djb Posted July 23, 2017 Share Posted July 23, 2017 (edited) This is a valve phono stage. Hagerman has 3 versions . I am not quite sure if ours are version 1 or 2. I think the valves are: 2-12AX7, 1-12AU7 and 1-5Y3GT rectifier. "ours" well it's a long story. Three or four years back after I noticed an ad in our classifieds "make an offer for 2 nearly completed Cornet phono stages starting at $250". I bought them of these stages for $251. It is only very recently that I was told the kits were priced around $2k each. Well you won't be surprised to hear that in the first instance they weren't quite the bargain they appeared to be. Both builds were seriously botched. "ours" well I gave 1 to @andyr as a thank you for allowing me to maintain his second system at my place. Andy isn't a valve man so he didn't get his up and running and sent it to Duc @lovetube. Who after communication with Jim Hsggerman started pretty much from scratch and got it working. There it rested for a year or so while I prevaricated. Andy proposed to sell his but offered it to me as a template for a tech to rebuild mine first. The sting from his cattle prod got me to find a tech and deliver unto him the phonos. This week they returned both work perfectly. Andy's had a small hum issue which the tech has eliminated. So it's not going to be for sale . Great sound eminating from my system at the moment it's attached to a Magnapan arm with a Stanton WS 100 cart. A month or two back we played Andys against the Cornet 3 and the 3 out performed the 2. We need to repeat the process I'm thinking a blind test might reverse that outcome. Edited July 23, 2017 by djb Added valve info 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Muon N' Posted July 23, 2017 Share Posted July 23, 2017 (edited) Is it 12ax7 tubes used, or octels (6SL7/6SN7)? I think the version2 came using the octel tubes or the 12AX7's, depending on choice. Edited July 23, 2017 by Muon N' Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qwertyqaz Posted July 23, 2017 Share Posted July 23, 2017 Where can we get one ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djb Posted July 23, 2017 Author Share Posted July 23, 2017 (edited) I think the Cornet 3 might still be available from Hagerman !? it was a later revised version and available at a considerably lower price than 1 or 2. Failing that eBay or a a want to buy in our classifieds < I'm amazed by what ppl have stashed away. Horders unlike @andyr Edited July 23, 2017 by djb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Muon N' Posted July 23, 2017 Share Posted July 23, 2017 https://hagerman-audio-labs.myshopify.com/products/cornet3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Qwertyqaz Posted July 23, 2017 Share Posted July 23, 2017 Similar to EAR 834p ? Expensive for what you get. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mloutfie Posted July 23, 2017 Share Posted July 23, 2017 mind you that cornet 3 compared was using a teddy pardo power supply costing as much as the cornet 3 itself Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyr Posted July 23, 2017 Share Posted July 23, 2017 (edited) 2 hours ago, mloutfie said: mind you that cornet 3 compared was using a teddy pardo power supply costing as much as the cornet 3 itself Absolutely true, Mahdi - so the Cornet 3 by itself is undoubtedly not as good-sounding (as what we heard)! But I seem to remember we couldn't differentiate the SQ of your Cornet 3/Teddy Pardo against my Cornet 2 ... except for the damn hum which mine had, at that stage! Which now is gone! 2 hours ago, Qwertyqaz said: Similar to EAR 834p ? Expensive for what you get. Only if you think an EAR 834p is a particularly great-sounding phono stage! Me, I don't - on the basis of a past comparison of the 834p against a phono stage I had at the time (which IMO is not as good as the Cornet). 2 hours ago, Noum said: https://hagerman-audio-labs.myshopify.com/products/cornet3 If you can buy this plus a Teddy Pardo or an Sbooster LPS, you have a very good phono stage! However: I believe Duc's tube phono (at a significantly higher price point) sounds better, and a comparison the other day between @djb's Cornet 2 and his 'Muse' (which is only v2) saw the Muse preferred. Andy Edited July 23, 2017 by andyr Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mloutfie Posted July 23, 2017 Share Posted July 23, 2017 As far as know cornet 3 is the same with cornet 2 except for the power stage. It uses a DC power plug to save money. But considering how much cornet 2 kit used to cost. Around$1200 USD unbuilt if I'm not mistaken(without enclosure). Cornet 3 plus a good power supply can be had for $1100 Aussie which makes it pretty good value Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djb Posted July 23, 2017 Author Share Posted July 23, 2017 (edited) No not at all similar to an Ear 843P! The Ear underwhelmed me the few times I've heard one. i do not think I have heard a better valve phono stage than @lovetube Duc makes. Hey even mr solid state @cheekyboy likes it Edited July 24, 2017 by djb 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djb Posted July 24, 2017 Author Share Posted July 24, 2017 UP DATE A FEW EXTRA BITS OF INFO 1 The 2 units I purchased are the Cornet 2. 2It is the same cct. as the original Cornet but with a pcb that includes the power supply parts and the two coloured LED. 3 As a complete factory assembled item it was expensive, and while you could save money as a kit, a chassis plus labour and testing still adds up. 4 The Cornet 3 cuts costs by using a switched mode power supply and a plastic case. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovetube Posted July 24, 2017 Share Posted July 24, 2017 1 hour ago, djb said: UP DATE A FEW EXTRA BITS OF INFO 1 The 2 units I purchased are the Cornet 2. 2It is the same cct. as the original Cornet but with a pcb that includes the power supply parts and the two coloured LED. 3 As a complete factory assembled item it was expensive, and while you could save money as a kit, a chassis plus labour and testing still adds up. 4 The Cornet 3 cuts costs by using a switched mode power supply and a plastic case. David. i think i found your preamp bottom cover here . you can pick up when you are around this way enjoy Duc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mloutfie Posted July 24, 2017 Share Posted July 24, 2017 15 hours ago, djb said: No not at all similar to an Ear 843P! The Ear underwhelmed me the few times I've heard one. i do not think I have heard a better valve phono stage than @lovetube Duc makes. Hey even mr solid state @cheekyboy likes it Considering how much the EAR cost it's a bit disappointing 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
djb Posted July 24, 2017 Author Share Posted July 24, 2017 @lovetube lol the last thing we had to do was have @gonefishing999 cut a bottom plate! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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