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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
1,525 posts
 
Pryso - agreed. And results will probably vary by cartridge.
lewm
12,454 posts
 
I do tend to wander off topic in my posts. Sorry.
analogluvr
859 posts
 
I noticed the same thing with all my moving coil cartridges. I prefer them with no external loading plugs so just infinitely loaded.
thom_at_galibier_design's avatar
thom_at_galibier_design
723 posts
 
The PH2 is in my stable, and I consider its MM input to be extremely good. My preference is to run a step-up into the MM stage (bypassing the MC input).

I've heard only one phono stage with s-s in the signal path that I could live with, and it is not a production unit. I mention this, to lay out my biases, and because I suspect others would have a kinder evaluation of the Heron's MC input.

For me, taken as an MM phono stage, it is a very good sonic value. For those who warm up to the MC input, it's even better.

Cheers,
Thom @ Galibier
vuckovic's avatar
vuckovic
22 posts
 
I agree that good SUT going to MM input is better choice than going directly to MC.. More $$$ though. I use Ypsilon MC 16 L step up, Stealth Dream V10 PC, Stealth Hyperphono and Audioquest Well IC with Herron - it is that good. I tried quite a few much more expensive phono preamps than Herron but I always have stayed with it.. Very rare in today's market..
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