[leitmo]

Hi everyone!

i'm totally convinced to buy and build a Cornet 2. I'll use it to transfer LP's to Mac with warm tube sound, the schematic is this:

Technics SL1210-Cornet 2-Vestax mixer PCV-MOTU282MK2-Mac

i've been using this equipment (obviously without the Cornet 2 entering to Vestax by Phono Input) for 2 years and the result is Great and pristine sound but i would like to add the tube sound.

The Question: with the Cornet 2 Half kit I receive the PCB, drill guide and manual with parts list and schematics. I'm intended to buy components by myself. I live in Barcelona, Spain, big city with some electronic stores but some components like caps, transformers or tube sockets may be difficult to find.

Do you know web links where i can buy components and...ENCLOSURE!!!

thanks!!!

[taskerc]

Hi - I am just finishing my Cornet2 so I can add a bit of information.  It is difficult to get ALL parts from a single source.  For example, in my Digikey order, a good few of the resistors and some caps were out of stock with lead times of 4-5 weeks (which I thought was weird for resistors).  Capacitors, particularly the regular upgrades, can be found, but again not normally at the same source as the rest of the parts.  So for simplicity, I stuck with Jim's recommended suppliers except for the back-ordered resistors, which I ordered from mouser.  The case/enclosure is another story altogether.  I cheaped out and got the Hammond case and found this to be a problematic choice.  If you do get the Hammond, make sure you get the 3" tall version - the 2" tall version was, for me, an exercise in frustration.  I eventually broke down and ordered the Lansing case and it is worth the extra cash.  But for you, being in Barcelona, this will probably be a difficult exercise in terms of getting all of the parts and a delivery-friendly manner that minimizes shipping and customs/duties.  Having lived in Ireland, I know how difficult it can be to get things I considered to be standard easily and cost effectively.  That said, I have used Farnell (www.farnell.com) and Uk Components (www.ukcomponents.com) in the past and they were OK for orders within Europe.

So I hope this helps a bit - the Cornet project has been fun and educational (mostly in terms of metal working  ) and I hope to have mine up and running very soon.  Good Luck!

taskerc

[leitmo]

hi taskerc!

thanks for the information, i'll use it for good!

only one more question: where is the list of Jim's recommended suppliers?? i can't find it on the web

Tell me your impressions when you finish your Cornet 2, did you find something difficult during building it?

Good luck too!

[leitmo]

sorry, i've just discovered that suppliers and upgrades list are in cornet 2 manual.

let's work a little bit!

[taskerc]

Hi leitmo,

I general the project has been fun.  Getting the parts was a bit of  a challenge - five suppliers in the end.  For me the electronic build was the most fun and the "easiest", although that will be better known when I actually finish and test it 

Now the metal-work, that was a different story.  I have, admittedly, very little patience.  And as mentioned I tried to minimize cost by getting the Hammond chassis - this for me (but not others) was a mistake.  I did not have the proper tools or imagination to make this chassis work, especially since I ordered the 2 inch tall version.  I also learned that tools area bit important.  So my rotary tool worked well, but of course when my patience and attention wandered ....

So I broke down and bought the Lansing chassis (in black - very nice indeed) and last night I finished most of the metal work.  The key was buying some chassis punches - I found 16mm, 27.5 mm and 30-something mm punches and they worked very well - very nice, crisply finished holes.  My only problem now is the power inlet IEC plate - a square cutout should be easier for me to manually complete and since the edge of the IEC plate overlaps the cutout a bit, it will hide some of my mistakes    But at least last night was a big progress point - it actually looks like a Cornet2 now, even if it is not yet powered up - it looks really good  in the Lansing black case and now I am trying to figure out how the get the Hagerman logo and other silkscreen stuff on the case - not critical, but it would really make it complete.  Any input on this aspect is greatly appreciated.

So, all in all, so far great fun, a bit frustrating, but a highly enjoyable and do-able project - I look forward to the listening ....  Thanks again Jim for such a great project - and if I can get this working, anyone should be able to do it!  Hopefully I will be able to post a picture of a happy glowing Cornet2 (in Lansing Black) very soon

So maybe I will ask some questions that I thought of during the projects:
1) why is the LED on the top and not on the front panel - I thought about moving it, but of course cut the top LED hole prior to completing this thought process
2) wouldn't a front panel switch be more functional in use?  reaching around behind is OK but .... Again, I may retrofit a front panel version at a later time
3) I put the mono switch in but was nto sure how to use it if I had not - was there any wiring change required to account for NO mono switch?  I may reuse the mono switch hole for the front-facing LED retrofit
4) What would happen if I integrated my Cinemag SUTs into the Cornet and them provided a SUT/SUT Bypass switch?  Presumably the chassis provides adequate interference rejection but I was not sure (due to my lack of knowledge in the tube design world) if the design of the Cornet2 throws some extra engergy around that would adversely affect an in-built SUT.



Regards, taskerc

[hagtech]

1) why is the LED on the top and not on the front panel

Just part of the retro styling I employed.  It could have gone anywhere. 

2) wouldn't a front panel switch be more functional in use?

Sure, if you don't mind high voltage ac wires right next to your input tube.  The reasons are purely electrical, not aesthetic.  It was to minimize hum and RF coupling into the sensitive inputs.

3) I put the mono switch in but was nto sure how to use it if I had not

Mono switch is optional.  Leaving it out is ok, no jumpers required.

4) What would happen if I integrated my Cinemag SUTs into the Cornet

It would hum like crazy.

jh

[taskerc]

Thanks Jim - now I know 

taskerc