View Full Version : Bugle2 Phono build
Just bought this phonostage DIY kit:
http://www.hagtech.com/images/bugle2assembly.jpg
That is what it should look like once built!
It comes with its own 240v wall-wart power supply with floating earth. Any future upgrade would have to take into account the design of this power supply but for now it'll be fine.
I'll detail the build as it progresses as this is one kit that's received some rave reviews and even been pitched against some seriously decent phonostages and come out on top. Just got to wait for the USPS and customs clearance so who knows...4 weeks?
I built one, great for the money. I have modded mine a little though, input resistance changed to 200 ohms to match the vdh and gain reduced from 60 to 54 dB. Oh and output ic swapped for opa627.
http://theartofsound.net/forum/showthread.php?27458-Hagerman-Bugle-2
My Bugle 2 build.
Read what I said about the PSU- you might be surprised.
Great stuff, thanks guys and I'll read the PSU details with great interest.
The kit finally arrived from the USA this afternoon. Instructions are clear and there's a useful resistor stuffing guide included:
http://i1140.photobucket.com/albums/n577/24pacman/Hifi/002_zpsc495b6f2.jpg
First job was to sort all the resistors into their respective values and test each one on the meter to ensure there were no duds:
http://i1140.photobucket.com/albums/n577/24pacman/Hifi/003_zps590be039.jpg
Next, the PCB was populated with the resistors. They were soldered into place and the excess legs trimmed off. Note: I've kept all the brown bands towards the centre for ease of identification for fault finding if there's a problem:
http://i1140.photobucket.com/albums/n577/24pacman/Hifi/005_zps587859fc.jpg
Op-amps installed next taking care to align the notch so that Pin 1 is located into the correct point on the PCB for each:
http://i1140.photobucket.com/albums/n577/24pacman/Hifi/006_zps10c6b179.jpg
Capacitors then added:
http://i1140.photobucket.com/albums/n577/24pacman/Hifi/007_zpsb562fe6c.jpg
I've also added my own red LED as a replacement for the supplied yellow one. I wanted the red glow to match the Albarry amps as I'm a tart that way :lol: Diode and rail splitter also added.
RCA sockets soldered into place:
http://i1140.photobucket.com/albums/n577/24pacman/Hifi/008_zps2474c880.jpg
Underside: All legs trimmed of excess but some cleaning up to do (removal of flux residue). I used a small wire brush for this:
http://i1140.photobucket.com/albums/n577/24pacman/Hifi/009_zps378a860a.jpg
Electrical test: the moment of truth...LED should light up, which it does :)
http://i1140.photobucket.com/albums/n577/24pacman/Hifi/011_zpsd460a8b0.jpg
Testing rail voltages: These should be close to 12V per channel:
Left:
http://i1140.photobucket.com/albums/n577/24pacman/Hifi/014_zps92bb1ae2.jpg
Right:
http://i1140.photobucket.com/albums/n577/24pacman/Hifi/015_zps65079082.jpg
Not too shabby :eyebrows:
Finally, the PCB is inserted into the casework, the grounding post added and everything screwed together:
http://i1140.photobucket.com/albums/n577/24pacman/Hifi/017_zps9861cd05.jpg
A useful afternoon's work. I'll plug it into the system and give it a spin this evening before reporting back, but by all accounts, this is meant to offer some seriously great performance...way above a typical branded budget phonostage. We shall see later on.
Just spun up my 1967 recording of Astrud Gilberto and "The Girl from Ipanema" has never sounded so real. I'm pretty stunned that this little device betters my EAR 834's MM stage. Better detail, firmer bass, nicer overall balance. It's pretty astounding for the cost. Ultra quiet too; not a trace of hum or other unwanted noise.
Gordon Steadman
05-11-2013, 18:18
Just spun up my 1967 recording of Astro Gilberto and "The Girl from Ipanema"
Aha, my standard test record. Anything not right and the guy sounds like he has a head cold and when the sax comes in it should send shivers down the back. Great stuff. My wife hates it:mental:
Aha, my standard test record. Anything not right and the guy sounds like he has a head cold and when the sax comes in it should send shivers down the back. Great stuff. My wife hates it:mental:
Spot on Gordon
He always sounds a little diffuse, as though he's out of phase...that's just the recording, but yes, when that sax comes in, it should sound like it's in the room just behind the speakers and her voice should be really clear, focussed just right of centre and with the Bugle 2 insitu, you can almost hear every breath...fabulous stuff! I've removed the V15 IV from the Hadcock and replaced it with a good V15III (VN35He) which is night and day better imho. Some fab sounds emanating from the Garrard at present.
Ali Tait
05-11-2013, 18:29
Yes indeed, great recording.
Ali Tait
05-11-2013, 18:30
Might have a go at one of these Paul, seem great VFM.
Very interesting Jim Hagerman is an exceptional engineer. At the time his HagUSB blew away the competition.
Very interesting Jim Hagerman is an exceptional engineer. At the time his HagUSB blew away the competition.
His reputation was what originally drew me to his designs Neil. I can only repeat that this is an astounding performer for the money. It goes to prove to me that sensible engineered products (not a foo capacitor in sight;) ) with such great design can compete with the so called "high end" without "high end" prices. I'd happily put this up in a blind test against anything to £1000, no problems at all. If it can trounce the 834 so comprehensively, and the 834 has been somewhat of a benchmark for me this past few years, then it deserves to do really well.
Just spun up my 1967 recording of Astro Gilberto and "The Girl from Ipanema" has never sounded so real. I'm pretty stunned that this little device betters my EAR 834's MM stage. Better detail, firmer bass, nicer overall balance. It's pretty astounding for the cost. Ultra quiet too; not a trace of hum or other unwanted noise.
Some solid state doesn't sound like solid state except for the added control and definition. Seems like you have been stumbling on this gear recently with the Albarrys too!
His reputation was what originally drew me to his designs Neil. I can only repeat that this is an astounding performer for the money. It goes to prove to me that sensible engineered products (not a foo capacitor in sight;) ) with such great design can compete with the so called "high end" without "high end" prices. I'd happily put this up in a blind test against anything to £1000, no problems at all. If it can trounce the 834 so comprehensively, and the 834 has been somewhat of a benchmark for me this past few years, then it deserves to do really well.
Well have been looking for a reasonably priced alternative to my Trichord Dino. Would be nice to use a Hagerman device again!
Some solid state doesn't sound like solid state except for the added control and definition. Seems like you have been stumbling on this gear recently with the Albarrys too!
The Albarrys out-valve most valve gear that I've heard in terms of that lovely mid range presence but deliver bass with true control and texture. I have nothing against solid state at all, it's just its been a long time since I've listened to such stand out designs as the Albarrys and the Hagerman...really superbly designed and implemented circuits. It's not often that stumble across hifi components I'd describe as "exceptional", but these genuinely are imho of course.
The Bugle 2 will top the Dino Neil, trust me on that one ;)
Does that cool case come with the kit? Am going to try it out for sure.
Does that cool case come with the kit? Am going to try it out for sure.
Yes, everything is included including the power supply. You can opt to make your own fancy case for the phonostage, but I sort of like the honesty of the case that it comes with.
I love the Cornet phone stage I have in my setup. His new product line looks pretty impressive:
http://www.haglabs.com/index.html
He has a dedicated forum as well:
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?board=52.0
Just can't believe what a stellar bargain this thing is (providing that you're confident undertaking the delicate soldering involved). His other products do look interesting but my interest is quickly lost by the time we get to the higher priced items. The thing about this kit is that it remains a fun project but really delivers the goods as well all at very affordable cost.
Totally agree, fantastic piece of kit for minimum expenditure, loaned mine to a mate at the moment, I think I will be building his when he orders one :)
I think the biggest problem this phonostage faces is it's price - it is such an utterly amazing value for the money that at it's price it will not be taken seriously.
Ignore this phonostage at your peril. :) :) :) It is amazing.
I think the biggest problem this phonostage faces is it's price - it is such an utterly amazing value for the money that at it's price it will not be taken seriously.
Ignore this phonostage at your peril. :) :) :) It is amazing.
Agreed Jim. I've been re-discovering my vinyl collection and am still scratching my head how such a humble little device has easily bettered some very expensive phonostages that I've owned in the past, but it does.
As for the new "Trumpet Reference"...I can only imagine but Jim Hagerman was enthusing about this to me very early on this morning during a brief on-line chat. (I must not be tempted....I must not be tempted...I...). That's what I like about his products...he's a keen music lover first and foremost and designers who lose sight of music are missing something in their recipes.
I think the biggest problem this phonostage faces is it's price - it is such an utterly amazing value for the money that at it's price it will not be taken seriously.
Ignore this phonostage at your peril. :) :) :) It is amazing.
I loved the original Bugle that was a giant killer if the 2 builds on it I can only imagine how good it must be ,
Paul I too have been tempted by the trumpet ref but am put off by what must be a big hunk of diminishing return how much better than a bugle can it sound?
think I will get meself a bugle2 for Christmas:eyebrows:
Paul
The UFO Strobe and Clamp is launched:
http://www.haglabs.com/ufo3.html
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