Hagerman Bugle Phono Preamp

newbie308
newbie308 Posts: 767
edited July 2013 in 2 Channel Audio
Has anyone tried the Hagerman bugle phono preamp kit? I'm considering it to replace my Dynaco PAS3 preamp. I'm using the Tape outputs from the Dynaco to drive the AUX inputs of my EL34 tube integrated, currently. I simply can not stand the constant hum from the Dynaco's phono section any more. The integrated is dead silent at Max volume from my CD player, but it is noisy as hell at half volume with the Dynaco. I've tried different interconnects, tubes, grounding, interconnect routing, etc. to no avail! The Hagerman uses 9v batteries, so it will have no AC hum, and from the reviews I've read online, it is very musical and those who have tried it love it.
Sources: Technics SL1200MKII | SME3009 Tonearm | Monster Alpha 1 MC cartridge | Oppo UDP203 disk player | Nikko NT-790 analog tuner | Musical Fidelity Trivista 21 DAC | Preamp: Threshold SL-10 | Amplifier: Threshold Stasis 2 | Speakers: Snell Acoustics C/V | Kimber 12-TC bi wire speakers | Analysis plus Oval 1 preamp to amp | Wireworld Eclipse 7 DAC to Preamp | Wireworld eclipse digital IC Oppo to DAC | Audioquest Quartz tuner to preamp |
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  • strider
    strider Posts: 2,568
    edited July 2013
    It was the first kit I ever put together. Definitely was a good first project, not too complicated and the instructions are first rate. When I bought mine there was someone who offered complete parts kits, I believe I found his information at the Hagerman circle over at Audiocircle. It's been a bit since I've had that set up, but from what I remember I was pleased with it's sound. There were a couple times when I drained the batteries when I forgot to turn off the Bugle, however.
    Wristwatch--->Crisco
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  • EndersShadow
    EndersShadow Posts: 17,590
    edited July 2013
    There is a Bugle 2 phono I would go with, he just started making it.
    "....not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted." William Bruce Cameron, Informal Sociology: A Casual Introduction to Sociological Thinking (1963)
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  • newbie308
    newbie308 Posts: 767
    edited July 2013
    I like the Coronet too, but I'm afraid that it will hum like the Dynaco due to the filament and B+ power supply. I love my Dynaco, but the phono section is only so so! I rebuilt it a few years ago with all metal film resistors, orange drop caps, Teflon insulated OFC wires, gold plated RCA jacks, Alps pot, and a new Curcio power supply board. The line stage is fantastic, but my new integrated amp made it redundant.
    Sources: Technics SL1200MKII | SME3009 Tonearm | Monster Alpha 1 MC cartridge | Oppo UDP203 disk player | Nikko NT-790 analog tuner | Musical Fidelity Trivista 21 DAC | Preamp: Threshold SL-10 | Amplifier: Threshold Stasis 2 | Speakers: Snell Acoustics C/V | Kimber 12-TC bi wire speakers | Analysis plus Oval 1 preamp to amp | Wireworld Eclipse 7 DAC to Preamp | Wireworld eclipse digital IC Oppo to DAC | Audioquest Quartz tuner to preamp |
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,498
    edited July 2013
    newbie308 wrote: »
    I like the Coronet too, but I'm afraid that it will hum like the Dynaco due to the filament and B+ power supply.

    I built one for a friend here using Auricaps some years back (Carl - schwarcw). Nice MM phono pre.
    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?88166-Hagerman-Phono-Preamp-Build-Pt.-1

    IIRC there was a revised ground scheme to follow to prevent ground loops in a thread at Audio Circle. Something with the tranny ground? I beleive CP member Geroge Daniel has it now. I don't recall a hum issue, maybe check with them.
    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
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  • newbie308
    newbie308 Posts: 767
    edited July 2013
    SCompRacer wrote: »
    I built one for a friend here using Auricaps some years back (Carl - schwarcw). Nice MM phono pre.
    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?88166-Hagerman-Phono-Preamp-Build-Pt.-1

    IIRC there was a revised ground scheme to follow to prevent ground loops in a thread at Audio Circle. Something with the tranny ground? I beleive CP member Geroge Daniel has it now. I don't recall a hum issue, maybe check with them.

    I just read (and enjoyed) the thread for the coronet 2 build. That is a very nice build! I don't know that the coronet 2 does have a hum issue. I was merely speculating since it is a tube preamp.
    Sources: Technics SL1200MKII | SME3009 Tonearm | Monster Alpha 1 MC cartridge | Oppo UDP203 disk player | Nikko NT-790 analog tuner | Musical Fidelity Trivista 21 DAC | Preamp: Threshold SL-10 | Amplifier: Threshold Stasis 2 | Speakers: Snell Acoustics C/V | Kimber 12-TC bi wire speakers | Analysis plus Oval 1 preamp to amp | Wireworld Eclipse 7 DAC to Preamp | Wireworld eclipse digital IC Oppo to DAC | Audioquest Quartz tuner to preamp |
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited July 2013
    I'll chime in- no hum with it at'all,,and I'd be hard pressed to better it!
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 8,498
    edited July 2013
    Hey George! Good to hear from you. I tried a search but couldn't find anything. I want to say a star ground solved hum issues versus grounding tranny at top plate, but it's foggy. Maybe Carl can remember.

    The Hagerman Coronet II is a low distortion design too.


    EDIT: OK, can't find the original thread but this one shows the original tranny ground that needs to be lengthened and attached to board gnd.

    http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=47106.0
    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
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  • bikerboy
    bikerboy Posts: 1,211
    edited July 2013
    I built a Bugle II a couple of months ago. I got it on the kickstarter when it was first available. I use it with a low output mc denon cartridge. Sounds great and easy to build. Hagerman kits are worth every penny when it comes to value. Another phono kit would the Twisted Pear Audio Retro phono kit. Not as much gain as the Bugle but if you are not going to use a lo output mc it sounds great also. I have one of those also.
    Main system: Lyngdorf TDAI 2170 w/ Pioneer 42" plazma-> Polk LSiM 703 w/Tivo, Marantz tuner, BRPTT: Nothingham Spacedeck-> Pioneer PL L1000 linear arm-> Soundsmith DL 103R-> SUT->Bottlehead ErosDigital: I3 PC w/ Jriver playing flac -> Sonore Ultrarendu -> Twisted Pair Audio ESS 9028 w/ Mercury IVY Vinyl rips: ESI Juli@24/192-> i3 PC server
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  • newbie308
    newbie308 Posts: 767
    edited July 2013
    Well......! I took a look on Agon last night, and what do you know, someone was selling their Hagerman Bugle preamp for $150. I have to say that they did an excellent job using 1% metal film resistors, Cardas RCA's and wire, and Sonicaps everywhere! They have more than $150 worth of parts in this thing, so I couldn't pass it up. I'll post some pictures when it arrives. I e-mailed Jim Hagerman last night to see if he had any power supply circuit boards available, but he unfortunately is out of them. I will try the preamp using 9v batteries, but I'd like to build or buy a +/-15Vdc power supply since I've read that it increases the responsiveness without adding noise. The schematics and parts are readily available for the power supply, so I may need to wire it point to point on a perf board.
    Sources: Technics SL1200MKII | SME3009 Tonearm | Monster Alpha 1 MC cartridge | Oppo UDP203 disk player | Nikko NT-790 analog tuner | Musical Fidelity Trivista 21 DAC | Preamp: Threshold SL-10 | Amplifier: Threshold Stasis 2 | Speakers: Snell Acoustics C/V | Kimber 12-TC bi wire speakers | Analysis plus Oval 1 preamp to amp | Wireworld Eclipse 7 DAC to Preamp | Wireworld eclipse digital IC Oppo to DAC | Audioquest Quartz tuner to preamp |
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