Vinyl Asylum: REVIEW: Hagerman Technology Cornet Phono Preamp by tianguis

Model:	Cornet
Category:	Phono Preamp
Suggested Retail Price:	$95 - $595 - $695
Description:	Hagerman Cornet Phono Pre
Manufacturer URL:	Hagerman Technology
Model Picture:	View

Review by tianguis ( A ) on August 12, 2003 at 19:55:46
IP Address: 66.108.72.92

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for the Cornet

About a month ago I completed Jim Hagerman's (an Asylum Sponsor) Cornet, largely based on posts here by Peter Clarke and Thom Mackris, as well as some recs from others I respect. Now that I've got about 100 hrs. on it, and have done some fascinating tube rolling, I feel like I can report on what I've heard.
This is primarily a "half-kit" (bare board) and parts must be sourced, but Jim's parts list and sources is complete. You can also buy it built in two versions. I built it with some NOS Jensen coppers (eBay find) and gold sockets. I also used Jim's chassis because I didn't have the correct Greenlee's (and I'm lazy!). Jim's customer service and email speed are exemplary. I didn't need technical help, but when Mouser back-ordered some resistors and I was having trouble getting them, he fired them off to me post-haste at no charge! This is not a difficult build, but there are lots of bits and pieces and you'd better get it right the first time.
As others have reported, I thought I'd messed up because, upon initial start-up, I heard NOTHING, even at full gain in my system. Dropping the tonearm (Tri-Planar/Crown Jewel/Teres) told me I hadn't. In my impatience to listen, I was running a 0.4 mV cart into a fairly low-gain (MM) phono stage, but since the noise floor was so low, cranking everything only resulted in great sound. Since then, I've wired some Lundahls to the inputs, which have tremendously expanded the dynamic range and given me all the headroom I can use. Living in a Manhattan apartment, Ive also experienced near-field listening conditions when it's late. This thing delivers the goods even at very low levels.
What does it sound like? It's the most quiet, detailed, dynamic phono pre I've heard (I haven't heard the Trumpet - yet). In my system, I've used - let's see - NAD, Grodinsky, Audio Research, Audible Illusions 3A preamps with phono stages (maybe a few more) and Lehmann Black Cube/PWX. Admittedly, none of them world-class, but a few of them very competent. There's no contest.
I'm fortunate to have some great tubes in my caddy for other (Transcendent Grounded Grid, Berning microZOTL, others) bits in my system, so I did some tube rolling, trying Amperex (Holland) Bugle Boys, Tele's, RCA's, Mullards, Ciftes, RCA cleartops and JG GE's, all NOS. I won't say which are best to my ears, but the Cornet consistently responded in a most sensitive and responsive way. This is one FAST phono stage, even without the CC mod. Transients and decays are handled the way they should be - as music. Mids and voices are the sweetest I've heard. I'm still looking for the bottom half of the lowest octave, but getting closer (prolly a cartridge loading thing).
There are many posts on the Vinyl Asylum about relative surface noise among different types of stylii and cartridge types. I'm beginning to think those arguments are mostly moot. No matter what cartridge I've used (original Crown Jewel, Benz Ref. 2 Silver, Denon 103S, Dyna Karat, Grado Sonata) the surface-noise level of the Cornet is low, low, low. (Most of my LP's are SA salvage, cleaned with a VPI 16.5.) I believe this must be due to proper filtering. Surface noise, as seen by a phono pre, is usually a large transient (compared to the signal strength). When improperly done, the filtering or lack of it can cause circuit oscillation, lack of accuracy or big pops. Properly done, as in the Cornet, less noise and no loss of micro detail or dynamics (and much smaller pops).
In short (ha!,it's already too long) I've never been more impressed by a component. It's taken my vinyl playback to a level I never expected when I set out to build it (and far beyond what I had), thanks to others' recommendations about how good it is.
Regards,
Larry Welsh

Product Weakness: ?????
Product Strengths: Superb phono pre at a ridiculously low price.

Associated Equipment for this Review:
Amplifier:	Berning microZOTL @ about 1 Watt
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	Transcendent Sound Grounded Grid
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	Teres/Tri-Planar/various
Speakers:	Hammer Dynamics Super 12's 98 dB
Cables/Interconnects:	47 Labs OTA, various DIY silver
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	Everything
Room Size (LxWxH):	16 x 12 x 9
Room Comments/Treatments:	Corner Traps/Sleeping 17 lb. cat
Time Period/Length of Audition:	100 hours
Other (Power Conditioner etc.):	Transcendent Sound Balanced Power Supply
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner

Product Weakness:	?????
Product Strengths:	Superb phono pre at a ridiculously low price.