@lewm
Please don't feed the troll ;).
Please don't feed the troll ;).
Preamp for Herron VTPH-2A
Ok, the eventual goal will be to try a Herron VTSP-360. However, that is not in the budget, even used, until sometime next year. So, I've decided to get an interim preamp.
I have approximately 3k to work with right now.
I'd like to hear what VTSP-2A owners are using now or have used in the past with success.
As for other suggestions, here's what I'm looking for right now.
*Needs:
Gain - I need a preamp with gain. Somewhere around 10db to 12db would be optimal.
Transparent. I'm not looking for coloration. I'd like to find one that does the best job of sounding like it's not there.
Input impedance: 47K or higher with on the SE inputs.
Line level only: No phono stage, no DAC, etc.
*Preferences:
True balanced output. Nice, but not necessary. I'd like to place the turntable in a spot where it needs approximately 25 feet of cable run between it and the power amp, but can live with it if it stays near the power amp.
Tone Control Bypass (no tone controls preferable)
Remote control: Nice , but not absolutely necessary.
*Don't care:
Tubes/Solid State. As long as it is sufficiently transparent, the tech doesn't matter.
Thanks in advance. I'm sure based on the recommendation I got for the VTPH-2A, I'll get some great suggestions.
TIA
I have approximately 3k to work with right now.
I'd like to hear what VTSP-2A owners are using now or have used in the past with success.
As for other suggestions, here's what I'm looking for right now.
*Needs:
Gain - I need a preamp with gain. Somewhere around 10db to 12db would be optimal.
Transparent. I'm not looking for coloration. I'd like to find one that does the best job of sounding like it's not there.
Input impedance: 47K or higher with on the SE inputs.
Line level only: No phono stage, no DAC, etc.
*Preferences:
True balanced output. Nice, but not necessary. I'd like to place the turntable in a spot where it needs approximately 25 feet of cable run between it and the power amp, but can live with it if it stays near the power amp.
Tone Control Bypass (no tone controls preferable)
Remote control: Nice , but not absolutely necessary.
*Don't care:
Tubes/Solid State. As long as it is sufficiently transparent, the tech doesn't matter.
Thanks in advance. I'm sure based on the recommendation I got for the VTPH-2A, I'll get some great suggestions.
TIA
Showing 11 responses by psychoticreaction
I'm wary of buying from online marketplaces unless the seller is a dealer, or has extensive selling feedback. I'd also like to be able to return if it doesn't work out. My current cartridge is an AT-ART9XA. I have others too, mostly LOMCs. Power amp is a Bryson 4B SST2 and my speakers are Maggie 1.7i. |
Preferences are just that. It doesn't bother me if he prefers something different. I haven't heard the PS Audio gear, other than an S300 amp which was impressive for the price. Having said that, I'm thrilled with what the VTSP-2A did for my listening experience. I don't need to second guess that. I've never been a flavor of the month audiophile. |
chakster Speaker efficiency doesn't even come into consideration for me, only the sound. If I find a speaker that I like, getting the right amount of power is simple. Efficient speakers for the sake of efficiency is just another audiophile religious cult. Feel free to drink your cool aid, I'll stick to sound quality. |
Ok, so I've looked as some suggestions so far. Audible Illusions L3A - Tons of gain (way too much?), has a reputation of burning thru tubes. DENAFRIPS products look nice, I'll have to go thru reviews more. Benchmark LA-4 looks very interesting. I may try to get one to check out. Reviews look almost too good to be true at the price point, but there's a 30 day return policy so it may be worth a try. PS Audio BHK is out of the price range for now, even used. I like their 30 day return policy. EAR 868 is out of reach until next year. Also, very limited US dealers so I'm not sure about return policy. Vintage, no thanks. Thanks for all the helpful suggestions. |
No simple and this is the reason you ask for active gain line stage when your power amp already 300 watt. I'm not gonna say your speakers are bad, but they are power suckers for a reason.Rediculous. Now your telling me I need to pick speakers I don't like just so I can use a passive preamp? Which can't be passive anyway because of the need for buffers to work with the Herron? There are compromises in any system, but I'm not going to compromise on my speakers any more than my budget forces me to. Don't hijack my thread and go preach your cult mantra someplace else. |
@bpoletti Yeah, auditioning the VTSP-360 is the ultimate goal, but I won't have funds for it until next year, and VTSP-3A's come up used, but only occasionally. @wturkey, I thought about the Freya+. Ordering one now looks like a 4-6 month wait. If I were to wait that long, I'd just wait a bit longer and look at the Herron next year. |
Users have their mantras suggest their ideas (many invaluable) even if they’re not for you. Users, yes, audio cult members, not so much. You can tell the difference when they get either mad or insulting when you don't agree to follow their doctrine. Or they continue to post the same drivel even when it's apparent the OP isn't interested. But anyway, I have my Herron on a wall shelf next to the turntable. It's easy for me to reach over the top of unit and manipulate any of the connections and plug in or change the loading resistors. But I do have to say I am enjoying it most with no loading resistors. I remember reading about the Cello back in the day. I'm pretty old school, and at the time it looked too much like a preamp with an equalizer. :) I'm still pretty purist, I bypass the tone controls where possible, but yeah, the Palette is a bit older than what I'm looking for. Thanks. |