2. analog
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Phono preamp comparison/Pass,Herron,Avid

I am shopping for a new phono preamp to mate with my Basis 2500/Vector 4 arm combo. The cartridge is a Dynavector xx2 mk ii . I have narrowed my search to a Pass Labs XP-15, a Herron VTPH-2 and perhaps an Avid Pellere. Research in the analog forum reveals a couple of recommendations for the XP-15 and xx2 combo, but I have found no direct comparisons of the Pass and Herron units. I find very little on the Avid either but it is a newer unit. I would be interested in hearing from you if you have one of these units on why you chose it and how it impacted your system. I have Pass and Avid dealers in my town but neither has a unit to demo presently. If you are wondering what my goals are, at this price point, they are transparency, neutrality and low bass fidelity.
Thanks in advance for your posts.
teeshot

Showing 4 responses by bpoletti

bpoletti
1,523 posts
 
I have had extensive listening on the VTSP-2 and consider it as good as it gets. I have not had direct comparison of the VTSP-2 to other phono stages and only have heard it through other Herron equipment, but it is superb.

Disclaimer: Keith Herron is a personal friend (as he is to many of his customers).
bpoletti
1,523 posts
 
I have not heard a better, more musically involving amp than the Herron M1As with the latest upgrade. I can only compare them to the Herron M-150s since I have not had anything but Herron electronics in my system for almost 15 years.
bpoletti
1,523 posts
 
No problem with the Herrons controlling speakers. That control is in the design, not the weight of the front panel
bpoletti
1,523 posts
 
Sure, but speaker control is in the design. Big transformers, large banks of ps caps and the like don't necessarily make an amp more capable of controlling a speaker.
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