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Any Herron VTPH-2 Phono Stage Owners out there?

Has anyone recently purchased a VTPH-2? Any thoughts compared to other phono stages costing around the same price of $3,600? That still is a lot of money and a lot of good competition out there. I was also looking at a couple of the Sutherland units (the DUO and the 20/20).

Another concern is that I have a Primaluna Dialogue Premium HP Integrated Amp and was wondering how another tube phono stage would sound with the tube phono stage? Is it better to Mix solid state phono stage with a Tube Amp or keep it all the same (all tubes or all solid state?). My turntable is a VPI Prime with Ortofon Quintet black cartridge. Thanks!
djfst
bpoletti
1,523 posts
 
Getting back to the OP question, I think it depends on the signature of the individual components and the component matching.

Your integrated amp has an input of 100k ohms. That is sufficiently high to allow upstream components to drive it without problems. OTOH, some solid state components might have a low input impedance which could present problems for some high output impedance tube equipment.
arsh
367 posts
 
I have to echo the other comments about the Herron phono stage as well as Keith Herron. I have had my VTPH-2 for just over a year, and it is fantastic. Keith Herron provides great support and customer service. This product is, in my opinion, an outstanding value. Rest of my system: VPI Scoutmaster/Soundsmith Paua, Herron VTPH-2, Musical Fidelity NuVista 800, MF TriVista DAC, MF A3.2 CDP, Wilson Audio Sashas, Transparent Reference cables and power.
djfst OP
169 posts
 
If I go with the Herron VTPH2, how much benefit (if at all) would I get going with a Step up Transformer, such as a Bob's Device? My low output Ortofon Black Quintent is 0.3mv. I have a VPI Prime turntable and know that Bob's makes one for the VPI's. I am an audiophile newbie so have no idea what exactly it will do or how to tell. Thanks!
arsh
367 posts
 
I don't think you need one. However, I would recommend you speak with Keith Herron. He is a wealth of information and very willing to answer questions. If you give him the specs of your cartridge and amp, he will tell you how the VTPH-2 would work in that context.
bpoletti
1,523 posts
 
I'm not using a SUT with my VTPH-2 / AT OC9/II combo. I don't think I'm missing anything.
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