Hagerman Audio Labs

hagtech · « **on:** 3 Feb 2009, 05:57 am »

FYI - Just a heads up here on some product portfolio changes. Flexibility is key to a successful business, and so I am eliminating a whole bunch of HAL products. They are not quite right for today's marketplace realities. I spent a ton of money and time developing some of these machines, especially the HA-10, DA-10, and PA-10 line, but sometimes you just have to bite the bullet.

Now the HAL products comprise only the FRYKLEANER series of burn-in generators and the VACUTRACE. I do have three new designs in the works, which I will eventually bring out under the HAL banner. One is a full-function preamp with built-in phono and DAC sections. All tube, of course. The other is what used to be the concept PA-20, a high powered version of the PA-10 using four 6080 tubes per channel. I am aiming for 2010 or 2011 introduction. Oh, the third design is a tube guitar amp using EL84s.

The other change is the PICCOLO, which is now upgraded to use the same expensive capacitors as the HAL version had, but keeping the original blue casework. Not a spectacular visual beauty, but an absolute sonic gem, especially with the new caps. A bargain worth every dime.

jh

fatty · « **Reply #1 on:** 3 Feb 2009, 06:48 pm »

Hi Jim,

Most of the guys using your products are into vinyl---why not come out with a reasonable priced AC motor control that could also be done as a Kit ??

BobM · « **Reply #2 on:** 3 Feb 2009, 07:05 pm »

But a motor controller probably wouldn't need a tube! How can you ask Jim to justify that?

Theo · « **Reply #3 on:** 3 Feb 2009, 08:50 pm »

Quote from: hagtech on 3 Feb 2009, 05:57 am

One is a full-function preamp with built-in phono and DAC sections. All tube, of course.

May I suggest an all tube DAC that supports multiple sampling rates (96k, 192k) and bit depths (24, 32).

rajacat · « **Reply #4 on:** 3 Feb 2009, 08:58 pm »

Quote from: fatty on 3 Feb 2009, 06:48 pm

Hi Jim,

Most of the guys using your products are into vinyl---why not come out with a reasonable priced AC motor control that could also be done as a Kit ??

I'll second that.

fatty · « **Reply #5 on:** 3 Feb 2009, 09:12 pm »

Based all the member activity on the Vinyl Asylum, I would bet that very few of the members have a motor control because of the $1000 price tag for a VPI SDS motor control--so if the price was right all of those people would buy one. I would be really interested in a Kit.

Bill Epstein · « **Reply #6 on:** 3 Feb 2009, 09:48 pm »

Whar fatty said

bluesky · « **Reply #7 on:** 3 Feb 2009, 11:03 pm »

I have been thnking the along the same lines. A tube output stage for use with DAC's.

Hmmm, in fact, a kit that fits into the constructor chassis and architecture with a Squeezebox/DAC/tube output stage, a good SB3 and DAC low voltage power supply could be included on the PCB as well?

Just a thought!

Bluesky

jameshuls · « **Reply #8 on:** 3 Feb 2009, 11:28 pm »

I like the idea of the motor controller as well - I have been wanting for awhile now for my scout, but that $1000 price tag is a tough one to swallow. If one could be constructed for <$400 I would be a buyer for sure!

Russtafarian · « **Reply #9 on:** 3 Feb 2009, 11:39 pm »

'nuther vote for motor controller.

miter53 · « **Reply #10 on:** 4 Feb 2009, 04:39 am »

I would like to know more about the guitar amp. Any details? Any chance of it appearing as a kit?

BobM · « **Reply #11 on:** 4 Feb 2009, 01:49 pm »

Hey Jim, you might want to touch base with Mark Kelly on that motor controller, if you think it might be feasible. He's in your neck of the woods (Australia) and is fairly knowledgeable on the subject and may shed some light on it's commercial viability at the price point you would be targetting.

Bob

MusicMtnMonkey · « **Reply #12 on:** 4 Feb 2009, 01:58 pm »

Sorry to read this news. I know many of us (fans) are out here lurking and wishing you the Best!

PS. I need months to save up more cash for the next project, but my VPI TT AC motor could use an "affordable" controller also...

amandarae · « **Reply #13 on:** 4 Feb 2009, 10:39 pm »

Quote from: BobM on 4 Feb 2009, 01:49 pm

Hey Jim, you might want to touch base with Mark Kelly on that motor controller, if you think it might be feasible. He's in your neck of the woods (Australia) and is fairly knowledgeable on the subject and may shed some light on it's commercial viability at the price point you would be targetting.

Bob

Hey Bob, I thought Jim is in Hawaii? http://www.hagtech.com/contacts.html

regards,

Abe

amandarae · « **Reply #14 on:** 4 Feb 2009, 10:42 pm »

Quote from: hagtech on 3 Feb 2009, 05:57 am

One is a full-function preamp with built-in phono and DAC sections. All tube, of course.

When? One unit or with separated PSU via umbilical cord?

Time to save I would say!

regards,

Abe

Plink · « **Reply #15 on:** 5 Feb 2009, 03:35 am »

Yeah, a full function preamp with phono stage and DAC is something that just isn't offered out there. I can't wait to see it.

BobM · « **Reply #16 on:** 5 Feb 2009, 01:56 pm »

Quote from: amandarae on 4 Feb 2009, 10:39 pm

Hey Bob, I thought Jim is in Hawaii? http://www.hagtech.com/contacts.html

regards,

Abe

Well, to those of us in NY, Australia and Hawaii ARE in the same neck of the woods. Kind of like New Jersey is to NYC

My point is the time zone, not necessarily the proximity. It was difficult communicating with Mark from NY - everything was an overnight message.

Bob

pardales · « **Reply #17 on:** 5 Feb 2009, 02:05 pm »

Quote from: Plink on 5 Feb 2009, 03:35 am

Yeah, a full function preamp with phono stage and DAC is something that just isn't offered out there. I can't wait to see it.

I would suggest making the the Phono and DAC sections optional. Some people may use one or the other but not both. I would not want to pay for a nice phono section if I knew I wasn't going to use it.

hagtech · « **Reply #18 on:** 6 Feb 2009, 08:23 pm »

Quote

I would suggest making the the Phono and DAC sections optional

Then I would be like everyone else. I don't want to be like the rest of them. If you want commonplace audio equipment for the commonplace audiophile, this is not the place to get it. I want to push the envelope and break new ground.

My plan is to market the machine as a "second system". There are many folks out there with big expensive and complicated systems in their main living room, and yet they would like something decent for the bedroom or office. That's where I come in. By combining all of the front-end modules into one box, there is a huge savings in system cost (fewer boxes, cables, parts). And it is guaranteed to play nice together. What will then happen is that I hope they discover that their "second system" sounds as good or better than their main one. Then they move the HAL into the living room, suprised at what a handful of tubes and really good caps can do. Word gets out and people then star buying it as a "first system". Well, that's the plan, anyway.

I must confess, after so many years of mistakes, I realize I have to do things my way. Every time I tried to build something to meet what seemed like "customer demand", I ended up with a failure of a product. All of my big successes were those I did my way. My style. That's not to say I don't listen to your advice. I do. It all influences me in some way. I just have to integrate it into my thought process.

jh

tubesforever · « **Reply #19 on:** 6 Feb 2009, 08:50 pm »

Jim, being a marketing specialist I would say adaptability and brand leveraging is the best way to stay fresh and profitable. This is a weird marketplace.

Carefully reviewing what I see in the responses:

First, your marketplace would like a quality power supply kit for a turntable. This could be an easy project for a lot of first time kit builders. What a great way to get thousands of LP lovers get accustomed to your name and reputation?

Some of us have tables with dc motors, others ac motors and others of us have the superb three phase Papst hysteresis motors. A pre-built motor controller retails for 600 dollars to 3600 dollars. I bet you could design something really marketable that would make a lot of us very happy campers.

Second, without saying so directly, I think people might like a kit providing ac regenerative power. This would be a fun kit for me!

Third, people seem to be longing for a multi format dac. While you might think this is available, why try mine .... I doubt anyone out there has your take on the tube gain and the overall sense to get it to sound excellent.

I love the Hagerman kits I have built. Now its time to build the kits to make our kits sound even better....like the power supplies and the multi format dac. These would make demonstrable improvements to my system.

Just my two cents.....can I begin begging?