[coffeedj]

After building the first Cornet (6 years ago?)  I really, really liked the sound.  I have built several other phono stages and found the Hagerman's my favorite by a large margin.  I eventually bought the big brother (Trumpet) and sold the original Cornet. 

Recently, I added a second platter to my office so I can listen to Vinyl while I work (I invent and design medical equipment in my home lab/office) and decided the new Cornet2 would make a good addition. [Sorry Jim, I built this from scratch--no kit parts needed]  I made a number of modifications mostly related to the power--which is where the original Cornet was weakest.  I used a stand alone 70ma power supply with better filtering on LT and HT (triple PI filter--no R in the chain).  Added dual 0A2 Voltage regulator to the 12AX7 stages.  Changed 12AU7's to 6CG7's (huge improvement if you can't afford Mullard U7's).  Changed cathode current source transistor to MJE 340--higher wattage and no heat sink required.  Added test jack to allow measurement of cathode current on 12AX7's (for matching or ??). Changed RIAA caps for .01% Techtronix Scope caps (from the 50's).  Added a second Cathode Follower with a Volume control output -- two independent buffered outputs now, one direct and the other with gain adjustment.   Changed output caps to 1.2uF oil/paper Sangamos (1960's vintage).  Changed input resistor to grid choke -- 2000H with 50K ohm resistance.

Everything checks out great on scope--have to do some listening now and see what happens.  The only thing I'm missing is my original Shure cartridge--they quit making the V15Xmr.  That was my favorite MM cartridge.  Can anyone recommend an equivalent--or has anyone tried the new replacement needles for the Xmr?

I'll update on results.  I've never tried a grid choke on phono stage input--be interested to see how it works.  I get all my chokes custom made from a source in Hong Kong.

[tubesforever]

The Jico stylus at LPGear should be as good as the original.

I have spent time with the V15xMR and I think it is lacking in high frequency response.  In my opinion I would not spend the money to buy another or replace a worn stylus.

Again in my opinion only, if I were going to spend money toward a new MR stylus, I would probably put that money toward a Benz Ace Medium or a Dynavector 20XH.  A Sumiko Blackbird would sound better IMO than the V15xMR.

You have built a PS monster for the C2 -- Kudos.  It sounds like you are taking a Krell approach to the power supply on the Cornet2.  Everything is double regulated?  Is that right?   If so I suspect the C2 might achieve better S/N. 

What amps and speakers are you using in your office?  Are you going to be able to hear the better power supply benefits in your second system?  I want to hear how you like this compared to the Trumpet.  That would be an interesting comparison.

Did you use a larger Lansing case or something special?    Pics?

[coffeedj]

Yes I did double regulate.  I've been listening and very impressed with the sound.

About the Trumpet.  I mainly bought it for the balanced output, but it is a real good performer.  The down side is that when you use MC cartridges, hum is a problem.  Jim modified the step-up transformer and that helped, but it needed more.  THe first stage 12AX7's really need to be closely matched by section and to each other.  I went through about 30+ tubes to get all the hum out.  Also, if you really want this to sing plan on springing for Mullard 12AX7's or MilSPec GE 5071's.  Nothing else compared to this combo in the Trumpet.

I'm using Lowther drivers in both my office and main listening room.  Home made Medallion II cabinets in one, and Teresonic Ingeniums in the other.  I'm a big fan of single drivers.

For my power amps see: http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/manufacture/1108/.  I wrote this article early in the year and it was published in a few places.  I use the E80L tube in my own designed amp for the office, and the EL3N for the main listening room.  The EL3N is absolutely stunning and rivals my 2A3 amps.  It absolutly trounces any of my commercial monoblocks (names withheld.)

I also use a pair of 71A monoblocks, but the power is only 700MW.  See the Teresonic website for my Schematic.  I'm going to do a second version of that using Choke fed 01A's to drive a pair of paralleled 71A's.

[hagtech]

The Shure carts work best when loaded by 100k or higher, 47k too low.  A nice replacement (I thought was good) is the Goldring 1042.

jh

[BobM]

I tried swapping tubes in my Trumpet and found for the most part, the stock Sovetek's sound really pretty good. Yes, there was a slight improvement with some others, primarily in the first location for each tube type, but very little if any in the second spot, so I left the Sovetek's there. I wound up with Radiotechnique 12AU7's (I liked RCA clear tops also but found these were better) and Tung Sol 12AX7's (over Sylvania's).

I'll have to see what some Mullard 12AX7's or MilSPec GE 5071's (did you mean 5751?) go for and try them in that first spot. Jim told me not to substitute the tube type for "near matches", so I didn't try any 5751's.

Thanks for the tip.

Bob

[analog97]

I second the JH opinion on the Goldring 1042.  I have one as a back-up to my Denon 103.  The Goldring can be had for about $200, maybe a tad more when ordered from OriginLive.com, a most trustworthy English site.  The Pound Sterling is VERY cheap now...about 1.5.  That's darn good for many purchases!!

[WGH]

I second the JH opinion on the Goldring 1042.  I have one as a back-up to my Denon 103.  The Goldring can be had for about $200...

The cheapest I've found is $408.90 from Williams Stylus Shop, which is where I bought mine. Very fast shipping, it took about a week from Germany.

I have been using the Goldring 1042 since Oct. 2006 and have not thought about changing. This cartridge does everything perfectly with excellent balance from bass to treble. It gets out of the way and just plays music. Properly set up with attention to the VTA, the Fritz Gyger S line contact stylus yields the quietest playback I have ever heard with zero surface noise.

Wayne

[coffeedj]

How about the Goldring Eroika?   I have one of those.  Better?  Worse?

[coffeedj]

Back to the sub tube question:  The 5751 is virtually identical to the 12AX7 at higher plate voltages.  Mu is lower - anode resistance equivalent - but you won't notice the difference in gain.  I found the GE JAN version to be vitually equivalent to the Mullard ECC83/12AX7 in tone.  I wouldn't be afraid to try it out.  It sure beats out the crappy Chinese or Russian tubes.

[WGH]

How about the Goldring Eroika?   I have one of those.  Better?  Worse?

Sorry, never heard one. Try it out, see if you like it.
Report back.

[miter53]

Goldring 1042 $335 @ KAB
http://www.kabusa.com/frameset.htm?/index.htm

[coffeedj]

I am reporting my results with the Goldring Eroika, per ealier request.  It is mounted on the
Music Hall 9.1 table with carbon fiber arm.  I used to have the Immedia Platter w/ RB II Arm, but it was so finicky I swapped for the mmf.  The mmf is a lot easier to use, much more resistance to external vibration, and I don't notice any loss of quality.

Anyway, been playing the Goldring Eroika for a couple of days now and I have to say that I really like it.  It is extremely neutral and very responsive.  There is no lack of detail.  I have the Vangard re-release of the Heiftz performance of the Kreutzer Sonato and it is stunning.  The Kreutzer/Heiftz is the most demanding recording for speed and attact that I know of.

The Eroika is not as exciting as my Koestsu Urushi, but at 1/20 the price it is a darn good deal.  It came with the mmf 9.1 for $200 upcharge.

I have been playing these through my (DIY) EL-3N SET tube amp.  What an incredible sound that tube has!  I think I'm growing to like it better than the 2A3.  Unfortunately, EL-3N tubes are ultra-rare.

[analog97]

Goldring 1042 $335 @ KAB

About $260 shipped from OriginLive.  They have gone up in price recently, but this is a heckuva cartridge for this price.  My last one was $190 shipped.