Giant killer phono pre around 500.00 mark

Hagerman Cornet 2 /nt, posted on December 8, 2010 at 12:03:51
Biff Audiophile Posts: 7533 Location: Portland, Oregon Joined: January 27, 2002

RE: Hagerman Cornet 2 /nt, posted on December 8, 2010 at 12:11:09
joessportster Audiophile Posts: 222 Location: Rockingham NC. Joined: January 23, 2007	I've sent Jim an email to inquire on a built unit (I'm no diy guy, have an issue with steady hands and soldering) waiting his response. I have ouned his trumpet in the past and it was wonderful but I'm trying to go more budget conscience now. Joe

Used Nighthawk F-117 Phono Pre MM/MC ...nt, posted on December 8, 2010 at 12:25:43
Theron D Audiophile Posts: 790 Location: Maryland Joined: June 21, 2004	nt -Theron Day

RE: Hagerman Cornet 2 /nt, posted on December 8, 2010 at 12:32:37
Biff Audiophile Posts: 7533 Location: Portland, Oregon Joined: January 27, 2002	A built one will probably be above your $500 mark, but it's a nice unit. Very rugged (ask me how I know!).

Jasmine LP2.0SE, posted on December 8, 2010 at 12:52:10

Gopher2K
Audiophile

Posts: 460
Location: NY
Joined: February 20, 2004

Wonderful, wonderful, piece that is on another plane than the other phono preamplifiers I've owned which includes the Nighthawk, Minimax, Dynavector, Rouge Stealth, Black cube, Grado and probably others I'm forgetting.

The looks and build quality are just as beautiful as the sound. Don't overlook it!

Jasmine Phono Pre

Used Musical Surroundings Phonomena II . . . or a new, posted on December 8, 2010 at 13:01:08
Opus 104	Graham Slee Graham Amp 3 (for LOMCs) or 2SE (for HOMCs or MMs).

RE: Okay... I'll Bite... How Do You Know? /nt/, posted on December 8, 2010 at 13:09:24
Astroimage Audiophile Posts: 1442 Location: Northern Indiana Joined: October 3, 2009	nt

RE: Okay... I'll Bite... How Do You Know? /nt/, posted on December 8, 2010 at 13:16:08
Biff Audiophile Posts: 7533 Location: Portland, Oregon Joined: January 27, 2002	I was "rolling tubes" as they say, and put a tube in the Cornet that shorted out moments later. Amazingly, it didn't harm the Cornet but it sure put the hurt on that channel of my Marantz (under warranty, thankfully). I opened up the Cornet, nothing charred or amiss. Checked all voltages on the board, all good. No DC at the outputs with good tubes. Dodged a bullet.

Googled Jasmine and all I got were 'belly dancers', posted on December 8, 2010 at 13:36:10
jedrider Audiophile Posts: 15888 Location: No. California Joined: December 26, 2003	I am not complaining, mind you. Just wondering what they sell for?

Jasmine 2.0SE, posted on December 8, 2010 at 13:45:55

Seadog
Audiophile

Posts: 609
Location: The Beaches of North Carolina
Joined: April 14, 2007

WOW!

Factory backordered at this writing.
Christopher

Qui tacet consentit.

Jasmine LP2.0SE Posting

RE: Jasmine LP2.0SE, posted on December 8, 2010 at 14:13:57

joessportster
Audiophile

Posts: 222
Location: Rockingham NC.
Joined: January 23, 2007

I'm kind of a snob when it comes to equipment I know it has nothing to do with the sound but I've had bad experiences with Chinese products (QA) I have read lately they are doing better is this phono pre an example of that ??? Have you compared it to anything higher up the food chain ??? Any reviews available ??? I really like hagerman he is a stand up guy that backs his gear with a great warranty and they sound good too. Joe

not sure anything is really a "giant killer" - but a used PS Audio GCPH or Bottlehead Seduction, posted on December 8, 2010 at 14:15:27
VynylTap	given a preference for tubes or solid-state would be my choice. I find a good mix of solid-state and tubes gives me the most satisfaction. In my case I run a GCPH into a Cayin A-70T tube integrated with great results.

I don't know about Jasmine - but a well made piece is just that..., posted on December 8, 2010 at 14:20:19

VynylTap

doesn't matter where it's made. There have been enough people I trust here and on Audiogon that have liked this phono preamp that there must be something to it. My "Made in China" Cayin A-70T is, hands down, the finest made piece of equipment I've ever opened up. I've attached a picture of its "guts".

Just do your due diligence and research the hell out of anything coming from China. There is, no doubt, some dubious junk being peddled as "high end".

That being said, you may want to check out the Positive Feedback review, although this may be for the non "SE" version. Someone else would have to identify what changed in the newer one.

Positive Feedback review

RE: Hagerman Cornet 2 /nt, posted on December 8, 2010 at 14:40:45
Grinnell Audiophile Posts: 733 Location: Front Range Joined: December 23, 2007	I will second the Cornet 2. They can be found under 500 if you are lucky but the last couple of them on Audiogon have gone for 600-650 with upgraded caps and extra tubes. I have used the Seduction, Pro-ject Tube Box SE and the Wright WPP200c and the Cornet 2 is my fav.

Simaudio Moon LP3...great unit at a great price right now :), posted on December 8, 2010 at 15:06:36
popsy Audiophile Posts: 2718 Location: oregon Joined: March 4, 2007	n/t

What phono stage is your idea of a "giant"? , posted on December 8, 2010 at 16:06:00
Rick W	Obviously its all relative. But in this case, relative to exactly what? Can't see how someone could claim "giant killer" status for a product without saying which giant(s) it kills (or even equals).

RE: What phono stage is your idea of a "giant"? , posted on December 8, 2010 at 17:34:06
joessportster Audiophile Posts: 222 Location: Rockingham NC. Joined: January 23, 2007	Ok I guess I could have said bang for the buck, but obviously several others understood what I meant !!! I'm asking what other people feel is a very good 500.00 phonostage. Hope this clears the confusion. Joe

New only? Or, are you willing to go used? (nt), posted on December 8, 2010 at 17:51:41
VynylTap	.

RE: Jasmine LP2.0SE, posted on December 8, 2010 at 18:26:56

Gopher2K
Audiophile

Posts: 460
Location: NY
Joined: February 20, 2004

I can understand your concern and your apprehension regarding Chinese hifi is certainly not unique, but the stereotypes do NOT apply to this piece.

Its flown under the radar for some time, but is starting to gain somewhat of a following. My prior post listed some of the other phono preamplifiers I've owned personally. On top of that ears I trust have preferred the Jasmine to very expensive equipment. One asylumer who is NOT known for hyperbole shot it out against a Manley Steelhead in his own system and said the Manley was embarrassed. That says quite a bit.

Dagogo Review

RE: Jasmine LP2.0SE -for those with..., posted on December 8, 2010 at 18:37:55
cdb	"...censorious ears." Lots 'o room for tweaking, though.

RE: Giant killer phono pre around 500.00 mark, posted on December 8, 2010 at 18:57:24
afro18 Audiophile Posts: 656 Location: NorthEast Ohio Joined: December 1, 2003	Find a used Lehmann Black Cube...classic if you are using a Moving Magnet cartridge. Marty

Did you sell the Nighthawk?, posted on December 8, 2010 at 21:27:57
vinyl survivor Audiophile Posts: 1471 Location: Southeastern US Joined: November 28, 2007	Your profile has not been updated in a while.

Hmm, you seemed to have missed my point. Not trying to hassle you. Nevermind. nt, posted on December 8, 2010 at 22:40:13
Rick W	nt

Where ? , posted on December 9, 2010 at 04:07:13
Fred J Audiophile Posts: 21808 Location: Southern Wisconsin Joined: April 24, 2002	I'd have contacted Miss Cleo but she's still doing hard time ;-) Regards Ferd

here?, posted on December 9, 2010 at 07:42:15

Nasty

doesn't meet the price criteria but it's close...

LP3

Have tried several phono preamps...., posted on December 9, 2010 at 08:16:30

hardbop33@hotmail.com
Audiophile

Posts: 133
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Joined: March 22, 2008

...including Grado Ph-1 ($500 new - $300 & up used), Sutherland Ph3D ($1,000 new - $600 & up used), Monolithic Sound PS-1 ($200 & up used), a modded 12AX7 tube stage (little chrome jobs you see all the time on ebay - can be made to sound very good), Musical Fidelity XLP, Creek OBH-9 MC (for moving coil only) ($75 & up used), Conrad Johnson PV-6 (slightly modded) ($100 & up used).

One piece of advise, buy well-cared for, used phono stages if you can because you will want to experiment and you will then be able, for the most part, to resell what you do not like for all or most of what you paid.

I have regulary used all of the above phono stages except for the Conrad Johnson (CJ) and Musical Fidelity (MF). The CJ is the main phono stage of a friend of mine who is handy with electronics. I think he has modded it to bypass any unnecessary tone controls and it sounds wonderful in his system (DIY SET tube amp, Garrard 401, custom horn speakers). The MF was only heard briefly at a friends house and was returned - we agreed it sounded a little too restricted in the overall soundstage (that set up was a Primaluna tube amp and MMF 7.1 TT (I think).

The Sutherland was nice, I bought that new for just over $1k. Loved the build quality, the fact it used batteries appealed to me, was very flexible with regard to gain and load settings, and was super quiet. It killed the Grado PH-1 I had been using, which is only fair since it cost two times as much new. The PH-1 is nice for what it is and does match up nicely with Grado carts. I actually went back to the PH-1 when I sold the Sutherland in a fit of debt reduction.

However, I soon found a used Monolithic Sound PS-1 for $200, less than a used Grado PH-1, and it has been my main phono stage for over a year. It is SS and has dip switches in the back to allow changes in gain and load settings. I have not run a MC cart through it yet but I believe you can do so. For $200 I don't know what else out there would sound as good.

I have never heard a Cornet tube phono stage but have read about them and wanted one for years. I will have one soon though - thanks to my friend David (Kozzmo)! It will be a little different than a standard Cornet, and not quite a Cornet2, maybe a Cornet1.5? :) It is not completely done and in my hot little hands as of yet but David plugged it in the other day and said it blew away his CJ!! The following is the email he sent after he first plugged it in...

"Finished reworking it last night....plugged it in hooked it up, worked like a charm from the word go. I have to say, even with the bottom basement parts and the quick mock up it just smokes my cj. Smokes it.

I am extremely impressed with it and the tubes are a mishmash of cheap stuff and it is great. Very natural, not to fast not too slow. I was afraid it would be a too hifi sounding. Not at all. It images much better than mine."

And this was with a slightly buzzing transformer (hopefully to be fixed) and not the best tube compliment!

David got a deal on a Cornet circuit board, chassis, transformer, and several other components for the kit. I sprung for an additional $100 or so in additional parts and updated parts. Total cost of this Cornet, including tubes, is around $300 to $350. David had this unbuilt/incomplete amp lying around and put this together for me as part of a trade in audio equipment. You might not have the same opportunity and might have to spend closer to your $500 budget. Going on David's comments, who has been into audio way longer than I have, I would say the Cornet will be tough to beat!

Good luck!

Jazz isn't dead, it just smells funny. - Frank Zappa

RE: here?, posted on December 9, 2010 at 08:17:08
Fred J Audiophile Posts: 21808 Location: Southern Wisconsin Joined: April 24, 2002	Thanks Nick. Regards Ferd

Music Direct....$359......n/t, posted on December 9, 2010 at 08:50:40
popsy Audiophile Posts: 2718 Location: oregon Joined: March 4, 2007	n/t

I did., posted on December 9, 2010 at 09:20:04
Gopher2K Audiophile Posts: 460 Location: NY Joined: February 20, 2004	The NH was nice and very adjustable. I respected it a lot and even wrote up a review of it. After having both in my system though it was just no contest as far as picking a preference. I cut an ACer a sweet deal so I could cover the cost of the cheaper Jasmine and haven't looked back.

How well is the Monolithic PS-2 regarded?, posted on December 9, 2010 at 15:48:04

Bry
Manufacturer

Posts: 5610
Location: S. Florida
Joined: July 21, 2005

I never see much mention of it, but the older PS-1 was popular for a while.

http://www.monolithicsound.com/PS2.html

RE: Where ? , posted on December 9, 2010 at 16:09:50
shallow pockets Audiophile Posts: 765 Location: Michigan Joined: June 27, 2009	I'm fairly certain Miss Cleo can channel from "the shoe" and probably has an active paypal account for her services.

Can I suggest you try out the JLTi and the Ray Samuels "Nighthawk". :-)) nt, posted on December 9, 2010 at 16:30:51
andyr Manufacturer Posts: 12657 Location: Melbourne Joined: September 2, 2000	.

RE: Where ? , posted on December 9, 2010 at 18:08:17
Fred J Audiophile Posts: 21808 Location: Southern Wisconsin Joined: April 24, 2002	The fact that Miss Cleo didn't clairvoyantly sense all those felony Postal Fraud beefs coming down the line disillusioned me no end ;-) Oh The Humanity !

RE: Can I suggest you try out the JLTi and the Ray Samuels "Nighthawk". :-)) nt, posted on December 9, 2010 at 19:15:27

John Elison
Audiophile

Posts: 24045
Location: Central Kentucky
Joined: December 20, 2000
Contributor
Since: January 29, 2004

I'm just curious about your recommendations because the Nighthawk is half the price of the JL Ti. Are you suggesting they are equally good or is the more expensive JL Ti better than the Nighthawk.

The Nighthawk seems to be very impressive for its price of less than $800. I really like the fact it has loading and gain controls on the front panel and I also like the battery power supply to isolate it from the line. Unfortunately, I've never heard either one, though.

Thanks,
John Elison

John, I've heard both the JLTi and the Nighthawk. ...., posted on December 9, 2010 at 20:48:03
andyr Manufacturer Posts: 12657 Location: Melbourne Joined: September 2, 2000	The JLTi, I had to admit, was better than my current phono stage - with more bottom end control. The Nighthawk has a lot more gain than my phono - which is useful with a LOMC - but, in terms of SQ, was not definitively better (IMO). But you can't get my phono stage (basically, a copy of the old Beard PP100) ... so that means the Nighthawk is a great deal. :-)) Regards, Andy

Thanks, Andy. /nt\, posted on December 9, 2010 at 22:39:31
John Elison Audiophile Posts: 24045 Location: Central Kentucky Joined: December 20, 2000 Contributor Since: January 29, 2004

I had one, and really enjoyed it. , posted on December 10, 2010 at 05:17:39
JimK	Nice build quality, external jumpers for configuration (no need to remove a cover), and, if memory serves, quite good sound. Plus, it's always nice to support one of the "Good Guys" in audio (Dusty Vawter). Please don't ask me to recall details about it's performance as I sold it about 4 or 5 years ago when I switched to a tubed pre (Wright AG Phono).

RE: Simaudio Moon LP3...great unit at a great price right now :), posted on December 10, 2010 at 06:19:59
mn_leaf_fan@yahoo.com Audiophile Posts: 19 Location: Minnesota Joined: November 11, 2008	I haven't heard many different pre-amps, but I will second the Moon LP3. After a short break-in period, I am very happy with my Moon LP3.

When Dusty started CI Audio, Monolithic Sound faded into, posted on December 10, 2010 at 06:39:30
Opus 104	the background. I had a PS-1 for a while. Nice, clean preamp. One neat point: If you ever e-mailed a question to MS, chances are the designer hisself (Dusty Vawter) would reply.

RE: How well is the Monolithic PS-2 regarded?, posted on December 10, 2010 at 07:33:01
rccc@wildblue.net Audiophile Posts: 309 Location: CA Joined: February 17, 2008	I have a ps1 which has held its own against many upscale pres. I use a highly modified Cit 1 that i love but I have to admit when I run the ps1 Im amazed at how well it holds up.

RE: When Dusty started CI Audio, Monolithic Sound faded into, posted on December 10, 2010 at 07:36:27
rccc@wildblue.net Audiophile Posts: 309 Location: CA Joined: February 17, 2008	Actually Greg Shug is the designer of the PS1.

one thing to keep in mind, posted on December 10, 2010 at 08:24:09

trav
Audiophile

Posts: 2218
Joined: January 25, 2003

Keep in mind the Ray Samuels stuff is sold direct, so the price is missing mark-up for distributors/importer and retail seller. When comparing solely on price I think it is crucial to give attention to the business differences which result in different selling prices. I have no opinion on which method is better, only that the path from designer to consumer factors into price.

As an aside, I haven't heard any of the Ray Samuels gear, but it has garnered consistently positive reviews over the years in Bound For Sound.

Jim put grid stoppers in the circuit , posted on December 11, 2010 at 23:22:40
tubesforever Manufacturer Posts: 10505 Location: Great Basin Joined: May 7, 2005	So a runaway tube would not take out the entire board. He built this phono stage to be bullet proof or as close as you can get for the money. Its events like this that make you glad he designs things for safety as well as performance. Cheers! "Help support our school's Music programs"

Vinyl Asylum

Giant killer phono pre around 500.00 mark

166.137.8.69