Cornet2 Vacuum Tube Moving Magnet Phonostage

This phono stage significantly outperformed a sub-mini phono preamp. The phono preamp was exceptionally quiet when paired with a vintage Grado 8MR cartridge (not MC). It does not have a vintage sound; while it is pleasant and clearly tube-based, it offers a level of resolution, sound staging, and speed that surpasses any vintage design known. The sound is coherent, well-balanced, and detailed. The critical midrange is warm without excessive bloom, the bass is solid and visceral when needed, and the highs are smooth. The Cornet not only sounds excellent but also has impressive measurements. The 1kHz square wave performance shows excellent equalization correction. Distortion is very low, primarily second-order in nature. After a two-month wait for backordered parts, the Cornet is completed and operational. Initial impressions are overwhelmingly positive, with the sound being more extended, quicker, and more enjoyable than any sand-based preamp encountered. The use of JAN tubes (Sylvania 5Y3, Phillips 12AX7s, and G.E. 12AU7) complements the preamp superbly. This is considered the best phono stage available for under $1000 and represents the best $400 investment in audio. The Cornet, when paired with a Teres turntable and AKSA power amplifier, enhances recordings significantly. Critics of vinyl's bass response have not heard this album, demonstrating the Cornet's capability for excellent bass reproduction. Additionally, the high-frequency extension is commendable. After weeks without playing CDs, the Cornet's smooth high playback is preferred. Initial break-in required a few hours, but once settled, the dynamics were impressive, with tight and pronounced bass for a tube stage. The overall noise level is very low. The Cornet provides a clean and neutral sound, with accurate tonal qualities and impressive imaging. The design is user-friendly, making assembly easier than previous projects. Despite initial concerns about break-in, the performance revealed details and nuances previously unheard. Various tube rolling experiments yielded positive results, with an Amperex Holland Bugle Boy tube providing exceptional sound quality. The clarity and focus across the frequency spectrum are remarkable, and the Cornet brings a new life to recordings. The tonal quality is outstanding, with ample air around instruments. This product is highly regarded and showcases impressive performance.

The Cornet phono preamp is designed to deliver high-fidelity audio reproduction from vinyl records, integrating advanced circuit design principles to achieve superior sound quality. It employs a tube-based amplification architecture, which is known for its warm tonal characteristics and ability to produce a rich soundstage. The choice of components, including high-quality JAN tubes like the Sylvania 5Y3 and Phillips 12AX7, plays a critical role in the overall performance, contributing to low distortion levels and enhanced dynamic range.

The circuit incorporates an equalization network that ensures accurate playback of the RIAA curve, vital for vinyl records. The square wave performance at 1kHz indicates that the preamp can handle frequency response accurately without introducing unwanted artifacts, maintaining the integrity of the audio signal. The low distortion, primarily of the second-order type, suggests that the design minimizes harmonic distortion, which is essential for preserving the natural sound of instruments and vocals.

The layout of the Cornet is optimized for ease of assembly, allowing users with varying levels of experience to successfully build the unit. The strategic placement of components reduces noise and interference, contributing to the overall quiet operation of the preamp. The careful selection of capacitors, including Kiwame resistors and PIO (paper-in-oil) capacitors, enhances the sonic performance by providing better transient response and frequency handling.

In practical application, the Cornet has been noted for its impressive bass response and high-frequency extension, allowing it to reproduce a wide range of musical genres without listener fatigue. The preamp's ability to handle complex musical passages with clarity and detail makes it a valuable addition to any audio system, particularly for vinyl enthusiasts seeking to maximize their listening experience. The overall design philosophy emphasizes not only sound quality but also user satisfaction, making it a commendable choice for both novice and experienced audiophiles.This little phono stage completely trounced my sub-mini phono preamp. The phono preamp was extremely quiet with my vintage Grado 8MR cartridge (not MC). This is not a vintage-sounding phono preamp. While it sounds pleasant and definately tube-based, it has resolution, soundstaging, and speed that no vintage design I know of can match. The soun d is coherent, well balanced, and detailed. The critical midrange is warm without bloom, the bass solid and visceral when called for, the highs smooth. " - Kevin Kennedy The Cornet not only sounds superb, it has impeccable measurements too. Below is the 1kHz square wave performance, which demonstrates excellent equalization correction. Distortion is so low it is difficult to measure, but is mainly second-order in nature. 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! 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.

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. This is a great kit by the way! I have not done much DIY stuff before, and what I have done has been point to poin 🔗 External reference