Phono preamp comparison: Herron vs. K&K

One thing to keep in mind if you are considering the K&K is the possibility of future upgrades. The very first kit sold can be upgraded to the latest version of the circuit ( I know, i upgraded it for a friend that bought it from me). Kevin prices the upgrade kits based on the part cost, not on the sonic benefit as some do. Charging what they think the market will bear. That could be one reason so few units are available used. You don't have to run out and buy a new unit when an improved version becomes available.

The best phono stage out there is Kevin's new 3 stage, transformer coupled, differential series feed design. ;~) Unfortunately for us, the last I heard the projected retail was $18K. Fortunately for me I snapped up one of the beta versions when they were available. And yes, there has been several upgrades to it in the 2 years I've had it. Every one has been a major improvement. Kevin communicated to me last week a new "twist" on his series feed topology that will take it to a new level. I can't wait as this change also applies to my line stage and the input stage of my mono-blocks. As Kevin says: "No matter how good it sounds, it can always sound better". Amen

Jb0194, I'm using the circuit in the Sonus DAC's active output to do double duty as a DAC output and a line stage. Two pairs of resistors do the I/V conversion and a pair of relays connects to the passive attenuator and the grids of the 6N6P gain stage. With analog inputs, the relays connect a Lundalh line input trannie. If you are interested, pictures are posted on Dave Davenport's "Gallery". www.raleighaudio.com/tracy.htm BTW, this new twist that I mentioned will apply to your DAC. As to "different" rather that "better", Kevin has always in talking to me made the distinction between different and better. Whenever he has told me that a change was merely different, that's what it was. When he made the claim that a change was better, to my ears it has been so.