[Bobzilla]

 Simple question Hagerman fans:
 
 Does the coronet invert phase?

 After reading highly complimentary reviews of the PS Audio Digital Link III, (particularly Gary Galo's write up in the August Audio Xpress ) and noting that it too inverts phase, I would think that it may be an ideal match with my recently completed Clarinet.
 If both the Coronet and the DAC invert phase than the factor of the Clarinets phase inversion ( please see previous conversation between Jim Hagerman and Tubesforever) would be negated for my major inputs.

 Soooo ...
 
 Does the Coronet invert phase?     

[GRD]

In a word, no.

Technically, it inverts phase twice - each 12AX7 inverts, so final result is no inversion.  The 12AU7 is a cathode follower and it maintains phase.

At the Hewlett building on Stanford campus, there's a reproduction of a letter from Bill Hewlett to Fred Terman on his new book.  Bill was his student at the time.  Bill talks about how good the book is, but notes that an amplification equation for a triode omitted a negative sign, as the signal is inverted.  In a few years, he would figure out how to use a light bulb as a cathode resistor to apply compensating feedback in an audio oscillator and with that successful product, start HP with Dave Packard. 

[Bobzilla]

GRD,

Thanks much for your informative reply.

Bobzilla

[tubesforever]

Bob,

As Jim stated the phase is not necessarily out an exact 180 degrees out of absolute phase.  Its like a slight J.

I could not reverse the amplifier phasing or my speakers would move in reverse.

However there are definitely some phase shifts going on with the Clarinet.

The Cornet 2 is rock steady.  No deviation.  It is phase accurate.

My Clarinet is sounding so good I cannot imagine wanting to replace it right now.  If I did it would be for something octal and perhaps balanced. 

I want Jim to design me one of these!   Along with 3 or 4 other products!

[Bobzilla]

 Tubes,

 I couldn't agree more on the sound of my Clairnet, and time wise it's still breaking in.

 On a slightly similar topic, what's your take on DAC's? I know Jim has the Chime, but I don't see a lot of forum input on it. (That doesn't make it bad!) The amazing clarity (for lack of a better single word terminology) of the Carinet makes me wonder about further improving the front end. I'm not dead set against DIY for a DAC, it's just that occasionally it would be nice to just "plug and play"!

 It gives me something to think about as I begin the Coronet production ... 

[tubesforever]

Bob,

I want to build a dac in the worst way....it hurts.  However I need a dac that does CD, SACD and DVD-A.  I am a multi format guy and require something beyond the Chime.

The Clarinet and Cornet/2 make an unbelievably nice combination in my room.  Its serendipidy.  Magic. 

I need to get busy researching dacs again.  I need to get a DIY board before DVD-A disappears as an option on a dac.

[fatty]

Hello,

Try going to Ebay and searching the DIY DAC section--there allot of 192K dacs--some are quite good. I don't think you will find a DIY product that has SACD--Sony's got the patent on it and if you want to use it--you have to pay a useage fee. There is a review on one of the DYI kits on the Lapizator website. That should get you started on the right path.

[Bobzilla]

Fatty,

Interesting web site!

Thanks!

[fatty]

Hello,

I need to make a correction----the correct name is Lampizator.

[MusicMtnMonkey]

I think at least one of the DAC that is popular at Head Fi can be connected to HDMI and does decode DSD.

When you get some time again Jim, we'd all love to see a DAC that can handle higher bitrates...