I am just now hearing about David Hafler's passing while reading this thread, so i thought i would share a quick little story.
My first experience with a Hafler amp came just
last weekend, ironically the weekend of his passing.
I had taken a DH-500 amp on trade at my photo shop (where
i also sold some used hi-end stuff) about four years ago.
I put it on the shelf and forgot about it until last
weekend when my wife and i were going through some extra
things i was going to sell here on Audiogon. Since i had never listened to the amp, i decided to put it in a Vandersteen system i had setup in my basement, just to make sure it functioned properly.
I pushed the start button on the CD player and, as i turned
to walk away, the sound stopped me in my tracks. I walked back over and sat down in front of the speakers. I remember thinking there is no way that sound can be coming from that
inexpensive amp.....but it was! I was in disbelief. Layer
upon layer of depth and imaging, and a lush, warm sound almost as smooth as tubes. No bass to speak of, but that's what they make subs for. I sat and just enjoyed the music for almost an hour.
After that i just had to try it in my main system. I unplugged my "five figure" Jadis monoblocks and put the $750 Hafler in their place. This might sound crazy, but not
only do i not miss my mono's, but i find myself listening to
music on that system every day, not every week or two
like i had before.
That little inexpensive, 20 year old amp has caused me
to reassess my entire approach to the hobby. It reminded me
of something many of us, along our journey toward the absolute sound, all too often forget....it's about the music. In this hobby where the idea that higher price tags
must mean better sound has pervased for years, David Hafler
has left us a legacy to the contrary. Like Danlib said, "what you do with your time can matter to other people" is, in my opinion, one of the greatest legacies of all.
BW
