Project Tube Box DS2 vs. Hagerman Audio Trumpet MC

I purchased a Trumpet earlier this year as a result of the many good reviews from @mulveling here. He has (and has had) a lot of phono stages to compare the Trumpet to, some (much) more higher priced, and he rates the Trumpet extremely high in comparison. So, after much thought, I jumped in and purchased one.

I like it a lot. A very warm, full, big, and rich presentation. Digs deep across the range. Obviously that can be changed to some degree with tube rolling. All very subjective, so I’ll leave it at that.

Carts make a difference as well. I started with my Soundsmith Zephyr MKIII ES high output (2.4mV) MI, but just very recently installed a Soundsmith MIMC Star Lo output (.4mV) version of the Zephyr. I do believe I like the Trumpet with my lower output cart as it seems to perform even better to my ears, and also provides additional tweaking for presentation preferences.

Some do not like Jim’s decision for the power supply set-up, but as Jim has stated, he feels he got almost all the performance of his earlier and much higher cost Trumpet phono stages for a fraction of the cost. I have no complaints.

In terms of Jim and his company, I have had no issues. The couple times I have reached out to him he has answered fairly quickly. I live in Ohio, and the Trumpet arrived about a week from Hawaii after ordering. I have no doubt if there is a problem, Jim will resolve it. He’s a ‘one man band’, so all issues will be directly dealt with by him. And with a 10 year warranty, that also isn’t bad. He has been around for a while, and seems very passionate about his products.

Thanks @bkekse. I have a Technics 1210GR with a LOMC cart as well - Hana SL. It feeds into a tube integrated through the Project. I think the stock tubes could be better. I am trying a pair of Mullard reissue 12ax7s. If they are not satisfactory, I may give the Trumpet MC a shot. However, his response time could be better. I have to nudge him more than once to get an answer. So I am wondering what if I want to return or need service. Will he be responsive? I realize he is one man show.

Hagerman has been killing it with his phono preamps for many years now. I haven't heard this newest version with the 'reduced' PS but I have heard the prior Trumpet sound awesome with a very good front end. ( Ortofon A90 with Durand tonearm etc. )

As to if it will make a night and day difference depends a bit on how far you take the technics/Hana setup fine tuning imho...

I'm running the Trumpet MC paired with Hana ML cartridge based on recommendations from a friend who is a true guru in setting up phono sections.  He claims the Trumpet MC competes with phono stages at much higher costs making it a true "over-achiever" component.  After some tweaks to the overall setup on a VPI Prime Scout, his opinion of my setup puts it in the top 5 setups he's ever heard.  It really didn't sound that great out of the box but I suspect that was mostly burn-in.  I also had a bias issue with the Mullards it came with but don't let that put you off the stock tubes.  I know someone running the stock Mullards and they work nicely.  With that said, I went over and beyond.  Here's what I did to get it performing top notch.  First I up-graded the power supply to BOTW MkII toroidal power supply you can purchase from Upscale Audio, replaced the Mullard tubes with Gold Lion "Kevin's Stash" from Upscale Audio and applying some FoQ damping material to the inside of the of enclosure box.  The casing is light material and applying the right amount (not too much) changed the presentation with a positive result.  A couple further tips 1) don't necessarily settle for the loading your cartridge calls for.  Experiment.  As it turns out, the Hanna ML 100 ohm loading cart actually sounds best two positions higher on the loading.  2) This phono stage takes a while to burn in fully and if you change loading/gain this will require moregh more burn-in if you haven't yet burned in on those settings.  So give it some time.  Ultimately, I'm amazed at how good my phono section is.  It sounds so much better than any digital source I have.  I have a very good CD Transport/DAC combo and it's not even close.  I'd imagine you can get the Trumpet MC sounding very good without the upgrades I did.  Focus on proper burn-in and setup with your cartridge and table to start with.  However, there's considerable further potential with tweaks.  In may case, it now outperforms a $3,500 hand built tube phono stage I have with NOS Telefunken tubes in it (the best you can get @$500ea).  I was very fond of this prior combo but wanted something that I could afford replacement tubes for.  Nailed it!

"First I up-graded the power supply to BOTW MkII toroidal power supply you can purchase from Upscale Audio, replaced the Mullard tubes with Gold Lion "Kevin's Stash" from Upscale Audio" 

Nearly $800 of upgrades for a $1K unit?

Seems a little excessive, but if your ears justify it, enjoy!