2. amps-preamps
  3. 195546-121814

Should I move on from my Hagerman Trumpet MC Phono Pre?

Hi all, currently I'm delighted with my Hagerman. Yes it can be a touch noisy at high volume but that goes away once the record begins and doesn't bother me. I've got it loaded with all NOS high end tubes and it sounds fab. However I recently picked up a Koetsu Urushi Wajima cartridge and I now find the plush midrange push of the Hagerman might be too much combined with the plush midrange push of the Urushi. FYI I'm running a stock SL-1200G into Rogue tube amplification. I'm going to try some OPEN / nicely bright 12au7 tubes to see if that can offset the lack of high end and a touch too much midrange emphasis I have now, but thought I'd also enquire about what folks thought about moving on from the Hagerman? I did get one suggestion of the Herron VTPH-2A but good luck finding one... thanks all. - Rich 

fastricky

Showing 1 response by ghdprentice

ghdprentice
8,183 posts
 

My experience with turntable, cartridges and phono stages is that the phono stage can hold the sound back until they are of very high caliber. I have used a number of phono stages, but have the most extensive experience with Audio Research. One of Audio Research’s strengths has been Phono Stages, like Conrad Johnson and Zesto. 

I will say that noise that you can hear from a phonostage is very bad. While it can be covered up by the music, it is still detracting from the music. You will not hear it, but your system will sound better with out it. A phono stage should be silent.

Each upgrade of the phonostage for me resulted in very large improvement in sound quality until I got to roughly the value of the tt + phono cartridge = the phono stage. . This has happened with my current system and its predecessor. Currently my Linn LP12 (near Klimax) and Koetsu Rosewood Signature cartridge is mated with an Audio Research Ref 3SE.... roughly $22K each. 

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