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Hafler IRIS Stereo Preamplifier – MM/MC Phono – Original – Serviced – No RemoteAsking $395 OBOFor sale is my Hafler IRIS stereo preamplifier, one of Hafler’s more sophisticated high-end preamplifier designs from the late 1980s/early 1990s.The IRIS was designed as a full-featured, high-quality analog control preamplifier with an unusually versatile selection of inputs and signal-routing options. It includes both moving-magnet and moving-coil phono capability, multiple line-level inputs, two tape loops, an external processor loop, mono operation, and Hafler’s distinctive electronically controlled volume and balance system. StereophileMy IRIS remains original and unmodified. It was professionally serviced once to repair the balance/pan control and has operated properly since that repair.Features include:Moving-magnet and moving-coil phono preamplifierSeven line-level inputsTwo tape-monitor loopsExternal processor loopMono switchingHafler electronically controlled volume and balance systemApproximately 23 dB line-stage gainMaximum line output approximately 8V RMSVery low published distortionWide-bandwidth line stageHeavy-duty Hafler constructionCompact 17" wide × 3" high × 8.5" deep chassis StereophileThe phono section is particularly versatile, with selectable MM/MC operation. Published specifications give phono-stage gain of approximately 38.5 dB for moving magnet and 58.5 dB for moving coil. StereophileThis unit has been carefully owned and maintained as part of my personal audio system. I am selling it as part of a reduction of my longtime audio and studio equipment, not because of any current operational problem.Please note: the original IRIS remote control is not included. All normal preamplifier functions can be operated from the front panel.I also have my Hafler XL-600 Excelinear power amplifier available separately. The two make an excellent period-matched Hafler combination, and I would consider a package price for a buyer interested in both.Additional photographs of the front panel, rear panel, connections, chassis and serial number are available.$395 or best reasonable offer.
The IRIS has a solid reputation as one of Hafler’s more ambitious preamps, with a good line stage and a notably capable phono section for its era. At US$395, this listing sits a bit above the US$268 median and under the US$396 75th percentile, so it reads as fair-to-strong rather than cheap.
What makes it worthwhile is the combination of serious late-’80s/early-’90s Hafler engineering and the remote-control convenience, which still feels upscale in daily use. Clean examples from an owner who actually kept it intact can be very satisfying buys if the controls, switching, and phono stage are behaving properly. At this price, I’d want confidence it powers up cleanly and all functions work, but it’s not priced so high that a well-kept unit feels out of line.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
Hafler is an American hi-fi brand rooted in the postwar audio hobbyist era. It traces back to David Hafler, who co-founded Acrosound in 1950 and later helped launch Dynaco in 1954; he then founded the David Hafler Company in 1972, carrying forward his long-standing focus on accessible, high-performance audio. The brand is closely associated with the U.S. DIY-to-assembled tradition that shaped early hi-fi culture.
Hafler became best known for amplifiers and preamps, especially solid-state MOSFET power amps and matching line-stage products. Classic models such as the DH-101, DH-110, DH-200, DH-220, DH-500, and XL-280 established the name, and the company also had a role in speaker design during the broader Hafler/Dynaco era. While not a turntable, DAC, or headphone specialist in its classic identity, the brand’s legacy is strongest in amplification.
In the market, Hafler sits more in the respected value and vintage-audiophile lane than the luxury tier. Its appeal comes from engineering credibility, straightforward designs, and a reputation for honest sound and reliability rather than exotic finishes or ultra-premium pricing. Today, it is best thought of as a classic hi-fi name with strong collector interest and enduring brand recognition among enthusiasts.
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