I, too, just finished my latest Hagerman project.
Your Bugle looks great. I have a Piccolo in the box I was going to get another Cornet for but maybe I'll think about a Bugle instead.
I just finished a few minutes ago and am now listening to my Cornet 2 with Cinemag step-ups. The Cornet Iis the ine I built last year in a fancy wood box but now it's in a plain Hammond steel 10x17. The Cinemags are right up next to the board inputs and separated by a good 3" from the AC with all that real estate.
I lined the box with 34ga. copper sheet applied with this gooey damping film from EAR. Also mounted the board with EAR bushings and put their L-021 feet underneath. I just popped in some EH and Sovtek tubes and it sounds fabulous.
I always had some hum and buzz with the wooden box and brass top-plate. Now, there is an unearthly quiet from my 97dB efficient speakers. I 'went to school' on the ARC and CAT pre-amps I've had lately and the build ideas really paid off.
First impression is a really airy and natural sounding presentation of DK's voice and a slightly upfront soundstage. I can hear the silence of the background, just like on the CAT SL-1 Sig. The lows are super, too with great sock from the kick drum and well-textured double bass tones.
Gonna be up all night!
