to the net output device. These have probably oxidized over the years and will benefit greatly.

Another simple thing you should do is bypass the input cap. Follow the input wires to the circuit board and you will see a 10mfd electrolytic cap there. Either bypass it completely or if you are not comfortable with the amp being direct coupled, replace the cap with a good film cap.

Both of these things are easy and will make the amp sound even better.
The DH200 really didn't need any maintenance. The DH101 has two weak points. The volume comtrol can get noisy - use contact cleaner if the pot has an access hole (the noisy ones usually did). The switches would stick in the white (on) position - electronically OK but cosmetically annoying). Use a little super glue to glue the catch back in position.
Peter S - your service person could wellhave been right about not needing to do anything - the achiles heel of all older electronics is the electrolytic capacitors. Counter intutivly - electrolyic's will last considerably longer in steady day to day use than they will in storage. In other words really old NOS lytics are not a deal!
The problem is that a lot of us have at least some closet queens - stuff we haven't fired up in quite a while - but either have fond memories of how good they sounded in the back way and when or alternativly can't bear to take the brutal hit finacially that some less than wise purchase faces us with in today's world.
Electronics that have sat - un-used for years - should have electrolytics replaced - this can be a bit of a challenge with some older tube units or cosmetically un-usual chasis designs ( big ,nearly empty rectangular boxes are the easiest.)
Frankly - I've never owned a piece of Hafler gear that didn't sound good - maybe not the ultimate best - but damm good for the $$ invested.