[whubbard]

Hi All,
Is it possible to configure the Cornet II for use with .5mV MC carts? Or do I have to get the Piccolo too?

Thanks,
West

[analog97]

You will need about an additional 20db gain for .5mv carts.  Either a step-up transformer or Hagerman's active device THE PICCOLO.  I have a PICCOLO and highly recommend it.    Good luck.

[jameshuls]

I'll second the piccolo. Very easy to make, flexible and mighty fine sounding!

[amandarae]

Hi All,
Is it possible to configure the Cornet II for use with .5mV MC carts? Or do I have to get the Piccolo too?

Thanks,
West

Hello West,

I use a Cinemag CMQEE-3440A (can be configured at 1:9, 1:18, and 1:36) or a Piccolo on my Denon 304 (0.25 mV and /103&103R 0.4 mV carts) with great success.  IME, using an SUT or a head amp will give you a choice or feel which one suits you most in the end.  They do sound different (should be!) and not to mention that a 100 ohms load for an SUT is not the same as a 100 ohm load for a head amp (in sound).  The SUT transform/amplifies first before loading (assuming loading the secondary) while the head amp loads first before applying the gain.
Anyways, I found that for MC carts in my application, a total gain of 60 dB or higher (phono preamp+ SUT/head amp + linestage) gives a little less line level signal as my cd player.  The Piccolo is not only great sounding but the flexibility of gain adjustment and loading makes it a very worthwhile investment.

BTW, we have something in common, system wise (your avatar!).







regards,

Abe

[denverartist]

Wow. To say "Nice Set-up" is an understatement, Abe.   Thanks for posting pics.

Pete

CO

[amandarae]

Wow. To say "Nice Set-up" is an understatement, Abe.   Thanks for posting pics.

Pete

CO

Thanks Pete! 

regards,

Abe

[jameshuls]

I was thinking the same as Pete. Are you sure you have enough turntables though?

[amandarae]

I was thinking the same as Pete. Are you sure you have enough turntables though?

Thanks James!  We're OT already but modesty aside, I have two more in the garage waiting for funds availability so they can have their own plinth and arm.

Thanks a lot for the nice words!

regards,

Abe

[whubbard]

Abe,
Yes we do.
SL would also frown upon us for using tubes 

Also, This is for my DIY Teres turntable, and it appears you have a Teres as well.

I guess the best course of action would just be to put the Piccolo in the same box as the Cornet II. This will let me use less interconnects, and be more compact. I will add outputs however that come straight from the piccolo, in case I wish to try another MM preamp.

-West

[jameshuls]

Abe, those plinths are beautiful! Do you make them yourself? What kind of ply is it? Where did you get so many Thorens turntables? I have never heard one, but I assume there must be something to them if you have so many.

Sorry for so many questions, but I am intrigued!

[amandarae]

Abe,
Yes we do.
SL would also frown upon us for using tubes  

Also, This is for my DIY Teres turntable, and it appears you have a Teres as well.

I guess the best course of action would just be to put the Piccolo in the same box as the Cornet II. This will let me use less interconnects, and be more compact. I will add outputs however that come straight from the piccolo, in case I wish to try another MM preamp.

-West

Yes he will!

regards,

Abe

[amandarae]

Abe, those plinths are beautiful! Do you make them yourself? What kind of ply is it? Where did you get so many Thorens turntables? I have never heard one, but I assume there must be something to them if you have so many.

Sorry for so many questions, but I am intrigued!

Hello James,

Thanks for the compliment!

Yes, I made all the plinths.  Mostly made of Birch Ply (Garrard and Thorens TD 124 MKII) but the TD124-MKI plinth is made up of some hardwood which I cannot remember the name anymore.

The Thorens, IMHO, sounds like "in between" a belt drive (finesse) and an idler drive (great dynamics).  No surprises there since its drive mechanish is made up of a belt driven pulley driving an idler wheel, and the idler wheel rotating the platter.  To me, I really like them since there's a considerable amount of LP's that I have that sounds so nice on the TD124's.  BTW, my TD 124 MKI has a serial number in the low 15xx range whick makes it about 50-60 years old I think.  The table is much older than me for sure!   Bought it from a local ad for $250 before.  

Anyways, one thing I can assure you, the Cornet II with the Piccolo sounds amazing to me when paired with idler drive tables.


regards,

Abe