Mini Review: Herron VTSP 360 (ESP)


Ever since Keith Herron introduced the VTSP-360 I’ve been wondering how it could possibly improve upon the VTSP-3A (R03) that I have been enjoying for many years as my reference linestage. I loved the 3A so much that I blissfully upgraded nearly my entire system around it--new speakers, amp, disc spinner, turntable/arm/cartridge, cables--and the 3A remained. Why? I shared my impressions of the upgrade to the R03 version of the 3A in a lengthy REVIEW posted here in 2016 so won’t repeat myself here. But a pre-holiday conversation with Keith compelled me to upgrade--he had recently introduced next level revisions to the VTSP-360 (now referred to as the “ESP” revision) and he was excited. This really caught my attention because if you know Keith you know two things: one, he LOVES his work in audio and his many loyal clients, and two: he rarely gets “excited”. In fact, I’ve known Keith for at least a decade and he never sounded “excited” in all of our many conversations. Well, there he was, “excited” about the sound he was getting from the new “ESP” unit--VERY excited. So, I figured if he was that “excited” I better order one. So I did. Now I see what his “excitement” is all about. So how does Keith’s latest linestage compare with my beloved 3A? Before I tell you, a major caveat: I sold my 3A and moved to a new, larger listening room, in which I installed the 360 ESP. So, no direct A-B comparison and a new, very different room to complicate the comparison. So, with that in mind, here is what I have discovered:


The scope of improvement is quite large--this is not a subtle upgrade. Two observations which confirm this impression. First, when you are listening to the system “from the other room” it sounds like a live band is playing--really. Before, it sounded like a great stereo system was playing. That suggests a very big swing toward the absolute sound. Second, I am “getting” music I’ve heard a million times before--understanding it in a way that is much deeper and more meaningful. I’m not (just) talking about discerning lyrics that escaped me before (which has happened numerous times) but really “getting” the song or performance--the feeling and emotional message that makes music so powerful.


Now the checklist: Improvement across the board but a few areas worth noting as particularly significant gains over the already awesome 3A:


Dynamics: Yikes! The music just leaps out of the speakers. Both macro and micro gradations so much more clearly rendered. Things like rim shots on the snare, piano notes, and plucked instruments have an unrestrained quality that makes them appear to be live in the room. The overall effect is to make the music much more exciting, compelling, and FUN! Genuine Technicolor for the ears!


Soundstage: Wow! An unbelievable soundscape is created. Incredible depth, width and precise placement within the stage. Listening to a string quartet and hearing the voice of each member within the mix, properly scaled and projected onto a lifelike stage with all the ambient cues intact. Here is where the new room may be amplifying the effect, making the comparison with the 3A a little unfair. But, as I said, WOW!


Transparency: The 360 ESP is quite a bit more transparent to the recording. Voices are portrayed with much more lucidity--the specific qualities and characteristics that make Sinatra and McLorin Salvant so compelling are revealed more fully. Less homogenized, more true to the source than my 3A. Hard to believe, but that is what I’m hearing.


Again, improvement across the board but, importantly, preservation of all the signature elements of Keith’s craft still present and accounted for: pace, timing, FLOW, tonal correctness, uncolored, QUIET.


Can there possibly be a better linestage? What would you need to spend to get one? I can easily see the 360 ESP representing the heart and soul of any reference quality two-channel system. Paired with the VTPH-2A and a nice table/arm/cartridge, you are on your way to some of the best sound imaginable.



dodgealum
What changes were made to the 360 in the ESP version? Unless I overlooked something, which is very possible, I didn’t see any info on the website specifying them.
Retail is $6550. My understanding is that the 360 went through a number of revisions leading up to the "ESP". As in the past, Keith does not share or publish specifics on the upgrades. My impression, based on conversations with Keith over the years, is that he spends hours and hours experimenting with different critical components in the signal chain and that when the cumulative improvement in performance that emerges is sufficiently large that parts combination becomes the next revision. His "excitement" during my phone conversation was about a leap in performance that resulted in the "ESP" model reviewed above. One thing I should also make clear for those who are not aware already--Keith's product support is legendary and he offers upgrades in revision status to his clients at very reasonable prices. Thus, my 3A, which was originally an "R02" was upgraded by Keith to an "R03" with a very quick turnaround in his shop.
I would find it helpful, just to provide context, what the other pieces are in your system as this provides valuable information on synergy. Would you mind sharing what you are using as power amplifier, speakers, turntable, cartridge, tonearm, and cables? Thanks very much.
@manfred1020 You can see my system profile here http://systems.audiogon.com/systems/3224 which should help with your synergy question. I also used the VTSP-3A (R03) with a Modwright KWA-150SE which was a nice pairing. By design the VTSP-360 (ESP) and VTPH-2A work extremely well together and it surprises me that so many people use Keith's phono stage with linestages from other manufacturers. (Of course I did this for a while myself using various Modwright linestages until I picked up a Herron). Hope this helps!


I also have the 360 ESP and would confirm dodgealum's findings.  I have about 150 hrs. on the preamp and it's an improvement over the 3A-03.  I was thinking about going the integrated route, but I couldn't find one with all the features I wanted that are available with the 360 ESP.  This was a direct replacement in the same room.  My next step will be to replace my original Herron 150 amps upgraded to M1's with his new M2's.
I've been upgrading my analog system and was in need of something for my new SL-1200G turntable to go into. Researched for a long, long time. Keith's gear (and Keith himself) have gotten so much love everywhere I've been able to find any opinions about them, that I called him and ordered a VTPH-2A phonostage, and because my MSB Analog DAC would not be a good match for that as far as input impedance, I also ordered a VTSP-360 preamp and a couple of his IC's. Should get 'em in a few weeks; can't wait!!!! But I have to, and I know they will be well worth it. 
What changes were made to the 360 in the ESP version? Unless I overlooked something, which is very possible, I didn’t see any info on the website specifying them.

Sorry to revive an old thread.

Can any Herron owners comment on the benefit of the AC polarity switch?  Is there an audible improvement when you set it "correctly"?  I don't know that I have seen that before.

Thanks in advance.

@skucie The benefit of the switch will depend on how your outlets are wired. It may have not effect at all, as in my own situation. However, it is nice to have the option to align polarity if necessary.

@dodgealum thanks for the reply.  So, assuming one's outlets are wired correctly, does the sound suffer if you flip the switch (assumedly putting all the other equipment on the other AC phase?)

Thanks again.

@dodgealum Would love to but my preamp doesn't offer the option.  Just trying to gauge how significant a feature it is.

Thanks

I have tested mine by switching it back a forth and have just kept it in the default position.  Perhaps a slight difference but not really noticeable.

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First, when you are listening to the system “from the other room” it sounds like a live band is playing--really. Before, it sounded like a great stereo system was playing.   bathroom remodeling

I've tried the polarity switch on both my Herron phono preamp and my line state preamp, and if there was any difference, I couldn't tell. For some people's houses, it might make a difference, though. Wonderful gear, though!!  

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