I also have a DA-80, mildly improved (caps, resistors) by Stax during the early 80s when Mike Detmer was there. Great amp, not the greatest bottom end, but overall very pleasant. See what it would cost to fix and what upgrades are available. Mine has been sitting in the box for 15 years. You have inspired me to give it a listen. Fond memories.
Should I repair Stax DA-80 or just buy new amp?
My Stax DA-80 is getting a little "long in the tooth" - and needs repair at this point. It is a great sounding amp and, while not very high power, sounds great with my Dunlavy SC-IV speakers (with Levinson preamp). But before I spend a few hundred dollars to bring it back up to spec, I thought maybe the money is better spent towards a new amp. Any opinions out there?