Price Paid:  $175.00 from www.echohifi.com

Summary:
I had sworn off solid state preamps after buying a Dynaco PAS-4 a year ago. It ended the nasty digit-itis I was suffering from.

Funny think tho, as I upgraded my CD front end to an MSB Link 3, 192 K output from my player, beefier power supply and some upgrade power cords I found my old Superphon Revelation Dual Mono was sounding better. Once upgraded, I started to prefer it over the tube Dynaco. Even after sending to Stan Warren for BlackGate cap upgrade, it was a bit hard sounding, though dynamics and resolution were great.

I bought the Hafler Series 915 cause it was cheap, I was intrigued by it's Class A JFet design and it had a headphone output. Darn,if it isn't the cat's meow! - quiet, easy to listen to, flexible, just a joy for so little money.

Why is it so good...I'll let Andy Szabo of Acoustat fame answer that...

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Strengths:
Small, handsome, quiet s/n, enough inputs, iec socket to upgrade power cords (does make a difference with this preamp), headphone jack, smartly designed tone controls, reasonable transparent (for the money), fast sounding, very inexpensive used

Weaknesses:
Lacking some of the soundstage and air of better preamps, no phono (optional on 915), probably would benefit greatly from beefier outboard power supply

Similar Products Used:
Dynaco PAS-3, Dynaco PAS-4, Conrad Johnson Sonograph SC-22, NAD 3020, Superphon Revelation Dual Mono (with upgrades)

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
I bought the 915 new without hearing it before-hand because over the years I've grown to trust Hafler products.. I don't know what kind of fence posts the guys that give this preamp a poor review are/were using for speakers or what brand of amp they had in their system.. It is obvious there was a mismatch somewhere..

The 915 was described as having a tubular sound which I took with a grain of salt before buying but in this case it's true.. There is not one hair of difference in the soundstage or qualities between it & a Sonic Frontiers-1 that I have in my system at present..

Match this preamp with either a Hafler XL series or a B&K amp in the wattage you prefer and you will have it all...period..

Strengths:
A straight forward well made product with good design & quality components.. Good sound stage, S/N ratio & dynamics..

Weaknesses:
Ok, there is one, using the tone controls to raise bass output sucks.. If your speakers are bass shy, get an equalizer or better speakers.. Otherwise this puppy is great..

Similar Products Used:
In 30 years almost everything in reason on a $ensible $ound budget...

Price Paid:  $0.00

Summary:
Hafler did go back to the drawing board.
They got out of home audio altogether.
Sure you can still buy the 9505
but if you check the web its all
about studio now.(Hafler's roots)

I own a 9270 and its done me well.
Definitely better than ANY Adcom amp.
But I would look elsewhere for solid
home audio equipment.

Price Paid:  $290.00 from private owner

Summary:
I need a preamp to fill in for my McCormack which is going to the shop, for a repair ( first in 6 years. ) So, I purchase the Hafler 915. Comparing the Hafler to McCormack, was very interesting, since they both are fast, and have good bass.

But, that were it ends, I thought the McCormack was wide in forward, with a touch of air, that would give the sense of Live Music Feel... When switch back to the Hafler, I saw the sound was narrow, and not forward, but laid back, with a loss of that high air sense.

I heard that there are some mods for this preamp.. that may be a good way to go, to improve sound stage.

The Pieces of Music I used, was DIDO, I no angel.
Track # 8, 9, 10,

The Hafler does a good job, but its not close to the McCormack ALD-1.

Strengths:
Speed, Bass, Attach of Music

Weaknesses:
Small Sound Stage, Loss of Air on Top

Summary:
This unit sounds transparent, just like it's not there, and that is a good way for equipment to sound.