[samplesj]

I'm getting ready to add a good vinyl setup to my system so as I look around at phono preamps I found a lot of positive buzz about the Cornet2 so I started to look at HagTech again.

As I looked closer I started pondering multiple upgrades.  I really like the sound of my system now, but I'd love for it to be a bit richer.  In the past I've shied away from tubes down here because I didn't have good cooling, but I've fixed that so tubes are an option again and looking good.  My much more compromised den system has a gorgeous richness I just don't get down here (of course otherwise it doesn't hold a candle to the good system).  I'd been considering adding a tube buffer for the cds, and I need 2v for full power out of the vinyl for my current amps (maybe upgrading these too, but I need big power so the Cymbal is out).  I love my TVC, but between those two factors I wonder if a Clarinet might be a good idea?  It gives me both the sound of a tube buffer and the extra gain for the phono.  Instead of upgrading the pot could I use my S&B tx102s for volume control in the Clarinet (skipping the balance too)?   I know they are REALLY expensive replacements for a pot, but its a sunk cost.  If they won't work out or would cause problems then I'd just keep them seperate and decide which I liked best.  I might even get the pot and compare them if the txs are an option.  Apart from technical (impedance) issues I can't see that it would be as bad as adding a tube buffer before them (with another set of interconnects/jacks and possibly a lesser tube design).  The nice thing about DIY is if I don't like how it sounds I can always put it back.  Space wise I could just get a deeper lansing box to hold the txs and switches in front of the circuit.

[hagtech]

Yes, the biggest problem I see is with space.  You need a much bigger box to get those things to fit.  Having said that, they can replace the pot in the CLARINET design.  You'll also want to keep them as far away from the power transformer as you can.  So put them up front of the board.

jh

[samplesj]

Thanks for the reply.  I knew space would be a problem.  I also asked in a different thread about stuffing multiple kits so I'm already planning on a massive box.

I'm actually currently using the txs so they are already soldered to the switch and I've got the leads fairly short so I was planning on putting them in the absolute front so I didn't have to mess around with a shaft extender for my switch.  Hopefully that'll give me enough distance since these are also the older ones that are potted in mu metal instead of the newer open style Bent is using.

I've got to admit I didn't really do my homework before asking this.  I didn't see this until now, but after checking out the schematic I see that all of the pots were in front of the tube circuit.  So basically I'll just use my jacks to the selector switch to the cans to the vol switch to somewhere on the board trace leading to cap C302.  Its almost like I'd be adding a tube buffer after the cans.

Without the 50k bal and 50k vol pots, what will the input impedance of the tube circuit look like?   Would I need to change the input caps or anything else to compensate?

[hagtech]

It will be 330k.  But you can change that to whatever you want.  Just don't try to make it too high, the grid of first tube needs a dc path for current.

jh

[samplesj]

Cool, 330k is way more than enough.  I was happy with feeding my amp directly (100k) so this should be even better since its easier on the sources.

Thanks