Hagerman Technology LLC: Cornet

"Cornet" Phonostage (discontinued)

Upgrade to a "Cornet" from Hagerman Audio Labs!

The amplification stages are all single-ended class A with zero feedback. RIAA equalization is implemented using a split, passive RC design. A cathode follower provides low output impedance to capably drive any interconnects. No relays or mute switches are necessary because the high voltage supply uses a vacuum tube diode. The circuit board has a very clean layout and employs quality components (polypropylene signal caps) and adequate power supply decoupling.

Check out these random customer reviews: #1, #2, #3, #4.

Cornet

Features

All vacuum tube signal path
Pure Class A single-ended amplifier stages
No feedback
Passive equalization
Cathode follower low impedance outputs
Vacuum tube B+ rectification
DC heaters
Constant current sink loading
Single box design (no separate power supply)

Specifications

Gain	44dB
Input Impedance	47k
Output Impedance	750 ohm
RIAA Response	+/-1dB from 25Hz to 25kHz
Bandwidth (-3dB)	15Hz to 30kHz
Distortion	0.08% @1kHz @64dB*
SNR	67dB ref 0.5mV A-weighted @64dB*
Overload	25mV @1kHz @64dB*
Size	5.25" x 8.5" (PCB)
Power	35W
Tubes	12AX7 (ECC83) x 2, 12AU7 (ECC82) x 1, 5Y3 x 1 (or GZ34)

Downloads

Cornet Manual (815k pdf)

Customer Testimonials

Well, after a two month long wait for some backordered parts to arrive, the Cornet is completed, up and running. In a word: WOOOOOOOOOW!!! Even though it was still "cold," it sounded great and surpassed my wildest expectations! ... It is more extended, quicker and pleasant to listen to than any "sand" preamp that I've heard. I got some JAN tubes from Stu (Sylvania 5Y3, Phillips 12AX7s and G.E. 12AU7) and they match the preamp superbly. This is, without doubt, the best phono stage that I've heard under $1000.00 and is the best $400 I've ever spent in audio!
The Cornet is sounding great and has broken in nicely ... very smooth and refined.
Your Cornet coupled with my Teres and AKSA power amp brought out the best in this recording. All I can say is WOW. Anyone that says vinyl is weak on bass has not heard this album [Love Stinks]. Ergo, the Cornet is up to the task of great bass reproduction. The second compliment I can pay to the Cornet is very nice HF extension. I have not played a CD in over eight weeks now and am reluctant to do so. The Cornet plays the highs so sweet and smoothly. Album after album spins with no listener fatigue!
I think this unit [Cornet] is as good as you can get for the money. It took a few hours for everything to settle in (a bit bloated in the mids for the first few records) but once it had the dynamics were wonderful. The bass seemed suprisingly tight and pronounced for a tubed stage. Overall very quiet ... I can't imaging how good the Trumpet must be if this is what you get for 1/3 the price.
[Cornet] sounds very nice, not tubelike, just clean and neutral. Chimes have the right shimmer. Piano plunks correctly. Annie Lennox of the Eurythmics, WOW! Imaging is much better than I expected. Tranny does run warm, other than that I think this is a fine piece of gear. Very detailed, does saxophone without shrillness/stridency and sounds natural. NICELY laid out. WAY easier to build than the tube active crossover I scratch built recently. Considering the parts are larger and easier to handle, I would say the build was MUCH easier than the XM9L Marchand kit. You have developed a great kit!
Sorry to bug you, but WOW! I thought it [Cornet] would be absolutely unlistenable without break-in. I was very wrong. I'm hearing details, attacks, decays and bass I've never heard from this LP. I've put a couple more hours on it today and rolled seom 12AU7s. A NOS RCA clear-top side-getter was very good, but I'm now using an Amperex Holland Bugle Boy and it's superb. Just listened to som E. Power Biggs organ, brass and percussion pieces and the clarity and focus from top to bottom is amazing.
What a delightful phono pre!
Today I finally got to fire up the Cornet ... I had to tell you how AMAZING the improvement was.
The moment I put the cartridge down to play some Count Basie and some John COltrane I knew this was it. The Cornet took on a new life form. It is truly a remarkable phono preamp. Lots of air around the instruments, tonal quality is unbelievable.
Just to say thanks for an excellent product. I've now got it up and running and it does sound very impressive. Ok, so I've gone over the top with components; Kiwames, PIO and silver mica caps, but what the he**. To say I'm happy is an understatement.
I am still loving my Cornet. The upgrade was shocking.
My Cornet sounds great. Really sweet sound with no harshness or brightness. Wipes the floor with my Rotel phono.
Thank you so much for the excellent phono stage design. I haven't been able to stop listening to records for a few nights, now. My wife thinks I'm more nuts than ever. It really is boss, sir. I've a renovated Audio Research SP6B preamp, which, as you likely know, comprises a well-regarded phono stage. I've enjoyed it. Until now, that is. I tried to switch back yesterday, just for kicks. Nice product, Mr. Johnson, quiet as a church mouse (with a few tweaks from me, anyway) but it cannot shine the octal Cornet's shoes. And that's a fact.