[ronpod]

Before I tell you this story, I have to say that I’ve seem to always be a newbie at everything, even before I start. And I’m generally a geek, having difficulty around the other gender. When I spoke to a friend about his success, he says “ya gotta be cool – start listenin’ to vinyl lps.” Well, others and I are amazed that I was able to marry so well, but things started to cool so I took the plunge into jazz lps. The resurgence was halted when I spun Ornette Coleman’s “Free Jazz.” That’s when things became dysfunctional and she threatened to leave with the credit card “Either that music or I go!”  So I did what any post-modern man would do, I blamed my equipment. “Honey, if you buy me Jim Hagerman’s Cornet2 Half-kit for my birthday, we might have a chance and we might not have to go to counseling.”

Again, I can’t believe my luck… Knowing my Cornet2 kit was on it way, I started thinking about components. Gotta have that Lansing in black, and the RCA connectors gotta be gold plated. Also gotta read the website to see if anybody else has done this…whoa, there are several cats that have been modding the parts with many “upgrades.” This is getting complicated. Those Mundorf Silver/Oil couplers (C208) must be nice so I ordered them. Also ordered some Sonicaps (C202, C204, and C200) from Sonic Craft. That Michael Percy guy out in CA has some nice stuff that could help, like a DynamiCap for the input coupler (?) (C203) and bunches of Kiwame 2W resistors for most circuit duty. A Mills 12W resistor goes in R223, but what about those resistances in the signal path. Well I cut open a carbon composite resistor, looked at how it was made, and thought about how in those fancy computer simulations, components have reactivities added because real components are far from ideal. After some internal debate, I ordered TX2575’s from Texas Components Corp for all signal path positions. They’re very similar to the nude Vishays and expensive, but so is a counselor. Fancy using air as a dielectric! Well, getting really carried away, some of those Russian FT-3 teflon caps were ordered from the Ukraine and they are now sitting on my self. I’ll figure out something for them.

Construction was straight forward but I did it slow, two days. Everything fits like a glove but the component labels on the PCB are covered when some of the part are installed. Jim, what’s with that? Are you that confident that I won’t have to troubleshoot some day?

Funny thing is, I checked four times on which side to solder the tube sockets (this was the first component I mounted) and I still soldered them on the wrong side. My advice, check five times before soldering. I used silver solder which needs a hotter iron, so I used a copperized alligator clip on the opposite side of the PCB on all component leads during soldering. I didn’t want to burn those nudies ($).

I do need to figure out how to transfer the Hagerman decals in white from the pdf file to place on the black Lansing. That would give a beautiful finish. And now the interconnects will become the focus for improvement.

Tubewise, I started with a Sovtek 5Y3GT rectifier, a couple Mullard 12AX7’s, and a GE 12AU7. I am lucky to have the “oldest electronics tech shoppe” in the county located in a hobbit hovel in the FlatIrons of Boulder. He has an entire wall of tubes and was able to help replace the GE with an Amperex Bugleboy 12AU7. A funny thing happened to the sound when I made that change. Many people have commented that better tubes broaden the soundstage (hollowgraphic is a term often used). Well, I am humbled by all I don’t know about this audiophile verbage and I don’t have much experience with very many quality systems. When I changed to the Bugleboy, each instrument and singer assumed a focused, distinct position. Before the soundstage sounded “wide” but now I thinking that I was deceived by my perception. I thought I knew what these common audiophile terms mean but now I am in doubt. But I still can rely on the emotional involvement with the music.

Burn in is well into the 50th hour. I have a heavily modded Thorens 145 (all the Analog Dept mods) with a Denon 103r cartridge w Uwe Ebony wood body (Cardas wired tonearm, short) into a DIY Cinemag SUT into the Cornet2. A Pioneer SX1250 (aux in) provides power to the AV123 Strata Mini’s.

I chased down a hum that was fixed with star grounding to all components.

So how’s the sound, you ask? Well, as with the comment above, I question my ability to judge. My system sounds better than it ever has. I attended the Rocky Mountain Audio Fest last year and can honestly say that I now have a system that I can be proud of. I look forward to this year’s fest because my ears have grown some.

More importantly, did the Cornet2 add to the music experience? Is there more emotion in my musically experience. Emotion? I remember that, I had it a couple of years ago. Well last night I spun the Stan Getz Quartet and found my wife dancing, doing a languid Astrud Gilberto imitation – oh yeah, there’s that emotion again…


Wait, I think my wife is putting on another record



She’s dancing again



Jim, this box of yours is going to kill me



Gotta go

[hagtech]

Are you that confident that I won’t have to troubleshoot some day?

Yes.

jh

[ronpod]

This is a test post of Cornet2 images

[ronpod]

Second attempt to post pics:

[ronpod]

[ronpod]

[ronpod]

I would like to personally thank:

Jim Hagerman for a solid design and excellent kit, unending support
Bill Epstein
leitmo
Theo
denverartist
rimrod
taskerc
marc7
Ferrstein
miter53
PatOMalley
vconsumer
analog97
for excellent questions that shown a light into the Cornet2

I would particularly thank tubesforever for demonstrating the DIY experimental spirit that drives us

and I thank anumber1 for pioneering an inexpensive route into this hobby

[tubesforever]

I've got three points to make.

First, you have selected excellent parts and pieces in all the critical areas.  If yours sounds anything like mine you are going to be smiling and your wife as well!  Add those FT-3 caps in parallel bypassing the silver mundorfs.  The dynamics alone are worth the price of admission.  Bass drum, and percussion knock me out of my seat.

Second, you just have to hear this phono section with a matching Clarinet line stage.  This is where the rubber meets the road.  The two together are 3 times the sound of either apart.  Tell your wife it will take your relationship to the next level. 

Third, don't be playing Ravels Bolero around your wife.  It might be the end of you! 

[ronpod]

tubes,
I will try the FT-3s bypassing the Mundorfs. You tried the FT-3s in many positions, which ones are you recommending? Didn't you have them as the input coupler component? How about bypassing the B+ caps?

Is it possible the the Clarinet could be just too much fun? I'll have to really find a drift for the WAF. Jim, is this truly the ticket?

Do be careful about your musical suggestions -- I'll need to consider blood doping, Epo, etc.

[tubesforever]

You will get the most bang for the buck with the FT-3s as the input and ouput cap bypasses. 

While I bypassed the 4 B+ 47uf caps, this is simply because I was after frying up the big fish for dinner.  I wanted the maximum possible dynamics. 

In general, to get the same bang for the buck on the B+ bypass caps, you would need a clean and powerful amplifier and speakers that can do slam justice.  Not every system will respond quite like another. 

The nice thing is that the FT-3 caps are dirt cheap.  It is cost effective to buy some extra FT-3 caps and store them.  As any builder here feels the need, it is easy to add them in.  I find the major contribution is in the dynamics and slam arena.   The bass line is improved as well, you will hear Cello and string bass growl out their notes.  This is fun stuff.

I did a side by side with a Conrad Johnson PV-10B and the Hagerman C2.  The C2 was plugged into the PV 10 in one of its line connections.  After an hour we plugged in my Clarinet.  Now we are talking high end.  First, the sound stage is so silent you didn't know the Clarinet and Cornet2 were even turned on and warmed up.  The CV was a noisy beast of a thing in comparison.  I mean no disrespect here.  I like the CV PV-10 models!

The Clarinet sounds so sublime that it takes the C2 to the next level.  John Bedini told me once that the line stage is the backbone for every source in your system.  He said put your money there and you will always have spent the money wisely.

I built my C2 first and it kicked booty stock with just the Auricap upgrade. 

However when I built the hotrodded Clarinet the whole system shot up a couple of notches.  I was surprised that my purely passive stepped attenuator was holding back the music as much as it did.  I always thought the best line stage would be just a wire leading to a clean attenuator.  Boy was I wrong.

[JCarney]

Nice looking work. Congrats on a successful build. I do have a question. I quote "I am lucky to have the “oldest electronics tech shoppe” in the county located in a hobbit hovel in the FlatIrons of Boulder." Who and where is this establishment?

Thanks,
JCarney

[ronpod]

JCarney,

His name is Paul Howes. I need to check with him for his approval of posting more info on the web.

Are you in the Front Range area? I would like to find locals that are interested in comparing components.

ronpod

[denverartist]

Enjoyed your posts about your Cornet2 build very much. The pictures are informative as well.  My Cornet2 seems a bit imperfect but it isn't capacitors that I want to change. Seems like it should be better. Like you mentioned, I am one of those people who doesn't always trust my ears. Takes a long! time for differences to be apparent. I am trying different tubes and also cartridges (but I am budget-minded.) From the outside mine looks just like yours, except I hard-wired a power cable.

I go to RMAF also. In fact, I am helping with some PR for the show this year.
I live in SW Denver.

Pete

System:
Scott 299D integrated
ProAc Response 1
MHZS CDP
CAL Sigma II DAC
Ariston RD40 or Rega P3 tt
Cornet 2

[ronpod]

Pete,

Thanks for the compliment and you have a great system. If you are interested in getting together to compare C2s let me know. I will be at Red Rocks tonight to hear Willie.

Ron.

[ronpod]

JCarney,

I spoke with Paul and he can be e-mailed at crankbite@aol.com but only has audio tubes (is there any other kind?).
He said that he has "more tubes then ever" and he has just made a price list of AX7s and AU7s. Don't buy him out because I enjoy having a local supply and just generally enjoy going over and hanging out.

Ron

[JCarney]

Thanks Ron,
I'll drop him a line.

JCarney

[ronpod]

If you are interested in the Texas Components Corp TX2575 as a resistor option here is a link that will help you search for info:

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?htech&1218474065&openfrom&10&4

[analog97]

Ronpod,

You can add a tremendous modification that would add $500 to the look and an equal measure to the sound quality.   Just remove the sticker on the transformer.   

[ronpod]

analog97,

As you suggested, I removed the sticker. But before I did, I noticed that 5VCT is capable of 2amps so the 5AR4 rectifier could be supported. Now whether that is desirable or not might be in question.

I tried to listen very closely but I'm not sure I heard any difference. I may have a slight cold that might effect my ability to discern. I am thinking that a case mod with burl rosewood box and a gold-plated top plate might provide the enhancements that this circuit deserves.

ronpod

[WGH]

I removed the sticker. But before I did, I noticed that 5VCT is capable of 2amps so the 5AR4 rectifier could be supported. Now whether that is desirable or not might be in question.

I use a CBS 5V4GA, it is also very nice, more bass than a NOS RCA 5Y3GT. Jim McShane always has an interesting and ever changing selection of NOS tubes at very fair prices. Great to deal with. Highly recommended.

Very nice build BTW.

Wayne