Clarinet up and running

mcgsxr · « **on:** 20 Feb 2005, 01:40 am »

I just wanted to drop in a note to mention how happy I am with my new Hagerman Clarinet!

Fellow AC member mgalusha did exceptional work building this for me, and special thanks to him for helping me understand a couple of ways to customize and upgrade this unit.

I bought an older Tara Labs Time and Space Passage line stage, and shipped it off to Mike, to have him investigate installing the DIY Cable remote kit. Well, the unit turned out to be faulty, so we decided that the case could be gutted, and a custom Clarinet fitted into the carcass.

I chose a single input, dual output format for my needs, but then added an HT bypass, so that I can use my Bolder Teac and DIY single driver speakers for both 2 channel, and HT.

Mike suggested some great Jensen oil and paper caps, and built the Clarinet point to point, leveraging the Tara pcb for the tube spots etc.

The PS is all Panasonic and Black Gate caps, and I have installed a vintage Sylvania tube rectifier, and NOS Tung Sol tubes. Herbie's halos for all 3, and the aforementioned DIY Cable remote kit is perfect. Mike also updated the relevant rca's with Cardas ones, and it is a great build - tidy, well laid out, and built with great attention to detail.

I will play around with the JAZZ FOD feet from Wayne, when I get the chance.

I plugged it into the system last night, finally relegating my B&K pre/pro to just HT duty, and sat back to enjoy. I must have played 15 cd's today, and am heading back down to the system now, as my daughter is off to sleep.

The Clarinet brings phenomenal texture and emotion to the music, and generates shocking depth in my system. WELL worth a look, if you are hunting an affordable tube based line stage that will bring out the best in the rest of your gear.

Here are some before and after pics. Mike gutted the Tara, and then built out the Clarinet inside the case. I added the carbon to the front plate, to cover up the empty holes where the balance and other controls had been. I will paint the top black again when the Spring comes, still too chilly up here in the Great White North to be painting in the garage!

Thanks again to Hagerman for designing a wonderful unit, and HUGE thanks to mgalusha, a perfect gentleman to deal with, and all around great guy!

Stock Tara Innards

Clarinet Innards - this is a shot of the test wiring, when delivered, the wiring is tidy, and run around the outside of the pcb etc, just a quick shot to show the layout etc.

Stock Tara Face

Carbon Clarinet!

Thanks for signing it Mike, it is great to rebadge the "serial number"!

corwin99 · « **Reply #1 on:** 20 Feb 2005, 01:52 am »

VERY NICE!! I love the carbon faceplate!

-neL

mgalusha · « **Reply #2 on:** 20 Feb 2005, 03:59 am »

Glad you like it Mark and thanks for the kind words.

I just want to add that even though Mark's Clarinet was built using point to point connections on the old Tara Labs PC board I did purchase a Clainet 1/2 kit board from Jim so that this would not be a misue of his IP. Even though Jim makes the schematic available on his website I could not in good conscience build a preamp for someone without paying for the right to do so.

Mike

mcgsxr · « **Reply #3 on:** 6 Dec 2005, 08:23 pm »

This unit is now listed in the Classifieds here on AC... drop me a note if interested, it is a really nice piece, but I am heading all digital, and to a PC front end!

hagtech · « **Reply #4 on:** 7 Dec 2005, 03:55 am »

I'm seriously thinking of getting an i-mini. All the buzz on the net scaring me away from a pc. Seems like nobody can get drivers configured for bit accuracy (damn kmixer).

Heck for $500, the i-mini will make a great transport. USB output to CHIME. Also plays DVDs. Will connect to my wireless hub for itunes downloads.

jh

mcgsxr · « **Reply #5 on:** 11 Dec 2005, 04:07 pm »

SOLD, to a fellow AC member!

mgalusha · « **Reply #6 on:** 23 Dec 2005, 06:22 pm »

Funny how the world works. The new owner wanted additional inputs and so Mark shipped it to me on it's way to the new owner (hi Dan). In the time since originally completing this for Mark I have become very fond of bypassing the Jensen caps with the Sonicap Platinums. These are an exceptional cap and when paired with the Jensen provide a great sound. The nice liquid/smooth sound of the oil caps but with great clarity and detail of the teflon/foil caps.

Anyway, I've been listeing to this again not hearing it for a year and it's sounding very nice indeed. I put in a set of really old Mullard tubes and it sounds really really nice. If you are in the market for a DIY tube preamp Jim's Clarinet is a great design. Build one for yourself, I doubt you will be disappointed.