HAGERMAN Audio Labs BUGLE MC Phono Preamp REVIEW

[@therevrockinrollin]

“We’re trying things here, people.” This review had science - you made Geiger counter sounds. I’m here for that. Enjoyed. Thumbs up.

[@6AM_YT]

Somewhere a child is working on a 7th grade science fair project, envious of my brilliance.

[@NickP333]

“Schematicy things” 😂 One of the best things I ever did was learn to read schematics, and it actually helped get me employment. Great review. Jim has designed and built some fantastic phono preamps. A friend of mine, Janos, from the channel, Real World Audio has the Hagerman Cornet and absolutely loves it. I must admit that when it comes to phono pres, I do prefer tube based ones. I’m using a Tavish Classic right now, which has loading for just about any cartridge out there. Before that, I had a Mani for quite a while. I’m curious about the Bugle, and may pick one up for a secondary system. Thanks for the great review, Martin.

[@6AM_YT]

I can read schematics like I can read Dostoevsky. I can "read" but do I fully understand it? Ehh...

[@jimmyblues59m76]

I have one of his early headphone amplifiers: The Hagtech Castanet, and it's a really nice sounding piece of gear.

[@calvinnapier9977]

Enjoyed the review!

[@darrellwoods5961]

Break-In is Real

[@gilko61]

I can't help thinking you should try wrapping the plastic one with aluminum foil. That should create the Faraday cage effect and reject noise.

[@6AM_YT]

I tried that. It didn't work as well as I wanted it to.

[@gilko61]

@6AM_YT Thanks for telling me that. I've been on a crash course learning about phono preamps the last few days. I only learned of Hagerman yesterday . Then I came across an early Cornet in a plastic case, and had been wondering if it would work.

[@6AM_YT]

@@gilko61 I think I would have to rehouse it in a metal box. I'm sure if you could find one used it would be reasonably priced and might make a fun project.

[@PAULGRILL]

I want to share my experiences regarding op-amp rolling with a Sparko‘s SS3602: At first I placed the Sparko‘s on the RIAA rectifier position. I recognized more details in the sound but the impact wasn’t that huge. Altough a nice-to-have! Then I swapped it for the op-amp in the output stage. This raised the volume for the lower frequencies and the sound overall got more heft to it. I really welcome this because to me it was the only thing I missed with the stock setup. What this improvement also came along with is a sligtly enlarged sense of space. I‘m waiting for a friend to send me two more SS3602 so that I can test an All-Sparkos-Setup. My prediction is that the Bugle MC will become at least a $1k-killer after this upgrade. By the way I run the device from a powerbank.

[@6AM_YT]

Thanks for this! Are the chips soldered in or are there sockets?

[@PAULGRILL]

@@6AM_YT There are sockets. This makes the Bugle upgradeable for everyone.

[@33PhP]

Are you planning to change some capacitors for better one in the Bugle MC? That would be interesting to here your comment after mod. Thanks.

[@6AM_YT]

This was on loan from Hagerman, so no. Also, there's not a lot of room in the box to allow for larger caps.

[@herb_2]

Currently looking for a phono amp for my AT-VM95SH (MM) --> Onkyo tx8140 --> Infinity R162 bookshelf. I am between this newest Hagerman, Mani 2, iFi Zen, and iFi Zen Air. Any recommendations? Im pretty new to the gear world so a lot of stuff making my head spin! To be honest i think i might buy all 3 (just one of the iFis) and keep whichever I like best. Hagerman is out of town tho and i gotta line it up with that tight, 15 day return window that Schiit allows. So figured id ask as i have been enjoying your reviews of all 3 brands.

[@6AM_YT]

The Onkyo tx8140 appears to have a phono input. What would you like to hear that you're not (or not hear that you are)?

[@herb_2]

It indeed does. 2 reasons: 1) I am assuming the built in preamp of the Onkyo is inferior to a standalone and it would be an "upgrade" in sound quality. 2) I rearranged the living room where my system lives and the TT now requires about 15 ft of cable to get to the Onkyo. Would rather have an amplified signal travel the 15 ft rather than the "raw" TT output.

[@darrellwoods5961]

I own the Hegerman Bugle3. I have same issued with RF interference

[@kicksNCY]

thank good to know... what a shame . i hope he will fix that

[@m_recordz]

At least the $600 max doesn't apply to 2022 tax year income. You'll have to do it in 2024 (2023 tax year), though. Anyway, good vid - I don't have the need for a preamp, but am always interested in learning about what's good!

[@6AM_YT]

Yeah, they pushed it back at the last minute. I'm hoping they come to their senses and make it $10k or something.

[@wildturkey1230]

It doesn't apply if you take a loss on what you sold. It only applies to profits.@@6AM_YT

[@glennwassermann6972]

Well done, but, holy cow, why on earth do you feel the need to continually bang things around so much? Detracts from your presentation.

[@6AM_YT]

🤷‍♂

[@darrellwoods5961]

How has the MM part sound??

[@6AM_YT]

I didn't try it. Sorry!