Herron VTPH-2A Phono Preamp....anyone familiar?

Do not mistake me, the ph10 is still an excellent phono and I love its flexibility.

However I have moved away from exotic lomc carts tbh and likely just going to,play with various mm and vintage mm carts so do not truly need the gain the ph10 has available.

And there is that tube itch which I feel compelled to scratch......

Reports from two members who have the matching ps to the ph10 is that it really has not helped out over much.
Not in the bass or details department.
At least not $850 worth by all accounts.

And going back a couple of years I was set on a tube phono, just was not really going to match up well with then present amp.
Now I am pretty much wide open on choice, and still have a hankering to try out a tube phono.

Chakster.

Be interesting to see what you find on that output coupling cap if you go that route.

Still on the fence on the Herron.

There are MANY threads from years gone by that are still very applicable today and get resurrected for good reason.

I was interested in the Herron, rather than start a new thread, I did a search, saw this one and brought it back into the fray.

It is not uncommon.

Lewm

In regards to input impedance I most certainly did pay attention which is how I ended up with the Gold Note to begin with as the Herron was NOT going to play nicely with my then present Lyngdorf 2170.

However with present Ayre EX8 with input impedance of 1m ohm/ 2m ohm unbalanced/balanced the Herron should be a sweet matchup.
As should the Chinook and likely countless others.

Not looked into the output coupling capacitor but that would mean changing parts internal which I do not have a huge issue with apart from it potentially hurts future resale value?

Chakster.

I have not actually made the decision to purchase the Herron yet, hence digging up this thread and asking further questions.

Still using the Gold Note right now and possible the lower bass is a little lacking but not terribly so in my system.

However tubes were and have always been on my radar.

Just as an example, I purchased a very simple iFi audio tube buffer which I placed inline between my Nak tape deck and Ayre and it really fleshed out the bones a fair bit. Now sounds flat without it inline.

Still chewing it over.

Chakster

I do not call 2 years " gave up so quickly"

You may not recall but at that time I was convinced I wanted a Herron or a Chinook back then but thanks to sensible advice right here it was decided that certainly the Herron would not be a good match impedance wise for my then present Lyngdorf 2170.

If the Gold Note was the be all and end all of phono stages then everybody would have one and there would be no need or market for anything different/better.

Sometimes it is indeed a case of the grass is greener but in this case with so much overwhelming support for the Herron ( and the Chinook) I do not believe it is just smoke and mirrors.

The only weak point of the Gold Note in my system is the bass.

And there we have it.... " in my system".

One cannot expect everybody to get the same results as in your system Chakster.

You have some good advice to offer at times on certain subjects but also it appears that when someones decision does not align with yours then they must just be wrong.

Just had a very pleasant phone conversation with Keith .
Both in agreement that present amp and his phono should be a match made in audio heaven.

And his direct sale pricing is VERY fair imho.

Just have to sell the Gold Note now.....

Yes I remember which was the potential problem with the 2170 which I think was down at 10k.

Still be next cue to hear from anybody who made get have this combo.

The ph10 is good but I feel the Herron or a Manley Steelhead would be Ubervana.

From my EX8 manual.

Unbalanced 1M Ohm
Balanced 2M Ohm.

Did we ever end up with any serious detractors for the Herron?

I was close to buying one couple years ago but Keith himself thought it would not be a great match for my then Lyngdorf 2170 integrated and I went with a Goldnote ph10 instead.

Well that amp has long gone and I likely have my final amp in the shape of Ayre EX8 and now come back to the Herron question.

Love to hear if anybody is actually feeding an Ayre with the Herron.